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This section is dedicated
to the selection and aquisition of womens' clothing for males,
as well as tips on dressing.
The first thing to
remember is that there is no wrong way to crossdress! If it feels
good, do it : )
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Basic Sizing
Juniors
Misses
Womens
Shoes / Socks
/ Pantyhose
Bras / Panties
/ Breastforms
Style Glossary
BASIC
SIZING
Let's start with
the basics. Women's sizes and men's sizes are measured on different
scales, which can make finding correctly fitting clothing difficult
to say the least.
Women's clothing
comes in various different sizing styles. For example, Juniors
sizes fit slim and sexy. They usually fit men well, as they are
not shaped for large hips or breasts. However, they are also not
cut to accomodate large shoulders or overall large dimensions.
Misses sizes are made to fit breasts, butts, and hips. They aren't
often as sexy as Juniors, but they are ideal for men who don't
have a particularly slim build (including if you have wide shoulders
or muscles!). Womens sizes are useful if you are going for an
older (or business) look or have some extra padding.
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JUNIORS
Juniors sizes run
0,1,3,5,7,9, etc. All odd numbers except 0, so if you see an even
size you're probably not in Juniors. You've got to be VERY small
and VERY slim to fit in a size 0 or 1 . . . I don't think I know
any men that can pull that off.
At 5'8", 135
lbs, I'm a size 5 or 7. (5 when most of my weight is muscle, 7
when I'm not keeping in shape as well) All women's clothing is
somewhat hit or miss for sizing though, I have been known to squeeze
into a 3 from time to time. Average guys will fit into a 9 or
11, but it might be tight in the shoulders and thighs. Any larger
than that, and your body shape is probably too far from Juniors
to work well. Stretch also makes a huge difference in juniors
clothing. In items labeled small, medium, or large, I almost always
go with a small even though this would generally equate to a size
0-3 . . . that's because juniors clothes without an exact size
are usually VERY stretchy. And it helps that I like to wear my
clothing a bit tight : )
Anyway, for most
men if you're buying Juniors pick a size larger than you would
expect. If you know a girl of your build and know what size she
wears, or if you look at a piece of clothing and think it looks
about right, grab the next larger size. Trust me. Most guys will
need the extra room to fit their shoulders in. Also, if you have
breast forms you will most definitely need more room than you
would expect if you are shopping without them in. Remember, juniors
clothing is not cut for massive breasts in spite of some of our
fantasies! This does not apply to Misses and Womens clothing.
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MISSES
Misses sizes are
even sizes and will fit anyone larger than slim to average build.
Ok, for crossdressers, this means anyone who is not particularly
slim. While they have a stereotype of being for older women, there
are actually a lot of cute Misses clothes out there. The size
range is the same for Misses and Juniors, so if you are a 9/11
Juniors, look for a size 10 Misses.
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WOMENS
Womens sizes are
even sizes that pick up where Misses leave off. They are sort
of the equivalent to an L or XL in Mens. I don't have much experience
with larger sizes, but hopefully you can get a good idea from
the descriptions of the other sizes to make a start.
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SHOES
/ SOCKS / PANTYHOSE
Shoes,
socks, and pantyhose . . . my favorite forms of women's clothing
: ) These items are not nearly as difficult as general clothing
to pick out. Shoe sizes go by a simple rule: for the best fit,
add one size to your men's size. If you wear a 9 men's, you need
a 10 women's. If you have slender feet, you might get away with
the same size in mens and womens. If you have wide feet, you will
likely need to go up two sizes. Of course, that may make it difficult
to find the shoes you want, but I'll cover that later. Socks and
pantyhose are wonderfully simple. Sock sizes are based on your
(women's) shoe size, just like men's socks are. And pantyhose
have a nice little chart on the back telling you what size to
pick for a certain height and weight. Pantyhose sizes vary by
brand, but here's an example that you can apply to most brands
to get an idea:
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BRAS
AND PANTIES
Bras
and panties can be a challenge, but don't worry we'll get through
it! In fact, the most difficult area of selecting bras and panties
are the styles (which I cover in the style glossary below!) not
the sizes. Panties are sized just like your basic clothing, no
big deal here. They're also not hard to eyeball, and if you get
a size a little too small it'll probably work fine. If you find
panties sized as small, medium, and large . . . take a look at
a size larger than you would buy in men's. A good working range
would same as your men's size (if you're on the small end) up
to a size and a half larger (if you're on the large end).
Ah,
the ever mysterious bra . . . one of the easiest yet most often
mis-sized articles of women's clothing. Start by measuring your
chest just below the pectoral muscle (the one that your nipples
are in the middle of). For most men this measurement should be
taken not far below the nipple. This number (in inches) is your
bra size. Round off the decimal, you won't find a bra in partial
sizes because most are adjustable. And if you have an odd number,
add one inch (most bras only come in even numbered band sizes,
and the number represents the largest size the band will fit).
