I am like you, a transgendered woman. I have never known any other feelings.

I do not like pants either. A attractive skirt and top work fine for me. I am not very good at makeup and my wife does help. She accepts me as her best friend and partner.

In public I am not aware of my earrings and shoes. So there is not angst. Sometimes I feel out of place in a top or skirt, but I never have any problem with anyone. Many women tell me they like my earrings and shoes and I thank them for their appreciation. Sometimes we discuss where I bought my clothes and I reply in a normal and confortable tone.

I feel more comfortable around women than men, perhaps because men have something to prove but that does not stop me from being thier friend.

I did notice that gay men can be my friend, often trying to protect me, but they cannot understand what a transgendered man feels like.
I don’t understand what gay feels like also, so we keep it at friendship.

One woman asked why TG men would want to wear womens clothes. Would they like to wear mens clothes? TG men can see the beauty and fashion in clothes and wearing them makes you feel complete. There is no sexual excitement about it at all. It’s just the feeling that your clothes reflect the real person inside.

Many thanks for taking the time to write the article its been a wonderful read – and you look amazing.

I know – less is more, with makeup and style (or sexy style, anyway). I’m an eyeliner junkie and love to lay it on nice and thick. Not because that’s how I see other women or think other women should be, but rather because I’ve always liked the look, personally. Just as the glamorous, gothic-ish model I fashion my eye makeup after cannot go out into public without drawing a lot of attention for it (among her other amazing features), I know I can’t either. I tone it down considerably when I go out. I hate wearing pants, but I pretty much only consider going out in pants these days, anyway. My face and upper-body might give away my masculine features, but my well-toned and very feminine legs will indeed draw attention, which will only end up getting me read that much faster. Even my straight friends who know me as both Gabe and Gabrielle have told me, and I quote, “Dude – you’ve got awesome legs when you dress up!” lol Part of my exercise routine includes targeted leg and glutes exercises specifically designed to increase the shape of my thighs, hips (glutes, really, but same area), and butt. Combined with my smaller-than-average (for a man) waist, it really does help offer a feminine shape… at least from the stomach down. I can’t exactly change the size of my rib cage, but there are some styles that help minimize it in appearance.

With a relative casual style, not showing much skin, less makeup, and the right attitude (probably the area I need the most work), I’ll probably fair better. My walk is pretty good, according to my wife, as is my posture. Mannerisms probably need work (focused practice) and my voice is hit and miss. I do vocal exercises several times a week to strengthen my vocal chords and be able to talk at a higher pitch, but some times I can carry my feminine voice fairly decently, and other times it just doesn’t happen. I’m not positive, but I’m guessing my nerves have something to do with my ability to speak as Gabrielle convincingly. During this particular shopping trip, I tried hard, but my wife kept telling me my voice just sounded like a slightly higher, softer version of my man-voice. Bummer.

When it comes to public presentation and just being Gabrielle when I’m out and about, I’ve got a long way to go. It is, unfortunately, an area that doesn’t offer as many opportunities for real-world practice… at least not within the constraints of my hectic life. :( With the advice I’m getting here, feedback from my wife, and continued outings, I’m sure I’ll look AND feel more natural and comfortable when I go out over time – slowly, but surely! :)

To minimize the above may I offer some practical suggestions.
Look carefully at how women today generally present themselves when out and about.
This means noting how they dress, particularly, also how they carry their handbags (purses in the US I believe) how they stand, the speed at which they walk, how they walk (less purposeful than men with shorter steps from the hips mainly – but not with an exaggerated action).
If current trends in the US are anything like those in the UK (mainly trousers/jeans, zero fashion sense and no style) this will probably not chime well with your view of how you wish to portray yourself – it certainly doesn’t with me!
However you must take on board the fact that, if you stand out significantly from the norm you will be stared at even if you are a genetic female.

On the subject of smiles, as your wife suggested, I have found that a slight hint of one softens male features and projects a much less aggressive image to the world. With practice you will be able to instantly adopt your chosen ‘pleasant face’ at will and without long term ‘face ache’!
Now voice, it’s the tone which is crucial not the pitch!
This is very difficult to get across in print but here goes. Try to stay broadly within your normal register but raise the base tones to produce a slightly higher yet husky sound. I find that using a rather more ‘up market’ accent coupled with a brisker, brighter sound can help the illusion. Be very careful not to ascend into the ‘castrated cat’ area.

