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If you’re old enough to recall the television series, “Dragnet” you will remember the infamous line from Sgt. Joe Friday, “Just the facts ma’am.” And then their introduction: The story you are about to read is true.
Before I reveal how I met my Twin Sister, there is some background information to help you understand how we found one another.
In relation to alien visitations, or the age of dinosaurs, I’ve not been a practicing crossdresser for long. If you don’t consider four decades long? During this time, I kept it an indoor “sport.” Those of us who engage in this phenomenon are quite crafty. We must be in order to survive. When I went out looking for something for June, I did it in male mode and concealed my intent with a lie about looking for something for my wife. You too? I’m not surprised! I obviously had delusions about my size because most everything I purchased was too small.
Earlier, I was unhappily married to my beautiful but unfaithful first wife. She was the rapture of my heart! But it all went wrong. The rest is a seven-year chronicle that is not relevant to the story, except for one element. The Private Investigator I hired suggested I dress with him to show me what she was doing, and how she was going about it. I passed when I saw myself in full dress in the mirror. But that look was infectious…
I don’t recall feelings of guilt or shame when I changed clothes in the safety of my closet. Somehow, I knew if I were seen in women’s clothing, I’d be scorned, labeled, and cast out. I had to maintain privacy. The conundrum is that I am a free-spirited person. Free of guilt, free thinking… just free to be and do whatever I set my mind to. That included wearing the clothes I wanted. I wanted to walk among others wearing heels. I wanted to present myself to society as the beautiful person I feel I am, with the full expectation of acceptance. Albeit my own kind of beautiful. But I was scared!
Back then, I lied my way through June’s evolving phases. I bought makeup telling the checkout cashier I hoped I got what the wife wants. The shoes, another lie, and the clothes, well, I was more into lingerie. I had to squeeze myself into them. It’s taken over forty years for June to develop into the persona she is today, and I continue to evolve. Until two years ago, there had been no one to critique, guide or advise me, just an inner voice giving me direction. That voice started to tell me I needed to develop June into the image I envisioned; I needed to step into society, but with caution.
Society is a scary place. It is larger than the sum of us. It is a dichotomy of people’s differing perceptions. Knowing where to safely go takes research. I live between two places, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Littleton, Colorado. I travel towing a 5th wheel RV wherever I want to go. Littleton is a very accepting area. I have never felt uneasy going out as June. Tulsa, however, is like a walk in the yard after the dog has been there. You must watch where you step! That voice keeps telling me if I visit public mainstays, I will not be confronted. It keeps telling me I need to get out and about… But where?
Fast forward a few years. I found the doorknob to my closet, turned it, and emerged. I walk about the house. I have a few pieces of clothing, but nothing I would want to wear out and about. That persistent voice in my head continues telling me it’s time to take this dressing up a few notches to develop June into the image I envision. I’m thinking I want someone to “hold my hand.” It tells me to get out and about and really experience the thrill of this phenomenon. But where would I go? I don’t have a thing to wear. I’m terrified and want someone to show me the way.
Okay, enough background. You get that I’m scared and want to experience more. I have the determination. That’s a high-level view of over four decades of progression; you get the picture. You’ve probably been there as well, right? Now I’m going to mix all this info together and tell the story about how I met my twin sister.
Years have gone by, and I’m still listening to that voice in my head. I’ve been dressing in the security of my home and want to get out-n-about. I’m still looking for a friend to “hold my hand.” It’s time to spread my wings, but I don’t have anything to wear. Most everything I’ve acquired is too small and inappropriate. I’m naïve about CD friendly places, so If I’m going to step out, and I want to, I need to dress accordingly. I need clothes, shoes, and accessories. I figure if I’m going to the mall shopping for what I need for June as my male self, there is a need for a well-versed lie about looking for something for my wife…
Off I go to the mall. I thought the visit through before stepping into the store. If a saleswoman approaches me and asks to help, I will say I’m looking for something for my wife. This happened…
I’m sifting through dresses in the women’s clothing department at Dillard’s. As I consider what style will look best on me, it hits me! I don’t know what size I wear. And OMG, I’m colorblind!
I looked around and saw a sales lady approaching me. She looked familiar, but I knew we had never met. As she approached me, she asked if I’m looking for something for my wife? Without hesitation, and without thinking, the lie came out. I said “no, it’s not my wife, it’s my sister… my twin sister.” Where did that come from? I don’t have a twin sister. Come to think of it, I don’t have a wife, either. But… there was a thread of truth to it. June is that voice in my head, the one I’ve been listening to for years. June is my twin. Then she asked what size my sister wore… and the lie grew.
