Magic Dress - Polly

CHAPTER 1

I was mad to have bought it. It almost certainly wouldn't fit. I had just been passing the shop on my way home from work when I saw it. A green dress. Half price as the shop was closing down. They can't compete with the big stores selling cheap stuff, I guess.

I had never bought a dress before, though I had often wanted to. I had been dressing up in women's underclothes for a while, but not had the courage to go further. My fantasy was to go out and just be accepted as a woman, but I was far off that. I just put on bras and panties and a bit of makeup and pretended to myself in private.

I had my bra (stuffed with socks), my panties and tights. Although I liked stockings and suspenders, they did not seem right with this dress. I was quite pleased with my makeup effort.

Still I hesitated. There was really no chance it would fit. Now I had the anticipation, and the faint hope. Soon there would be disappointment. Like having a lottery ticket before you check the numbers. But eventually you have to.

I was having a day off work, and wanted to spend it as feminine as possible. Could I really spend it in a dress?

I put it on.

It fitted perfectly! I was so glad I bought it. It had been an impulse, on my way home passing that little boutique 'Magic Dresses'. I was sorry to see another small shop closing, and regretted that I had not bought anything before.

I looked at myself in the mirror. It was very smart, the sort of thing you could wear on almost any occasion. High-necked, sleeveless with a pleated knee-length skirt and subtle patterning.

But I must have been three-quarters asleep when I had put on makeup! I looked like a clown! I hurriedly corrected my slapdash efforts and took another look. I was rather good!

I was cheerful on the bus to work.

"Hi, Polly," said Lucy, my best friend at work. "You look really great! That dress suits you. It's almost too good for work!"

I had a really good day. Really it was just another day at the office. Nothing special happened. I dealt with documents and emails and the phone. Had a giggle with the girls over coffee. Took lunch outside with Lucy in the park, and had a stroll around. I stopped and bought some milk and vegetables on the way home. But I felt so good! It was a magic dress so far as I was concerned. Lucy was right. I shouldn't wear it every day at the office, but I would sometimes, just to give myself a treat.

When I got home my feet were aching, and it was time to dress down. I got my tracksuit, admired myself for the last time, and took off the precious dress.

I was standing there, with the dress on a hanger. I the mirror was a man in bra and panties.

What had just happened? It was as if I could remember a whole day as a woman. A real woman, all the time. I had been to the toilet and peed and pooed. With no cock. I had been at work. I had done my normal work, and done everything I normally did with all the usual people. But they called me Polly instead of Perry, and I had coffee with the girls instead of the lads. And lunch with Lucy. Walking in the park in a dress and feeling so good!

I looked at the clock. The whole day had gone by. In the kitchen was some milk and vegetables.

Had I really gone to work in a dress? And had everyone pretended not to notice? Impossible!

I felt two conflicting emotions: worry that I was losing my mind, but also a sense of satisfaction and happiness over the fantasy. If my brain was going to play tricks on me, at least they were nice ones.

Somehow I knew what to do with the vegetables, and cooked myself a surprisingly nice meal.

Over and over I kept replaying the day. The delicious feeling of femininity as my everyday state. I cannot express how wonderful that imagined day had been in its ordinariness. Everyone, including me, accepted me as a woman.

That night I had confusing but largely happy dreams and woke refreshed quite early.

CHAPTER 2

It was a stupid idea, and at the same time seemed wrong. It almost seemed as if the green dress did not want to be put on. But I did, anyway.

What was I thinking of? Yes, it was a nice dress, but I couldn't wear it every day. Why had I put it on now? Blouse and skirt today for definite. I would wear it on Saturday, when I went to visit my sister.

I took it off.

Shit! I had forgotten about my promise. I must get some presents for her kids.

I went to work and wondered what would happen. The answer was nothing. Checking my computer and the trays, I had done all the work I remembered. No-one referred to me as Polly.

"Oh Perry, have you got a moment?" said Lucy, and I went to her office.

"About yesterday..." she began. Here it comes!

"I see you had booked it as a day's holiday, but you came in. Shall I clear it from the record so you can take it some other time?"

"Oh, yes please."

"Did you forget, you silly boy?"

"I must have. Thanks." I left a bit pink-faced but relieved. And puzzled.

Obviously, I had worked as normal, but somehow my brain had adapted to so I remembered doing it as a woman. Perhaps I was going mad. But if so, it was a pleasant madness.

I spent coffee time alone, thinking. One possibility was that my subconscious was telling me that my desire to be a woman was OK. Perhaps I should go for it? Or at least make a move in that direction.

