Mainstream crossdressing is something I only dreamed of when I was a young crossdresser. Actually fantasy is probably a more accurate term because it occupied my mind mostly while awake. Leaving the house dressed did not really start until my mid 30’s. It was still something you could be arrested for so was an irregular occurrence. My mainstream crossdressing only existed on business trips and consisted of driving around late at night then back to the motel. I think it was in the late 80’s when I made my first mainstream crossdressing trip In Dallas Texas.
MAINSTREAM CROSSDRESSING THE 1ST TIME
While at one of the beloved Texas “T” Parties friends insisted that a friend and I join them for dinner. We assumed it would be a Gay restaurant which was the typical (SAFE) destination in those days especially in Texas. I knew I was in trouble as the city lights faded behind us but hoped maybe dinner was in Houston. Nope! They reserved a very nice steakhouse in a suburb of Dallas filled with regular folks. Not my idea of a perfect place for a paranoid CD to do mainstream crossdressing. Everything went well when they seated us at a nice table until we took our seats. There were crossdresser wives with us so I let them decide who sat where and I guess one of them hated me because I ended up directly under the spotlight. Its the perfect place for a CD who rushed to get ready and not ecstatic about her presentation that night preferring a dark corner of the restaurant.
My first time mainstream crossdressing was an education as the guys I was worried about in the restaurant really did not want to look at us. It was the women they were with that kept looking at us all night. They kept pointing us out to the poor guys who obliged them with a brief glance then back to their meal. The staff was very nice to us and when we left their was no gallows or rope tied into a hangman’s noose so it was all good. Then again maybe the fact that we pulled up our friends new Rolls Royce Silver Shadow that night made a difference. The first and only time I have ridden in one but it was cool. So it was two firsts that for me that night mainstream crossdressing and the Rolls.
MAINSTREAM CROSSDRESSING TODAY
Fast forward to today and mainstream crossdressing is very common especially in big cities. Last weekend I met with 5 other CHIC members for dinner Friday night at a favorite place in Long Beach. We had two wives and 4 crossdressers for dinner and had a fun night eating inside for a change. I reserved a private room in the back of the restaurant which gave us a relaxing unhurried atmosphere to socialize in.
MAINSTREAM CROSSDRESSING WITH THE PUBLIC
I got a pleasant surprise when GG acquaintance came back to say hello after noticing me walk through the bar. I had just come in from going outside to take a picture for this article. She had not been around for a couple of years so it was good to know she was doing fine.
I intentionally blurred her face because I did not have her permission to put her picture online. I liked the picture of me so I included it.
This post was getting a little long so the rest of the weekend will follow shortly.
Public crossdressing is being done more and more as CD’s become increasingly comfortable being seen in the open. Years ago most preferred the relative safety of Gay bars or DRAG clubs. Pretty much all of my dressing is done at mainstream venues whether they be stores, restaurants or bars. The world is pretty tolerant if not accepting of crossdressers now especially the younger folks.
PUBLIC CROSSDRESSING FOR DINNER
This month our Friday night group went from 7 to 4 because of last minute scheduling conflicts. I arrived first and opted to sit in the bar so I could people watch. It was a bit cool to sit outside and you see eveyone that comes in. The owner Mario is an old friend and came to sit with me until the others arrived. We talked about how long he has known our club CHIC along with his successful restaurant. It has been 25 years since we started doing public crossdressing at his first restaurant and he expressed his gratitude for our support over those years. I thanked him for being there for us too. Many a beginner went to his restaurant for their first outing en fem and was made to feel comfortable. We have gone to his restaurants through good times and bad and are especially enjoying his current success.
PUBLIC CROSSDRESSING WITH THE PUBLIC
Many times I have walked into a restaurant alone public crossdressing to rendezvous with friends and had patrons take notice of me. Most don’t have too much reaction some smiling while others sort of take it in then look away. Some though give kind of a WHAT IS THAT DOING HERE look then check to see if others noticed me also. My favorite outcome to this situation is when the bartenders and servers notice I have arrived and great me warmly by name. Often if the owner is around they come over and shake hands or hug me again calling me by name. The reason its my favorite public crossdressing is the negative folks figure out the only person with a problem with this crossdresser is them so maybe they are the one out of step.
