- This topic has 13 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 1 year ago by Michelle Davis.
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- January 24, 2023 at 7:49 pm #712044
Hi ladies,
First up, I know zilch about where this phrase came from, but I’m going to apply it to crossdressing anyway.
BY DEGREES.
1/. Typically you develop an interest in “things femme” in your early to late teens, eg., your mothers/sisters lingerie and other female clothing items.
2/. By the time you are “marriageable age”, say early 20’s, you have strong cd/femme feelings and if you can, you have read/owned various forms of CD materials. Books, magazines and in later times, the internet and all its various forms of CD information/entertainment. You may have started to purchase your own few femme items. Bra, panties etc.
In both of these early stages you fantasize about fully dressing as a woman and in many instances, it causes a very strong arousal in your “nether regions”. But you are scared/ashamed of such feelings and repeatedly discard your purchases of the above materials
3/. You fall in love with the “girl of your dreams” and think that this new happily married life will make your CD feelings just go away. But of course sooner or later, “it all comes back”. So you start back down the “purchase trail” and inevitably, either you “have the talk” or she finds some of your femme things left where you should not have left them. Where this all ends, is entirely within both your abilities to accept or reject this situation, tho’ more often than not, it’s rejection with all the stress and life disruption that comes with it.
Visits to various types of therapists, (with very mixed results), are a common occurrence during this phase
4/. You find ways to express your CD self away from home. Eg business trips, be they long or short duration or “working late at the office” During this period you find ways to buy and amass a reasonable collections of things feminine, clothes, (inner and outer), make up, wigs breast forms, shoes, jewelry etc. Plus the means to secure the above from “prying eyes”
Your femme confidence can grow during this period. Including via visits to away from home dressing services. But during 4/., you are too scared to venture beyond the dressing service front door and revert back to “male me” on leaving . By this time you may have also joined either a local or interstate CD group, where you attend as your femme self. If away from home you may have JUST got up the confidence to have got yourself dressed and attend en femme.
Solo drives “around the block” or “walks to the mailbox”whilst dressed may now be a part of your CD journey. As is the confidence , (if you are so endowed and mentally inclined), to write stories for various CD magazines and group newsletters
5/. Your confidence, (and the dressing services bank balance), grows to included escorted shopping trips/walks in the park with the by now trusted, lovely, understanding, (typically), woman/transwoman, who runs the dressing/personal make up service. She happily indulges your special passions for various types and styles of femme clothing,in my case period, (Scarlett O’Caty??) and current evening wear.
This can also include another possible, long desired “femme affirmation”. IE A “visit to the shopping mall/hotel, ladies” whilst dressed.
4 and 5 also typically include the confidence to have photos of your femme self taken and carefully secrete them away from prying eyes. In latter years some of these end up on great sites like Cross Dresser Heaven!! Accompanied by articles and posts on the same variety of sites……
6/. The last past of your CD journey and in most cases, at least after 20/30 years of your life on this mortal coil, is marked by your total confidence in your femme self and her ability to go out in the wide world and be herself in public. Shopping, (with emphasis of personal bra fittings), dinners out, meeting other CD’s in public , attending CD conferences/ events etc. Home town if you can, but more often that not, a fair distance from your home.
Some may go even further and fully transition, (either surgical or non surgical), but to my mind they are a (very worthy!!) minority
And all through numbers 1 to 6 if, (with various life caused roadblocks/diversions thrown in), you have been able to maintain a certain lifestyle of family/friends/career/retirement?, then you can thank your stars and your personal God that you are still here and alive.
So…where are you on these “6 degrees”?
Happy dressing
Caty Ryan.
- January 24, 2023 at 8:08 pm #712046
Sounds pretty accurate Caty, a close match to my journey into womanhood so far.
I am well past 6 on the list, transitioned and living as a woman, legally a female.Hugs,
Ms. Lauren M
- This reply was modified 1 year ago by Lauren Mugnaia.
- January 25, 2023 at 5:59 am #712107
Very well written list. Six but have dropped back to 3.
- This reply was modified 1 year ago by Nancy Gamms.
- January 25, 2023 at 8:43 am #712138
I am sure I made it to the goal line by now. I agree this is a well laid out list of the evolution of things most of the girls have experienced
- January 25, 2023 at 9:42 am #712158Anonymous
I think I am just starting on level 4. Funny how I knew I was growing. I just didn’t know I was that far along. 🙂
- January 25, 2023 at 10:22 am #712162
I think no 4 more describe me.at this time
No chance to jump over other ones..because of marriage ,geographic conditions etc etc .
- January 25, 2023 at 10:39 am #712168
Caty,
I am definitely a 5th degree CDer. I’m not quite confident enough in my appearance to be out much in public although I have been out a few times without any problems. Thanks for your clever breakdown of CD development.
- This reply was modified 1 year ago by Kerri Smith.
- January 25, 2023 at 10:52 am #712174
Interesting levels of degrees Caty. Unfortunately I do not find myself on any level mentioned. While I am confident in my dressing and my wife is supportive, I am still very much a private and closet dresser. Maybe one day I will advance.
- January 25, 2023 at 11:00 am #712178
Number 1 started around 5. Number six is at, I am fully out, non transitional, supportive wife who is best friend to both of me. The three of us shop, dine, travel together as one happy unit. No God involved.
- This reply was modified 1 year ago by Jill Lacey.
- January 25, 2023 at 12:59 pm #712222
I am #6 Caty. I spend 90% of my time as a woman including all around my home town. I do not have any desire to transition or undergo HRT.
Fiona
- January 25, 2023 at 2:07 pm #712233
Hi Caty, thank you for your insightful informative article on the journey and degrees of crossing. From your “degree”descriptions, I consider myself at #4 progressing to #5. … thank you one of the Transnats ladies, Leonara
- January 25, 2023 at 9:45 pm #712376
First up thanks to everyone who responded or typed thanks to this post.
I should have delayed putting it up ‘cos I thought of a few extra points. Let’s make them part of the sixth degree numbers a/. and b/.
6a/. and from I can deduce from sites like this one and other sources, you are totally at ease with your femme self and the life she leads, but your wife or so cant stand the idea of you presenting as a woman. Causes great friction and stress in the relationship with breakdowns and divorce a common theme
6b/. As above, but with a totally supportive and willing partner on your femme journey.. Lucky… Lucky… you. Cherish and nourish her in every way possible
Happy dressing.
Caty
- January 26, 2023 at 1:42 am #712386
Thank you, Caty, for producing this for us. I believe i am definitely at 6 and loving it.
- January 26, 2023 at 7:13 am #712457
I’m at a 4 due to marital constraints but would love to go further.
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