I responded with a, “I don’t know.” I reasoned that she sometimes wears my shirts and jeans, so whatever fits me should fit her? I asked if that made sense, that if she held a dress up to me it might indicate what size to look for? She laughed and said, “Or you could try one on for size.” I remember how light-heartedly she said that. If only she knew… Maybe she did?
From that day, June became my “Twin sister” at heart. I have used that line both ways. When I am looking for something for June, she is my twin sister. When June is looking for something for me, I am her twin brother. I recall looking for a diamond pendant necklace at Zale’s. Heretofore, I had always shopped in male mode and used my “twin sister” as a ploy. It is a “safe” store to shop. June was appropriately dressed for the weather, and on entering the store, a sales associate approached me like a tiger pouncing on its prey. I knew what I was looking for. When I asked to see one in the case, the saleslady asked if it was for me. I said my brother wanted me to pick out my birthday gift, and we were twins. I also want to look at a cuff bracelet for him… something we can both wear. This is my favorite necklace, to this day!
Referring to June as my twin sister is a bit of a ruse, or is it? For me, I’ve accepted June as a living force within me. She is a friend who “holds my hand” as I experience more and more of this phenomenon. Listening to that voice in my head, I have developed June into the image you’ve seen. For me, I have accepted that June is her own kind of beautiful.
Curiously, do you hear a voice in your head? Is it she or he? Both? Do you listen or do you try to ignore it?
Love to know!
June
Hi June,
Great story, it got me to thinking I wonder if there is any member of CDH a that has a twin sister and how much they’re alike? As for AnnaBeth even though I’ve had always had a feminine side, I only gave her a name 3 years ago and the I tried to suppress her until recently when she re-emerge. I think AnnaBeth always had a voice but until recently it had no gender. Now the voice is definitely a she.
hugs
AnnaBeth
Love the story June, you had me shopping right there with you, with the same feelings. I've over and over have done the same," it's for my wife" but I gave that up for "it's for a good friend who's feeling down". The sales help always respond with, " you're friend is very lucky", which is a true statement I am very lucky. Now over the past few years being a very happy member here at CDH, I now simply say that I'm buying something for me, I don't feel any shame or guilt anymore because it's true, it's for me and I hope it fits. If it doesn't fit, you'll see me tomorrow when I come back in to return it and hopefully you'll have it in MY size.
Sherri
A tried and tested way to buy clothes in drab is 'It's for the wife/girlfriend'. I suppose 'It's for my twin' is a bit different and, being unusual catching them off guard so could that be more acceptable. There is a logic as if it were for wife/girlfriend and you started to say her size was the same as yours the suspicions would start. I like the idea of being a twin as in a lot of respects we are a twin.
beautiful article and I love the twin sister ruse. perfect. I still use the buying for my wife routine. I don't know if there is a twin inside of me, but there definitely is a woman. I feel her all the time and she paws at my outer male shell, trying to get out more frequently. But yes, fears keep me indoors sometimes. And sometimes i throw caution to the wind and just go. Thanks for Sharing my beautiful friend.
I enjoyed your story, but I'm going to let you in on a secret. Most stores don't care who they sell to. They are in the business to sell, and if you are willing to buy, they are not likely to pass judgement. Your money is the same color as any woman, and has the same worth. If you are happy with their service, you are more likely to come back and maybe tell others in the same situation, so it is a win-win situation.
My first few times getting clothing for me I was afraid I'd be questioned or that people in line behind me might notice, but each time I wasn't noticed, and they rung up the sale without question or problem.
One time I bought some high heel shoes in sparkly silver and another pair in the same style in black. A few days later I wanted it in red, but online searching showed most places were out. But I expanded my search and found there was a pair in my size in a store 10 minutes from work. I went into the store at lunchtime, walked right over and there they were. I picked it up and walked back to the register. The cashier finished ringing up the woman ahead of me.
Seeing how quickly I was in and out at the register, she asked me "Did you know what to get, or were you told what to get?"" I told her I knew what to get, and then sheepishly added, "They're for me." She told me it was all right, and we got into a brief discussion about the shoes.
I walked out happy having secured the shoes. She was happy she made a sale. Did it bother me that a stranger knew it was for me? No.
Try one time to drop the twin sister act. You may be surprised.
Hugs
June, thank you for your article on the origin of the “twin sister”.. you mentioned to me that you were working on the article..and you piqued my interest and finally you didn’t disappoint with your most interesting article.
If I may, I would like to add my experience in buying feminine clothes.. At Christmas, I have the opportunity to buy clothes for my wife so Mommy would have presents from Santa and the children..I would go to the women’s department (in drab) and have no problems picking out blouses, pant suits (Kathy was a school administrator), nightgowns and bathrobes…fast forward a few years and Leonara is embracing her feminine side..now, I continue to buy (in drab but Leonara will buy for herself very soon) I buy for Kathy and Leonara at the same time. Leonara is a woman’s 10 and Kathy is a petite 8… in checking out the sales associate will comment that they are different sizes.. my response “yes I Know”. Let them guess.
