CHECK OUT THE LINK ABOVE.

"EN FEMME" IS A VERY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS AND STORE FOCUSED ONLY ON OUR TRANSGENDER / CROSS DRESSING COMMUNITY - BASED IN PHILADELPHIA USA - AND IN BUSINESS FOR 27 YEARS.

TO US THIS IS THE VERY BEST STORE IN ALL USA FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

THEY UNDERSTAND OUR SPECIAL NEEDS. 

EVERYTING YOU MIGHT NEED FOR YOUR MALE TO FEMALE TRANSFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT THEIR STORE.

THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS SUPERB - FAST ANSWERS FOR ANY OF YOUR QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS OR RETURNS . EXCHANGES - THEY ARE COMMITTED TO OUR TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY.

IF YOU NEED ANYTHING RELATED TO CROSS DRESSING - PRODUCTS / ADVICE ETC - CALL OR EMAIL THEM - THEY ARE AN INCREDABLE RESOURCE FOR OUR LIFESTYLE.

https://enfemmestyle.com

EN FEMME ALSO HAS MANY YOU TUBE VIDEOS - COVERING EVERYTHING RELATED TO OUR LIFESTYLE - CHECK IT OUT WITH THIS LINK'

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyvEGD2Rl1GqtzYEhZ84JDw

EN FEMME: THE PREMIER CROSS DRESSING STORE by Ty Antoine DeSouza 

HERE WE MOSTLY COVER BASIC INFORMATION FROM THEIR SITE - INTRO TO CROSS DRESSING - MAKE UP AND COSMETICS - GO TO THEIR SITE AND THE LEARNING CENTER - THEY COVER EVERYTHING ABOUT OUR LIFESTYLE - WITH REALISTIC AND HONEST INFORMATION.

THEN GO TO THEIR MAIN STORE SHOWING THE FEMALE FASHIONS FOR MALES AND A MASSIVE SELECTION OF PRODUCTS YOU CAN PURCHASE FROM THEIR STORE.

For those seeking a male-to-female transformation or just looking to cross dress in smaller ways, finding the right store is important. Now, the act of cross dressing reveals how clothes are thought as inherently "male" or "female”, which they are not, but this is the world we live in and our goal is to ensure that we create an environment where you feel comfortable shopping.  A crossdresser looking in the mirror  Most stores, whether online or a physical department store will divide its offerings between men's and women's clothing. If you're trying to dress beyond that boundary as someone who was assigned male at birth, you'll need a specialty store - you'll need En Femme. En Femme designers have been designing for the AMAB body, or assigned male at birth, for over 25 years.  We are proud to have a dedicated store just for the transfeminine, or those who identify with femininity.   It's our honor to provide a wide range of quality crossdressing products and categories for feminine transformation: dresses & gowns, tops, bottoms, lingerie, swimsuits, silicone breast forms, sexy pumps, tucking panties or gaffs, wigs, makeup, accessories, and more.  We cater to crossdressers, the transgender woman, or anyone else looking for women's or feminine clothing to fit a a body assigned male at birth - a glamour boutique for the feminine.  A transgender woman by a window  EN FEMME'S MISSION FOR CROSS DRESSERS AND TRANSGENDER WOMEN In short - to be the store you always dreamed of.  Whether you consider it cross dress or transgender clothing, there is a large unmet need for quality products in this sphere.  A group of transgender women in athleisure  We offer a large selection of styles that will fit your body correctly, using premium quality materials and innovation to create feminine allure. Body shaping will also help with creating that feminine silhouette, such as silicone breast forms and other shapers to create an hourglass figure so that you can express yourself with confidence.  FINDING THE RIGHT FIT AND STYLE When it comes to fit, our clothing is designed off of the AMAB body - or those assigned male at birth.  This includes differences such as inseam, shoulder width, arm length, and overall dimensions that typical women’s clothing doesn’t necessarily accommodate. Our clothing also supports a broader range of sizes  - we utilize our own proprietary sizing guide to ensure as close to a perfect fit every time.   Three transgender women wearing sequin dresses  En Femme designs and creates styles that help you transform, both inside and out – to feel beautiful. We design with knowledge and insight on how to fit your body where other brands don’t. Our philosophy on sustainability keeps us focused on reducing our footprint where possible and treating labor fairly to manufacture our designs - right here in Philadelphia.  We offer discreet shipping options in plain packaging and for orders over $100, standard domestic shipping is free.  WHAT DO YOU BUY A CROSSDRESSER OR TRANSGENDER WOMAN AS A GIFT? Looking to shop for a crossdresser or transgender woman in your life a gift? With our entire offering of products online, En Femme is the perfect place to find a piece that will delight them.  A transgender woman wearing a skater dress near a window  From the subtle to the show-stopping, we're proud to offer crossdressing garments and transgender clothing and accessories for every occasion such as dresses, corsets and skirts, makeup and breast forms. We are here to help guide you to find the perfect gift - all with discreet shipping. If you are unsure of what to shop for, consider a gift card for your favorite crossdresser - available in multiple increments.  FROM SILICONE BREAST FORMS TO SEXY PUMPS TO HELP YOU EXPRESS YOURSELF Shopping at En Femme should feel like the shopping experience you've always deserved. We offer quality products that help shape the body so that you can create the foundation for a gorgeous dress skirt or blouse.  We also offer a variety of silicone based products such as silicone breast forms that will help you create curves and a feminine silhouette. Our shoe selection offers shoes and boots in a broad range of sizes, including heels in larger sizes or open toe heels that are hard to find.

WE HOPE YOU WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS RESURCE - AND SUPORT THEM FOR ALL YOUR CROSS DRESSING NEEDS.

WE ARE NOT IN ANY WAY AFFIALATED WITH EN FEMME - WE ONLY REFERENCE THEM TO ASSIST YOU WITH YOUR NEEDS AND THEIR LEARNING CENTER.

Clothing and its association with the "opposite" gender As a term, cross dressing can conjure up confusion. How do we define what cross dressing is and the practice of cross dressing? Is it determinative of gender identity, sexual orientation or entirely unrelated? At the core of the matter, all of this gray area is the entire point. Cross dressing reveals, through its embodiment, the ever-changing space of gender and identity.   This blog will set out to answer a deceptively not so simple question: what do we mean when we talk about cross dressing?  What is cross dressing? Cross dressing is the practice of wearing clothing for example dresses & heels, or suits & ties that corresponds to the binary gender identity you were not assigned at birth.  This means that, if you were born biologically male and assigned as such, wearing "women's" clothing is cross dressing. If you were born biologically female and assigned female at birth, then wearing "men's" clothing makes you a crossdresser. The quotations are intentional, as it is societal norms that label clothing as either men’s or women’s clothing.  A gorgeous crossdresser  This may seem overly basic, but in a space where terms are constantly shifting with context and evolving in their definitions, establishing the essential definition is a must.  Cross dressing as a practice is by itself not defined or bound to gender or sexual orientation parameters.. Crossdressers can be homosexual or heterosexual. They can be transgender, or not. It can be related to a sexual fetish, or completely unrelated to sexual pleasure. The definition of cross dressing is simply that - wearing clothing or articles of clothing that society has determined is the opposite of what sex you were assigned with at birth. In western society or culture, the term crossdresser is usually associated with a cis-gendered heterosexual male who wears feminine clothing and accessories.  Oftentimes, crossdressers receive societal backlash as they are resisting societal norms - but it’s important to know that crossdressing isn’t considered pathological or associated with a particular disorder. Crossdressers may cross dress their entire lives or for a certain period of time only.  A brief history of cross dressing One of the misleading misconceptions of cross dressing assumes that this practice is somehow new, postmodern, a symptom of societal malaise or confusion in the contemporary era.  Not only is this idea patently wrong, but it couldn't be further from the truth.  Dressing as the opposite sex (or, more broadly, in a way specifically outside of your assigned gender role), has been around for longer than history has been recorded.  A beautiful crossdresser  Gender, mythology, and society Dressing to re-organize gender identity appears in all cultures. Asian and Native American cultures have specific cross dressing cultural aspects - Hindu mythology has stories that concern the transcendence of the gender binary. Certain cultures and languages even define a third gender, one that in a sense both combines and reveals as an illusion the distinctions between man and woman.  A pair of Hindu crossdressers  For some, cross dressing has a defined sacred or ritualistic function. For others, cross dressing served practical purposes, such as subverting male power dynamics, performing on stage  or, of course, self-expression.  For much of the western theatrical tradition up to the 17th century, women were forbidden from acting in plays. Male actors cross dressed to play women characters from the ancient Greeks through Shakespeare and beyond.  Gender barriers, crossdressing and women One common cause for cross dressing, most often practiced by women, is to bypass gendered barriers.  A painting of Joan of Arc  We see examples of this in Joan of Arc, the soldier and Christian martyr who wore the clothing of a soldier, and Hatshepsut, the second female pharaoh of ancient Egypt whose statues often bear a ceremonial beard and traditional kilts of a king.The distinction between "Eastern" and "Western" civilizations is dubious, to say the least, but the generalization can be made that those known as western societies have historically carried strict rules forbidding women from wearing male clothes.  Much of this stems from Judeo-Christian holy text and modesty traditions, but has been reinterpreted to suit the aims of one regime or another. Women pioneers have always been breaking the rules, however, and certain crossdressers were famous, in their own day and historically, for "passing" convincingly.  Crossdressing and men: Charles d'Eon Perhaps the most influential male crossdresser of the 18th Century was a French nobleman, diplomat, soldier, and spy named Charles; usually called the Chevalier d'Eon. Recruited into a secret ring of spies by King Louis XV, Charles was an important agent of the French court for decades.  A painting of Charles d'Eon by Thomas Stewart  He also went by Charlotte: he cross dressed so convincingly that he did a great deal of important espionage as a woman. From the age of 49 until his death at 81 (in 1810), he lived almost entirely as Charlotte.  The Chevalier is a good example of what used to be called "dual-role transvestism." This clinical and outdated term described an individual who maintained a life presenting as their birth-assigned gender and a separate life presenting as the opposite gender.  We may recognize it as a description of what many people do today: maintain two personas, one that wears "male clothing," and another that wears "female clothing." These personas can overlap, and be nearly indistinguishable from one another. Or they can be almost entirely separate, lived as distinct lives inhabited by one individual.  The scare quotes here are meant to illustrate that the labels male and female are profoundly arbitrary. Clothing is costume, whether bold or demure, and crossdressing allows the freedom to play with these received notions of "correct" dress.  Cross dressing Latin origins To speak of terms, one has to address the word "transvestite." This word has accumulated a deeply negative connotation due to repressive pseudo-scientific diagnoses using the term, dispatched by psychiatrists who saw all male crossdressing as a negative condition. However, the etymology of the word reveals a useful definition.  In Latin, the combination of trans "across, beyond," and vestire "to dress, to clothe," produces the word - literally, to dress across or beyond the imagined line dividing man from woman. Considered this way, cross dressing is a fundamentally radical and profound act.  What triggers cross dressing? There appears to be no universal answer to this question. Certainly, there are some common reasons given: a desire to subvert gender roles, the pursuit of sexual arousal, experimentation, to relax or reduce anxiety or simply the fascination with being something one almost is but, because of an invisible line drawn by social convention, is not. Cross dressing behavior typically begins when the person is quite young before any definite reasons govern their actions.  Is crossdressing a gender identity? Without the larger context of an individual's overall identity, cross dressing cannot be said to be a gender identity in and of itself. While cross dressing can play an important role in one's journey toward the discovery of a gender identity that resonates with them or feels more correct than the one assigned at birth, a crossdresser is not necessarily less a man nor more a woman (in the case of male crossdressers).  A crossdresser looking in the mirror  Simultaneously, crossdressing may be a centerpiece or beginning journey of an individual's transition from one gender to another (or outside of the gender binary altogether). Eventually, cross dressing may even evolve into, simply, dressing - the style once considered other can become more natural than the gendered garb one was expected to conform to since birth. Many crossdressers consider themselves as part of a broader transgender spectrum.  Cross dressing is an act that plays amongst the stereotypes of gender in our societies and possesses the power to transcend these limitations entirely. It can be part of something larger or done for the act alone. Its root is in self-exploration, and its applications are innumerable.  Are crossdressers drag queens? In the literal sense a drag queen is cross dressing as a woman when they are on stage, but drag queens are people who cross dress for entertainment. Drag queens also dress as caricatures of women, for comedic purposes and to play a character.  People who identify as crossdressers, however, do not typically identify as drag queens.   How common is cross dressing? The book "Tell Me What You Want" by Justin Lehmiller contains a survey that found roughly one-fourth of all men and women have fantasized about cross dressing. From this, we can say that the impulse to crossdress is very common, though it's unclear how many of us actually act on that desire.  As long as the social stigma remains, we won't know for sure how many of us cross dress, publicly or privately. What is indisputable is that cross dressing is widely practiced, has a long and storied history and is a vibrant current of curiosity that creates freedom and meaning in the lives of many.   If you're an experienced crossdresser or just starting out on a cross dressing journey, En Femme is here to help you express your feminine self and has an extensive collection to fit your every wardrobe need.