On the way home I stopped by the Magic Dresses shop and looked through the rack. They had fewer things. The woman who had sold me the dress yesterday came out. She looked like a kind granny.

"You bought the dress yesterday. Come inside," she said.

"I could see it was for you," she said kindly. "Don't be worried: it's quite common. Lots of men like it. If it fitted, I can tell you what else will. Did it?"

"Yes," I said quietly.

"Just let me get my measure," she said, and reached behind the counter, then swiftly applied the tape.

"Give me a few minutes." She bustled around, and laid some clothes on the counter.

"Here's three dresses, a skirt and two tops to mix and match, a couple of nightdresses. This would make a good starting collection. Would you like any of these?"

I took the lot.

That evening, I showered, put on makeup and my underwear, and tried the first dress.

I held my breath as I put it on.

It fitted. Not quite as well as the green dress, but it fitted. I looked in the mirror.

And saw a smiling man in a nice dress. What else had I expected?

But I felt good. Why had I never done this before?

There was something else in the bag. Something small. It was a perfume spray. I tried it and oh! That just made things perfect.

I luxuriated in the feeling and enjoyed the evening. I held off trying the other clothes to prolong the pleasure, but slept happily in a nightdress.

CHAPTER 3

While enjoying my new clothes, I again forgot to buy presents for my sister's kids. In fact, I forgot about the visit and everything.

On Saturday, I planned to spend the day in glorious femininity. I showered, put on makeup and perfume, and tried the skirt and one of the tops. It was great! This would do for the morning.

As I looked over my wonderful new clothes there was the green dress on its hanger. Somehow, I knew what I had to do.

I put it on.

Of course! What was I thinking with a skirt and top? I was going to show my sister Louise my lovely new dress. There would be just time to go to the art gallery and museum before I got my train.

In the museum shop I selected some educational toys, and got to my train in good time.

"Hello, Polly," she said. "You look divine! What a gorgeous dress!" I complimented her on her hair and the weight she had lost, before I was overwhelmed by two eager children wanting to know if Auntie Polly had brought any presents.

It was a lovely day. The sun shone so we were able to walk down to the beach. I was so happy she has a loving husband and two lively children. We talked about events in our joint girlhood, some funny, some sad. Out of earshot of her husband we remembered boyfriends. I said there was no-one special at the moment. Her husband told me about his work, which was boring, but I pretended to be interested. It was nice just to mull over the day on the train back.

But at home I just wanted to get my shoes off and have a shower.

I took off the dress.

I was back home in bra, panties and tights, holding a dress. On instinct I went to my jacket and looked in the wallet. There was a used railway ticket with today's date. Looking carefully, there was a bit of sand in the welts of my shoes.

So Perry had been on the visit, but I only had Polly's memories. I hoped there was nothing vital in the difference between them. Would Louise have told her brother something different from her sister? Or perhaps she had asked something about her husband. Perhaps I had promised to do something.

I was worried when a couple of days later I got a phone call.

"Hi, Louise, what's up?"

"Oh, nothing at all. I just wanted to tell you how much the children enjoyed the presents you got them. I would never have thought of buying something like that, you know, educational, but they are really fascinated and want some books. They would be glad to see Uncle Perry again."

I must explain that while I was Polly, I had all of Polly's memories and was not aware of being Perry. But when I was Perry, I lost these, apart from what had happened during this time, and this was the partial recollection we all have. So, for example, I remember talking about our time as girls, but very little detail.

However, during this time I was obviously carrying on in my life as Perry but lost these memories completely.

We seemed to be living parallel lives, or in some alternate universe. The same life, male or female.

CHAPTER 4

The safe thing would be not to put the green dress on. But Polly had other clothes. Had she also bought some from the Magic Dress shop?

The nightdresses had not done anything, but I liked them anyway, so that was a win. Now to try the other clothes.

I did it one by one each evening. I felt good, but I was just at home as usual, with Perry's memories. But I liked to remember my times as Polly, and pretended I still was. I looked forward to coming home each evening: shower, makeup, a nice dress or skirt, a puff of perfume, and an evening as Polly. The nice granny had good judgment. They were a good starter set. My TV and internet viewing changed, as did my diet. I cooked more and ate more vegetables. I shaved my legs, and appreciated the smoothness.

My life was better. I was happier at work, happier at home. But I still wanted more.

To actually go out as woman. Just to walk about. That's what Polly had that Perry did not. Of course, I could have done it at any time, but I just did not have the guts.

