Stepping out publicly as a woman is a powerful way to validate your female self.
In fact, I recently published a poll asking “How often do you go out in public as a woman?”
I was happy to see that the majority of my readers (transgender women and crossdressers) go out at least occasionally.
No matter how often you do it, I’m sure you can remember your first time presenting as a woman or crossdressing in public.
Since this is such an important gender-affirming step, I’d love to hear about it!
When was it? Where did you go? And what was your experience?
Please share with us in the comments below!
And if you’ve never been en femme in public, I’m sure you’ll find lots of inspiration in these stories.
As always, thank you for reading and participating!
Love,
Lucille
P.S. If you liked this article, you will love my FREE Unleash Your Inner Woman hypnosis mini session.
The first time I went out in public dressed as a female was just before my 16th birthday. I wore my tight fitting jeans,a not too baggy turtle neck sweater, and a pair of pink Reebok sneakers. My hair was long, so I pulled it back in a ponytail and put on a little mascara and light pink lip gloss and walked downtown to the Drugstore. I concentrated on playing the role I was dressed for to counteract my nervousness and excitement. Being happy it was very easy to greet the few people I passed with a smile or a soft cheery “Hi” when a response seemed natural. When I arrived at the store I was surprisingly relaxed and very comfortable being accepted as a young woman was very encouraging but I couldn’t let my excitement distract me so I found the sunglasses and after trying on several pair picked the pair I thought the most flattering, and went to look at makeup. They had promotional sale on a New Mascara and a woman commented to me that she thought it was a great product and she was buying more for her sister and daughter. When I replied that was nice of her, she said her daughter was about my age, was a freshman at college and maybe I knew her, mentioning her name. All I could say was “No I don’t believe we’ve met” realizing I wasn’t a teenager was a shocking and pleasant surprise. I was looking at nail polish and decided to buy a French Manicure Kit instead, and I got some underarm deodorant. At the checkout the clerk asked ” Were you able to find everything Miss?” I smiled and said yes and he said ” Will that be all?” I smiled again and said ” I would like a pack of Virginia Slims cigarettes please”. He reached over put his hand over the brand I had requested and looked at me. I smiled and nodded and he rang up the total. As I got the money out of my purse he asked if I lived around here and not wanting to encourage him I told him I was visiting my boy friend. The walk back home was like floating on a cloud. It was the real beginning of my journey and the fulfillment of my desire. Best Wishes ~ Honey
The first time I went out as a Female was just Prior to my 12th Birthday were I went out with a real girl and her mother whilst dressed as a girl mysel, this was just after WW2 and I wore a school girls dress of the era (Circaq 1946). this was in a large city in the United Kingdom.The items of clothing were all of that period and were a Navy blue Gymslip dress with a White Blouse. Underneath i wore a Liberty Bodice with suspenders this was not the most comfortable Item of underwear but was told it Gave me an asembelance of Protection when in the presence of Boys. I also wore blue Bloomer type Knickers and long Black stocking that were and held up by the suspenders Completed by Black patent leather Shoes with an ankle strap that was fastened by a button that had to be fastened by a hook type of tool
We went out into the city and I admit I was petrified aspecially as it included a 30 min bus ride. I was also reminded frequently to Keep my legs and or my knees together. we then spent about 3 hours in shops and a cafe and all the time my stomache had all sorts of butterflies in it
I believe I realised how vunerable a girl and women in general were but I went through the exercise and could not wait to do it again and again. From that moment on I knew I realy wanted to be a Girl and it felt right for me. Those clothes that I wore on that occasion was etched in my memory and I had them still in a drawer with my modern lingerie ontil two years ago. I had lots of experiences followning during my teens when I took up Ice skating and at a couple of rinks where I was not known I wore the clothes that female ice figure skaters wore Very skimpy and Tights, I had other clothes for Ice dancing etc and as my voice didnt break till much later I carried it off very well I was fequently propersitioned to go out with males but only ventured that in company with other Girls as in my very early years of crossdressing I was compromised by a group of boys and the inevitable happened I was raped by several of a group of 9 boys this followed a younger Girl spilling the secret that I was not a real girl but a boy.That episode took me a couple of years to get over. Thats all I have to say on the subject and will send this comment and if anyone is interested I could write more of my experiences as a girl becoming an adult.
I am now in my 80’s but only look about 50 and still dress as a woman full time and have quite a group of Girl friends with
whom I go shopping, as most women do together and enjoy the experience
Love to all Susan
Although I’m well into my 40’s I first went out dressed in public on 13th April 2013. After years of denying my female side I finally decided that if I didn’t at least try going out once I’d always regret it. I’d only recently become happy (to a degree) with how I looked as a girl, I never would have set foot outside if I hadn’t been. Through the website tvchix I’d made several online friends and we arranged to meet for a night out in Manchester’s gay village U.K. (an ideal place to go for a novice tgirl). I remember nervously getting ready in my hotel room worrying would my makeup look ok, did my dress look nice enough, was I going to chicken out?! One of my friends had kindly agreed to come to my hotel room and walk with me to the bar we were meeting everyone. OMG! Stepping out of my hotel room door and walking through the lobby was so nerve wracking. Once outside I felt more relaxed and walking up the street was such a thrill, just feeling the cool night air in my legs and having to stop my dress blowing up was amazing lol! The friends I met that night turned out to be the loveliest people you could hope to meet and I’ve been out with them several times since. (My pic is how I looked on that first night, looking back I was rather dowdy compared to everyone else who was super glam)
Rachel I think you look amazing…glam is not the way to go IF you are trying to FIT in and be excepted. Glam is great if you want to STICK out from the crowd. Have fun! ~ Jen *winks
Rachel and Jen, you both look beautiful–and 110% passable! I am so envious, but admire you both! Congratulations to you both!
