ABSTRACT
“Projecting an image” is a phrase that tells us a lot about the transvestite’s world, and though few would bother to probe its conceptual basis, everyone knows its meaning: in short, that cross-dressing is about “fantasy, enchantment, and dreams” and that it involves, in the final analysis, the transformation of the unreal into the real. The majority of transvestites own three wardrobes: for home; for work; and for drag shows, parties, or discos. Work dress tends to be simple and sexy; though it must attract customers, it must not be a hindrance when running away from the police or other predators. Along with clothes and perfume, makeup is another indispensable element in the creation of the illusion of femininity among transvestites. Most transvestites buy their makeup in boutiques or drugstores.