As for cup size, almost every guy is a AA or maybe an A naturally.
If you have a lot of tissue around your nipples (aka man-boobs,
but I hate to use that term) you might be a B. That's it. If you
have implants or breast forms, your cup size should be included
in the model number (or your doctor should have told you in the
case of implants!) If not, measure around your chest around the
fullest part of your breast or breast form (without squishing
it at all). Subtract the first (below the pec) measurement from
this second number, and follow the chart below:
1-inch difference A Cup
2-inch difference B Cup
3-inch difference C Cup
4-inch difference D Cup
5-inch difference DD Cup (sometimes called E)
6-inch difference DDD Cup (sometimes called F)
7-inch difference DDDD Cup (can be same as F, or same as FF)
8-inch difference FF Cup
9-inch difference G Cup
10-inch difference H Cup
11-inch difference I Cup
12-inch difference J Cup
European
band sizes are a little different, check out this chart:
US |
UK |
France |
Europe |
Italy |
30 |
30 |
80 |
65 |
1 |
32 |
32 |
85 |
70 |
2 |
34 |
34 |
90 |
75 |
3 |
36 |
36 |
95 |
80 |
4 |
38 |
38 |
100 |
85 |
5 |
40 |
40 |
105 |
90 |
6 |
42 |
42 |
110 |
95 |
7 |
44 |
44 |
115 |
100 |
8 |
The
other tricky part about picking out a bra is finding one that
suits your breasts. Generally crossdressers will want to find
something that covers as much of their (fake) breasts as possible.
I've found 2 bras that do a decent job, and would love to hear
of others. The first is sold by Silkies.com
which is a mail-order pantyhose company. They carry a thin and
versatile (and cheap!) full coverage bra in several colors that
does a great job of holding everything in place. Downside is you
have to order pantyhose from them to get it . . also, I still
have to wear a high-cut shirt with this bra, and the straps are
fairly wide and obvious. The Playtex 18-hour bra is also pretty
amazing (you can get this one anywhere, from Walmart to department
stores, to Amazon.com, etc). It's super full-coverage and very
thick, which means it's unbeatable for holding your breasts in
place. The only problem is that it looks like a maternity bra
(ie not sexy), only seems to come in white, and is very noticable
if your clothing doesn't cover it. C'est la vie. There are some
crossdressing sites like GlamourBoutique.com
that sell lace breastform bras that are full coverage but sexy,
though I've never tried these out.
And
speaking of breasts . . . since most men don't have any natural
ones, but almost all of us wish we had some, breastforms are a
wonderful invention. Ok, so they were actually invented for women
who have had a masectomy (removal of the breast due to cancer),
but don't worry, you're not stealing breastforms from desperate
cancer patients - if anything, you are helping drive down the
price by comoditizing the industry. Anyway, picking a breastform
isn't easy, especially considering that they are still quite expensive,
but there's no great mystery to it.
First,
breatforms come in a variety of shapes. Round and oval shapes
are generally good for filling in a bra (ie making existing breasts
look larger), or simulating very small breasts (AA or A cup).
They make a decent B cup, but at this size you might want to consider
a new shape. Triangular forms give the breast a bit more of a
natural shape, which starts to become important with B cups and
above - breasts of this size can't completely resist the effects
of gravity (assuming they're not made of silicone), and the triangular
form mimics the effect of the breast tissue on the surrounding
skin.
If looking
natural is your top goal, or you want breasts larger than a B
cup, I would definitely suggest you look at asymmetrical or tear-drop
shaped forms. Similar to the triangular forms, a tear-drop form
fills in more of the surrounding tissue, particularly under the
arms. Most females have a lot more breast tissue in these "non-beast"
areas than anyone realizes! One word of caution with these forms
is that the less round the breast, the more careful you have to
be in selecting a bra that appropriately covers the form.
|
|
|
|
Round |
Triangular |
Teardrop |
Asymmetrical |
Breastform
sizes are a bit odd. They are numbered by increasing "size",
however, the effect of a given numerical size will vary based
on your naturaly chest dimensions, your body shape, and the shape
of the breastform. The table below gives a general guideline to
convert breastform size into cup size based on your chest measurement,
but be aware that I have seen charts +/- a full cup size from
this one (ie a 32" chest with a #6 form could be a C cup
or a DD cup). My advice? Buy a form that you think is about what
you want, attach it, measure yourself, and then go buy a bra.
Cup |
32 |
34 |
36 |
38 |
40 |
42 |
44 |
46 |
48 |
50 |
52 |
54 |
A |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
B |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
C |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
|
D |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
|
|
DD |
|
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
|
|
|
For
the record, average breast size is B cup. If you wear forms larger
than this, you will attract attention to yourself. Sometimes that's
a good thing, sometimes it's not.