SATURDAY NIGHT
Saturday night we had a much bigger group for dinner with 18 club members total. Our group was seated upstairs due to our size but it worked out well because we had the whole upper level. The only drawback was upstairs is all booths so we were in many small groups. Around 10 PM most went on their way but a few of us descended the stairs to the bar for more cocktails and public crossdressing. Once in the bar seating was scarce so I went to the ladies room to freshen up and get ready for a picture.
When I left the restroom I had to walk behind the owner who was seated at the end. I did not want him to back into me when I said hello so once directly behind him I put my hands on each of his upper arms then said hi in my deepest Trace Atkins voice. He spun around laughing and shook my hand vigorously asking how I was doing. I said great chatted for just a minute and moved on to my group. A few minutes later my folks were commenting on some guys who rolled their eyes and said some negative things about our group. The bartender heard it and was upset then spoke with the owner. The next thing I knew two of the three left and the one left behind felt bad and wanted to buy us a round of drinks. The owner told them we did not need his drinks and just to be nice.
PUBLIC CROSSDRESSING SUCCESS
It is important in closing to note that each of the restaurants mentioned above are places I have gone public crossdressing to for decades. The relationships with owners and staff are based respect for them and their business. We always dress appropriately, act lady like, spend lots of money and tip well. We are never loud, obnoxious, crude or do anything that could negatively impact the business.
Crossdressing fun with friends is the best especially when they are your fellow CHIC club members. Our latest crossdressing adventure was in Long Beach again at one of our favorite restaurants. Tonya, one of our members is always conjuring up fun stuff for us to do like her Santa Baby event last month. Saturday night this month it was Elvis for a night if singing, dancing and lots of laughing.
CROSSDRESSING FUN WITH FRIENDS & ELVIS
Tonya had confided in me that she was wanting to have some crossdressing fun with friends again. Tonya wanted it to be a surprise so I said nothing. After dinner around nine Elvis walks through the door and the wheels came off. Most of us were somewhat reserved at first being ladies and all. But in a short while we were all singing with Elvis.
To some crossdressing fun with friends includes dancing which about half our group did. Not me, I have not danced since seeing Elaine dance on Seinfeld years ago and recognized my moves. After about an hour Elvis left and one of the members inspired by the singing moved over to the piano. It was a Baby Grand in the corner and she treated us to some fabulous classical music. Crossdressing fun with friends comes in many forms singing, dancing and just hanging out.
The show went on when our bartender took a turn at the piano treating us to some of his favorite songs. How neat to be entertained by such talented people which makes me wonder what happened with me?
For myself and a few others CHIC meetings are actually CHIC weekends as some travel from out of town. Others just want more crossdressing fun with friends so they also make a weekend of it. We stay at hotels and go out both Friday and Saturday nights. Sometimes the Friday night group is as large as the Saturday night group.
FRIDAY CROSSDRESSING DINNERS
We have some favorite places for our Friday night crossdressing fun with friends and we go often enough that we are becoming part of the
ambiance. One of our favorites has a back room we call the clubhouse or lounge and we go there several times each year.
The picture above was taken Friday night at the lounge and I think I look pretty relaxed in it.
Years ago we only went to mostly Gay restaurants or private back rooms when home parties became scarce so back rooms are not foreign to us. Now days we have the option to dine with the other customers but sometimes choose the private room for a more intimate dinner. The atmosphere is more relaxed and the conversation better without the loud voices from the bar.
We always have a small group of us that is not ready to go home so we go mingle at the bar with the other folks. That way they get to have some crossdresser fun with friends too its just that we are better dressed. I think we are also having more fun then they are.
The above picture is very relaxed also like after multiple Cosmos ingested but I like it because it reflects my mood at midnight.
Crossdressing fun can happen in many ways depending on your definition of fun. One of mine is getting together with my CHIC sisters and their wives every month for a night out. It is always a great time and this last February’s meeting was one of the best. February meeting was a challenge because of the COVID shutdowns in California. State restrictions made it very hard to find a place to go out as a group. It was my responsibility as the 2021 president of CHIC to make sure the meetings happened. I planned the meeting myself and was able to find a place at a hotel with an outside patio. It had plenty of heaters and 2 fire pits. Its not the kind of place we normally have our crossdressing fun but you take what you can get! I had another CHIC member make a reservation for 6 people at 7:30 PM. My thinking was that would have us finishing dinner around 9:00 PM and they would not rush us out afterward. Very few people eat that late as a rule so it would be to their advantage to let us stay.