I have purchased items online now and rather than have them shipped home, I pick them up at the store.. I am sure the sales associate sees the order. Dresses, blouses, skirts, intimates, and strappy heels or pumps.. hmm
let them guess… Leonara will eventually buy as her true self… Thank you June for your inspiration and thank you ladies for reading my response.. warmest regards, Leonara
great story, when my Gf and I go to buy for Clarissa, we alway buy for her mother, except for the other day where we were in a shop where her mother is known and she and my GF are about the same petite size, my GF said it was a gift for a friend of hers, because the saleslady said the size was to big for my GF. I think we might try to buy for my twin sister.
I have a sister June. People often say don't they "oh you look just like your sister" but little do they know just how similar Ginny (on a good day) and my sister really do look. I have one photo in particular from a couple of years ago that I've not posted here in which I look a dead ringer for her. I will share it if I can find it. Its funny actually, Im very self conscious on the few occasions that Ginny goes out in public however buying clothes in drab doesn't bother me one bit, in fact I quite enjoy it. I can see what they are thinking but simply don't care and on occasions when I have been asked if its a gift I've said yes...for myself and smiled. Oh and BTW yes that lady shop assistant defenitly knew LOL.
Take care
Ginny.
All I can say is “Wow”! This story of your evolution into who you are today, truly lets me know that I am not alone. I have been at the store, so many times in the past and used lies. And like you, knew there were times I know the sales person saw right through them. But somehow, I was more comforted by the ruse. Of course, things have changed over the years, now my wife and I go shopping together. We laugh, talk, and compare items, like two girlfriends but I am still in drab. I haven’t been able to take it to the next level just yet. My wife has told me if I were to, she would no longer go with me shopping and may even leave altogether. So I may never take the next step, but I am so happy it all worked out so well for you. Thank you for sharing, hugs.
great artilcle, love the perspecive of the twin sister. I think we have all been in that position.
I haven't got a twin sister - but I think I may well do now! I have an actual sister - and we look very much alike - to tell you the truth, I think that as long as I get my voice right, I could pull this off - she is also very tall and (if I get my makeup right!) I would defy anyone to tell the difference... Thank you so much for a fantastic idea as to how to get out and about a little more; Holly needs to be a little more public!!! Love you: Holly XXX
June:
What an interesting an incredible story. And what an interesting and incredible question.
I can totally understand you're considering yourself as your own twin. I think that is quite healthy and positive in nature. It is like you have found a way where you can accept and embrace both sides of your full and true self. I commend you for that. There may come a day when you find that you have outgrown the need for this distinction within yourself. Then again maybe you won't. Either way is perfectly fine if at the end of the day you are able to be perfectly comfortable in your own skin no matter which twin you are shopping for.
As to the answer to your question. I have to say that I have really thought of it in the way that you have presented it here. I can't say that I consider that I hear a voice. But having said that, I do find that I experience what I only know how to refer to as longing and desires. The more and more that I give myself the permission and the space to express that innate, distinct essence of femininity that is inside of my very being, the more that I find myself wanting, longing, and maybe,even needing to express that side of myself. The more that I find myself wanting, longing, and maybe, even needing to take steps into transitioning. Now, to be completely honest with you, I have mixed feelings of just how far I want that transition to take me. But I do know that I want to jump into the rabbit hole.
I do know that I want to experience life as a woman. I don't know, of yet, if I want it to be a full blown transition, or if I just want it to be an occasional vacation. I do know that I want to jump into that rabbit hole and see just how far it will take me.
More to the point of specifically answering your question, I would say that there is something inside of me that is telling me that now is the time for me to take that lea into the rabbit hole. That something doesn't come in the form of the voice that you have described. For me it is more a deep inner sense or feeling. It is also a strong desire that just somehow feels right.
I do know that before I leave this life, which is hopefully not for a long, long while, I want to know once and for all if I can be happy and content presenting to the world at large my feminine side. If that leads me to a deep level of transitioning, fine. If it leads my to discovering that being a closeted crossdresser is all that I want or need, fine. But at the end of the day I want to explore and to discover.
I hope that I have answered your question.
Respectfully,
Jessica Ann
Fab, my experience has always been good. We are interesting because we aren’t ‘moaning mini’s’ when shopping, so we brighten up what is usually a boring day for an assistant. We are different! Choosing where you go is just good sense.
Interesting questions June. I hear Tonya in my head all the time. Just the other day, while at a doctor's appointment in male mode, I noticed the receptionist nails and Tonya immediately told me that the receptionist had very nice nails.