Boys Wearing Dresses

Yesterday's post, Sara's First Time, refreshed my memory about young boys wearing dresses in previous eras.

My mother put me in a very girly dress for my baptism, but after the festivities, she put my dress away in her cedar chest and that was the end of my publicly-approved days as a boy in a dress.

Two or three generations earlier, I would be en femme full-time until I was breeched. I wonder what effect that would have had on my penchant for femininity. I'm sure it would have intensified my feminine ways and make the transition to boy mode unbearable.

Anyway, when I first discovered that once upon a time boys wore dresses, I researched the matter to see how widespread it was (it was) and why boys wore dresses in the first place.

According to a piece by Judy Mercer Tescher of the Pendleton Historical Museum in Indiana, "It appears the original decision to place boy infants in a dress was a practical choice to facilitate wearing or not wearing a diaper. Extending the number of years that boys wore dresses is a larger story of societal change, philosophy, industrial and marketing forces, emotional needs and an array of other factors."

If you are curious like I was, I urge you to read Ms. Tescher's revealing article, "In History: Why little boys wore dresses."

Wearing Temperley London dress, alice + olivia clutch and Aquazzura sandals.

German boys and girl participating in Geschlechtertausch, 2016.

Sara's First Time

General Douglas MacArthur

At about four years, my mother on wash day would pile up the clothes on the floor for washing. I would go to the pile of women's underwear and play with them. Putting on the panties, bras, slips: both grandmother and mom would laugh! I was not allowed my grandmother's most fine items.

My mother was born in the same month as Shirley Temple and was a fan for a lifetime. Her favorite gifts as a girl were Shirley Temple dresses! Many times they asked if I wanted to try on the dresses! I really did! The ladies got into this from time to time and even went to the point of starting with panties and slips and going to full little girl drag.

One way they found of tempting, was my grandmother had some of her silk little girls panties, that after first trying them on they felt so nice and good, that all my grandmother had to do was hand them to me after a bath, and I never refused!

Once at age five, they did it and mom and dad had words over my dress which was uncommon, they rarely ever had a fight out where others could see! The next Saturday after my bath, my grandmother hands me the silk panties, which I took and it started, with a bouffant little girls slip, on to a blue dress with girl’s frilly socks and topped with patent Mary Jane shoes. These events usually lasted an hour. But this time grand took me and using an electric old style curling iron did my shoulder length hair into little girl curls.

From Colonial times to the early last century, it was common for boys to be dressed as girls up to age 5 or 6. My Grandmother was a fan of General MacArthur and General Patton, she collected books on them; after I started to read she went through them as a way to help me read, MacArthur had a picture of himself at five, and a picture of his family in 1930 with first him and then his son at the age of 5-6 both were in girls dresses with long curls!

The biography of Patton said that he was dressed as a girl to age eight and as a boy only outside of the family until age 10 and was not allowed to read till age 12.

After an hour my father called from the living room as I popped by "come over here little girl!" After several repeats, I did. Dad pulled me up to his leg and said do you like your dress little girl?
“Yes.”

Several other questions on my clothes followed, then he picked me up and set me on his lap and said "Little girl, do you want to keep wearing your dress for the rest of the day?”

“Yes,” I replied demurely. At that point he grabbed my head and kissed me on the forehead then pulled me into an embrace and snuggled; that I had seen him only give to little girls in the family! It was great! Total acceptance as I stayed there for several minutes! Till both my mother and grand came in from the doorway.

No more was said.


I invite all Femulate readers to share their first crossdressing experience. Try to recall that moment the first time you tried on a woman’s garment and began the process of unveiling and exploring your feminine self. To entice you to share your first time story, I will give away a free copy of my e-book Fantasia Fair Diaries to all whose stories I use in Femulate.

Wearing Marciano.

Johnny Downs (right) in the 1941 film All-American Co-Ed.

I line

Despite doing my makeup for over 50 years, I have never been able to do eyeliner like the woman in the accompanying photo. I figured that it was just eyeliner incompetent, however, when I have had makeovers done by various professional makeup artists, they have never achieved "the look" either.

So now I wonder if there is something physically wrong with the shape of my eyes that prevents them from ever achieving that look. To be specific, I do not have trouble with the eyeliner on the upper and lower lids. The problem is mating the two lines together at the outer corners of my eyes.

C'est la vie!

Wearing JustFab.

Four fellows attending Grazer Tuntenball in Berlin, 2016.

Shopping with Stana

My favorite shopping amusements.

Wearing St. Roche.

Thomas Kuc and Benjamin Flores, Jr. in a 2016 episode of television's Game Shakers.
(Thank you Zoe!)

Marie, A Girl Continued

This story is a continuation of Marie's First Time.

Regrettably, next day when we were reliving the events of the previous evening my wife announced now that I had experienced some of the joys of femininity she now expected me to cherish the memory but we would never have an encore performance. I was inwardly crushed but I was able to obtain some photos from the party and cut one down to wallet size, which I kept for many years as a small reminded of my first fully feminine adventure. I would not be able until many years later after we had three children - all girls - learned many another aspects of femininity. Was surrounded by this crew until the girls departed the nest and my wife suddenly passed away. Shortly afterward the girls came and cleaned out all my wife's things and I was left with an enormous walk-in rosewood closet with a full length beveled mirror and the delicate fragrance of her numerous flower caches. This started me into on exploration of my femininity, which had been dormant for twenty-four years.