When I was born, they looked at me and said what a good boy, what a smart boy, what a strong boy. And when you were born, they looked at you and said, what a good girl, what a smart girl, what a pretty girl.  We've got these chains that hang around our necks, people want to strangle us with them before we take our first breath. -Ed Robertson  From the moment we are born (or even earlier thanks to ultrasounds), we are given labels and we are told how to identify.  Other people, be it doctors or our parents, give us our pronouns and we are expected to live with them for the rest of our lives.  But labels, like clothes, don't necessarily always fit, if they ever did at all.  So many concepts are binary and black and white (or pink and blue).  People are left handed or right handed.  People are gay or straight.  People are boys or girls.  And that is how we think the world is, even if it doesn't feel exactly right.    And then something magical happens.  We meet someone who is ambidextrous and can write with BOTH hands!  We meet someone who is bisexual who likes boys AND girls!  Suddenly the world becomes a little bigger.  There are more possibilities than we thought there were.  We start to see that limits and labels are arbitrary and imaginary.  What if... what if I want to wear girl clothes even though I am a boy?    We can do anything if we're not held down, held back, or forced into a box that never fit us in the first place.  I can't remember not wanting to wear "girl clothes".  I remember trying on my mom's heels, longing to wear the beautiful lingerie that I saw in catalogs or on a department store mannequin.  "Borrowing" my sisters' dresses.  I knew this was simply who I was, that this wasn't a phase, it wasn't something I would ever grow out of (and thank goodness I didn't because I heart all of this).  I also knew that most boys didn't try on a dress whenever they had a chance, but I never thought there was anything wrong with what I wanted to wear.  Although I never thought it was wrong, I knew I was... unique.  I felt that there HAD to be other boys who dressed up and daydreamed the same way that I did, but I was going to have to keep this side of me a secret for the rest of my life.  Imagine how stunned I was when I first heard the word 'crossdresser'.  I was perhaps around twelve years old when this first popped into my vocabulary where I learned that a crossdresser was a boy who liked to wear girl clothes, at least that's how it was defined to me.  Suddenly, the world became a little bigger.  I was comforted in learning this word.  Although I didn't think there was anything wrong with me, having a word for someone like myself somehow... normalized who I was.  It was amazing to find out there were so many others like me that there was a word for us.  I was a crossdresser!  Yay!  Over the years I learned the words 'transvestite' and 'transsexual' and it was explained to me that transvestite was a more... eloquent word for crossdresser.  A transsexual (as it was thought of at the time) was someone who had procedures done to change their gender.   Of course these words have become antiquated.  You don't need to have any procedure, legal, hormone, or surgical, done to change your gender.  You don't need estrogen or HRT or have gender affirmation surgery to be the gender you are.    Even after learning of this word, I still kept who I was to myself.  Telling anyone that you liked to wear dresses was an effective, traumatic, and quick way to be ostracized by your school, family, and friends.  I would be a sissy (of course, some of us WANT to be a sissy but I digress).  I wasn't the toughest boy in the school to begin with and had my share of bullies as it was, someone finding out about my wardrobe preferences would have been the end of me.  I kept the word crossdresser close to my heart for years.  When I started college, the internet was a relatively new thing.  I visited the campus library and searched the magic word using a dial-up modem.  I wanted to learn more about who I was.  Why I was who I was (if there even was an explanation).  I wanted confirmation that yes, there were others like me.  A few keystrokes later and my world changed again.  The search results provided me with more about crossdressing than I ever could have imagined.  These days a google search yields similar results to what I saw all those years ago.  What I mean is that crossdressing was, and still is, very much portrayed as a fetish, kinky, and sexual.    This wasn't who I was.  This wasn't erotic to me.  But... that's seemingly what crossdressing was.    I thought I was a crossdresser... but maybe I wasn't.  It's funny, I used to think that I found the word that was right for me... but all of a sudden I had my doubts.  If crossdressing was a fetish, but it wasn't a fetish for me, then.. who was I?  When I was younger I didn't fit in because I was a boy that wore girl clothes, but in college I didn't feel like I was a crossdresser because this wasn't sexual to me.  So, back to the start of learning who I was.  The problem was that crossdressing was really the most appropriate word for who I was.  I reluctantly identified as such, although I continued to do so privately.   It wasn't much later when I met a girl and we started to date.  The relationship began to get serious and I felt I needed to come out to her.  Long story short, I came out but I avoided using the word 'crossdresser' for as long as I could.  Crossdressing was perceived to be sexual, and again, this wasn't kinky to me.  I assured her that what I wore, who I was, wasn't at all a fetish.  I tried to distance myself from any perception of kink.    And this explanation and all its nuances was how I came out to two other girls I dated, one I am fortunate to be married to.  "Crossdressing without the kink" was how I looked at myself.  Not that there's anything with crossdressing as a fetish (or indeed, most fetishes), I just wanted to be understood (as much as one can understand someone like myself).  I was a crossdresser, but a crossdresser with a caveat.  Buuuuut things change.  For a long, long time, my crossdressing was mainly lingerie.  When I was younger I borrowed a dress when I had a chance, but once I started to buy my own clothes, it was almost always lingerie, panties, stockings, bras, and the occasional pair of heels.  One night, with my wife beside me, I crossed the line from lingerie to makeup and a dress.  It was an awakening.  It was like a new part of my life beginning.  Again, the world became a little bigger.   And more beautiful.  It wasn't long until I adopted a femme name (spoiler alert, it's Hannah).  Looking in a mirror and calling myself by my boy name just didn't feel right.  A year or so later I felt ready to venture out into the real world and I never looked back.  At this point, I had been keeping a blog for a couple of years where I would post  a lot about gender and identity and different ways people identify.  The familiar, conflicting feelings and thoughts about the word crossdresser still lingered and bounced around in my head and heart.  By now I knew that all of *this* was more than just clothes.  Hannah was who I was, or more specifically, an aspect of myself... an identity.  I started to gravitate to what I call The T Word.  Perhaps identifying as transgender was a better fit.  But it wasn't as easy or as natural as I thought it would be.  I chatted with a transgender friend about my misgivings and hesitations about identifying as trans.  Was it okay to identify as transgender if transitioning or living full time wasn't right for me?  Was I diminishing what being transgender meant?  Was I, for lack of a better phrase, appropriating an identity that is so important and sacred to so many people?  My friend explained that transgender is an umbrella term.  It means anything or anyone that does not fit the traditional gender norms.  Well, that was certainly me.  I didn't fit BOY or GIRL.  I was both, I was neither, sometimes at the same time.  I started to become more comfortable with the word and eventually identified as transgender.  However, like crossdresser, identifying as transgender also came with caveats and clarification, if the conversation warranted.  I would sometimes need to explain what being transgender meant to me, specifically that I wasn't going to transition.  I liked BOTH of my gender identities.  As I continued on with my journey I put a finer point on my gender identity and settled on 'bi-gender'.  It's the most appropriate and fitting, even though it's not a well known term, even within the transgender community.  The pattern of clarifying who I was still struts on.  So, what causes a shift in identification?  Well, it's usually not one moment.  Sure, it can be a sudden bolt of reflection, but it's likely a series of small changes and small events.  All of these steps make up our journey, from one milestone to another.  What can be helpful is knowing what different terms generally mean.  I don't think there will ever be a universal consensus on what the words transgender and crossdress mean to everyone.  For some, transgender will always mean hormones, for others, crossdressing will always be kinky.  Even our own community has disagreements on what all of these words mean.    My point is that identity, especially gender identity, is different and sacred from person to person.  We as individuals have to decide what feels right for us.  We can't let others define who we are.  I've let that happen far too often.  I've been called a fetishist when I identified as a crossdresser.  I've been told I am not *really* transgender because I am not full time.  I've been told that people can't be bi-gender.  I've been told I am not a boy, I am not a girl.  I've been called a pervert and a freak and confused.  I am not these things.  I know who I am.  I don't think anyone on Earth is more reflective, has searched their soul, has looked into their heart than someone who doesn't fit the traditional norms of boy or girl.  After decades of wondering who and what I am, I feel I am at the end of my journey when it comes to how I identify.  I feel at peace and comfortable identifying as a trans person.  I have a better understanding of all the nuances and possibilities of gender... and of myself. 

