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Many years ago I discussed with a close female friend that knew I crossdressed if baggy or slim fit is what I should look for. She told me that I should never choose clothes that are baggy except for workout tanks if desired. She took me to a store and had me try on a blouse, tank and dress that were the same but different size. When looking in the mirror how I looked was dramatic. Same style, same color but one 2 or 3 xl and the other L or M. From then on I try and buy clothes that fit close to my body. She said we have been conditioned to think if we are large girls we should wear baggy clothes, when we just need to make sure the clothes fit correctly. Baggy clothes do not make me look smaller, it makes me look much bigger. I like my tanks tight, my dresses correctly sized and my jeans not quite skinny but slim leg. I do enjoy flowing skirts but the waist and length are important that they fit correct.
Choosing the correct clothing size is such a crap shoot if I order on-line instead of going to a brick and mortar store and actually trying on the garment. When going to a real store you may be surprised what actually fits and what just looks baggy, unattractive and boring on you. Today I took a pair of shoes back to Torrid and the sales girl has gotten to know me and showed me a pair of nice white skort shorts. She handed them to me and I looked and they were Torrid size "0". I would have never ordered these on line buying size 0. But they just didn't fit, they fit perfect, yes they are now in my closet.
Do you prefer baggy or slim athletic fit.
@pantyloverguy it depends. If I buy a dress, the starting point is will my shoulders fit into it. I am rather broad-shouldered, but as I exercise regularly, reasonably lean but I have put weight on since I stopped running marathons so the 6-pack stomach is no more.
For anything like a skirt, petticoat, trousers etc, I have a fairly narrow waist which translates to a smaller size than I would wear for a dress.
The 3rd problem is legs. I have long legs, but as a trail runner, very muscular lower legs, hence I cannot wear skinny jeans, I have to wear boot cut. So long legs, narrow waist means buying jeans is not so straightforward. In drab mode, I wear shorts for much of the year.
I love feminine clothing items which will give me shape, hence flared or A-line dresses with a petticoat and a narrow waist or a waist I can make narrower with a sash or a belt and try to disguise the broad shoulders.
Once I find a make that sizes well on me, I buy repeat dresses from them.
A skort is skirt with built in shorts. No need to say “skort shorts”.
I used that term because these from the back are shorts and from the front a skirt where as a skort skirt is a skirt all the way around.
@pantyloverguy Over many years I have searched for, and purchased, many skorts. My guess is somewhere around at least 25 garments. Across manufacturers, stores and thrift store listings, I don’t recall anyone adjusting the name to highlight if a modesty panel is part of the garment. Not saying that it doesn’t happen, just saying that it outside of my experience. For full disclosure, all of mine are skirts with shorts and not shorts with a modesty panel. Modesty panel is not my term. A number of years ago I did a search for “skorts” and one of the results was a store specializing in women’s clothing for devout Christians (high necklines, maxi skirts and dresses, etc.). That was how they described the version that you mentioned.
@pantyloverguy I wear clothes that fit not to baggy and not to tight. I also have broad shoulders and if I wear a dress or blouse that have sleeve eh need to go up size. Whereas if they have cap or no sleeves I can wear my normal size of these garments. I love my skirts and find that sizes vary to much and fitted or zipper I require to buy my skirts with an elastcated waist. I suppose my clothing sizes are dresses size 16 unless it has sleeves then I’m a 18. Skirt size would be 15 if there was such a size as some zippered size 14 fit depending on make some do not.
I wear slim fitting clothes in my daily life.. like skin tight skinny jeans, t-shirts a size smaller than maybe I should have haha. It's all part of the style I've had for years. But yes, that translates over to my crossdressing... I just show a little more skin when I'm dressed up! Like crop tops, short skirts, etc.
Hi girls,
Where I live, my two favorite stores for women's wear are 'Laura' and 'Cleo', almost all of their fashions are sized by ladies regular or petite, and the go from XS to XXL. Depending on how the item fits, I wear a ladies regular size L. If it's a petite then I go with ladies size XL. I'm a full time girl, an intersex trans woman, so I try everything on in the store. I never go for baggy, despite what the fashion edicts may say is in style, baggy simply doesn't look good on anyone.
hugs,
Ms. Lauren M
What's the point of creating curves with your breastforms, hip and bum pads, and a waist trainer or corset, if you're just going to hide them? Well-fitting for me every time, please. When I look in the mirror I want to look attractive to me first and foremost, having a male brain is a distinct advantage here!
What Fiona said!! 
I am a body con dress girl.
Only exception for me is an oversized sweatshirt in fall & winter paired with leggings. You will look like all the other gg's out there jogging or walking. The sweatshirt also comes in handy for leaving the house in stealth mode for trips.
Emily
Hi Carla, For me, it's baggy and comfortable for my everyday working clothes. But then, when it's time to go out at night, it's skinny, slim or painted on. Party on, Marg
My preference is always for a slim or athletic fit. I'm not that large so I don't shop in plus sizes but I always try to find clothes which fit me correctly.
At this point you could call me a very experienced CD as I'm out in public often and I have a wide circle of CD friends I see regularly.
Though I do shop online some I also shop in person as well, and prefer it if possible, both dressed and drab and the sales people have always, without exception been great. Even other women in the change are seem to be mostly unfazed these days.
Women's sizes are definitely tricky to figure out, and even with the correct size sometimes I find one has to go up or down a size to get the right fit. I cannot agree with you more, a correct fit is so important. It's nice when I can get something with a bit of stretch to it as my bottom, even with padded panties, is smaller than my top, and I only take a 38C bra. This way I can downsize a bit for a nicer looking fit.
However there is also a totally accepting and highly skilled alteration lady who has done a number of alterations for me.
Amy
Being a girl is a work in progress, and selecting female clothing can be both a challenge and rewarding at the same time.
As far as preferences, I would say that depends on the individual girl and what her style is. As for me, I don't know if I can pin down my preferences, other than to say I like bright and cheery.
Yes, buying on line is tricky, a shot in the dark, although I have had good luck with Shein and Torrid, both of which have excellent return policies. Shein and Torrid sizes are reliable, once you know what your correct sizes are. On rare occasions, I have found cute dresses in Walmart. Ross For Less is yet another good source for dresses.
Goodwill stores have not reopened their dressing rooms in my area since COVID, but they do have a 14 day return policy.
And as someone mentioned, if I find that perfect dress that doesn't quite fit, I will take it to my favorite alteration lady who performs excellent work.
Note that there are clothes that are oversized intentionally by the designer. In the past, CHICO’S did a number of silk and silk blend jackets. At least 80% of my wardrobe comes from thrift stores and anything in CHICO’S size 4, my size by their scale, is very hard to find. However, what I found out is that their size 3 is often oversized enough such that it fits me perfectly. My advice, when buying online from various thrift sites is check measurements, and if they have not posted any, ask. It goes without saying that you need to know your own measurements. Department store web sites will usually have diagrams to illustrate how to take your own measurements.