One
last item on breastforms . . . attachment. A decent bra and a
tight shirt that covers you up well will work fine, but you may
want some adhesive just in case. Make sure you pick an adhesive
that is compatible with the form! There's nothing worse than dissolving
a brand new set of breasts : ( Frankly I find adhesives to be
a pain in the butt because they also have to be removed and cleaned
up, they don't feel great when you take them off, etc. And if
you plan on wearing a shirt that shows cleavage or otherwise does
not hold your forms to your chest, I want to know how you created
a realistic transition between the form and your skin - I have
still not figured out how to do that!
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STYLE
GLOSSARY
Don't
know the difference between a hipster and a low-rise panty? Or
maybe you've forgotten what a mule is? This quick guide will point
you in the right direction, and give you a little advice on how
these styles affect your crossdressing decisions.
A B
C D E F
G H I J
K L M N
O P Q R S T
U V W X Y Z
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glossary index
A-Line
- A skirt or dress whose skirt is shaped like a triangle. When
worn it typically has folds or pleats at the lower edge. This
style does not fit tight, so it does not attract attention to
wide hips, butts, or other . . . lower body parts.
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glossary index
Babydoll
- A babydoll is a short nightgown or negligee
intended as nightwear. The garment is often trimmed with lace,
ruffles, bows and ribbons, optionally with spaghetti straps. Sometimes
it is made of sheer or translucent fabric like nylon or chiffon
or silk. The gown is often sold as a set with matching panties.
While many people find babydolls very sexy, I’ve never seen
one that covers well enough for a crossdresser. This includes
both coverage for prosthetic breasts as well as for the lower
extremities.
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glossary index
Baby
Doll T-Shirt - A tighter than normal
t-shirt, usually with something cute printed on it. These shirts
don’t usually do much for a CD as they are slightly boy-ish
in spite of their cute prints. On the other hand, they offer great
coverage.
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glossary index
Back
Wings – Back wings are the
strips of fabric on a bra, which extend from the outer base of
the cups and secure in the back. Important aspects of the back
wings are; stretch vs. non-stretch (personal preference, but stretch
also means it will be a bit forgiving in the fit), the measurement
at the widest point (which is usually at the base of the cups
and thus affects coverage if you have prosthetic breasts), measurement
at the closure, and type of close including number of hooks and
eyes (more hooks leads to more stability and support).
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glossary index
Balconette
– Also known as a shelf bra, Balconettes
are a more revealing version of a demi bra. Offering little to
no coverage, balconettes create dramatic uplift and cleavage.
Unfortunately this is not very useful if you have prosthetic breasts.
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glossary index
Ballet
Heel - A fetish shoe with a super
high heel and a downward pointed toe. This basically forces you
to stand like a ballerina, if you can stand at all (which is not
likely). They can be very erotic to the right people, but only
if you don't plan on standing up.
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glossary index
Barrette
- A barrette is a clasp or pin for holding hair in place. Usually
refers to small hair clips worn on the side of the head. Can be
made of plastic or metal, some of which are in various shapes.
These can create either a very young innocent look, or can be
part of something more sophisticated depending on which type you
buy.
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glossary index
Basque
- In the Victorian fashion, a basque was a long, fitted jacket,
or the skirts of such a jacket. Nowadays the term basque is used
for a piece of erotic lingerie, with fetishist overtones. Basque
may also refer to details reminiscent of lingerie such as frilly
lace and cut out designs.
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glossary index
Bell
Bottom Jeans – This style of
jeans can have any number of fits in the waist and hips, but flair
out wide at the ankles. While they come in and out of style, a
pair that fits tight in the hips can create a distinctly feminine
look for a CD.
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glossary index
Bikini
- A moderate coverage panty offering more coverage than a thong,
but not as much as a brief. Bikinis have waistbands which usually
lay somewhere between the navel and hip (unless Low Rise) and
have semi-hi-cut legs and a moderate coverage back panel. String
bikinis offer considerably less coverage than an average bikini.
Bikinis are a super comfortable medium coverage panty that won’t
show thru under heavier fabrics like denim or wool. Smaller bikinis
may cause problems for crossdressing as there is not always a
lot of room to tuck things in, but fuller bikinis offer a very
sexy and functional panty.
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glossary index
Blanket
Sleeper - Type of pajama styled as
a one-piece garment, designed for warmth. These are made from
a variety of fabrics, with terrycloth, flannel, and synthetic
fleece predominating. Feet may or may not be attached; if present,
feet are often made of the same fabric as the rest of the sleeper,
though occasionally plastic soles are attached. As these are typically
sold to women, pastel colors and flowery prints are most common,
though seasonal prints (such as snowflakes) are also popular.