The host manager was in shock when we showed up and was a little on the cranky side because we ended up with 13 instead of 12 but we worked it out. I was concerned the night was going to be a real dud because the menu was limited to sandwiches and salads. They sat us a two tables about 30 feet apart so were walked back and forth visiting and so far it was going OK.
CROSSDRESSING FUN
THEN!
After dinner Tonya peeled off her full length coat and Santa Baby appeared then everything changed.
Santa Baby
CROSSDRESSING FUN IN PUBLIC
CHIC had to cancel its Christmas party this year like everyone else and Tonya had secretly planned to give everyone fun gifts at the party. Not to be deterred the gifts were delayed but Tonya as Santa Baby delivered them in February. It was a hoot and all of the other patrons were loving the whole concept with Tonya as the star.
My pink practice golf balls Tonya gave me will be put to good use and might slow my swing down.
I am not sure what Wanda, (pictured with Tonya) got but all the gifts were poking a little fun at the recipient. Raquel usually shows up late to meetings so she got a clock. All the numbers in a pile at the bottom and across the top it said “What difference does it make I’m always late anyway”
The great news was that they did not kick us out after dinner. Partly I think because the other patrons came over and joined our party. They loved the Christmas in February. They had tons of questions about who we are and what we were up to.
I think the restaurant made more money along with the server tips that night than they have since before COVID struck.
CROSSDRESSING FUN UPDATE
I was a little worried that the CHIC members who made the reservations would not be welcomed back because we took over the place that night. This month I found out when I met CHIC sister Erica at the patio for a drink before Tonya picked us up for the Friday night outing. When we approached the previously cranky manager he greeted us with a smile and said “welcome back ladies”. When our server showed up he was all smiles and asked if I wanted another Cosmo?
It might have made a good impression the night of the party when I asked the manager for some trash bags. I told him I wanted to collect all of our trash extra trash from the gift wrapping. We collected all of it so the staff only had to worry about plates and glasses.
Sometimes its the little stuff that makes a difference.
Crossdresser shopping is not new to me but although I have done it for many years I have never done it in Long Beach. San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Las Vegas, Atlanta and Texas yes but, Long Beach no. I guess it goes back to my early years when crossdresser shopping was extremely rare. Crossdresser’s were not accepted and being asked to leave a store was a real possibility maybe by a policeman. Things are different now so I got to thinking about getting a pedicure. I used to do it all the time in San Francisco years ago and then go shopping.
Of course I wore my new mask a Christmas present from my wife and my lipstick was perfect.
I use the 4Ocean frame inside that keeps it from smearing my lipstick and it does look fabulous.
I made an appointment with a local nail shop for 1:30 pm Friday and got ready earlier than usual. There wasn’t time for a sit down lunch so it was Chicken McNuggets in the car then off to the nail shop. Turns out I was a bit early and the place was empty so they took me right away. I got in the chair and she went to work taking off my old polish then the pedicure.
CROSSDRESSING PEDICURE
I picked Marylin Monroe red and loved the way they looked. I wore black thong sandals so the polish would not smear inside closed toed shoes. They had a comfortable 2 1/2 inch heel. I was also going to the seamstress afterward for some alterations then some crossdresser shopping at Macy’s.
WELL DRESSED CROSSDRESSER
Next I was off to the seamstress to get some jackets taken in after losing a few pounds. Then I was off to Macy’s and the MAC counter inside for some crossdresser shopping to replace the eyebrow pencil that broke earlier. The MAC counter was empty so I was served right away got my pencil and left. I regretted it later because it was the perfect time to have the artist explain MACS new creamy powder foundation to me.
My crossdresser shopping adventure was very relaxed as Macy’s was not crowded so I was not rushed. That said I bought nothing again so my spending drought continues until the current trend passes. Tailored jackets are not trending now, active wear is so unless I want sweatshirt type styling I am out of luck. It might be related but fashion jewelry inventories seems to be shrinking possibly because nothing goes with sweatshirts and tennis shoes.