What is cross dressing? For the purposes of this blog, it is simply the practice of wearing clothes associated with another gender. This could be a man wearing a dress or skirt, a woman wearing a suit and tie.  Of course, it's quite a bit more complicated than that. Clothes don't have an inherent gender, and the transgender community shows us that personal gender is not always as it might seem on the surface. Nevertheless, using this simple definition allows this discussion - if I want to cross dress, masc to femme for example, how do I start?  There are many reasons people cross dress. All of them are valid. If you have the desire to wear women's clothing as a person who was assigned male at birth, whether you feel this makes you a woman or not, you have the right to. Cross dressing is self-exploration and self-love, and it can be tremendously empowering. En Femme exists to help you in this journey.  A crossdresser in a dress  There are many components to cross dressing, from makeup to shaving or reducing body hair and more. For the purposes of this blog, the topic is limited to clothes or articles of clothing. What do I look for? What size? Where can I shop?  HOW DO YOU START CROSS DRESSING? You might have a clear image of what your feminine look should be. Or you could be exploring, unsure of the style that will suit you. The only way to begin to know is to try. Follow your instincts. If you're fascinated by one dress, try it (or a similar one) on and see how you feel. It all starts with recognizing that untapped feminine side and embracing your personal style.  THE ESSENTIALS First, let's cover the items specific to a crossdresser. Because of anatomical differences (the obvious and the subtle) between men and women, it's not always as simple as throwing on panties, skirts, and heels.  The amount of shaping, contouring, and tucking you choose will be highly personal. Some crossdressers want a highly "feminine" silhouette, with an hourglass shape and accentuated bust and rear. Others may not want to alter their natural shape - and that’s OK and just as valid.. But it's always important to know your options, and at En Femme, we offer one of the largest varieties of clothing options you can find anywhere.,   BODY SHAPING These are the items you can wear to change your body's silhouette, before donning the dresses and shoes that will define your look.  BODY SHAPERS For tweaking the shape of your waist, hips, and derrière, there are body shapers. There's a lot of variety here, and you may want to experiment with different levels of change. Choose a shaper that accentuates what you already have. Looking for just a slight change - choose shapers that smooth and highlight vs those that add padding or inches to your hips.  A hip shaping body shaper  BREAST FORMS For defining a bust shape or filling out your favorite dress, breast forms can be a crucial part of a crossdresser's wardrobe. En Femme carries a wide variety, so if you want a subtle shape or something truly buxom, we've got you covered. Silicone breast forms in larger sizes can attract a lot of attention - think about size carefully depending on how you are looking to create your shape. For example, if you are tall without a lot of curves, smaller forms can be a simple way to create shape.  If you have curves and shape already in your hips for example, you can add larger forms for that classic hourglass silhouette.  Breast forms aren’t for everyone however so when thinking about your bust, ask yourself what you see as enhancing your form.  Breast forms can be simple silicone enhancers all the way to a full bust, a D cup or larger.   Silicone breast forms for crossdressers  CORSETS Corsets are famous (or infamous) for accentuating the natural curves of a woman and having a glamorous look all their own. Corsets are the ultimate in waist training and can be a great way to create definition in your body.  At En Femme, we specialize in the underbust corset - a corset that focuses on the waist and torso and ends just below the waist line. Take a look at our collection to see if their distinctive look calls to you.  A crossdresser wearing a corset from behind  TUCKING PANTIES OR GAFFS Male clothes are designed to accommodate those features that garnered that gender assignation at birth: the genitalia. It can't be ignored, as feminine clothes simply aren't cut for the space that you may need down there.  Thankfully, for that purpose we have tucking panties or gaffs - a specialized panty that allows us to tuck everything out of the way, ensuring your dress keeps a flattering silhouette all the way down.  En Femme offers one of the largest varieties of gaffs. If you're not sure which is right for you, check out our "Finding the Right Tucking Gaff Panty" article for some advice.  Transgender women wearing tucking panties or gaffs  CLOTHING TIME Grab a measuring tape, because it's time to buy some stunning clothes, and you'll need to know your measurements. If you were assigned female at birth, you've probably known your dress size for a while. But for those of us who might be buying a dress for the first time, it's not always obvious.  To find your measurements, there are three primary locations.  The first is your waist. Measure right on your belly button, and don't unnaturally suck your belly in. You need a dress to be comfortable, so relax when you're taking the measurement.  The second is the chest. Take this measurement 2-3 inches below the nipples, right under the pectoral muscle.  The third is the bust. Take this measurement at the nipples, first without any breast forms, then a second measurement with breast forms (if you plan on wearing them).  Armed with these three measurements, shopping for women’s clothing online or in-store will be much easier to navigate. Go to your local mall or women's boutique. It's your right to shop where you please, so go to those stores that catch your eye.  A crossdresser wearing a dress  Or, shop with us at En Femme!  We use a proprietary sizing guide using height, weight and body type.  Simply enter in your information to find your dress size!  DRESS SIZES The fashion industry doesn't make this easy on a girl. You'll find that every brand measures its dress sizes differently. A 12 in one brand could be a 16 in another. The only way to really know is to try the dresses on yourself. It might be scary, but you won't be the first crossdresser to grace the store. Your other option is to buy your items online with En Femme. En Femme offers a generousreturns & exchanges policy should an item not fit right - we also offer personalized fit guidance - just send us an email or call us and we’ll help you find your size.  CASUAL CLOTHES, ELEGANT STYLE Girls don't just wear dresses, of course. We offer a collection of tops and bottoms that can suit any occasion.  A crossdresser wearing a bodysuit  If you're shopping in-store, a good rule of thumb is to go one or two sizes up from your male clothes.  SHOES OR HEELS It's a similar story with shoes. For US sizing, women's shoe sizes tend to be one and a half or two numbers larger than the corresponding men's size. For instance, a size 10 in men's should look for an 11 1/2 or 12 women's shoe.  Heels for crossdressers  HOW SHOULD A CROSSDRESSER DRESS? A crossdresser should dress in the way that most empowers them, satisfies their sense of style, and nurtures their feminine instinct. There're endless sources of inspiration out there and there's no one "right" way to do it.  WHO INVENTED CROSS DRESSING? Cross dressing's history is the history of all humanity. Ever since we put ourselves into the boxes of male and female, we've been finding ways to escape (or at least have some boundary-pushing fun). So it can't be credited to one individual, but rather a deep and indeed sacred impulse. A simple search will give you tons of examples of crossdressers from history; some of them will undoubtedly surprise you.  WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CROSS DRESSING AND BEING A DRAG QUEEN? At its core, drag queens dress how they do for the purpose of entertainment and art, while crossdressers dress how they do for the purpose of personal fulfillment or identity. While there can be some overlap, it's important to understand that crossdressers aren't trying to put on a show; they're taking agency over how they present to the world and themselves.  DIVE IN WITH EN FEMME Whether you're experienced or just beginning your cross dressing journey, En Femme is the premier shop for all things cross-dress. You'll never know until you try, and there's so, so much out there to try. Take a look at what's new in the shop for fresh looks.