The front opening extends to the crotch and is typically closed
with a zipper, though some close with snaps or buttons. Some styles
include a "drop seat" or a hood. Yes, you can still
find these in women’s styles.
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glossary index
Blouse
- Blouses are often made of cotton or silk cloth and may or may
not include a collar and sleeves. They are generally more tailored
than simple knit tops, and may contain "feminine" details
such as ruffles or embroidered decorations. Blouses have buttons
reversed from that of a men's shirts. That is, the buttons are
normally on the wearer's left-hand and the buttonholes are on
the right.
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glossary index
Bodice
- A bodice is an article of clothing for women, covering the body
from the neck to the waist. Bodices survive into modern times
in the traditional folk dress of many European countries. The
term bodice specifically refers to the upper portion of a one-
or two-piece dress to distinguish it from the skirt and sleeves.
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glossary index
Bodystocking
- A bodystocking is an article of lingerie, similar to a leotard
or a catsuit. It usually has long legs (some have feet, some do
not), but it may have long, short, or no sleeves. It is usually
made from a sheer fabric similar to those used for stockings and
tights, or from fishnet material. Take care what style you select,
as the amount of coverage varies significantly. You may need to
wear a bodystocking with a bra and panties to achieve the correct
look.
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glossary index
Bodysuit
- A bodysuit is a leotard-like undergarment, sometimes used to
provide support and shaping, sometimes simply as a top that cannot
become untucked from one's trousers or skirt. Unlike a leotard,
a bodysuit usually has snaps at the crotch. It is also called
a snapsuit or a onesie. Unlike a bodystocking, the bodysuit does
not have legs.
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glossary index
Boot
Cut Jeans - Like flares, except it's
less roomy on the ankles. Made to accommodate a person's boots
without bunching. On a CD, these will generally make you look
like a guy that hit his prime in the '80s. I don't recommend them
even if they've got cute sequence on them.
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glossary index
Boy Cut
Jeans– These jeans are wide
and straight, very relaxed fit. Great if you don’t want
to show off your legs, you can still find cute pairs by looking
for a low-rise waist – a decidedly feminine feature.
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glossary index
Boyshort –
Boyshorts offer full coverage in a modern panty. Resembling shorts
these panties are sometimes also called culottes or hot pants.
Boyshorts are a perfect everyday alternative and offer comfortable
coverage under skirts. Take a good look at any boyshorts you buy
. . . many of them have a seam that runs down the very center
of the crotch, making crossdressers prone to falling out of these
panties. On the other hand, they can be a very sexy change of
pace.
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glossary index
Bralette
– A bralette is an unlined, soft cup
bra, which resembles a crop top. Bralettes are usually teen bras
or sleep bras because they do not offer a significant amount of
support. They can be very useful for crossdressers though because
they have great coverage. Sometimes you can find these with underwires
or a bit of shape which will provide minimal support. You'll want
good tape if you go this route though!
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glossary index
Brief –
A traditional panty with full coverage in the rear. Often considered
a boring panty, there are some sexy versions out there, and they
are of course the most practical cut for crossdressers.
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glossary index
Bustier
– A highly structured bra, which extends
from bust to hip. Most bustiers have flexible boning throughout
the body of the garment for additional shaping, and close in the
back with a long row of hooks and eyes. Additional features may
include removable or convertible straps, or garters. Smooth bustiers
are perfect under special occasion wear as they provide both shaping
and uplift. These can be great for crossdressing due to the support
and shaping, but make sure you find one with good firm cups.
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glossary index
Camisole
- A cami or camisole is a woman's undergarment which covers the
top part of the body. It is sleeveless and tight fitting in contrast
to a loose-fitting babydoll or chemise. The materials of choice
are satin or silk. Some camisoles come with a built-in underwire
bra which eliminates the need for an additional bra. This is basically
a more fashionable term for a tank-top.
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glossary index
Capri
- Capri pants (often just called capris) are a style of trousers.
They are designed to end near the mid-calf or just below the calf.
Very popular right now, especially when combined with long boots
and or tights.
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glossary index
Center
Gore – The center gore is the
piece of fabric which connects the cups of a bra at the front
center. Important aspects of the center gore include: stretch
vs. non-stretch (the non-stretch offes significantly more support),
and width measurement. Bras with low or plunge fronts have thinner
center gores making them a good choice to pair with low cut tops,
but low cut tops also come with the risk of revealing your breastforms.
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glossary index
Chemise–
A chemise is traditionally a white linen shirt worn to keep sweat
and oils off your good fabric. It is now a more generic term for
a loose-fitting casual shirt, frequently adorned with girly flair
like ruffles and gathers. These are very versatile depending on
what they are worn with, and can hide unwanted curves due to their
loose fit.