Makeup – the golden rule is ‘less is more’ if you see what I mean. It is a given that the older you are, the less you can get away with – whether you are genetically male OR female!
Men tend to try too hard by using makeup to overemphasize their ‘femininity’ in an effort to convince but the result can be a sort of ‘pantomime dame’ effect.
Experiment with much less colour a discrete bronze blusher for instance, a base shade which is matches your skin tone and go very lightly on the eyes. Teenage girls can use a trowel and still look gorgeous – but we are neither teenagers nor girls!

You will have a certain image of your feminine self which YOU feel good with and which you think is appropriate and it’s quite possible that it IS your best image. It is also quite possible that in the greater public’s view it borders on ‘tarty’ due to your choice of styles, colours and fit and your inner desire to appear feminine (which is an understandable facet of our past time)!
The ‘trick’ is to temper your view with some hard commonsense.
Suggestions: A full cut (slightly flared) skirt with a proper snug fitting waist band will flair out from the waist creating the illusion of much fuller hips.
If this is cut to below the knee and teamed with low heeled boots and a suitable top with possibly a matching/contrasting scarf you have a great winter outfit. It may sound a trifle dull but with the appropriate make up you will be able to go anywhere in confidence and that is what you need to build up before you emerge as ‘your’ Gabrielle.
A tight belt on high cut jeans will give a similar effect but to a lesser degree (as will a long line bra or waspie corset but most uncomfortably in the latter case).
Current fashions for Waterfall front cardigans (which fall to mid thigh) worn over tops (tight or otherwise) help conceal the hips.
If you have good legs, leggings with flat Egyptian/Gladiator style sandals, to reduce height, also look great with cardigan layers.
It’s a vast subject with many facets and this was meant as a short distillation of my experiences to hopefully assist you and others. It took much longer than I anticipated so my apologies Gabrielle
Best wishes on your future forays,
Georgina

Based on conversations I’ve had with crossdressers who are attracted to men when they’re in female form, there seems to be more than one general psychological process at work. Some crossdressers are attracted to men, as in find men themselves attractive. Other crossdressers express more of an attraction to their own self being touched by a man, rather than to the man himself. Some crossdressers are attracted to, and romantically interested in other crossdressers, but only the feminine side. Some crossdressers, like myself, are only ever romantically interested in genetic women. As I often describe it, we are more like a lipstick lesbian when in female form. There are variations of everything I’ve described, and then some, but those are some of the general categories I’ve picked up on, personally.

All analysis aside, people simply like what they like. So long as there is no deception taking place, or cheating, harm, etc., then it really doesn’t matter which sex someone is attracted to, does it? I’m not sure the “why” matters as long as one can take part in a romantic relationship that is meaningful and rewarding to them and their partner.

I dont consider myself to be bi and Im for sure not gay in “real” life. However when I dress as Natasha I find I am attatcted to guys, not other CD TV TG girls, but just men.

I’d be interested to know if other CD girls have the same feelings as I do. And perhaps even why I feel the way I do when Im Natasha.

I do like to try and totaly transform my looks of course, but also my manner, way of thinking, acting, interests, hobbies, and enjoy doing my best to act towards men as any girl would in social settings.

Maybe its this transforming that lends me to wish, go, that extra step and be with a guy sexuraly.

Any thoughts girls?

That all changed this past weekend.

I went to a local big city (well, 500K people is a big city, compared to my hometown of 30K+)

I checked into my motel, laid out my clothes, prepared myself as usual (took a little extra care with the makeup), took a look at myself in the mirror…and decided today was the day she was going out in public.

I drove to one of the local malls and went for it. I spent a good half hour – 45 minutes or so just strooling around the mall window shopping and browsing. Being as observant as I normally am, I was extra careful to observe the other ladies and tried to imitate their actions.

The real test (for me, at least) came when I used the elevator. Myself and a few other people got on. One man even complimented me on my looks. I haven’t quite mastered the voice aspect yet, so I pretended to have laryngitis and thanked him.

Did I mention there were other women on the elevator, as well? No one suspected otherwise ;)

I tell you, the adrenaline factor was at about 3000% as I walked through the fairly crowded mall. Sadly, I neglected to bring along a good camera, but I did stop at one of the photobooths to comemorate the event.

I’m still on Cloud 9 for having pulled off a supremely difficult challenge.

TCD