The world of femme clothes is amazing, wonderful, exciting, and overwhelming.  It can be intimidating to, well, get started.  Where does one begin?    Crossdressing can mean a LOT of things.  When someone asks me how to crossdress I am often at a loss.  I mean, I don't know how to answer that even though I have been wearing femme clothes since I was old enough to sneak into my mom's closet and try on as many dresses as possible.  In my opinion crossdressing can be as simple and as basic as slipping on pink, lacy panties under your boy clothes.  The moment you wear something "for girls" you are, in a sense, crossdressing.  Crossdressing is, in a way, all about GOALS.  If you ask me HOW to crossdress I'll ask what you mean.  Do you need to know how to confidently buy a pair of stockings?  Do you need to know how bra sizes work?  Are you asking me how to paint your nails or how to apply false eyelashes?    If you want to know "all of it", well... fasten your garter belt, make sure you have money in your purse, and try to keep up.  This little series is all about building your wardrobe and what I think is essential when it comes to "all of it".  Before we get started I would like to clarify a few things.  These articles will discuss our bodies and clothes that I wear when I am presenting en femme.  I'll chat about corsets and padding which gives me a more shapely figure.  Much of what we'll be covering is about the... ah, traditional perspective of femininity.  I would like to be very clear that none of this is necessary.  A person does not need to have an hourglass figure to be femme.  A person does not need to spend three hundred dollars on thigh pads or get used to wearing a tightly cinched corset to present en femme.  There are no standards, no requirements to be a girl, to be a woman.  Whether someone is wearing pink flip-flops or six inch black patent stilettos you can, and you are, absolutely femme if you say so, if you feel you are.  I feel feminine in a tight leather dress and I feel feminine in pink yoga leggings.    That being said, these writings will be about what I feel are the practical aspects of how I look and what I wear and what I do to feel femme.    The first step in all of THIS is to accept that you want to wear a dress, lingerie, high heels, mascara, mini skirts, nail polish or the zillion other things that this world offers.  The second step is embracing it.  Acceptance of oneself is not the same as embracing something.  I embraced this side of myself when I accepted that all of this makes me deliriously happy and I am not going to change who I am.  It was only then that I went from baby steps to full on strutting.    The third step?  SHOPPING.  Grab your purse, let's hit the mall or get online, and let's get started.  When I am en femme and I look in the mirror, I see ME.  And MOST of the time I think I look pretty cute (and it's absolutely okay to think you look cute).  My reflection shows a girl wearing a cute outfit, amazing makeup, perfect shoes, and the right accessories for my outfit.  But this is what my reflection SHOWS.  This is what the salesclerk at the department store SEES.  What is not visible to the world is what is under my dress.    Not like THAT, you guys.   What I mean is that before I zip up my dress I put in a LOT of work in my underdressing and body shaping.  So, let's talk about what I feel are the essential items that are in my (overflowing) lingerie drawer(s).    When you create or build ANYTHING, when you do your makeup, you start with the foundation.  Presenting en femme, at least for me, starts with what I consider a foundation and then I "build" on top of that..  I would also like to qualify that what I feel is essential is what I feel is essential for ME and for MY body type.  Let's start with padding and breast forms.  Remember when I said to grab your purse?  This side of us can get EXPENSIVE.  BUT! it's not mandatory.  A girl can have an hourglass figure, she can be rubenesque, she can be a size 0, she can be a size 20.  Girls can, and are, so many different shapes and body types.  Personally, I like forms.  My body type is pretty... well, rectangular.  I am decently proportioned but when I am en femme I like thigh pads and breast forms because they give me a curvier figure.  Dresses, skirts, and blouses just...fit better when I have my padding and forms.   If you feel the same way, then be prepared for this financially.  I really believe that crossdressing and presenting en femme is an investment of time and money.  Quality clothes, makeup, and yes, forms require a financial investment.  Fifty dollar foundation is a bigger investment than the six dollar bottle but the pricier option does a much better job with color correcting and covering my beard line.  My forms and pads cost almost $700.    On a side note, finding the right clothes comes down to knowing your measurements.  If you're not sure how bra sizes work you will likely be bewildered by the differences in cup and band sizes.  You'll also likely be frustrated when you realize that every designer has a different idea what a size 14 skirt actually means.  Before I wore forms and padding I took my measurements and used that information to purchase skirts and blouses and dresses that were the right fit for my body.  I quickly learned that I needed to retake my measurements when wearing my breast forms and my thigh pads.  I have dresses that zip up easily without my forms but when I am wearing them that same dress simply won't cooperate.  Stockings and tights are different with hip/butt pads too.  I wear different size stockings depending on whether or not I am wearing thigh pads or not.  Indeed, if I am not wearing pads I usually wear pantyhose.  If I am wearing pads, I'll go with stockings.    Moving onto the clothes themselves, I recommend having quite a few bras (with matching panties obviously).  When you start shopping for bras you'll probably be overwhelmed by the options and, well, the cost but again, this side of us takes time, patience, and money.  As much as I love wearing elaborate lingerie and rose-gold platform heels, I have to admit that what I wear under my dress tends to be more... practical than what you would think.  The lingerie I wear en femme is different than the lingerie I wear to sleep.    So, here's what I recommend having when it comes to lingerie: BRAS THAT FIT This sounds painfully obvious but we need to wear clothes that FIT, not clothes that we WANT to fit.  I would love to wear a size 8 dress buuut that's not happening.  Bra sizes are based on band and cup measurement and honestly the best way to find a bra that fits is to get a bra fitting.  And yes, I know this is very much out of one's comfort zone but that's KIND OF what all of this is about.  I've had bra fittings before and they have gone extremely well and I was able to find my size.  If it helps, lingerie stores (yes, even Victoria's Secret) are used to, and are trained in, doing bra fittings for trans women.  If you do this, and I totally recommend it, make sure you are getting fitted with your forms (if you wear forms).  If you're not ready for this, a tape measure and Google will do in a pinch. The folks at En Femme can also help you - send them an email with your measurements.  BRAS FOR ANY OUTFIT I have my go-to bras for when I am en femme.  They are cute, they are perfect for my breast forms, and yes, they have a matching panty.  But I also have strapless bras which are a must for certain dresses and tops.  I have bras of different colors because my black bra will probably show through white fabric.  I also have bras that I wear in boy mode when I underdress.  These bras don't have molded cups for my breast forms and are perfect for "stealth mode".    A TUCKING PANTY OR GAFF I need a gaff for many, many outfits.  If I am wearing a tight or a short dress (and I am almost ALWAYS wearing a tight or a short dress) then a gaff helps create a smooth front.  I tend to prefer thong-style gaffs as they help avoid a visible panty line.  If I am doing a photo shoot and I am wearing lingerie I will wear a gaff under the panties I am modeling.  Gaffs do take a little time to get used to and can require some... practice when it comes to tucking things where they belong.  But like stilettos, if your gaff is causing physical pain then you are wearing it wrong and should take it off. PANTIES If a dress or a skirt (or leggings) doesn't require a gaff or tucking I will wear my Carmen Liu White Lace Classy Thong as it provides a nice and smooth front (and it's super feminine, too).  In addition to my Carmen Liu lingerie and gaffs I have a LOT of panties.  A LOT.  Like bras, I have panties for multiple reasons.  Some reasons can be admit-tingly shallow such as the panty matches one of my bras, but I also have sexy panties, cute panties, ultra femme panties, satin panties with ruffles, panties for male mode, panties for tucking, panties with bows and teeny fabric roses, "practical" panties, and... the list goes on and on.  Panties also keep me connected to my femme side when I am in male mode.  If I am wearing a suit for work and looking Very Male I am also wearing, in direct contrast to this apparent masculinity, the most femme panties you could dream of.   STOCKINGS Like bras and panties, I have hosiery for different reasons.  I have tights for colder days, black stockings for a more alluring look, nude stockings when I want to even out my skin tone, and pantyhose for certain outfits.  If I am wearing my corset I will choose stay-up thigh highs.  It's much easier to use the ladies room if I don't have to untie my corset and then, well, pull down my pantyhose or tights and then redo everything again.  I also choose stockings over pantyhose if I am wearing my thigh pads as my pads add more, well, surface area, to my body.  A pair of pantyhose might be a perfect fit buuuut might not be so perfect with my forms and padding.  Hosiery, like a dress or a bra, is something you need to choose based on your measurements.    Thigh highs, whether they are stay-ups or require a garter belt to be more, hm, cost-effective.  If I am wearing tights or pantyhose and I get a run in them, there goes $12 or more.  If I get a run in a stocking I can toss out that one and replace it.  Plus!  Stockings are sexier (especially with a slit skirt and the little flash of a stocking top peeks out). SHAPEWEAR/CORSET Depending on your body type or your goals, a corset MIGHT be something you may consider adding to your lingerie drawer(s).  I have been wearing a corset when presenting en femme for two years and I can't imagine getting dressed without it.  When I wear my corset it's because I want a curvier figure, not because I am looking to wear a smaller dress size.  I have a rather cylinder body and some dresses don't fall quite right.  However, when I add my corset, thigh pads, and breast forms I will obtain a curvier, and more, well, interesting figure.   Again, know your measurements with AND without a corset.  I have dresses that simply don't fit when I am wearing my corset as, like my thigh pads, it adds an inch or so to my middle.    I would like to advise a great deal of caution when it comes to corsetry.  Like most things when it comes to presenting en femme, a corset requires practice and, well, discipline.  It's also something to invest in.  Yes, you can get a cheap corset that costume shops sell, but like foundation, you get what you pay for me.  My corsets are steel-boned and girl, I FEEL it.  Wearing the right corset comes down to accurate and realistic measurements, and like a gaff, if you feel PAIN when wearing one, take it OFF because you're wearing it wrong.  I mean, you'll KNOW you're wearing it, but there's a difference between NOTICING you're wearing something and feeling pain from wearing it.   Is a corset or shapewear crucial?  Absolutely not.  I wear my corset because I want a curvier figure.  My body is rectangular.  You may not need one, you may not want one.  THE FUN STUFF Finally, let's talk about the fun stuff.  The SEXY stuff.  Lingerie is inherently sexy as it is, but there's some pieces in my closet that I wear to bed or for relaxing in.  My corset is Very Sexy, but if I want to wear something beautiful to wear to sleep or for lounging in, then I'll choose a basque with matching panties and seamed stockings or if I am not feeling quite as ambitious I'll wear a nightgown.  There's something so peaceful about drifting off to sleep in beautiful lingerie... and it's also a wonderful way to begin a new day. 