How I yearn for the days that Macy’s added 3 to 4 new tailored skirt suits to their website every Friday. Also leading up to Easter was a high heel extravaganza every year with feminine high heel sandals worthy of my pedicure.
Maybe this summer will bring some change to the fashion world hopefully more toward elegant VS sloppy.
Crossdressing clubs are still around and mine met last weekend in Long Beach California for our monthly meeting. We were just under 20 people with crossdresser wives making up about a third of the attendees. Those who commute a great distance typically stay at a local hotel for the weekend so we go out both Friday and Saturday nights. Under the current COVID restrictions it has been a challenge finding places to go but we manage. Our crossdressing club CHIC enjoys a very active membership with attendance at meetings being about 85 percent each month. With outside dining only in California (unless your the governor) jackets are becoming part of the wardrobe. Friday night I wore a hounds tooth skirt with a black V neck sweater. with the cool damp ocean air I needed the black leather jacket all night.
CROSSDRESSING CLUB FRIDAY NIGHT
CROSSDRESSING SATURDAY NIGHT
Saturday night wasn’t any warmer so I wore another leather jacket over my black and white dress. The dress was made of a light weight material so the jacket was a must.
CROSSDRESSING CLUB
There were 7 of us on Friday night two couples and three single where we ate at one of our favorite restaurants. We had a first when headed for the valet after dinner when we came upon another crossdresser on her way to dinner alone. We spoke with her and I naturally promoted our crossdresser club thinking she was eating alone. I am not sure if it was a coincidence or not but Saturday night she came to the same restaurant we were at. She got a table by herself when some of our girls spotted her and invited her to join our group. I did not want her to think she was being interrogated so I let others chat with her.
If she submits an application and is accepted she won’t have to go out alone anymore.
Mature crossdressing can be a lot of fun depending on your outlook. Most mature crossdresser’s have more free time and money with the children out of the house. They are better positioned to take advantage of crossdressing opportunities. Sure your older but you don’t have to look it if you know some tricks to help the illusion along. Gravity is not a friend of the mature crossdresser or, anyone else for that matter but, you don’t have to accept the results. I see crossdresser’s around often who don’t use hip or butt pads so they can wear a smaller skirt or dress. This is a mistake if they have any dream of passing as shown in the photo below.
The figure on the left has no padding while the one on the right is wearing hip pads from Classic Curves International. The one on the right looks more feminine but some mature crossdresser’s have to deal with losing their natural butt also, They need some more padding on the tush so butt pads are an answer.
I bought an extra large to allow for my Classic Curves International gel hip pads. I insert them on either side of my natural hips.
The result is a naturally feminine look to my skirts and dresses along with tight jeans.
No more saggy BUTT!
TAPPING FOR MATURE CROSSDRESSING
Once you have created that amazing mature crossdresser tush its time to address that dreaded TURKEY NECK. I did a post last October called CROSSDRESSER FACE TAPE where I talked about a face tape technique. I used the system for over a year and it worked most of the time but the rubber band broke occasionally on the one placed on my temples. I had less success with the one placed on the back of the neck. It came loose a lot when I turned my head.
I started searching on the internet and found a much better mature crossdressing solution on Amazon. I tried this last weekend in Long Beach and it worked great. The straps below are designed for COVID 19 face masks but work perfect for lifting the face skin. They cost $10.99 for the 45 piece assortment and will probably be a 50 year supply in that they appear very sturdy.
The first night I selected the strap on the far left. I opened the adjuster to the maximum length then cleaned the temple area right under my sideburns with alcohol. Then I coated the area with New Skin liquid bandage letting it dry.
Next I cut a strip of 3M medical tape long enough to cover the temple area I prepared plus 1 inch extra. Then I placed the tape on my temple area letting the extra curl back away from my head. Taking the strap by the end I attached it to the tape on my temple. Then I ran the strap over the top of my head and attached the other temple the same way. Just like wearing headphones.
It worked great all night with the strap staying in place but stretching when I spoke or chewed dinner. One problem with just taping your face is that it typically does not stretch. If it pulls your skin too tight it can blister. Its fun trying to explain the blister in such a strange place to friends and family.
The second night I wrapped a piece of the 3M tape around the ends of the strap to have more surface to tape to. Then I repeated the aforementioned process taping to the tape which again worked great.
