Many women will tell you a man wearing women's clothing is demeaning and in no sense flattering. Decades ago my wife and I had "The Talk." Yes, the same questions. I said something that upon reflection was totally stupid. I mumbled something about 'my inner woman." She shot back something to the effect, "When you can have a baby, tell me about your inner woman." This was way before transgender issues were ever thought about in current day context. I had to tell her "I do not know why I do what I do!" I wished I did not do it. It has nothing to do with her. Long ago I gave up trying to make sense of it.
The best I can come up with is what a counselor I know said to me. She feels each man or woman has some degree of dna of the opposite sex within their dna. In some it is stronger than others. That may explain a lot. Maybe she's wrong. But, that's the best I got to offer my wife.
Now, when Stephanie arises within me for whatever reason, she wants to emulate her ideal woman. It is a lot more than a man in a dress. It is also personna.
Why would a man risk losing family, friends, job, church, neighbors, everything by wearing women's clothing? There is no rational to it.
You could answer your wife by saying what I would say, "If I was not a man, I would want to be a woman."