  It occurred to me that if you read the first part of this little series and had some fun adding new lingerie to your wardrobe that you might be sitting around in your cute bra and panty (and stockings, I hope) waiting for help in picking out actual clothes.  Of course, relaxing in beautiful lingerie is one of my favorite things to do, so maybe it wasn't all the bad??  This series is about creating a femme wardrobe.  I want to emphasize that all of this is based on my opinion and preferences and there are no rules as to what you should wear to present en femme.  Wear what you like, wear what you feel cute or confident or beautiful or sexy or powerful in, whether it's a pair of leggings or a tight leather dress.  I am not here to tell you what to wear or what should be in your closet.  However, if you want to know...  When I started to seriously create a femme wardrobe, I did so mostly by picking out what was cute (or sexy) and usually with the guidance of my patient and overwhelmed wife.  SO much of what I learned was a result of her advice and honesty.  I was an amateur in those days.  That's not to say I am a professional crossdresser or anything along those lines today, but I've learned a lot over my lifetime.  The biggest thing I learned was how to create a wardrobe for many different occasions, whether it's for a wedding reception or running errands.  It's a lot of work (and a lot of money, if I am being honest), but it's also a lot of fun.  The previous entry in this series was alllll about what we wear UNDER our clothes, so let's chat about the clothes themselves.  Before we go any further I want to emphasize the importance of knowing your measurements.  The biggest and most expensive mistake I made early on was being unaware of how drastically different sizing can be, not only sizing when it came to the differences between "boy" and "girl" clothes but also from designer to designer.  Some designers think I am a size 12, but some stores think I am a size 20.  That's a slight variation, to say the least.  Know your numbers when it comes to your hips, waist, and bust... with and without forms if you wear them.  SELECTING THE RIGHT TOP OR BLOUSE Let's take it from the top.  This means, well, your top.  You are probably wearing a very cute and practical bra but you need to cover up a LITTLE (unless that's the look you're going for, of course).  Blouses and tops can be frustrating (at least for me) because they probably aren't designed for someone with the shoulders that I have, or for the length of my arms.  If the top has short or capped sleeves they likely will not fall or fit on me the way they are designed for,  If the sleeves are long, well, they probably aren't long enough.  Because of this I usually avoid a lot of blouses with sleeves.  Hannah McKnight in a blouse and leggings  Of course, this isn't the obvious solution one would think.  If I am wearing a top without sleeves I have to contend with feeling that my shoulders are tooooo masculine to be exposed.    This is a little shallow but I have a feeling many of you can relate to this.  I have (mostly) gotten over this, however.  Not because my body changed or looks more femme than it used to, but I've accepted and embraced that this is my body and it's the only body I am going to have.  I am also reminded that there are many cis gender women with arms longer than mine and have shoulders just as broad as mine.  And do you know what?  They are beautiful.  And so are you.  Another thing to consider when it comes to a blouse is making sure it fits with your forms.  I have some blouses that fit fine... and then I put my forms in and those poor buttons are fighting for their life to protect my modesty.  Sometimes a larger size is needed.  Your blouse also needs to be long enough in the torso, as well.    Tops, in my opinion, are more... hm, complicated than I thought they would be.  I don't always know if I should tuck in a top or not.  In male mode when I have to wear a dress shirt then yes, it PROBABLY needs to be tucked in, but about femme tops?  It depends on the top as well as what you pair it with.  Sometimes it looks good tucked in, other times... not so much.  When I tuck in a top I feel frumpy and just... ugh.  But!  I absolutely recommend having at least a plain white blouse.    My go to solution?  Bodysuits.  They look cute and help me avoid wondering whether or not they should be tucked in.  Bodysuits can be cute or classy and pair really well with a skirt or jeans or slacks.  Again, like shopping for a blouse, make sure you find a bodysuit that fits.  Bodysuits tend to be form fitting and there isn't much room in most of them for girls with shoulders like I do.  The snaps at the bottom also need to be the correct length.     For a layered look make sure you have a few cardigans.  They are a cute way to dress up an outfit and look fantastic paired with a solid colored t-shirt or bodysuit.  I have many cardigans of different colors (I recommend black, merlot, and white for starters) as well as different lengths.  A long, "duster" style cardigan paired with a simple top and a short skirt and knee-high boots is one of my favorite autumn looks.    The reality (at least for me) is that I can rarely find a blouse or a top (especially a bodysuit) off the rack that fits me.  It's probably not a surprise (given the fact that this article is being posted on En Femme's website) but all the tops, blouses, and bodysuits that I wear are from En Femme.  I wear them because they fit my body and I can find whatever I need on their website.  I was shopping at En Femme loooong before I started writing and modeling for them and will always do so.    As we work our way down let's move onto slacks and leggings.  FINDING PANTS AND LEGGINGS THAT FIT THEEEE best kept secret in femme clothes are LEGGINGS.  I am not saying you need leggings but ya'll need leggings.  I am forever a dress and skirt girl and always will be but I have more leggings than I thought I ever would have.  I have leggings that I wear in boy mode (either for being lazy at home or for wearing for a run) but I also have leggings that I wear en femme, whether for a yoga class or for slaaaaying in a sexy pair of leather-like leggings.    Leggings, whether leather or something less intense are comfortable and have options that go well with a dressy blouse for work or pair perfectly with a t-shirt or hoodie for running errands.    If you have long legs like I do it may take a few tries to find leggings that fit.  The right size needs to be the right length but also fit around the waist.  Leggings are meant to be form fitting and when I first started buying them I would find pairs that might have been long enough but were either too baggy or a little TOO form fitting.    Hannah McKnight in a blouse and leggings   Apropos of nothing, I absolutely want to emphasize the importance of having a very, very good gaff when wearing leggings.    So, long story short, get some leggings.   When it comes to non-leggings pants you may want to get a pair of jeans and slacks.  I have a few pairs of femme jeans that I don't wear en femme.  I wear femme jeans in male mode.  Why?  Well, they're softer for one.  Plus I just like wearing femme clothes simply because they ARE femme clothes.  Of course, I do miss pockets when I am wearing them...  Shopping for femme jeans is a baffling and bewildering and frustrating experience.  If I need boy jeans I can find a pair that fit when it comes to my waist and inseam.  I am a 32/32.  Easy peasy.  Femme jeans?  Stressy and depressy.  Femme jeans are mostly sized based on waist size.  I wear a size 12 dress (for most dresses) and I am (usually) a size 12 for jeans.  Buuuuut femme jeans are not usually designed for someone with legs as loooong as mine.  Sure, they may fit my waist but goodness they will probably be waaaay too short.    Fortunately there are options if you are willing to look for them.  And yes, it can be overwhelming.  If you are used to buying boy jeans to present as a boy it can be jarring to see options for boyfriend jeans, low rise, straight leg, skinny, or cigarette jeans.  Again, know your measurements and be willing and ready to try on a few selections to find your size.  Personally I wear a size 12 in femme jeans but they need to be for tall girls... for obvious reasons.    The ironic thing is that I wear femme jeans in boy mode but not en femme.  Dresses and skirts forever have a hold on my heart but goodness, a cute job, flattering jeans, and stilettos??  Oh my.    If you want to dress it up a little, slacks and dress pants are an understated addition to any wardrobe.  Many femme slacks are designed to fall right at the calf, sometimes with a little flare and look sexy paired with heels.  But I suppose ANYTHING and EVERYTHING looks sexier paired with heels.  If you like to show off your legs (and God knows I do), then skirts and dresses will be your best friends.  I think most of us can relate to being drawn to this world by a dress.  Most boys are not raised where wearing a dress is an option.  They are alluring, mysterious items.  Even if you take one's gender identity out of it, I can't help but think any cis gender man wonders what it's like to wear a dress.  I was fascinated (and insanely jealous) of the girls I went to grade school with as they wore their cute, blue, plaid skirts.    This is the fun stuff.  Let's talk about skirts, first.  THE BEAUTY OF SKIRTS I have many skirts.  Some are leather (naturally), some are denim, some are a skater style, some are a pencil style, and so on.  Like femme jeans there are many options which can be overwhelming.  To be honest I don't wear skirts nearly as often as I wear dresses.  I tend to wear them during the autumn months of the year.  Boots are a fall staple for me and I tend to think that boots look better with a skirt than with a dress.   My challenge with skirts is that I am often unsure of what top to pair a skirt with.  For example, my skirt and my top have to match, or at least compliment one another in terms of color.  If I am going to wear a skirt I always follow one of my (few) fashion rules.  If the skirt is a solid color (other than black), then I will usually pair it with a black top.  If it's a black skirt I find I have more options with a top.  If the skirt is a pattern, be it stripes, polka dots, or flowers, then a top with a solid, complimentary color is chosen.  Another struggle I have with skirts is a similar problem that tops create in the question of whether or not I should be tucking in a blouse with a skirt.  I see photos of girls wearing a tight, button up white blouse tucked into a form fitting black pencil skirt and it looks AMAZING but when I try the same style it just doesn't look right on me.  Again, it's the tucking (something you'd think I'd be good at, lol) that doesn't look quite right.  So, it's a bodysuit to the rescue.    Hannah McKnight in a skirt and bodysuit   When it comes to sizing, again, knowing your measurements is key.  Every designer sizes clothes differently and the fabric can also make a difference.  I wear a size 12 in most dresses and femme jeans, but I usually wear a 10 in most skirts.  However,  I can wear a size 8 skirt if it's a little stretchy, but I will likely need a size up if I want to wear a skirt with my thigh pads or if the top I am wearing with it needs to be tucked in.    Another thing to keep in mind is that girls like us tend to have looooong legs.  I love a short skirt but some are a LITTLE too short, even though I am very reluctant to admit that.   And finally, dresses.  I have SO. MANY. DRESSES. DRESSES, DRESSES, DRESSES I think dresses are my signature look, but that's not unique for a girl like us.  But I think my dress wardrobe is a reflection of what I feel is important to anyone's closet... having an option for any event and for any occasion.  Do I have a dress for a wedding reception?  Yes.  Do I have a dress for Sunday brunch?  Yes.  Do I have a dress for running errands?  Yes.  Do I have a dress for date night?  Yes.  Do I have a dress for "the club"?  Yes.  Disclaimer, I don't GO to the club but if I DID I have THE perfect dress(es) for it.    Do I need all these dresses?  No.  I mean, we don't NEED any of this, but my dresses are a reflection of my gender identity and my embracing of it.  They are a celebration (if you will) of who I am and what it took and what I lived through to get to where I am.    Sizing can be a bit of a problem for me.  The dress may fit around my waist but as it ziiiiiiiips up it might stop, well, zipping up.  I have typically male shoulders and the tightest corset in the world can't help that.  Dresses with sleeves tend to not flatter me.  There's usually not enough room in the shoulders and if there are sleeves they are probably not long enough.  These days I tend to wear dresses with straps but it took me a long time to be comfortable with thin, spaghetti type straps as I felt they showed off too much of my "manly" shoulders.  I got over this about two years ago.  My body didn't become more femme or less masc, this was a mental game.  I just stopped caring.  I didn't want my dysphoria to prevent me from wearing a cute dress anymore.    Hannah McKnight in a wrap dress   If you aren't obsessed with the dress like I am, but feel you want to have a few just in case, I recommend at least a LBD (little black dress), something a little more summery like a maxi dress or a high/low dress, and perhaps a sundress as well.  Not every girl likes to wear dresses and there's certainly no uniform for any gender, so rock the dress or rock those sweats... again, wear what you want  This has been a peek into my closet and I will never claim to be a fashionista or a style expert.  Don't let me or anyone tell you what to wear, regardless of your body type.  Wear what you think is cute or beautiful or sexy or comfortable... but more importantly, wear what makes you FEEL cute, or beautiful or sexy or comfortable. 