Crossdressing in Las Vegas for Halloween is something I dreamed of as a kid but was afraid for many years. That all changed about 20 years ago when a few of us took a chance on San Francisco being tolerant or possibly accepting of us. They were and we went back every year since until this 2020 when COVID 19 got in the way. Friends there advised against doing it this year so we opted for Las Vegas Crossdressing instead. We spent three nights there and had a wonderful time masks and all dinning at great restaurants and shopping during the day. The weather was amazing with the high at 80 and the lows around 60.
NIGHT #1 THE PALM RESTAURANT
The first night we went to The Palm restaurant at the Forum Shops in Caesar’s Palace. Great food and service and we were treated like ladies seated in a nice booth with a view of everything. For my first night of Las Vegas Crossdressing I wore my new zebra skirt that fit perfectly. I paired it with a black zippered jacket I already had. The Micki Finn mask is real not Photo Shopped I had it made for the trip.
THE FORUM SHOPS AT CAESARS
NIGHT #2 DELMONICO’S
The second night was at Delmonico’s Steakhouse between the Venetian Hotel where I was staying and the Palazzo where Ashley stayed. Delmonico’s is a favorite every time we go to Vegas not just for the food and service but the location also. We were seated at a great table next to the wine room with a nice view of the restaurant. Our server was attentive, fun and did not rush us through the dinner.
DELMONICO STEAKHOUSE
CROSSDRESSING LAS VEGAS
Trips for Las Vegas Crossdressing always include lots of walking long distances on hard tile floors for the most part . That’s why I pack my fold-able ballet slippers in my purse and change a short distance from my destination. This night I opted for my leopard jacket over a sleeveless dress. I forgot to have Ashley take a picture of me at the restaurant so I had to take this one in my suite on the timer.
MY VENETIAN SUITE ENTRY
NIGHT #3 COSTA di MARE
Our last night a special occasion because of Halloween and we were in Vegas so we went to a new restaurant. It is the Costa di Mare located in the Wynn Hotel and was exceptional. It was quite possibly the best food and service I have ever had. Although it came at a price similar to the GDP of a small country. The hostess gave us a choice of taking the elevator or the stairs and I jumped on the elevator. I wish I had taken the stairs because it is the grand entrance to the lower level dinning room. We took the elevator option because the black patent pumps I was wearing were 4.5 inches tall. I ordered them by mistake and love them but they are too high for Vegas. I did not want to make my Las Vegas Crossdressing entrance going end over end down the stairs.
COSTA DI MARE DINNING ROOM
Our servers were terrific with a head waiter showing us the large fish cart displaying the fresh catch of whole fish, lobster, scallops, and octopus. We opted for the chefs recommendation that was a assortment of items from the cart. The fish we selected was a mild flaky salt water fish carved perfectly by one of our servers. Neither of us found a bone on our plates. Ashley talked me into giving octopus another try after my Hawaiian experience years ago. Selecting it from a buffet I chewed for half an hour on what seemed like an inter-tube! Costa di Mare sold me on octopus because it was tender and very flavorful. I guess the buffet is not the best place to get it.
THE PALAZZO SHOPS
The Wynn had more security than any other hotel on the strip putting us through electronic wand sensors and purse searches. There has been some violence on the strip in recent weeks so they are on the lookout for problems. Most of what I have read about was late at night so I was not too concerned. One takeaway from the experience is that the American people want their life back! The Strip was packed the streets, the casino’s, the restaurants, and even the Showtime Mall across the street. Everybody everywhere was wearing a mask which, was mandatory so I guess people are sick of staying locked up.
It’s been a little while since I posted anything because I have been having too good a time traveling and dressing. Sometimes both at the same time which is always fun and sometimes exciting like my last CHIC dinner in Long Beach. I got ready early because I wanted to take some pictures before going out which deviated from my normal routine. So after getting absorbed with photo fun I realized I had to get going or I would be late for dinner which I was in charge of coordinating. I shut everything down and after summoning UBER I walked out of my room. As my door closed behind me I instantly knew the room key was on the night stand, not in my purse. It’s been years since I have had this happen which I attribute to my routine but I deviated. I opted to continue on to the dinner and deal with the key issue later when there would not be so many people around the Marriott front lobby desk.
