Quote from: ToriJo on September 19, 2017, 06:47:48 AM
I ended up ordering some pants online - the fit on the waist great, are a style I like on me, and are comfortable. ...  I didn't quite know what to expect for how women's clothes would feel on me - the word I have for it now is relaxing. I am kind of surprised a pair of pants and simple top could *relax* me.
...

That's wonderful... so happy for you. I've come to realize that when I feel that I look good according to my view of myself, I have more confidence and feel better (relaxed is one aspect of that). It sounds like you're just wearing what you want to wear... probably feel better because of it. I guess the logic behind it doesn't matter so much... it's just great to hear you found something you like.

Quote from: ToriJo on September 19, 2017, 06:47:48 AM
... I've asked a friend to go with me to a thrift store next week.  I'm seriously debating going dressed, but I'll probably chicken out of that and instead start dressing for something safer like support group. It still scares the crap out of me, but I expect I'll be really glad I did it. But I sure wish I could skip this phase where I won't look or feel particularly feminine in public.

So many go through it... when you're ready you'll be fine... I think picking a trans-friendly locale is a good idea first time... I did that, made a huge difference. It took almost a year before I'd wear a skirt or the like in my immediate area.

Anyway congrats again... enjoy the new clothes.

Quote from: ToriJo on September 19, 2017, 06:47:48 AM
I ended up ordering some pants online - the fit on the waist great, are a style I like on me, and are comfortable. They're long but I can fix that easily enough (and will do so this week). I didn't quite know what to expect for how women's clothes would feel on me - the word I have for it now is relaxing. I am kind of surprised a pair of pants and simple top could *relax* me.

I've asked a friend to go with me to a thrift store next week.  I'm seriously debating going dressed, but I'll probably chicken out of that and instead start dressing for something safer like support group. It still scares the crap out of me, but I expect I'll be really glad I did it. But I sure wish I could skip this phase where I won't look or feel particularly feminine in public.

Just go to a thrift shop a little ways away from home. When you enter it - scan for people who you know. If no one who knows you is around, why do you care of opinions of people who don't know you? Just dive in and start shopping. Maybe you're just looking for good bargains to resell on eBay?

ToriJo it just takes time and fortitude. Go ahead and dress up and don't chicken out! You'll be harder on your self than anyone else will be. That's how you get there, you just do it, then do it again, then again, then one day you start you just start feeling more like one of the girls! Wally-world has done wonders for me because they know me from 'before' but it's not been a problem. It's been a huge confidence builder relating with people I've known for some time while in femme mode. You just have to put on your big girl panties and go for it       The hardest part for me was carrying a purse because: no pockets! Now I don't know how I ever lived without one! Like NIKE says, 'Just Do It!'

I didn't dress up yet, but I did manage to make it to a thrift store and found a couple of things I really love shopping there. Even was brave enough to try a bunch of things on, and am starting to figure out what does and doesn't work for me, and it didn't cost me a lot of money.  And nothing horrible happened to me.

Quote from: ToriJo on September 23, 2017, 06:39:18 PM
I didn't dress up yet, but I did manage to make it to a thrift store and found a couple of things I really love shopping there. Even was brave enough to try a bunch of things on, and am starting to figure out what does and doesn't work for me, and it didn't cost me a lot of money.  And nothing horrible happened to me.

That's really wonderful ToriJo!