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glossary index
Clog
– A shoe with a closed toe, open heel,
and platform (chunky) sole. There are a variety of clog styles
out now that are quite fashonable. A clog is a variety of a mule
that specifically has a platform heel and thick sole.
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glossary index
Combs
– These are hair accessories
that look like small combs. The can be plain or jeweled. The combs
are brushed into the hair, then flipped around to make the hair
stay.
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glossary index
Comfort
Straps – Comfort Straps are
wider than average straps and are usually padded or lined more
evenly distributing the weight of the breast, increasing the comfort
of the wearer. These can be nice to support heavy breastforms,
but are usually unnecessary.
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glossary index
Contour
Bra – A contour bra has shaped
cups, which are always padded or lined and they have an underwire.
Contour bras are similar to a molded bra, except molded bras are
generally not as highly structured. Contour bras are a perfect
choice for any CD because they provide a sculpted silhouette,
with a significant amount of coverage and control.
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glossary index
Convertible
– Describes any garment which has
straps which detach and can be worn in a variety of ways including
– criss-cross, halter, strapless or one shouldered. Garments
with fully detachable straps are full convertible.
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glossary index
Cookies
– Cookies are oval shaped, removable
demi pads. These are generally used in bras which are already
padded. If you only own one pair of breastforms (or none), these
can help fill out your bust a little bit. They're even useful
to give a little shape if you have to use a sock or other stuffing
to create breasts.
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glossary index
Corset
– A corset is a highly structured,
form fitted support garment that extends from the bust to the
hip. Most corsets have lace up details, flexible boning throughout
the body of the garment for additional shaping, and close in the
back with a long row of hooks and eyes. Some corsets have a tie
closure. Many include garter straps as well. Corsets can be designed
to cover the breasts or fall just beneath them. As sexy as corsets
are, I've yet to find a good way to wear one with breastforms.
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glossary index
Corselet
- A corselet is a bra, girdle and panty all in one sometimes with
laces in front or back. This can be a good choice for providing
a feminine figure, and usually much cheaper and more comfortable
than a corset.
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glossary index
Crop
Top - A casual upper garment, as
a shirt or sweater, that falls at the waist or above. Either with
or with out sleeves.
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glossary index
Culotte - A European version
of a boyshort (panty).
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glossary index
Culottes
- Culottes are also known as a split skirt or divided skirt. It
has also been called a skort (a portmanteau for skirt and shorts).
While some garments sold as culottes resemble short trousers,
to truly be culottes they need to look like a skirt while providing
the modesty of shorts. These can really help prevent embarrassments
in public if you are uncomfortable crossing your legs or sitting
like a woman, but do make the outfit look either very young or
a bit 80’s-ish.
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glossary index
Demi
– A demi cup bra offers the perfect
amount of ‘barely there’ coverage for petite to average
figure women. These bras offer less coverage than a full cup and
more than a balconette. Demi bras cover the nipple and approximately
half to ¾ of the breast. While a demi (unlike a balconette)
is sufficient to hold breastforms in somewhat (you'll still need
some good tape though!), they do leave a lot of the breast uncovered.
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glossary index
Dickie
- A blouse front worn under a suit jacket or low-necked garment;
Has neither sleeves nor a torso region. If you need to cover up
hair, etc under a low-necked shirt, this is the way to go. Unfortunately,
it also lends a bit of a matronly appearance.
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glossary index
d'Orsay
Pump– A pump with the sides
cut out to reveal the arch of the foot. These can be very sexy,
but you have to have a somewhat narrow foot to pull it off. Most
CDs will not look quite right in these.
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glossary index
Empire
Waist– Can be on either dresses
or shirts, this is a waist on the garment that falls above the
anatomical waist. The dress is cut to fit right below the breasts
and then hang loose below this point. Popular in young girls wear,
it can provide a very innocent but fashionable look when worn
correctly.
See the Sundress picture for an example of an Empire Waist.
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glossary index
Espadrilles
- Slip on shoes of Spanish origin, these sandals usually have
cloth criss-crossed straps and rope or grass soles. Modern espadrilles
frequently have platform soles. They can add a cute and playful
aspect to many casual outfits.
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glossary index
Foam
Lined – Compared to padded
bras, foam lined bras have a thinner lining. This lining does
not add size, but provides additional shaping as well as protection
against nipple show through.
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glossary index
Full
Cup – A full cup bras completely
covers most of the breast, offering both more coverage and more
support than a demi cup bra. This is the type of bra most crossdressers
will be interested in.
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glossary index
Full
Figure Bras – Full figure bras
start around a size 38C and extends to a 52I (anyone know of larger?).
