We all know that getting dressed as our female selves can be an incredibly empowering experience. For some of us, the transformation begins with the underwear,  that soft, secret step into femininity. For others, it starts with makeup: the contouring, the lashes and the colour slowly bringing our inner woman to life.

I still remember the first time I tried on a bra.  I was about nine.  Mum had clothes hanging in my wardrobe, and that one beautiful piece of lingerie just seemed to call to me. So I tried it on, and honestly, my life was never quite the same after that.

Siobhan sat alone in her softly lit living room, a cup of chamomile tea cradled in her hands and the gentle hum of the fan barely louder than her own breath. The photo sat on the coffee table before her—a glossy print, newly delivered, taken just a few days ago.

Let’s be honest — bra sizing can feel like one of life’s great mysteries. Even people who’ve been wearing them for years often find themselves guessing. If you’ve ever bought one that looked perfect, only to find it pinched, gaped, or just didn’t feel right… you’re not alone.

Taking your own measurements is one of the best things you can do for confident shopping — especially when you’re buying preloved clothing that’s been measured to help you find a real fit, not just a guessed size. I’ll keep this relaxed, a little cheeky, and very useful. Grab your favourite underwear (yes, the ones you actually wear when you crossdress), a soft tape measure (or some string and a ruler), and let’s go.

A few weeks ago, I ran into an old friend I hadn’t seen in years. We were chatting away, catching up, when the conversation took one of those turns that makes you quietly hold your breath. He started talking about “what the world’s coming to”,  men in makeup, women dressing like men, “nobody knowing what they are anymore.”