As the holidays kick into full gear, our lives get very hectic as we plan for family gatherings, events, parties, and of course, shopping for gifts.  After my holiday shopping is finished, I am always tempted to treat myself to a little something, and that usually means picking out a new outfit (or three) or a new pair of heels (or four).  I am fortunate beyond my wildest dreams to have the wardrobe that I have.  I have a dress for every occasion, whether it is a wedding reception, shopping at the mall, brunch, or at the club.  Some things I own are staples, others are outfits that were meant to be worn once for a certain event.  When I first moved from underdressing to... well, everything I wear now, I selected things that I had always wanted to have... a cute cocktail dress, a leather skirt, sky-high stilettos, an amazing push-up bra... but as I started to venture out into the real world, I realized that although that red PVC mini-dress is incredibly sexy, it's not something to wear while running errands.  My wardrobe needed to expand and what I felt was essential evolved.   I often get asked how to buy clothes and where to start when it comes to shopping.  So, in the spirit of the holidays, I thought it would be a good time to create a gift guide for girls like us... even if you are the one giving yourself the gifts.   Let’s start with the basics. Having a beautiful and practical lingerie collection is essential.  Note that beautiful and practical are not necessarily the same thing.  One of the most boring bras I own is a simple racer-back bra, but it's the bra I wear when I am en femme.  I wear this bra because it works best with my forms and the cups are styled where I can wear something a little more low-cut without my bra peeking out.  In terms of practical bras, I recommend having a black bra, and a white one, depending on how see-through your top is.  A black bra under a white blouse isn't a good idea... unless that's the look you're going for.  A convertible style is also helpful in case you need to go strapless depending on your outfit.  If I am underdressing in male mode, then I pick out something much more beautiful.  I love having beautiful lingerie on under my boy clothes.  It's a sexy secret and nothing helps me feel more connected to my femme side than a lacy bra, matching thong, and garter belt.      There's no real right or wrong way to be en femme, but one of my personal rules is that my bra must match my panties.  Again, there is a difference between cute panties and practical panties.  The ultimate in practical panties, and what I absolutely feel is essential, is a good gaff.  You do not need to tuck if you don't want to.  You shouldn't tuck if you find it uncomfortable or painful.  When I am en femme I always, always wear a gaff.  I love tight dresses and skirts, and nothing ruins an outfit like our "feminine flaw".  Gaffs are designed to be effective and practical.  My gaffs are not as cute as my lacy pink thongs, but a thong isn't going to help create a smooth appearance.    In boy mode my panty options become much more fun.  I have comfortable cotton panties, sexy panties, lacy panties and panties in every color, style, and pattern you can think of.  I have panties for every mood, and occasion, if you will.  Not only are panties are a wonderful way to stay connected to my femme side, there are also a way to express myself, even if no one else sees them (especially if no one else sees them).   I love stockings, and, like with panties and bras, there are options suited to every occasion, purpose, or whatever your mood might be.  Tights, pantyhose, seamed stockings, cuban-heeled, stay-ups... there are such a variety from which to choose.  Most of the time I wear nude pantyhose.  Even though nude hose isn't that different (appearance wise) compared to having bare legs, I find that nude stocking helps even out my skin color, the are helpful when it come to wearing a heel that just might be a little snug, and they are essential to keeping my pads in place.  (More on forms later.)   Again, a girl has options for hosiery depending on what she is looking to do.  As sexy as a seamed stocking held up by a garter belt is, it's not what I wear en femme.  In boy mode, absolutely, but I appreciate how effective a good pair of tights or pantyhose is when it comes to keeping everything in place.  Stockings are something in my wardrobe that I stock up on.  It's pretty much the end of the world (not really) if I discover my only pair of tights has a run in it.  Like lingerie, I have stockings for each occasion or mood.  Fishnets, seamed stockings, sheer, white, textured, thigh-highs... a girl needs to be prepared.   As difficult as it is to cover up a cute bra and panty set, we have to wear something over it.  Luckily shopping for clothes is just as much fun.  There are as many styles as there are girls, and I could write a book about shopping for clothes.  Instead I will cover what I think we all need in our closets.  I recommend having something for a cocktail party or formal event.  A little black dress is never out of style.  There are a ton of variations on the classic LBD.  My current favorite is En Femme's 'All Night Sparkle' Sequin Dress.  There's something so irresistible about mesh sleeves.  There's a LBD for every body and it's amazing how a simple dress can still allow your personality to come through.    As fun as it is to dress to the nines, it's also important to have a cute outfit for running errands in.  This could be a t-shirt and jeans, sweater and leggings, or whatever you feel cute in.  When I am en femme, I am always in heels and a dress, so don't think you have to give up your glam for comfort.  If you're like me and not a fan of pants, a cute top and a skater skirt will do the trick.     These examples represent two extremes.  One being perfect for a glam-filled night, the other for a casual day out.  The fun part is building your wardrobe for what's in-between these extremes.   As the year goes by, you may also want to have seasonal appropriate outfits.  As fall comes around, I tend to wear more cardigans, skirts and boots, whereas warm weather is all about summer dresses.  Making the transition from shopping for boy clothes to building a beautiful wardrobe is an adjustment.  A peplum dress fits different than a shirt and pants, obviously, but it can be a learning curve to know what size skirt is right for you.  And speaking of curves...  Up until recently I never wore breast forms or pads. I wanted to be as natural as possible.  However, in the last year or so I've added forms and thigh pads to my wardrobe.  And what a difference!  With forms and padding, dresses hug my body, my silhouette is shapely, and dresses fit better.  No one needs to have forms or pads and I didn't wear them for a long time, but I love, love, love how they look and I am never going back.  Finally, the finishing touch is one of our favorites... the shoes.  I have about three dozen pairs of shoes, all heels.  I have strappy silver heels, red patent knee high boots, sexy black stilettos with spikes on them... just to name a few.  I have an outfit for any conceivable event, whether it is brunch or going to a bondage-themed nightclub.  Not every girl NEEDS to have a pair of five inch heels, but no shoe closet should be without a few key items:  1) A pair of black heels or pumps.  Something elegant that can be paired with anything.  Patent leather is usually my go-to, but a matte finish will also work  2) A pair of nude heels.  I am surprised at how often I wear nude heels, but they go really well with bright colors, especially dresses with floral patterns  3) A pair of knee high black boots.  As much as I love my heels and tend to go with looks over practical footwear, I wear boots a lot in the winter when it tends to be colder and icier.  Boots also look super cute with a skirt.  Please know these are my preferences.  I am always in heels and dresses, but I know a lot of t-girls prefer jeans, sandals, thigh high boots, or t-shirts.  Wear what you want.  Isn't that what we're all about? ;)

“I am not an expert—I don't even play one on TV. I do, however, apply makeup frequently and I did stay at a Holiday Inn.” Applying makeup may be the most important part of being a crossdresser. Every girl needs to develop her own style and variation to fit her personality. However, I do recommend that you keep this information handy when you put your makeup on so that you don't forget the steps. Feel free to use these instructions as a starter.  One thing that every professional cosmetologist agrees upon is that “the three most important rules when applying makeup are: blend, blend, and blend.” There should be no visible lines in your makeup when you are done.  Before you start, you will need the correct tools:  Adequate Time: Don't rush (remember: “Haste makes waste”). It took me almost two hours when I first started; I'm down to less than one hour now.  Cotton Swabs: I have used Q-Tips, but I prefer the style with a rounded, pad shape on one end and a sharper pad on the other. It makes cleaning up boo-boos much easier.  Eye Makeup Remover: You will almost certainly need to fix at least one boo-boo.  A Good Set of Brushes: Whatever you do, invest in a professional set of brushes. The cheap brushes will fall apart after a few uses.  A Hand Towel: For wiping your brushes.  A GOOD Table Mirror: Buy a lighted flip-sided, tilting, magnifying mirror, which makes seeing your face easy.  Proper Lighting: This is absolutely essential. Too much of a difference in lighting from one side of your face to the other will make your makeup lopsided. Dim lighting will probably cause you to put on too much makeup. Too bright and you may never finish (BTW, daylight is the crossdresser's enemy).  Now, get out all of the makeup you will be using and place it on your makeup table or counter. I line up my makeup, from left to right, in the order it will be used.  Take a deep breath and relax. Now comes the fun part.  Step 1: If you didn't apply moisturizer right after shaving, then apply it now, all over your face, except on your eyelids. Make sure that you completely cover the areas where you shaved.  Step 2: Apply an orange, red, or yellowish concealer/base, depending on your skin tone, over the darkest areas of your beard. Hiding a beard takes work and practice. Pat the base on gingerly and make sure you get complete coverage. The area around your mouth (mustache, the corners of your lips, and from the lower lip to the chin) is generally the darkest and hardest to cover. Don't overdo, but be thorough. Take your time. It’s important to remember to blend under your chin and down your neck as it’s common for CDs to forget.  While I’m waiting for the concealer to set, I usually start dressing with fresh colorful panties, hose (if applicable to what I’m wearing), and hip pads.  Step 3: Your first concealer should be dry so it is time to apply a foundation. Since this is not the first coat, you have to learn to “dab and smear” so that the concealer and foundation don't get mixed together. Put a little on your finger tip and dot it onto your face with a slight sideways motion so that it will smear out. Cover the entire first layer and most of the rest of your face, including your forehead and nose. This sets the underlying skin color for the foundation that you'll be applying in a moment. Again, wait a few minutes for the foundation to set.  Step 4: It's time for the main foundation. If this takes less than three minutes, you're not doing it right; take your time. Make sure to shake the bottle well, and then pour a bit on the tip of your index finger. I start on my forehead and dab three spots with the first being just above the top of my nose, one left and one right. Now with the “dab and smear” technique, blend the creme outward towards your ears and upward toward the outside corner of your eyes. Remember to go higher than where your wig sits on your forehead (if you wear one). Go all the way to the hair line (and even into it) on the sides. You may need more than one dab. If so, use half dabs on your temples, blending up to the forehead foundation. Work down your face and nose. Don't worry about getting real close on your lower lids yet or in the side creases of your nose. Remember to blend down to your neck and under your earlobes, covering all the concealer.  Now, to finish the foundation, grab another (clean and dry) cotton swab. Dip it in the foundation or rub around the inside of the bottle neck. Apply it sparingly to the inside of your eyes near the top of your nose and where there was no shadow or liner (leave no natural skin showing). With a bit more foundation, get the lower lids right up to the lashes. Now put a bit more in the creases of your nose, and possibly on into the edges of your nostrils. Your goal is a consistent color all over your face and neck. Now double check everything in the mirror. Turn off some of the light and look again. Fix any flaws you might find.  Step 5: Your eyebrows come next. I assume that you've already plucked your eyebrows to the desired shape. Unless you are using an eyebrow stencil and powder, use a brown eyebrow pencil, tilted at an angle and start tracing your natural brow. Then add a little more pencil at the upper edge to thicken the brow just a teeny bit. How far out to go? Most makeup artists will tell you to take the pencil and hold it with the end at the tip of your nose and the body going across the outer corner of your eye, where it meets the natural line is as far as you dare go. I usually stop a bit short of that. Now use an eyebrow brush, going upwards and outwards so that all pencil strokes are evenly blended. (HINT: It’s better to do this halfway than too much. You don't want big, bushy looking eyebrows.)  Before moving on, check what you have done and touchup any area that needs a little more attention.  Travel Tips for crossdressers  Ava Alba, one of Norway’s spectacular assets, shows perfect makeup styling with the emphasis on her eyes.  Step 6: Now you need a big poof brush (they sell it with that name) and wipe it on your towel. Dip the brush into your face powder and then tap off the excess, as there will be some. Gently, brushing from your forehead down, poof the powder onto your face. Don’t worry about repeating some areas more than once—the powder is setting the foundation and drying up the excess oils. If there is too much, the poofing will knock it loose. Should you end up looking like there's too much powder, clean the brush on the towel and poof away without powder.  The easiest way to finish the blend at the lower edge, on the neck, is to take the tissue that you've been using to wipe your hands and gently brush it across that lower edge from the makeup side to the non-makeup side. This creates a cleaner, feathered edge so it won't look like you're wearing makeup.  Step 7: Time for your eyeshadows. I use a three color mix—usually of browns because of my natural coloring. Your hair color will have an effect on your choice as well. I use a smallish brush, never those little foam applicators they often include because they disintegrate into your shadows and make it look rough.  Before applying the first color, wipe the brush on your towel to clean off the previous color. Put the darkest shade on first, closest to the eyeball. Don't start all the way in the corner; you can blend it into the corner. Apply the color over the crease of your lid. I like to draw the brush out just beyond the end of the lid. Wipe the brush on the towel. The middle color goes above that, up to just under the brows. Blend the first and second colors where they meet at the crease. Again, wipe the brush on the towel. Finally, the lightest color goes up to your brow. It should be no more than a brush width, and preferably, the thin side of the brush. For nighttime, you can put a glistening white just under the brow, very thin and not the full width.  Remember, eye shadows are powders and therefore, they will dust. Check the area around your lashes with a bit of makeup remover and a swab to clean off any residue.  Step 8: Because it is an area I’m most likely to mess up, I carefully apply my eyeliner. I use a liquid liner because it will flow smoother. On the downside, it requires that you keep your eye slightly shut while it dries. Make the line thin and even. Liquid eyeliner requires a bit more skill and may not be best for beginners. If you’re struggling, switch to pencil liner, as it’s easier to control and less messy.  If you use fake eyelashes, be sure you do the line above where the lash attaches. Run the line from the inner corner to the outer corner, and slightly (1/8 to 1/4 inch or 3-6 mm) beyond. Wait for it to dry (I fan it, but you could also use a blow dryer without heat). Now check it to see how it looks. Thin spots can be dotted to fill in the gaps. Thick spots can be cleaned up with the pointed cotton swabs and makeup remover I mentioned earlier.  Step 9: The next and most likely for me to mess up with is my mascara. Personally, I don't think the brush shape matters; they are all about as equally ineffective. Start from the inside of the eye and work outward. Pay particular attention to the outermost third of the lash. If your lashes are thin, apply a second coat after you do your other eye. I also apply a little bit to my lower lashes because they are light. I find that it is more effective to also stroke upwards from underneath (but also more likely to make a boo-boo). Check for messes and clean them up with the cotton swabs and makeup remover as quick as possible.  Now, use a black eye-defining pencil on your lower lids. Slant it sideways and rub it gently along the inside ridge of the lower lid. You want to make a black line that will make your eyes just jump out at people. If you find your eyes watering, relax for a moment and do both eyes again. (HINT: Even if you are having a professional makeover, do this yourself. It's very difficult for someone else to do this without making you cry.)  Step 10: You might feel you've done an awful lot already, but let’s complete the finishing touches. Now you need a smaller poof brush and your blush. Again, clean the brush on your towel before you dab the tip into your blush. With an upward stroke (from about the outer edge of your pupil), brush the color from the cheek bone up to your temple. Do both sides. Check the effect. If you need more, go ahead, but don't overdo it. Once it's obvious that you've applied blush, it's probably too much. You want a glow, not a blush. I also put a slight amount on the ridge of my nose. I use a light brown powder (sometimes brown eyeshadow) on either side of my nose to give shadow effect and make my nose look thinner and more feminine.  Using a different poof brush, apply a very small and light amount of bronzer (if you need it) to your lower cheeks, chin line, upper neck, and maybe forehead. Again, by the time you can see that you've put it on, you have too much. The point is to look like you've had a bit of sun on your face; if you really have, then skip this step.  Step 11: Finally, your lips! Match your lipliner with your lip color. There should not be much of a difference (I have never understood girls who use vastly different colors and look really wicked for it). It doesn’t have to be exact, but the tones should be similar enough that the lipstick and lipliner blend seamlessly. I use a felt-tip lipliner. Draw it along the upper lip, from the little ridge outwards. Do the other side. Now fill in the crown in the center. On the lower lips, start in the center and draw the liner out, but not all the way to the corner. With your mouth closed, notice where the lips meet. That's as far as you should go with the liner. Do the other side. If your mouth isn't symmetrical, adjust for it with the liner. Try to stay right on the lip edge, not above, not below. Sometimes, depending on the circumstances, I will “over- draw” my lips to make them look larger!  Ever since my cosmetologist introduced me to lip gloss, I've not gone back to tube lipstick. But if you like it, use it. Again, work the lips in quadrants. Take the color up to, but inside the liner. The liner should stop the color from “bleeding” outside the lips when you talk, eat, or drink. It works, girls. Just remember to refresh the color every now and then, like when you go to the ladies' room. For evenings, you can use that same shimmery powder you used just under your lids on your lips. Use the same shadow brush and dab just a bit of the shimmer on your lower lip and rub them together. Viola! Instant kiss-ability! You can even add a little shimmer to your “cupid’s bow”—the dip right above your lip, to really highlight the shape.  From a professional beauty consultant, I learned how to make fuller, pouty looking lips, by putting a little concealer in the center of my lips before applying lipstick. Then after the lipstick, add a bit of gloss to center of your lips.  Now you’re beautiful and ready to go! Stand up and check the mirror. Don't use the makeup light, only the same “natural” light in which your admirers will see you.  Don’t to be afraid to experiment when you have time. But update and revise your procedure often, depending what you are wearing and where you are going.