Full figure bras offer comfort and support features designed specifically
for voluptuous women. Many CDs will find full figure bras handy
as they provide excellent coverage and support, in addition to
being in a better size range for most genetic males. You will
of course need at least C-sized breastforms to fill out a full
figure bra, which believe it or not is a pretty large piece of
silicone to be wearing around.
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glossary index
Gaff
- Underwear designed specifically to look feminine but fit the
male anatomy (ie for crossdressers and TVs). Generally they have
a very thick front panel which is wider and longer than the equivalent
womens' style. They are frequently made as thongs, as this is
the most difficult style of underwear for a TV/CD to wear. While
they are advertised as presenting a smoother surface and holding
everything in place, I find that simply selecting a fuller cut
style or wearing pantyhose gives better results. In the picture,
the gaff is on the left, and a womens' thong is on the right.
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glossary index
Garter
- Garters are items of clothing worn around the thighs. They are
normally just a few inches in width. They often contain small
bells and/or ribbons. Traditionally garters were used to hold
stockings in place before pantyhose were invented, they provide
a burlesque sex appeal to an outfit (though typically they remain
out of sight).
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Garterbelt
- Garterbelts are a replacement for garters, not meant to be worn
with garters. Both articles perform the same function - keeping
thigh-highs or stockings from falling down. The garterbelt does
this by means of a "belt" often made of lace, from which
hang four straps - two straps are clipped to each thigh-high,
one in the front, and one in the back. Garterbelts can be found
with or without an attached panty. Other forms of lingerie frequently
include garter straps and are sometimes refered to as garterbelts.
Modern thigh-highs almost invariable have a control top feature
that eliminates the need for garters or a garterbelt. Nonetheless,
garterbelts remain a popular sexy or fetish item.
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G-String - A minimal coverage
panty with string sides and (small) back panel. Similar to a thong,
some manufacturers use the terms interchangeably, but in general
G-strings offer ultra minimal coverage. These tiny panties are
virtually guaranteed to eliminate panty lines. On the other hand,
crossdressers are virtually guaranteed to fall out of a G-string.
I've yet to find a good way to wear them.
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Hi Cut Brief
- A moderate to full coverage panty with a very hi-cut leg. Some
crossdressers find that hi-cut briefs in dense fabrics offer a
bit of tummy shaping. If you're looking for full coverage and
practicality, hi-cut briefs are sometimes more interesting than
your typical brief.
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Hipster –
A mid coverage panty, which is a moderately low rise cross between
a bikini and a brief. Hipsters are a modern and comfortable take
on the classic brief and are less bulky than a boyshort. Hipsters
are virtually invisible under mid-rise pants. These panties can
be very fun and functional for crossdressers.
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Inner
Sling – Inner slings are a
support feature. They are curved strips of fabric, which follow
the natural curve of the bra similar to an underwire, except soft.
Inner slings follow the curve of the bottom of the cup offering
invisible additional coverage. They will not hold a breastform
nearly as well as an underwire, so I don't recommend them unless
you want the extra comfort.
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Jumper
- A jumper dress or simply jumper (British English: pinafore dress,
pinafore, pinny), is a sleeveless, collarless dress intended to
be worn over a blouse or sweater. It may or may not have straps,
like those found on overalls. There is sometimes confusion over
the name, as in British English, a jumper is a woollen sweater.
Jumpers are the traditional garment of young (Catholic) school
girls and thus have particular appeal for emulating that innocent
look.
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Kitten
Heel - A kitten heel is a small (narrow
and less than 1.5" high) heel that is placed slightly in
from the back of the shoe. This gives the shoe a delicate, feminine
look. It also makes it harder to walk in! (don't worry too much,
it's a low heel, but it is a bit less stable than a flat sole)
The heel is popular on pumps and lately has been introduced to
flip-flops and similar sandals.
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Leggings
- Leggings are any of several sorts of fitted clothing to cover
the legs. Leggings made from a nylon-lycra blend (usually 90%
nylon, 10% lycra) are traditionally worn for exercise. Nylon lycra
leggings are often referred to as bicycle or running tights, and
are shinier in appearance than those made from cotton. Many have
racing stripes or reflective patterns to further distinguish them
as athletic wear and provide extra safety. Leggings made from
cotton-lycra, or a cotton-polyester-lycra combination, are more
typically worn for fashion. Leggings are typically ankle-length;
they are occasionally stirrupped, or less commonly, footed. Since
socks are normally worn over the top of leggings, rather than
underneath, stirrups prevent the leggings from becoming untucked
from the sock. Leggings typically differ from tights or pantyhose
by their slightly looser fit.