Rachel I think you look amazing…glam is not the way to go IF you are trying to FIT in and be excepted. Glam is great if you want to STICK out from the crowd. Have fun! ~ Jen *winks
I agree, you look great…..trying to perfect My look as well.
Girl you are so beatiful, I want to have the courage to go out in femme but im so nervous, congrats for you. any tips?
I have been dressing most all of my life . My wife helps with all of my clothes , some very sexy for the bed room only .
Getting older now and do not go out much as Cindie , But 20 years ago till I was paralyzed from the waist down 4 years ago I would go out every morning to the post office in full dress . Then go to work under dressed and get on my big Cat Loader .
Lyme Has done some very bad things to my body over the past 7 years .
Love you
Cindie
i am sorry for your body health (sp) but at lease you have someone to take care. love her very dearly. she is special. not everyone would do the same thing.
I also have my other “FIRST” time going into public as an adult woman . . . I have been attending the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas for 13 years, but in January 2008 I just ‘went for it’ and attended the entire 4 days as Cathy Peterson, with official name-tag/entry badge on laniard and a fictitious tech company name as my affiliation. The greatest thrill was stepping out of my hotel, walking over to the convention center, and blending in with the 100,000+ attendees jamming every sidewalk, crosswalk, and the 2 million square feet of exhibitor booths + displays. This photo is my French-braid for “Day-1 2008” matched with very professional businesswoman long-sleeved knit top, pencil skirt, flats, black thigh-highs, shoulder purse, my own hair in the braid style, and tasteful jewelry/perfume/nails/crepe scarf/sunglasses. Wonderful cool 65 degrees sunny skies and brisk wind – – – and there I was in the middle of the masses (90% men 10% women at CES) and into the South Hall main lobby, up to the entry doors to have my badge scanned as security guy greeted me with “hello ma’am” and I smiled and in I went.
So many people everywhere, all walking, talking, constantly passing by with just 1-2 seconds to look at each other, and I walked/perused all the tech displays/pavilions, talked with product demo people, sat in on larger demos, picked up free giveaways at several booths/exhibits, ate lunch in one of the large food court cafes, and spent almost 5 hours on that first day, and felt so free, so relaxed as each 15-minutes rolled by, then each hour, and my feminine confidence was soaring, which led to going to shop at Marshals, Ross, TJ Maxx, and Dress Barn from 3pm until dinner time, and then to a restaurant in my casino-hotel, then a movie at the theater and I was completely hooked that I could do it again for 3 more days, so I stayed as Cathy 24/7 overnight and for the rest of the convention – and I now do the same every year, so if anyone would like to meet Jan 6-7-8-9 2015 at CES, let’s do it!
My first time – October 2011 on the Carnival Triumph. My wife and I joined Peggy Ruud and Mel for their Halloween Cruise En Fem. Bless them for there efforts and encouragement. That first evening, getting dressed in the cabin, getting ready to step out in public the first time in my life. We’ll I can tell you my heart was in my throat, walking in heels down the corridor ( behind my wife for safety), meeting in the lounge with the group, then walking through the dinning room for all to see. We were something of a parade and people noticed us. But all was fine. The staff was great with us treating like the ladies we were that evening. I only had the nerve to dress in the evenings for dinner even changing back to drab before hitting the bar. My wife had planned a Tinker bell costume for me and helped me get up the courage to get dressed and go out and participate in the costume walk around. It was great, the whole trip. We went again October 2013. This time as a school girl I’ve always wanted to be. If any one reads this and was on one of these trips with us, I’d love a shout out from you, I’ve lost track of everyone and I am feeling alone. Could really use the friendship. Anyway, great time great trips great experiences and love to do it again and more.
Cheers!
My first outing was about four years ago in May. I went to a Meetup.com with about 40 other girls. We first met and the Bronx restaurant on Cedar Springs in Dallas, TX. I had a light dinner and chatted with a few of the girls. I wore my first and favorite dress, a leopard mini tank top with thin strappy black high heels, long red nails, and long red hair. We then walked about a block to S4 for drinks and dancing. I just sat pretty swirling my drink and chatting some more with a few girls. One hottie said I was pretty brave to be wearing that dress as it won the shortest dress contest for sure. I felt safe with so many girls around. It was fun, but no real connections were made that night.
July 2012, I went to eye Dr. got my eyes examined picked out my new woman eye glasses paid for them, went to movie theater watched a movie then off to dinner. I wore a denim skirt, blouse, and did my nails at home with Sensationail jell nail polish I loved the whole day and have not looked back sense