Getting a close, perfect shave is very important for a crossdresser. Unless you are the bearded lady at the circus, you do not want nicks or stubble to ruin your day. Ridding yourself of the five o’clock shadow is indeed possible with a little extra care at the beginning of the day.  Unless you have a light, blonde complexion, have slow beard growth, or are fortunate enough to have had laser hair removal, many CDs I know need to shave every 12 hours or so when spending the day en femme. The following are some helpful hints to help your face have a smooth, feminine texture all day long.  Wash your face—Before you even think about shaving, lather up with a gentle cleanser or face wash to remove any dirt and debris, replenish lost moisture, and fight skin dryness. Be sure to use warm water, which softens facial hair and opens pores for an easier shave.  Dab on a pre-shaving oil—Pre-shave oil is often overlooked, but it prepares the skin and beard before a shave, helping the razor to glide across the face.  Fewer razor blades are better than more—Despite the current trend of four, five, or six blades in a razor, use a razor with fewer blades. Three blades are enough for a great shave, and razors with two blades are ideal for those with sensitive skin or those prone to ingrown hairs.  Warm up your shaving gel—Leave your shave cream or gel in a sink of warm water so that it heats before using. Then massage the warm product into your beard and let set for one to two minutes before you start. Apply in a circular motion to lift facial hairs and lessen irritation. If possible, use a badger hairbrush to pull up the hairs before shaving and to generate a thick lather for your shave.  Shave in the shower—You're already in there, so why not save time and avoid having to clean up a dirty sink? Your beard will be soft from the hot water and steam. That’s why barbers for years have used hot steam towels before a straight razor shave. Shaving in the shower should be the last thing you do to give the beard time to soften.  Shave and swipe—Shave with one stroke and rinse your blade between every swipe. If you need to go over a spot, be sure to apply more shave gel or cream for lubrication. Remember that a sharp blade cuts without pulling hairs, so be sure to change your blade often to avoid a dull razor. And always shave with the grain of the hair and not against it, to avoid skin irritation or ingrown hairs.  Keep it nice and steady—A lot of men are shaving too close to their skin and too aggressively for their own good. Have you seen men with shaving bumps around their neck area? This is caused by shaving too close to the follicle. The skin on the neck is thinner and more sensitive. Most likely the hair has an upward grain or a cowlick on the portion where the irritation occurs. The key is to go with the grain on those sensitive areas to prevent ingrown hair.  Toss that old and raggedy razor—Another major mistake is not changing your razor frequently. A good sign it's time to let go is if the blades tug at your hairs. A dull blade can lead to nicks, which means the razor isn’t going through the beard. Therefore, your skin is susceptible to being cut and razor burn can often result from forcing the dull razor aggressively across the face. Lastly, ingrown hair can be caused by a dull razor pushing the hair and agitating the hair follicle.  Save face with a good after-shave balm or moisturizer—To relieve any irritation and moisturize skin after shaving, it's important to finish your shave with a post-shave balm that will soothe your skin. Stick with alcohol-free products to avoid dryness. Do this and you will see significant changes in the overall condition and health of your skin.  For those long days in makeup—Keep a rechargeable electric razor in your purse. The electric razor can be used right over your makeup for a touch-up. This way you don't have to remove all your makeup to retain a smooth complexion.

Renowned artists Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo took years to learn their trade before they produced the Mona Lisa and the Sistine Chapel paintings.  When it comes to painting our lips, it shouldn't take years to learn or complete, but it should be done deliberately.  Applying lipstick is an art. Don't let anyone fool you. Taking out a tube of lipstick and painting your lips should not be taken lightly. Lipstick will complete your appearance and will go a long way in defining who you are.  Lipstick color is up to the individual and usually blends with one's eyes, complexion. and the outfit one is wearing. I can stand at a lipstick display for an hour, rubbing the colors on my wrist to determine "how will this color look?" I've probably bought and never used, and discarded more lipstick than most girls have in their makeup kit. I may just be too finicky. Oh well...  My number one rule is: "Never let a lipstick tube touch your lips."  "What?" you ask? "How can I wear lipstick without it touching my lips?"  Please notice, I said "tube." I use a good quality lipstick brush to artistically paint the color on my lips. Perfect lips are not easy to develop. I should know. After years of trying, I have yet to be 100 percent satisfied, but then again, I'm a perfectionist.  Good lips require a sharp lip liner pencil, concealer, a Q-tip or two, some clear gloss, a steady hand, and a little imagination. I will try to make the following simple.     HOW TO GET THE LOOK Start by puckering your lips, as if you are going to be kissed. Using a lip liner pencil slightly darker than your preferred lipstick color, carefully outline the crown on your upper lip. Then slowly draw a line to the corners of your mouth. Don't worry about using too much liner or making the outline too dark. We will solve that problem later.  On the lower lip, you have two choices. Are you preparing for day or night? Your lower lip should always be smaller (thinner) during the day than at night, since you want to be more dramatic after dark.  For the bottom lip, start the pencil from one corner and work to the other. If you're applying day makeup, run the line at the bottom of your lip. For night, go a little farther down below your lip, but make sure the curve is identical to your lip line.  Now, you should have a well-defined outline. The next trick is to use a makeup concealer to sharpen the corners of your mouth. A pointed Q-tip will help shape the corners as the liner can often be too thick/wide when drawn.  With that accomplished, use the same lip liner pencil and fill in the entire lip area, just like when coloring a picture as a child. You lips will begin to look more defined.  Now to complete the painting, dab your lipstick brush on the top of the color stick in the tube with even stokes to pick up the color. Start with the upper lip and use even strokes to slowly paint the crown and down the sides, and blend the color with the outline of the lip line. The lip liner will virtually disappear. Do the same with the bottom lip, again blending. If you desire, a little liner seen on the bottom lip can add drama to your appearance.  Don't blot your lips! Let the color settle naturally and don't over paint as more lipstick will end up on your teeth than your lips. If that occurs, you have too much lipstick on the inside of your mouth. To remedy the problem, stick your index finger in your mouth, pucker, and remove your finger. The "overage" will be history.  Concealer can again be used with a Q-tip to even out the rough spots on the outside line of your lips. If satisfied, use another clean brush to top off your lips with a bit of clear gloss, again brushing from the inside out. Your masterpiece is complete.  Painting is practical at all times and is much sexier than any lipstick tube application.  For more expert makeup tips, check out: fake eyelashes guide, contouring lesson, and more makeup tips.