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Leg Warmers
– Leg warmers are traditional
clothing worn by dancers to keep their lower legs warm when wearing
thin tights. They are generally a tube of cotton or wool that
fit from the ankles or heel up to the knee. Popular in the 80’s
as a fashion statement, they are now coming back in style.
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Low Rise - A panty or pant with
a rise of 9 inches or less. The rise is the measurement between
the waistband and the first horizontal seam. Low rise clothing
with around 7-9 inches are still functional for crossdressers.
Any shorter than that and you are likely to run into problems.
See the hipster picture for an example
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glossary index
Mary
Jane - This style describes any shoe
designed after old girls shoes, generally with a single strap
across the top of the foot and a rounded toe. Now mary janes can
be found in any imaginable shape and style. Most remain relatively
easy to walk in and give your outfit a decidedly cute "little
girl" look.
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Merry
Widow - A merry widow is a short,
strapless corset with half-cups for the breasts and long garters.
To this day, merry widow is the generic term for a corselette
bra in the United States.
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Minimizer
– A minimizer bra reduces the appearance
of the bust by up to one cup size. I don't see any reason for
a CD to want one of these, and they tend to deform prosthetic
breasts a bit unnaturally.
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Molded
– Molded bras have cups which are
machine molded to fit the breasts. Molded bras are generally unlined
and may be either soft cup or underwire. I think they are quite
comfortable, though frequently they do not offer as much support
as other bras.
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Mule
- A mule is a shoe with an open heel and closed toe. This can
include anything from keds with the heel cut off to pointed-toe-high-heel
dress shoes. Clogs are a type of mule.
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Naughty
& Nice - A Naughty & Nice
is a matching 3 piece ensemble consisting of undergarments, babydoll
nightgown and peignoir made of diaphanous chiffon with shoulder
puffs, ruffles, bows, lace, ribbons, etc. The peignoir may or
may not have shoulder puffs.
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Negligee
- The negligee is intended for wear at night and in the bedroom.
It is a form of a nightgown, but usually with semi-transparent
or very sheer fabric.
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Nightgown
- A Nightgown (also called a nightdress) is a loosely hanging
item of nightwear nowadays solely for women. Its length may vary
from hip-length (babydoll) to floor-length (peignoir) but is typically
knee-length. A nightgown is manufactured of cotton, silk, satin,
or nylon. It may be decorated with lace appliqués or embroidery
at cups and hem. Optionally, panties (UK - knickers) are worn
under the nightgown (nightdress). A short nightgown is often called
nightie.
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Padded
– Padded bras have some type of padding
lining the cups. Graduated padding is thicker at the base of the
cups and creates a natural looking silhouette as well as the appearance
of increased cleavage. The extra shaping of a padded bra can be
a huge benefit for a CD, but a lot of people don't think they
are as sexy. And you of course won't get to show off the great
nipples on your breastforms.
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glossary index
Peasant
Shirt– A peasant shirt is chemise
in a medieval peasant style, usually with ruffles or gathers below
the breasts, near the shoulders, or at the ends of the arms. Peasant
shirts provide a cute and fanciful look while still having a loose
comfortable fit.
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Peignoir
- A peignoir is a long nightgown for women usually sheer and made
of chiffon. Peignoirs are usually sold with matching panties.
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Petticoat
- A petticoat or underskirt is an article of clothing for women;
specifically an undergarment to be worn under a skirt, dress or
saree. The petticoat is a separate garment hanging from the waist.
Lately the full, tiered petticoat has made a small come-back in
the alternative subcultures, especially the gothic subculture.
A petticoat can be a sheer silk garment providing additional opacity
to a skirt, or can be one or more layers of stiffened fabric designed
to poof out a skirt or dress.
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Plunge
– Plunge bras create the appearance
of increased cleavage because of their deep (plunging) front silhouette,
angled cups and thin center gore. Plunge bras differ from push-up
bras in that they are not generally as heavily padded. The angled
cups and thin center gore, however, detract from the support and
coverage which are frequently a concern for crossdressers.
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Push
Up – Push up bras create the
appearance of increased cleavage using angled cups (which generally
have underwires), a variety of types of padding including graduated
and cookies, and demi cups. Again, push ups do not have quite
the support and are lack the coverage of other bras.
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Racerback
– A back silhouette, which curves
in between the shoulder blades.It is a style of bra or shirt with
criss-crossed back straps. Racerbacks provide extra support for
the breasts and can be helpful for holding prosthetics in place.
Most convertible bras can be worn racerback, but a true racerback
bra is a must-have to pair with racerback tanks.
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Rigid
Straps – Non-stretch straps
which are generally adjustable. Rigid straps offer more support
than stretch straps. Some bras have straps which are rigid in
the front and stretch adjustable in the back
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Scrunchie–
A scrunchie is an elasticized ring of fabric used to hold hair
in place. Must like a hair tie, but with excess fabric around
the edges.
