"I love them (For Sentimental Reasons)... aka My "Vintage Lingerie"

Oh and I forgot.... I still have a couple of shortish curly brunette wigs from the same era. Cant "toss" them either.. These days I'm a strawberry blonde..

Hi Lisa,

Dont get too jealous.. Circa 2000 for "various reasons" I "signed the pledge" and sent 90% of Caty's wardrobe to the local CD group

Basically whats in the link I used is all that's left

Not to mention that back then I was at least 3kgs/10lb lighter and most of the pieces I sent away would not fit me now anyway.

Caty.

Oh Cathy you are a girl like me. When I first started to dress in secret it was the fashion to wear slips and lacy panties. I recall my mother had these and she would say to my sisters they should wear a slip under a dress or skirt. When I first came out to my mother one of the first things she gave me was a nice slip. Over the years I built up a good collection of  vintage slips and I still wear them to this day. 

Nowadays women often say they don't wear dresses as they aren't practical and the shops don't sell many. Yes it is unusual to see a woman wearing a dress but they are available everywhere I go and am spoiled for choice. I was talking to a mother of a client of mine, she was a dress wearer, and she commented on me wearing them. She is of a similar age to me and we had a lovely conversation about styles and where we bought them from.

It is an age thing and could I let them go? Not a chance. They are so hard to find now and, unless they are so worn as unwearable, will be stored and enjoyed for many years to come.

Not girl's clothes, but very much the same about some old clothes I have from my historical re-enacting days. Will likely never wear them again, but just too many fond memories of good times, and friends long gone. I do need to pack them away properly, going to need the space soon! See so many pretty things when shopping with the wife, or online...

Hi Dianne,

Does this mean you used to do your re enactments days "en femme"?. See my public photos for Caty as "Scarlett O Caty"

There's nowhere where I live I could wear the above in public, so I'm confined, (when we are not in lockdown) to wearing my lovely Scarlett gown in private in hotel rooms when away on charity volunteer business.

Caty.

Thank you for your reply, and your interest.

No, this was long before I accepted all my feelings, and myself fully (a very recent event in my life when it comes to CD). I was still wearing my "macho man" mask, and trying so hard to be "normal" and all that. Nowadays, I'd happily go onstage as a "saloon girl" in Tombstone, and love it! lol

I started out in US Civil War, as a lot of re-enactors do, and moved on to the Old West era when I moved to Arizona. So having had done it for almost 20 years, I have lots of Victorian men's clothes and accessories, including a few vintage pieces.  It takes up half my allotted closet space!  I'm sure I will be worse when it comes to pretty things. 🙂

It's now been 20 years since I even attended an event, let alone participated in one. But just haven't brought myself to give up the items, too many fond memories. I'm thinking of keeping select pieces, and selling the rest, but haven't brought myself to do it yet.

I did look through your photos, and you have some lovely outfits, I see we have some similar tastes. 🙂  I couldn't find the "Scarlett" photo, but the "Girls Like Us" photo really wowed me! (Perhaps that's the one you meant?)  I assume a "dressing service" would be called a costume shop here in the States?

Looking back, I do think part of my enjoyment of re-enacting , along with a love of history, was being able to dress differently, without worries about societal pressures.  And Victorian men's clothing does have more of a touch of class, and some of what we would now consider a feminine element in some of it, though certainly not femme. Some of the shirts would be considered rather feminine looking today, for example. Especially the earlier period drop sleeve men's blouse.

Certainly better than the ratty T-shirt and blue jeans that is the staple where I live now! Some of the pieces I would keep would find their way back into my drab wardrobe, as I don't think drab has to be truly "drab" 🙂 And I could never bring myself to give up my vintage Inverness Cloak!

Hi Caty,
Can't say I have any Vintage clothes left, sorry the only vintage items left is myself.
Had a massive purge when I downsized property so room became a priority. Not sure even now how I managed to let things go, but it went to charity shops so hopefully it made money for good cause and some people happy.
Lol Amanda xx

Hi Dianne

did look through your photos, and you have some lovely outfits, I see we have some similar tastes.   I couldn’t find the “Scarlett” photo, but the “Girls Like Us” photo really wowed me! (Perhaps that’s the one you meant?)  I assume a “dressing service” would be called a costume shop here in the States?

Here's the Scarlett photo

https://www.crossdresserheaven.com/photo/scarlett-ocaty/

Came from Recollections. biz in Michigan and I wore it to a CD conference formal back in 2017. I offered to do a review, but they lack a sense of humor... and would not run it

The article I wrote about it all is here

https://www.crossdresserheaven.com/transformal-was-great-but-i-wont-be-going-back/

Dressing services The UK seems to have heaps, but The US has its share too ala Janet's Closet.

Google that and you'll see what I mean.

Happy dressing

Caty.

Wow!
That is an awesome dress, and look. I also enjoyed reading your article.

I didn't know about Jane's Closet, or that they hold these sorts of events in the states. Also checked out Recollections' online store as well. You gave me a lead on a real wealth of information, and a couple of treasure chests to rummage through! Thank you!

So many goodies to look through today... 😀

OMG! Don't ever get rid of your vintage lingerie.

My entire collection of lingerie is vintage from the 60's and 70's. I find it to be much more feminine than anything they sell today.  I thrift store shopped for years to build up my collection. In time the thrift stores dried up. I'm thankful I shopped 3 and 4 times a week and have built up a very extensive collection.

The only place you can still find very beautiful vintage lingerie is on eBay and it is very expensive.