Women's clothes make me feel happier, freer--and safer. The safety comes in because I'm naturally androgynous, even leaning perhaps more towards feminine, but I haven't started HRT, so I need to push the balance, so to speak, in favour of visually passing as female. Wearing a little bit of foundation to even out my skin and cover up some beard shadow can be the difference between how I'm read at a glance, and the same goes for clothing. It's never safe being trans* if you're in a place where you might not be accepted, but learning how to push the scales in the direction of being read as female over male can make all the difference in not being harassed for your gender identity. And the more confidence I get, the more I learn how to do less: to wear simpler clothing when going for groceries, to try to get by with less makeup, etc.
And, as much as I love pants, god--the feel of a skirt/dress is just wondrous. It still amuses me how men I don't know will be more likely to hold a door for me or step aside to let me pass if I'm wearing a skirt or dress instead of something else. I don't want to have to conform to any gender stereotypes, but I must admit I enjoy the power women's clothing can give one in certain situations.
