new here, looking for beginers advice and friends

[Teresa]

Alexa,
I would suggest you start by finding a social group where you can practice your skills , heading off into the RW and isolating yourself in a holiday maybe a step too far .

I picked a wet/ cold Monday morning when I ventured into Boots to have my skin colour checked but it was the best thing I ever did . OK I was in male mode and there were shoppers passing by but I was shown how to apply the products and walked out with confidence knowing the makeup was suited to me . Make overs can be expensive and often go OTT , just take a good look round at GGs and see how much or little most of them wear .

[Helen_Highwater]

Alexa,

Okay, Cd'ing holidays, your talking to an old hand. It's how I started with getting out and about. I'd rent an isolated holiday cottage for a week, somewhere I could come and go fairly much unseen. Some were more isolated that others but that was good as it helped build my confidence. Over the course of probably 3 holidays I ventured out firstly finding quiet places to walk, the more I did that the more I began to walk in places where others would be about in modest numbers. Visits to cash points, drive through fast food, these sorts of things build confidence.

Then there was a moment of inspiration. I found a social group that met in the area where I was staying, contacted the secretary by email to ask if it was ok for me to attend, yes, and so I put on a dress and heels, did my makeup and off I went. Warmly welcomed, I chatted all evening to those there, and this is something I written about many times, I got chatting to one gal in particular. She didn't come close to passing but told me she was staying overnight in the hotel and was going shopping enfemme the next day. It was at that moment I thought if she can, I can, and did but that's for another post.

I would suggest you start by finding a social group where you can practice your skills , heading off into the RW and isolating yourself in a holiday maybe a step too far .

So I agree with Teresa on the first part but we'll have to agree to disagree on the second.

I picked a wet/ cold Monday morning when I ventured into Boots to have my skin colour checked but it was the best thing I ever did . OK I was in male mode and there were shoppers passing by but I was shown how to apply the products and walked out with confidence knowing the makeup was suited to me . Make overs can be expensive and often go OTT , just take a good look round at GGs and see how much or little most of them wear .

The confidence I gained from that first shopping trip allowed me to also get a foundation match in Boots but I was enfemme. Initially nerve racking but like Teresa the best things I ever did. Cost me a few quid in products but the results elevated by appearance.

One more thing, you'll read discussions about passing Vs blending. I'll never truly pass but by dressing as a woman of my age and getting the mannerisms right I can walk around the shops and yes some will read me but most won't give me a second look. I blend into the crowd, hide in plain sight.

I now eat in pubs and restaurants, go to the cinema, shop, use public transport, just go about my daily business. So yes I'd say a holiday is a good way to start.

[alexa_cd]

Thank you Helen, When I was younger and still stayed with my parents I would occasionally book into a hotel and spend the day and evening dressed but would never venture out of the room so this is very much now about being seen I hadnt even considered the idea of somewhere quiet when thinking about this but will very much consider it now. My thinking so far had been that I would go somewhere very busy with a active LGBT scene and just try to blend in and find somewhere I could comfortably be dressed and have a drink.
I have seen a lot of chat on here already about passing vs blending and it has made me feel much more confident about going out, I dont think I could ever pass but blending is fine by me and now I know so many more like yourself are the same and that is really pleasing and a relief for me to hear for that alone I am already happy I took the step to join this site today. Thanks again Helen X