The dinner was fun and we stayed a little longer than usual with some of us going to the bar for more drinks. I bid my friends farewell not long after because I had a golf game the next day and needed to be sharp. UBER showed up on time so I was off to me (mam/sir) moment with the night manager. When I walked up to the desk a young fellow greeted me with a hello mam can I help you. I replied in Dukes voice that I left my key in the room and needed another to which he replied with a request for my name and ID. After providing both he looked at my ID handed me a duplicate key and said “good evening sir” I knew it was coming and replied thanks you too.
WEBSITE UPDATES
After having some conversations with the new President of CHIC it was decided that their site needed some updating. I agreed to do it and ended up changing the whole direction of the site with a new format without the blog. I think it is better now with a cleaner look and the addition of the club logo along with the member testimonials. You can check it out at the CHIC website . I had so much fun that I did my website as you can see with a different look and for the first time an official logo.
Crossdressing history comes in two parts, one is the personal crossdresser’s history. The other is part of the collective history of crossdressing men wearing dresses over the ages.
Younger crossderesser’s will have a relatively short history but, are none the less part of the collective history of crossdressing. The younger crossdresser’s are the inspiration for this post. It also pertains to others regardless of their age that have recently made the leap to explore crossdressing.
CROSSDRESSING FEAR AND TREPIDATION
Crossdressing in public isn’t what it used to be and the young and newly launched gurlz benefit from the efforts of those who came before. Long before Caitlyn Jenner drew so much attention to the subject when she came out to the world others were pushing the envelope. Some at great personal cost like divorce, job loss and in some cases jail. The farther back in history you go the worse it was.
30 years ago I would have been extremely uncomfortable going into the 555 Steakhouse dressed as a woman. It is an upscale restaurant in downtown Long Beach near the convention center. The 555 is always crowded liquored up convention folks. Getting the cold shoulder from the management and frowns from the customers would have been my expectation and that would be the good part. Fearing being asked to leave or having customers request being moved were also a consideration. My worst fear though would be to have had some dunce pull my wig off and play catch with his boozed up buddies.
Please understand my paranoia of the 555 Steakhouse was in no way based on the establishment but, my fear of society in general in those days.
Last month I made a reservation at the 555 online for 10 people on the Friday night before our club (CHIC) Christmas Party. I did not notify them in advance that we were going to be crossdressed. I did years ago out of consideration for the restaurant. The reason being that they know me there. Micki has eaten their many times in large and small groups being treated as a lady every time. I think I am in their computer system so they know what to expect when we arrive. That Friday night the place was really crowded but our food & service were exceptional. Other than we were dressed better than most of the women there nobody paid us much attention.
MATURE CROSSDRESSER HISTORY
I have posted before on mature crossdressing history when I wrote about a book my friend John C. Gunn authored called I’m Dressed Your Not. John went by the name Lane when we met at a CHIC meeting about 30 years ago. She is in her 90’s now and I and others learned a lot from her especially the fingernail technique I use. Another post I did was about Laverne Cummings who would be about the same age as Lane had she not passed a couple of years ago.
I recently came across some information on the internet that took me back to the early stages of my crossdressing history. It along with seeing how different things are nowadays for younger and newly launched crossdressers are what inspired this post. Possibly after reading it those with less crossdresser history will gain an appreciation for those who came before and blazed the trail.
CROSSDRESSER DOCUMENTERIES
I came across a series of YouTube crossdressing videos by JoAnn Roberts from the mid 1980’s along with a tape from the Phil Donahue television daytime show.
JoAnn passed in 2013 but not before making a significant impact on the crossdressing history of many of us.
She started her own publishing company and began producing LadyLike Magazine.
In 1985 she wrote and published Art & Illusion, A Guide to Crossdressing.
She was also one of the founders of the Renaissance Transgender Association, Inc. This was all done in an era where you could easily lose your job on just the rumor that you were a crossdresser.
Her courage and others like her eased the path for others by educating the public on crossdressing. In 1995 she was a partner in the online website Trans Gender Forum later named TG Forum.
It was TGForum and JoAnn that hosted the 1st CHIC website that I built almost 20 years ago. JoAnn was very patient with my lack of knowledge of websites back then.