During the next few weeks I recalled all the preparations for the Halloween Show Girl Team and mentally relived the preparation and the excitement and thrill of that evening in my mind. Without my "Girl Guide Partner," my first purchases were tentative and always mixed with other purchases. It took a few trial runs to determine my girl sizes (36B, eight in panties and skirts, and ten in dresses and twelve in well tailored ladies suits (skirts had to be taken in). The lingerie collection gradually grew to become came a rainbow of matching colors. The same with shoes and purses and of course a few good quality wigs. Although I had the run of the house and could do the housekeeping chores a la femme, and could walk outside on the two acres of property and travel down the driveway to deposit or pickup the mail my inner soul yearned for some female companionship and appreciation as well as makeup tips and feminine training. I was yearning to go out into the world and experience the life I had forgone those many years. The "web to the rescue."

It took me a few weeks of frustration and missed starts before I came up with my "Fairy Godmother." Finally after several weeks/month of searching under various terms, located the website of a makeup artist who also does photoshoots a few hours away. Made an appointment and began preparations including culling my wardrobe and purchasing a special outfit. On my arrival day, I was met by the "artist," an extremely friendly and lively woman who shortly I would learn was totally understanding and highly supportive of Marie. I was thrilled but also a little anxious as I entered this new world.

After a few minutes of chatting with a glass of wine in hand, I began the conversion from Bruce to Marie. Shave, shower, dusting powder, wig, lingerie, and dressing gown followed by a full professional makeover. Then we selected the outfits beginning with casual walking-out togs, moved to day dresses, then a stylish business suit, a wonderful cocktail number all with the appropriate jewelry, accessories, shoes and purses. There were camera shots galore, some posed but many candid as Marie transitioned from the casual afternoon shopping outfit through each of the progressively for feminine images.

I was in seventh heaven as someone coined ages ago. We eventually graduated to an off the shoulder low bodice ball gown worth matching shawl. Did I tell you the background music during the journey evolved to match the mood setting of each outfit. Totally enticed by this new and wonderful world changed back to a nice up-scale shopping outfit and departed for a light dinner at a warm, friendly and cozy restaurant. The three of us – my artist’s husband had joined us for dinner. Then a walk along the lakeside boardwalk with the evening breeze gently blowing my skirt and caressing my well rounded breasts with just a touch of cleavage showing. The clicking of our heels was the musical backdrop. The night was not over!! After Brad – the husband went back to work, we girls headed back to the studio and another whole chapter of delight and femininity awaited, although I was unaware at the time and due to the trance of euphoria I was in. Nothing could be better, I thought. I proved to be delightfully incorrect.

Upon pulling up at the studio my "Girl Guide" suggested I take a leisurely "soak" and she would be back in 45 minutes for another training lesson. Before ascending the stairs to her house, she chirped over her shoulder that I would find everything a lady needed in the bath off the studio and available myself of anything and everything I found finishing up with the reminder she would be back in 45 minutes and expected to fine a perfectly smooth skinned and moisturized “Marie” waiting for another chapter in femininity. With cheerful directions I slipped off my heels dangled them in one hand and with purse in other and flew up the stone steps.

As I entered the bath-suite, and that was what is was – the lights slow came on and climbed to a pleasant pinkish hue and soft music filling the air. I was stunned and captivated. Taking one last-long look in the full-length wall mirror, I carefully removed the walking-out dining outfit carefully hanging it on a cushioned and perfumed hangar. There were several. Each displaying a separate article of intimate apparel, including a short pink dressing gown, and a black satin sleeping gown and matching black negligee. Next to this mini-alcove was velvet covered cushioned stool. On it laid a black bra and panty plus a pair of near black thigh highs. The tub had been half drawn and the water was barely warm so on with the hot water tap and then in with the bottle of bubble bath that was perched on the side. While waiting a quick face cleaning and shave, then slide into the foaming delightful smelling blue liquid. There was a small book title “How to be a Girl.”

Only a quick perusal was allowed as only 20 minutes were left before my hostess would return. Gingerly, I stepped out of the porcelain tub and using the giant sized pink bath towel, dried and powered my smooth skin paying particular attention to my shoulders, throat and cleavage area. Then on with the lacy bra and equally lacy panties followed by carefully rolling the thigh-highs up taking special care not the cause a run in these gossamer encasements. Then the black heels and the thigh-length dressing gown.

Just as I was brushing my hair, I heard the chimes from the studio door and the cheerful voice of my hostess calling my name, "Marie, are you decent?" I quickly chirped back a positive reply and entered the studio and took a sit in the makeup chair where my face again become a palette of femininity and if I may say so, when finished glamorous.

