A True Life Story

by Amy
as printed in Lady Like

As the flight crew announced that we were about to land in Philadelphia, I took a deep breath for a new adventure in my life. After 40 years of keeping my "secret," I had only recently come out to my significant other. Like most men, I always dressed in conservative business suits, or jeans and a tee shirt or flannel shirt depending on the season and occasion.

But now I needed to be Amy. I had no "real" clothes to wear to a support group, I thought. My best friend was always a finely dressed lady, and for the fifteen years or more we were together, she always wanted me to dress better than I did-and rightly so. But men's clothing was often so- drab! Underneath my life as a business man was that special second self who yearned to dress as a glamorous lady.

After landing at about 1:30 in the afternoon, I walked through the airport terminal to the electric train shuttle which took me to 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. That in itself was interesting, as I saw the transformation from the old rundown sections of the city to the beautiful, newly restored 30th Street Terminal, much like I hoped would happen to me. I grabbed a taxi to the Adams Mark Hotel on City Line Avenue, where I was to meet the person who would help me for better than two days.

My goal was simple. I wanted to get good looking, proper-clothes for the woman in me. I should note that I am 5 '11" and weigh 200 pounds, and finding clothing that looks better than gunny sacks was that goal. And I was anxious for Lynda to help me with a transformation process, showing me the best colors of clothes for my personality, cosmetics for my face and hair color. Lynda Krupa does this for a living, and believe me, my expectations were far exceeded.

Mind you, there are several transformation services in the country. Most I am sure are run by fine people and are compassionate to CDs. But I also knew that some are hucksters, preying on the timid of us with our special needs. I had enough experience in mail order over the years to want better. So I investigated and because of recommendations, I finally located Lynda Krupa. Lynda herself is a straight GG, mid-30s, well dressed, and easy to like. She was trained as a photographer and was a former cosmetic sales person.

I checked into the Adams Mark about three o'clock, and gave Lynda a call per her instructions. She said she would be over at 4:30 to talk with me and start me on my fantastic journey.

After waiting for what seemed to be forever, a knock came on my door at 4:25, and I thought "well, here goes". I had come with no feminine clothing to Philadelphia, other than my usual "underdressing," although I was wearing Chic brand jeans, a longtime habit that no one has seemed to notice. I had told Lynda I wanted her help in choosing clothes and accessories from the ground up. And I wanted upscale classy items.

Lynda talked with me for about an hour about my goals. I reaffirmed what I had previously talked about on the phone, and reminded her that she would be the boss, as I still did not want any preconceived notions of what might be best for myself.

It was then off to the corset shop. Lynda has this special arrangement with a local merchant who, after closing at 6 p.m., will work with crossdressers like myself to supply the proper undergarments in order that my clothes will fit well. The proprietor of the shop, Meryl, is about the kindest person I have ever met. I felt completely at home with her from the time she asked me to remove everything "down to my panties" until Lynda and I left at 9 p.m.!

Meryl first measured me for the proper fitting bra (no more guess work, ladies) and then a foundation. I had already figured out the bra size through trial and error, but the foundation-a strong and properly fitting girdle, not a corset, was the key. In fact, that garment and a long line bra over my breast forms has allowed me to wear them for full days without discomfort, and yet concealing the bulges caused by my slightly oversized tummy. I bought sets in both black and white, carefully trying on to check fit on all garments. It was like being in a candy store! But long-line bras and girdles were not the only thing I bought. I found some really neat matching bra and pantie sets. And a Smoothie. And a real cute bathing suit in my size (16). And a sexy white nightgown with matching coverup. And a black one. And a soft white terry robe with clouds and moon on it. And real nylon stockings that fit. (I now hate pantyhose!)

Meryl showed me every line she had. I could, and did, try on anything that might fit. She even had breast forms that were fabulous. They clung to your body with velcro-type strips. They were soft like the real ones, and I bought a pair. Easy on, easy off! And they don't move around.

A long day, but as Lynda drove me back to the hotel, I told her about myself, and we discussed our lives. She is a fascinating person.

Day two: Wednesday. Lynda, who believes in a healthy body, and exercises for a couple of hours every day, arrived to pick me up at 10 o'clock. No need to do anything much earlier, as the stores don't open till then anyway. We drove to the large regional mall where Lynda had pre-shopped for me, picking out a large selection of woman's clothes in my size at upscale department stores. She has a special arrangement with the managements and clerks of both stores for us crossdressers. A private changing room was also prearranged. Try on and take all day if you wish.

