Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Unlike so many others here I have not worn any women's clothes in decades. I have completely suppressed my desire to crossdress since I was in my teens. Now I need to figure out my style and how to even go about buying clothes that will fit me. My wife is still on the fence about this so I need to go it alone. I had a suggestion from an online friend not to get too crazy with expensive clothes. She suggested that I try a Goodwill store to get a few items that I could easily toss if I didn't like them and not be out too much money. I'm overweight and kind of short. I am currently about 230 and I'm 5'6". Can any of you suggest maybe a starting point for sizes if I'm not looking at any dresses but maybe jeans, skirts, and blouses? Not sure about a bra. I pretty much have man boobs right now lol. Not sure that would work in the standard bra or not. I'm not really looking to go out in public wearing what I am going to buy but I would wander around the house to see how comfortable dressing like that might make me feel. I do want to get women's panties and ditch my old boxers for good. I don't mind the couple pair I have that have a silky fabric but the cotton ones just make me feel sad when I wear them. So any tips you ladies can offer would be welcomed. Thanks so much in advance. Love and faith.

Gabrielle

Get a tape measure and look at some online size charts.  Everyone carries their weight a little differently, so just size and weight isn't enough.  As if things weren't hard enough, there is something called "vanity sizing," in which marketers will tweak the sizes to get women to buy their stuff.  For instance, some women will buy size 5 shoes if they fit their size 6 feet.  ::)

🤔 I'll echo the need of measurements. Cloth measuring tape, get your measurements and check them with an online sizing chart. I'm not a fan of the goodwill wardrobe. Some things are fine for costuming, but most is going to be "no style". I would suggest surfing a few websites for styles that appeal to you. Once you find your style, you can usually find similar items on cheaper sites like Amazon.

I've always been a fan of the 30s and 40s. Most of my clothing is of the era, with a few things stretching into the 50s. The clean lines and simplicity speaks to me. Classy, clean, and modest. Some of the girls like Victorian, some modern, some punk... it really is as simple as saying "that's pretty". If you like it, you'll have more confidence wearing it, and confidence is the sexiest attire.  It's not necessarily what you wear, but how you wear it. If you're only wearing stuff around the house, get crazy and get what you like.

As for lingerie, that's completely personal preference. Cotton is cheap and easy to wash, satin is a bit more spendy and more difficult to launder. I found a rayon blend that feels like satin and washes like cotton. It's the cool nights fabric from Soma, I'm obsessed. The material is extremely durable and feels simply amazing. I got the cool nights blends for my robe and pajamas as well.

I like trying things on in stores more than going online. Fit and feel are important to me. If you're worried about getting clothes in your home town, hit up a larger city in the area... nobody will really know you there and you can get some help with size and accessorizing. You picked a great time of the year if you're nervous, it is almost Halloween.  You can play it off as a need for a costume...

I agree about Goodwill stores and similar.  They are better than nothing, but you can't really develop a style there.

Check around for decent second-hand and consignment stores.  You might find, like I did, some gems, where the owner has a style and is careful about what gets put on display.  Some specialize in vintage clothes and have an eye for quality.  I managed to create a great wardrobe almost exclusively of second-hand clothes.  The few pieces I bought new were at a large retailer's 'factory' outlet, at heavily-discounted prices.

You are going to need plus size clothing.  Walmart may be one of the better options for plus size clothing.

https://www.walmart.com/cp/womens-plus-size-clothing/133195
Tips on what to buy based on your body shape at the bottom of the page.

Thrift stores are great option for me, as I can wear tiny clothes that most GGs could only wear if their diets were successful.  But, even for me, they are too frustrating if there is something that I am looking to purchase.   

I'll echo double-checking the size charts. Especially on Amazon, I swear some of the sellers on there are using juniors sizes. I'm 5'8" with 30ish inch hips, and some of the sellers put me at large. It fits, but if I hadn't verified the measurements I'd never have gotten the right size.

I echo Kathy about a good second-hand or consignment store with a style. I found a church-run store managed by older women, and they're fairly careful about what they sell. They compliment me on what I pick out, but that's the only comment I've received.

I favor separates (bottoms/tops) due to my wider shoulders and narrower hips, but knit/stretchy dresses also work well. Enjoy your exploration!