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Seamless
– Seamless bras and panties are perfect
for wearing under clingy knits, and lightweight jerseys since
they are virtually invisible under clothing.
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Slingback
- A shoe with a strap that runs around the back of the heel but
is otherwise has an open heel. Slingbacks can be open toe or closed
toe and come in a variety of styles.
The MaryJane picture above is also a Slingback.
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Slip
– A slip is a woman's undergarment
worn beneath a dress or skirt to help it hang smoothly and to
prevent chafing of the skin from coarse fabrics such as wool.
Slips are also worn for warmth, and to protect fine fabrics from
perspiration. A full slip hangs from the shoulders, usually by
means of narrow straps, and extends from the breast to the fashionable
skirt length. A half slip hangs from the waist, and may also be
called a petticoat. Slips are also worn for modesty under translucent
outer garments. Slips are usually made of a smooth and slippery
fabric such as silk, satin, polyester or nylon and may be decorated
with lace at the edges. They are typically worn over more intimate
undergarments. A half slip may be worn with a matching camisole
as an alternative to a full slip.
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Soft
Cup – Soft cup bras do not
have underwires, but may be padded or lined.
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Spaghetti
Strap – A spaghetti strap is
a very thin piece of fabric that goes over the shoulder to hold
a garment in place. Generally smaller than ¼”, spaghetti
straps are common on modern dresses, bras, and are typical for
camisoles.
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Sports
Bra – Sports bras are specifically
designed to offer the appropriate amount of support during moderate
to intense physical activity. While they can be very convenient
for holding prosthetic breasts in place, they don't look very
good under most clothing.
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Stiletto
- A shoe with a high and narrow heel. Stilettos also come in a
variety of styles and are sometimes called spike heels.
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String Bikini –
A bikini with thin string sides. This traditional panty offers
comfortable, minimal to moderate coverage. String bikinis that
are seamless, or constructed of smooth fabrics like microfiber
and mesh virtually disappear under medium to heavy fabrics, and
don't carry the functional problems of a thong for crossdressers.
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Sundress
– A sundress is a knee-length
or shorter dress, usually of light fabric. They commonly have
an empire waist, or else are straight-cut. Jumpers could be considered
a type of sundress, though they are normally of heavier fabrics.
Sundresses provide an innocent and cheery look.
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Sweater
Bra – A bra with padded contoured
cups designed to add a bit of size and shape under bulky shirts,
particularly sweaters.
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Tanga
– A moderate to minimal coverage European
panty silhouette that has a back panel that is wider than a thong
but narrower than a bikini. Tangas are a comfortable way to transition
from a bikini to a thong. If you tuck your penis towards your
backside you may have to be careful with these. Otherwise, they
are quite fun.
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Teddy
- A teddy is a form of bodysuit-like lingerie, often worn in the
boudoir. Unlike a bodysuit, it is typically looser and sheerer,
and may be designed to slip off from the shoulders, rather than
to open at the crotch. The teddy is normally worn for the seductive
look, rather than practical reasons.
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Thong - A minimal coverage panty
with a triangle shaped front panel, thin side panels and a narrow
back panel, which may be y-shaped, or t shaped. I doubt many crossdressers
will find thongs useful for anything other than looking at.
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Thongboy - A moderate coverage
panty, which combines the comfort of a boyshort with a thong back
panel. Take care with these especially if you tuck towards your
backside as it is quite easy to fall out.
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Tights
– Tights are like pantyhose, but are
generally of thicker material. They still contain lycra, but have
more cotton and or wool in them. Tights are great for covering
up a bit of body hair. The picture on the left is a pair of tights,
the picture on the right is a pair of pantyhose.
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Triangle
– A triangle bra has triangle shaped
cups, which offer the perfect amount of coverage/support for petite
figures. Triangle bras may be padded or lined but generally do
not have underwires, and most have thin straps, center gore and
back wings. I would only recomend this style if you have rather
small breastforms or are stuffing.
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T-Shirt
Bra – Designed to appear invisible
under even the thinnest fabrics, t-shirt bras are seamless, generally
made of microfiber with contour cups. A great t-shirt bra can
double as a sweater bra during the colder months.
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Tube
Top – A tube top is literally
what it sounds like, a shirt in the shape of a tube. With no shoulders
or sleeves, it presents a very sexy look, however it is rather
impractical with breastforms as it depends on the breasts to stay
up. Tube tops also frequently reveal a considerable amount of
breast and tummy.
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Underwire
– A thin, flexible wire, which offers
added support to the cups of bras, bustier and shapewear. Modern
bras are constructed with comfortable underwires, which don't
poke. Older underwire bras can be quite uncomfortable, so watch
what you buy. No worries if you're buying new bras though.
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