The first stop was the women's department dressing room where I put on my black foundation, bra and breast forms, and stockings (all of which I needed to keep on all day). I tried on dozens of outfits, grouped into color types. Some were plainly wrong for me. When the size was not correct, Lynda would hustle out into the racks to secure better fitting ones. Both of the department stores we visited had large selections of merchandise in my size!

As I sat in the dressing room, I began to see how these new clothes, properly chosen and fitted would enhance my image of myself as a crossdresser. No more would I have to make do with often tight or otherwise ill fitting garments scrounged in haste from garage sales, or even purchased through mail order catalogues. I was amazed!

All women seem to start out with "basic black" and Lynda's selections for me were no different. Besides a black skirt and coat, there came a beautiful matching blouse, and pants, and another top, and more. Several outfits from a few pieces. And she did this with an off-white ensemble. Beautiful pieces to bring out the best in me. And I tried on other basic color groups, each with several pieces. With Lynda's guidance, I was able to make the selection that fit my mood-and pocketbook.

But wait, I wanted more than "business suits". I tried on a full length gorgeous dinner dress that I fell in love with! (It is my favorite piece.) I can see the thrill that most women get when they go shopping. And some great tops that would allow a more casual look. That was at the first store.

Actually, we hadn't "bought" anything yet. We had to shop another store yet. To compare. So off across the mall (with foundations and stockings on under my street clothes, I might note) to that second store. There were not many things that Lynda had preselected here, but I did get a couple of the pieces she had set aside.

I still wanted to get some more everyday, summery dresses, so we both went out into the "racks" to see what was there. What an exhilarating feeling to be able to pick from a large selection, with Lynda being my "crutch". I selected and tried on various dresses, skirts and blouses. And I bought a nice navy blue top and shorts with a white coverup for the boat ride I was planning to take with my support group.

Lynda had also picked out a large selection of costume jewelry and I tried on dozens of pieces--gold, silver, pearls. Bracelets, necklaces, earrings. And then I had to make the selection. By now I had decided on several outfits, so I bought only a limited amount of jewelry to conserve money, I suppose. I also bought two handbags, a black and a white one. Again, I should have bought more for the clothes I had selected, but I decided to make do.

We then made the formal purchases at each of the two stores, but not before again reviewing my selections. Brands I had chose included Elizabeth, Jones of New York, and Benjamin A. In both stores, I opened up a charge account to get advantage of a discount for the day. The store clerks were extremely courteous, as Lynda brings them a lot of business. They both offered to ship my merchandise, and I took them up on this offer, except for a few items that I wanted to get tailored or wear the next day.

Our next stop was an understanding tailor in downtown Philadelphia. Cood clothes need to he well-fitting, and while most items fit me, some items had to he adjusted to hang properly. Skirts had to he shortened; jackets had to he modified for my "male" body. So, I had to again try on the few pieces we held back as the tailor pinned and marked the items. He altered some of these overnight for us.

It was then back to the mall, where Lynda helped me select a pair of frames for my feminine looking eyeglasses. Lynda would pick out several options which I tried on, then narrowed them down with me. The young girl behind the counter did not at first understand the mission, and kept moving the selection to masculine looking frames. Lynda, with full confidence, then informed the girl that she wanted more feminine looking glasses for a special project, never once embarrassing me. The clerk understood, and was glad to accommodate. She secured my prescription, and mailed the glasses, as I had a special bi-focal.

By then, it was getting quite late. Lynda drove me back to my hotel, and I crashed for the night, exhausted after a full day of shopping.

The next morning I slept in for a while, but Lynda was there around 9:00 am to take me shoe shopping. Another nice experience as we went to a shop in the suburbs that only handles wide shoes. Thirty thousand pairs of them! In all sizes up to 15 extra wide.

I wear men's 12D's, so getting women's shoes always was a seemingly insurmountable problem. I had actually given up ordering by mail, and could never find them in stores as this equates to a woman's 14 wide. But at this shoe store, no problem. First she had me try on black shoes. At least ten different styles! And 8 or more each in browns, bone, navy, and white. I went in hoping to buy one pair that might fit, came out with four pairs, one ofwhich I took, and three shipped. This family owned business is CD friendly, and treats you with the utmost courtesy and respect.

Well, I now had all the shopping done for which I came. I had a new wardrobe for the new me. Classy clothes, classy shoes and classy accessories.

But one final stop. That was to Lynda's salon in her apartment to get a "transformation." She fitted me with properly sized nails, glued on to come off easily. And then applied a burnt orange polish to go with my fabulous dress, and cured it just like the nail salons. And then selected and applied makeup to best suit my face. She has a full service salon, so I bought a set of make-up brushes from her as well as some of the cosmetics she used. All items are top quality.