“Body shaping is a powerful tool in a crossdresser's or trans woman’s closet. It can mean the difference between a simple, lovely outfit and a jaw-dropping femme transformation.  Body shaping with padded shapers from En Femme  Because of the industry-standard binary in clothing shapes, many garments made for women don't accommodate assigned-male-at-birth bodies.  WHAT IS BODY-SHAPING? Body shaping is the art of subtly changing the perceived shape of one's body using specialized garments and silicone forms. In this blog, we'll cover what body shaping is, what it isn't, and how you can use body contouring in your looks.  When we write here of body-shaping, we're referring to the products that alter the shape of one's body - non-surgical body sculpting: breast forms, padded girdles, butt lifters, waist-slimmers, corsets, etc.  A transgender woman wearing a body shaper from En Femme  THE ART OF BODY CONTOURING These are tools in the techniques of nonsurgical body sculpting. With the right piece or combination, you can craft a gorgeous, curvaceous silhouette.  Your body shaping tools can become as integral a part of your appearance as your clothes! Once you have a feeling for the sort of look you desire, your personalized usage of body shapers can amplify the feminine transformation you're after.  A transgender woman wearing a dress with an hourglass silhouette  Assigned-male-at-birth bodies tend to have wider shoulders and a more rectangular proportion than those assigned female. To compensate for this, body shaping techniques add to your bust, hips, and buttocks, while sometimes slimming your waist.  This creates the illusion of an "hourglass" figure: curvy bust, narrow waist, curvy hips and rear. It's a stereotype, of course, but this shape is commonly identified with a feminine persona, and much of women's clothing is created with this body shape in mind.  A QUICK NOTE ON SURGICAL PROCEDURES Body shaping should be fun and sexy but never dangerous.  In your individual journey of identity and appearance, numerous options advertise themselves to you - plastic surgeons peddle aesthetic plastic surgery, surgical procedures for excess fat reduction, and more; promising to provide a miraculous solution to body image. They may promise to help you lose weight without the need for exercise or even a healthy diet.  It is well within your rights to pursue these procedures, but many come with serious medical risks.  At En Femme, we aren't encouraging or discouraging you from these procedures, but we want you to know there are non-surgical options that can achieve much of the same effect.  WHAT CAN I USE FOR BODY-SHAPING? Now for the fun part. Here is En Femme's line of body shaping products.  SILICONE BREAST FORMS En Femme's silicone breast forms are years in the making. With a comprehensive variety of shapes and fits, there's a breast form for everyone.  Silicone breast forms from En Femme  We carry a premium line of semi-liquid silicone forms encased in a medical grade film to hold their shape including self-adhering breast forms, forms with straps, breast enhancers, and all the breast form accessories to keep your forms looking their best.   Possessing a bust can be an important look for a crossdresser. Not only is having breasts empowering, but can be an important aspect to creating the hourglass silhouette. Dresses and blouses, for example, can be enhanced with silicone forms to achieve that effect.  THE DIVINE COLLECTION For those searching for a top-of-the-line breast form, there is the Divine Collection. These uber-realistic breast forms are handcrafted in the highest quality solid silicone available.  Divine Collection Breast Forms  Divine breast forms take four to six weeks to handcraft and ship to you. If you want a breast form that you can wear joyfully and constantly, with clothes or without, then this collection is for you. The Divine Collection forms can be customized in a variety of ways to find the perfect fit and complement to your body.  BODY-SHAPING GARMENTS There's a whole world of body-shaping garments to explore. These pieces perform one or multiple functions: slimming the waist, lifting or padding the buttocks, gaffing or tucking for the front, or adding volume to your hips.  PANTYHOSE Take, for example, these shaping/butt-lifting all-in-one pantyhose. Made of incredibly soft nylon, these pantyhose smooth the entire torso while lifting the butt.  Shaper combined with pantyhose from En Femme  Discreet and effective, this piece could be a staple in your body shaping closet.  CORSETS If waist and torso slimming is your primary focus, look at one of our slimming corsets. With breathable fabric that's comfortable even in the summer months, this shaper can be adjusted with three closure positions for a customized fit.   A hook and eye body shaper corset from En Femme  GIRDLES Adding volume and shape to your hips and rear, girdles like this model are a simple way to create the silhouette you're after and make your clothes fit as they should.  A hip enhancing girdle from En Femme  Wear your girdle under a dress or skirt for a voluptuous look.  WHAT IS THE BEST BODY-SHAPING UNDERWEAR? As noted above, several of the body shaping garments we carry will double function as gaff underwear, tucking your front for a smooth appearance.  You can also find gaff tucking panties with waist-slimming features, like these, which tuck your front and slim your waist simultaneously. With a design inspired by ballet dancers' belts, this gaff tucking panty is perfect for everyday all-day wear (even for exercise and physical activity).  Body slimming tucking panties from En Femme  CAN I WEAR SHAPEWEAR EVERY DAY? While all En Femme's shapewear is designed to shape your gorgeous figure without constricting, it's important to be in touch with how a given piece is making you feel.  If sized correctly, there should be no issue, but if a body shaper is too tight, restricting blood flow or cramping, overuse can be very uncomfortable. If you notice discomfort or numbness after wearing your body shaper, practice some moderation and give yourself some time without it.  With the correct size, however, many people wear a body shaper nearly every day.  BODY SHAPING WITH EN FEMME If you love fabulous clothes, you know they need to fit perfectly. Body shaping helps AMAB bodies fit the beautiful feminine clothes they want to wear, and gives them curves to adore in any context. Shop En Femme's body shaping line for your next piece.

Coming out to ourselves is one of the most intimidating things we will ever do.  And yes, we need to come out to ourselves.  We need to admit and accept, and ultimately embrace that we are who we are.  This isn't a phase, it isn't a kink, it is not something that will fade over time.  We will not grow out of who we are.    Once we have done that, there is a weight off our shoulders that feels like... well, it feels liberating.  But this will likely leave us with another challenge: building a wardrobe.  Although it is something we have been dreaming about for our entire lives- imagining a wardrobe full of cute dresses, stilettos, beautiful lingerie, and... well, I could go on... It's hard to know where to start.  It's the t-girl equivalent to being a kid at a candy store.    As we start to build our wardrobes we start to learn what we like, what looks good on us, how a certain dress or style or color makes us feel, and what fits our body type best.  It’s a learning process!  When I started to fill my closet I first purchased clothes I had always wanted to wear.  It was wonderful.  It was liberating, empowering, and expensive.  It was also humbling.  I would purchase a dress I had always wanted to wear and then feel heartbroken and discouraged when it just didn't look right.  It might fit, but it just didn't look right.  Most clothes are designed in a gender binary way.  There is a huge difference in sizing and the cut of "boy clothes" and "girl clothes".  A men’s dress shirt is designed differently than a women’s blouse.  A large t-shirt for a boy is not the same as a large for a girl.   When I started to try on clothes, and ultimately buy my own, I learned that this would require me to know my measurements.    Luckily most online retailers will have a sizing chart to go by, which saves me a lot of time, money, and heartache.  I hate buying a new dress and having it not fit.  I feel fat, I feel ugly, I feel frustrated.  Taking an extra few minutes to take my measurements and checking the size chart is essential.    En Femme, for example, takes into account bodies who are AMAB (assigned male at birth) and designs in ways different from the typical binary approach making them one of the only retailers who integrates these fit features. This will save you the trouble of trying to figure out male to female size conversions- which can be challenging- and reduce the chances you’ll end up with a garment that doesn’t fit. In fact, En Femme looks to fit you correctly the first time with all of their clothing.  As a boy, I am "supposed" to wear a shirt and pants.  My waist is around 30 inches but my shoulders are broad.  This isn't an issue since my shirt and pants can be different sizes.  Wearing a dress isn't as simple.  I can find a cute dress that zips up fine... until it gets to my torso.  It might fit my waist and hips, but my torso might be too wide.  I may be able to zip it up, but there is a difference between wearing clothes that fit and wearing clothes that fit correctly.    Sometimes it comes down to attitude, sometimes it's because we may have a body type that doesn't match up with how the dress was designed.  So how do you start to find clothing that fits? A good first step is to determine your body type - to do this you’re going to need to measure your shoulders, bust, waist and hips.    Shoulders: Have someone help you - it's easier with help but you can do by yourself - measure from the tip of one shoulder all the way around you. The measuring tape should be high up around your shoulders so it almost slips off.  Bust: Pull the measuring tape taut across the fullest part of your bust and around your back (but don’t pull the tape so taut that you squish your breasts/forms).  Waist: Measure the smallest part of your natural waist, just above the belly button.  Hips: Start at one hip (below the hip bone) and wrap the tape measure around the largest part of your rear end.  You can then take these measurements and find approximately what your body type is and how to take this into account as you look for clothing that will accentuate and flatter your figure.  Let’s discuss body types and understand 5 types based on your shape:  An apple-shaped (or oval) body has a bust that is larger than the rest of the body, narrow hips and a fuller midsection  A triangle-shaped (also referred to as pear-shaped or spoon-shaped) body has hips that are broader than their shoulders/bust  Many cisgender men have a rectangle-shaped body, meaning straight body lines with shoulders, bust and hips that are roughly the same width and little waist definition  In boy mode, my body is more of an inverted triangle, meaning my shoulders are broader than my hips  ...but when I am en femme, I have somewhat of an hourglass shape.  An hourglass figure is when your shoulders and hips are balanced (approximately the same width) and you have a defined waist.  This shape is achieved by my thigh pads giving my hips a little more... oomph, paired with a nicely cinched corset  I want to stress that you should wear whatever you want, even if it wasn't designed for your body.  I mean, 90% of the clothes I own weren't even designed for the gender I was assigned at birth, so I don't let the designer's intention get in my way of wearing whatever I want.