As I stood in front of the full-length mirror, once more my hostess came behind me, wrapped a black satin and bone corset around my waist and began working the laces. She had me turn away from the mirror as she was performing this piece of magic. When finished, she added a pearl necklace, matching dangling earrings, ring and bracelet and a cloud of perfume from the crown of my carefully casually brushed hair down to my now naturally-enhanced cleavage. Then I was allowed to gracefully turn back to the mirror which she had now opened to it three full panels. A vision of femininity in spirit and body looked back. I was flabbergasted at the level of artistry my hostess had achieved and absolutely taken back by Marie.

Lastly, I was guided to a nearby bed and directed to strike several girly poses, while my hostess snapped pictures in a rapid suggestion. She then exited the studio and turning off the light, wished me a night full of wonderful dreams. Luxurious in the memories of the day and evening, I drifted off to a restful sleep.


I invite all Femulate readers to share their first crossdressing experience. Try to recall that moment the first time you tried on a woman’s garment and began the process of unveiling and exploring your feminine self. To entice you to share your first time story, I will give away a free copy of my e-book Fantasia Fair Diaries to all whose stories I use in Femulate.

Wearing Alexander Wang.

Hans Anton, professional femulator, circa 1910

Got Labels?

By Susan King

This is the first of what I hope are many guest blog posts by my friend Susan, who is the author of her own blog, Transitioning Into Tomorrow.

Growing up in 1960's, I was secretly wearing my mother's girdle, stockings and heels. I love the look and feel of them. I remember feeling bad about it but could not stop. Nor did I want to. Eventually the word crossdresser became my label and my father thought I might be gay.

We did not have many labels back then. Slowly through the 1980's, different labels appeared, thanks to talk shows like Phil Donahue..

Now with the Internet and gender becoming front and center, there seems to be so many labels, I can not keep up. Below is a video that attempts to make some logical sense of these gender variant labels.

There are 21 different labels discussed in this video. I think there is a little overkill and that some are redundant. But the video did help me.

 

Wearing Ted Baker London.

6 Pack Band, India's first transgender band

SaveSave

She's got legs; she knows how to use them*

I recently received another e-mail complaining that my skirts were too short for my height and/or my age (I am 6 feet 2 and 65 years old).

I think the height complaint is a non-starter. Tall women have long and shapely legs --- who to better show off them off then by wearing short skirts?

Online, I found this about tall women and short skirts.

"Tall women of all ages look great in a short skirt. As you grow out of your college-partying days, you will probably want to veer away from the ultra-short, ultra-tight mini skirt, but there’s nothing wrong with a skirt that ends at your fingertips or mid-thigh. If that seems too edgy, try a skirt that ends equidistant between your knees and your fingertips. A skirt this length will help prevent embarrassing Brittany-esque moments, but will still show off enough leg to make people take notice."

I also found this.

Editor-at-Large from Glamour magazine Suze Yalof Schwartz appearing on Today said, "Her 'rule of thumb' (pun intended) is that a mini skirt's hem should not be any shorter than a wearer's thumb when the hands are at the side. I actually think, however, that you have to see the wearer and the garment and that rules like that don't always apply across the board. Plus, the thumb line can be pretty short.

"For example, the wearer's legs make a huge difference in whether a mini dress or skirt makes you look fabulous or half-naked. Take Real Housewife of New York City Kelly Bensimon, for instance... As a tan, statuesque (6' 0" - Ed.) former model, her style is synonymous with mini skirts. Are her skirts, shorts, and dresses a tad too short sometimes? Sure. But does she have great legs and all the business in the world rocking a style that shows off her inherent gam glory: Absolutely!"

Personally, I think that my legs are ok, but other people have convinced me that they are more so. My legs have always received good grades. My mother often said I had beautiful legs (and that "you should have been a girl with legs like yours"). My wife and other genetic women have admitted that I have nicer legs then they do. Friends and strangers have praised my legs. A friend's spouse even nicknamed me "Leggy."

Who am I to argue? The consensus is that I have great legs, so they meet the qualification to be shown and height is not a cause for disqualification. 

But does my age disqualify me?

For starters, I don't look (or act) my age. Even in boy mode, I look younger than my age. In girl mode, with makeup and a wig piled on, I look even younger. People often guess I am in my 40s. But what's age got to do with it?

From the Internet again:

"To use her as an example yet again, Kelly Bensimon is 40 years old and not slowing down when it comes to donning miniskirts. I don't think there should be any hard and fast rule about not wearing something after a certain age. The key is being honest with yourself about how you look in it."

I honestly think I look good in short skirts despite my age, real or apparent. Until I am convinced otherwise, you will see my knees and more.

* You all probably recognize that line from ZZ Top's hit recording "Legs." I wonder if you remember a brief T-moment in the video for that song. In that video, leggy girls, who are dressed over-the-top, are shopping in a boutique outfitting another girl who is more conservatively dressed. The T-moment occurs when one of the leggy girls grabs a dress from a guy who is holding the garment up to himself to see how it fits/looks in it.

(Caveat Emptor: This is a redo of a 3-year-old post.)

Wearing Fashion To Figure.

John Hansen (left) in the 1970 film The Christine Jorgensen Story

Happy Independence Day!

Wearing Guess by Marciano.

Peter Outerbridge in the 1999 Canadian film Better Than Chocolate.