And then to wig selection. I had brought a wig with me, but it was a cheapie. Her's are top quality, and she has perhaps 75 in stock. We tried on several different colors and styles, from fantasy to conservative. I chose two dark auburn ones, at her suggestion. As a last minute thought, I had her wax my chest where the dress scooped down. It was my first experience doing this.

Then on with my clothes, an examination of the glamorous me, and out on the balcony for a few photos to remember the day by. It was mid-afternoon, and I had to catch a flight back home at 5:00 pm. So, after enjoying my new look for a bit, it was time to remove my make-up, pack up my new clothes, put on my male clothes, and head for the airport. All the way back on my flight, I was in heaven.

Amy Goes Out

My first time out in my new clothes (it was also my first time out in public) came when I traveled to the Be-All in Chicago. It was a nice, early June weekend, not too hot. Being a four day event, I was able to wear many of the outfits I had bought, the swimsuit at the opening night pool party, the summer dresses, the skirts and tops, the navy outfit and coverup on a Lake Michigan boat ride, the long party dress, and the matching shoes, accessories, and hairpieces that I had gotten in Philadelphia.

When I returned home from the Be-All, I found on my bed a make-up case, and other items with a friendship card addressed to Amy from my best lady friend. I will never forget the Be-All or coming home to those gifts.

Amy Follows Up

A few weeks later, I had to be in Baltimore on business. So I decided to take an extra day to see Lynda again. After finishing my morning meeting, I hopped aboard the 1:30 Metroliner for an hour's trip to Philadelphia, again coming into 30th Street station, and then taking a cab to the Adams Mark Hotel. I called Lynda, as we had prearranged, and she came over to pick me up.

But this time I had decided I wanted to go shopping en femme. So I dressed in a summer skirt and top, stockings and white sandals. I applied eye cosmetics, lipstick and nail polish, and my wig. Summer mall wear. Then I walked out of the hotel by myself dressed that way to Lynda's car. That evening, we went back to the shoe store to buy a couple more pairs of summer, less dressy shoes. Then on to my favorite place, the corset shop. Last time I had bought several items, this time I wanted more.

I tried on what seemed like everything in the store. I bought a couple of slips, some nighties, and filled in with some other bras and undergarments. I even bought a 42A bra that fits me perfectly without my breast forms! I had never seen that size before. (It makes me feel good without my prostheses on, as I do have enough natural tissue to fill it.) We also stopped at an outlet mall that evening, and looked around at various stores as I wanted to buy a wrist watch. I didn't find one here, however.

I had a good night's sleep, and woke the next morning refreshed. My first taste of shopping en femme had gone well, but today was to be the real test. I dressed again with light makeup and wig, then decided to have breakfast in the hotel restaurant. So I confidently walked through the lobby, sat down and ordered. No one did a double take, although I am sure that was because I was correctly dressed so not to draw attention to being large and tall. That was not to say I passed, just that the other guests didn't notice, or care.

Lynda picked me up later in the morning, and we drove to the big mall. I wanted to dress en femme all day in public, and especially in a shopping mall to see how people reacted. Again, Lynda was to be my crutch, and I wanted to look at clothes and buy a wristwatch. We found the perfect timepiece that fit me. Then we looked in several more stores for summer clothes. In addition to the anchor stores that I had been in on the earlier trip, we visited other merchants that had what I might be looking for.

In one instance, Lynda discreetly talked to the manager about her service, and my being dressed. We were graciously welcomed, and after making some purchases, were invited back. I even received a personal thank you card when my merchandise arrived at my home, and was again invited to come back.

In each case, the salesladies were kind and gracious, and helpful. Never did they embarrass me. And there were no other customers who even noticed.

The only person in the whole day that openly "read" me was a young teenage girl who did a double take and stared at me from her mother's car driving away.

After shopping in the oppressive 95 degree heat that day, we went into downtown Philadelphia for an early dinner at a nice restaurant, probably CD friendly. We enjoyed an excellent meal, with the staff again being most gracious. I was still en femme.

Then it was back to Lynda's to re-dress as a male for my journey back home. I quickly removed my make-up in the partial darkened room, as the heat had caused a power outage in her building. And I packed up my clothes, and headed for the airport and a late evening departure. I felt pretty good that I was able to enjoy this day and a half all dressed up and shopping.

I still feel good each time I dress and go out, because I have this helpful friend, Lynda, who made sure everything I got was right for me.

Amy