Reddit mentions of Amazon Essentials Women's 6-Pack Cotton Bikini Underwear, Stars & Dots, M

I've been through these cycles of binge and purge so many times over the past twenty years, I can't even possibly imagine how many thousands of dollars of absolutely adorable clothes and accessories I've throw out in shame, only to regret it later. I think I'm finally past that, and while I can't necessarily help you get to that place, can't help you work through the associated cognitive dissonance and cultural pressures, I can maybe at least help you rebuild.

Panties are where I always start back off. Simple, plain, cotton panties. Fruit of the Loom, Hanes, whatever, something cotton and with a gusset. I've become partial to Fruit of the Loom Heathers, both in bikini and hipster varieties. I've tried all variety of novelty, skimpy, silky, frilly, and the tried and true panties that make me feel the most feminine, that I'm actually willing to wear day in and day out are simple and breathable. I've recently given Amazon Essentials a try, fully expecting the worst. I was prepared for them to be the sheisty garbage you'd get eBaying from China, poor stitching and loose threads and you wash it once and it falls apart. Not so! Though not as fantastic as Fruit of the Loom Heathers, I'm enjoying the Cotton Stretch Bikini and Cotton Stretch Thong varieties.

From there, no feminine boy is complete without a pair of shimapan! And naturally from there, you'll need to pair them with appropriate stockings!

Of course, one of my favorite things in the world after panties and stockings are skirts! I was just talking to somebody elsewhere on reddit today here, I'm currently wearing the shorter version of that specific skirt. Go long, go short, either way the material is thick and flowy, perfect for going spinny!

I'm also partial to spaghetti straps, and these are my daily drivers. The color set that I have isn't there anymore, but those are all great too!

The next part requires bravery. I have gone thrifting at Goodwill for skirts and tops exactly once, just a couple of months ago. And while I found a haul and was extremely proud of myself, it took all the psyching up in the world to be able to just go and do it. I got a few looks but nobody said anything to me and I powered through. I want to go again, I will go again, but wow that's going to be another brave journey to work up to.

Nail polish I pick up at Big Lots, usually for about $2 per bottle, nail polish remover too. I get all sorts of stuff there anyway so one or two feminine makeup items never raised any eyebrows. I've been shopping there for years so I figure most of the employees get who I am but not a one has ever given me a single bit of grief over it. You can tell from my personality, from how I walk and talk and present myself - it's not the biggest secret in the world, but holy fuck it's scary sometimes just being open with other people face to face. I'm not big on makeup outside of nail polish, that is to say I'm not very experienced, so the $1 and $2 brushes, mascara, eyeshadow, and eyeliner I pick up there do just fine for me. I imagine if I were more experienced or more than a basic bitch I'd be appalled at the quality therein, but I have the bliss of ignorance right now!

I wish I could be more helpful addressing the underlying problem, the shame and cognitive dissonance, the need to hide and the desire to do away with your secrets in order to feel safe and clean. It took me twenty+ years to be even a little ok with myself, to accept myself for who I am, to finally be past purging all my cute and feminine things, so I absolutely get it. Wishing you the best, the strength and resilience to be who you are, to not have to change to satisfy any outside ego structures, to enjoy what you do, and to recognize your inalienable right to look like on the outside how you feel like on the inside. It's a path, a journey, a long hard road that's tough to walk alone. The only thing you can ask of yourself is to do your best, to be the most genuine you that you can possibly be!