Each morning I waited at what I judged was the time Polly got finally dressed. One day it felt right and I put on the green dress.

I felt a little more cheerful, as I always did when I put it on, but the period was still hurting. I had a tampon in and a pad in my knickers just in case. Probably the worst day. I put on a cheerful face for the men and got on with my work as normal. Just a day to get through: hurting, messy, bloated, with lots of visits to the toilet. And I was worried that I might mark the dress.

The day dragged until I could get home for a gin and a hot shower. I kicked off my shoes, pulled down my tights and took off the dress.

It was the evening. I was feeling exhausted and dirty. I guess that Perry must have gone to work, but I didn't remember it, only Polly's day. There sure were some downsides to actual femininity. I never knew that it could be that bad. As Perry I would have taken a day or even a week off, if I felt that ill.

Thinking later, what got me most was the dreary ordinariness of it. This was the pain, inconvenience and mess which was normal every few weeks. No use complaining. But how important it was to pretend that nothing was going on.

Next day one of the guys asked me if I had been under the weather, and I said maybe a little but I was fine now. From the computer and the trays it seemed I had done a full day's work.

+ - + - +- + - + - +

About two weeks later, I was getting into my female clothes and mind for the evening when it seemed I should choose the green dress. I put it on.

I was so excited! And nervous, of course, but somehow this dress always gave me confidence. So my face wasn't perfect, but that was what concealer was for.

I hadn't really known Carl from Purchasing until he asked Lucy about me, and she suggested we go on a date. I hadn't been out for quite a while, and he is very handsome.

Right, Polly. Don't be nervous! First date, just dinner and a kiss if it goes well. No obligation.

He was waiting at the restaurant, and I offered my cheek.

"Nice dress," he said. "Really suits you!"

He looked even more handsome than at work, and spoke so nicely. Steady on, girl!

"I guess you want to know, so I'll save you the embarrassment of trying to ask," he began. "I'm part African, part Indian and part Portuguese."

"But still a Yorkshire lad!" he added.

"Well, it's a good mixture," I answered, and he laughed. I liked him already.

Somehow through the meal, things went further, so when the waiter asked if we wanted coffee, Carl said "How about we take it at my place?" and I agreed.

There was more than a kiss in the taxi. We were snogging full on, and his hands were everywhere with my full agreement. As soon as we got into the flat, I took off my dress.

I was in the bedroom with the green dress on the floor. I picked it up carefully and put it on its hanger.

About an hour and a half later, I thought I should put it on, but waited till the feeling went away. It would have felt intrusive to be Polly after she had had sex.

So that was what it was like to be a woman on a date! The same uncertainty and worries as being a man. Being aware of stupid mistakes in what you say. Suppressing a fart. A mixture of desire and fear of rejection and disappointment. But mostly worry.

The giving yourself up to the moment while screaming in the back of your mind is "no, I shouldn't be doing this!"

I felt embarrassed. It was one thing to feel what it was like to be a woman at work, or playing with my sister's children. In both cases I was dealing with people I knew and the situation was very little different from what I was actually doing in my zombie state.

This was the first time I had come in contact with someone I didn't know. Carl looked very handsome, and even if I had not known his name, I was sure I would have remembered him.

And I didn't think I had been having dinner with him and making out in a taxi. For one thing, I was in my own home, not somewhere else. Still, I checked my wallet and clothes and saw no evidence of going out. A microwave meal for one had been eaten by somebody.

CHAPTER 6

The next day at work I realised that Lucy also looked after records of Purchasing Department and tried to ask casually if there was someone there called Carl.

"I don't think so," she answered. "Why?"

"Oh, I just must have mis-heard something, and didn't know the name."

"Just a mo. I'll check the current list," she said. "No nobody called Carl, or Charles for that matter."

"OK," I said. "I must have got it wrong. Never mind."

As I turned to go, she remarked "Of course there is Clara. Don't say you haven't noticed her! Brown skin, rather pretty."

"Well, yes, but I didn't know her name."

"Well, if you've got any business with her, I can tell you that she hasn't got a boyfriend at the moment, and actually she has noticed you, as she's mentioned you once or twice. Just saying..." And she gave a smile and a wink.

I had never thought of it. Was it Carl in Polly's universe, and Clara in mine?

I found excuses to go to Purchasing and ask her something. Eventually I got the courage to ask her out. She suggested the same restaurant where Polly and Carl had gone!

I could hardly believe my eyes when she came into the restaurant when I saw what she was wearing. It was the green dress! It really began to look as if we were in parallel universes, though this gave the thought that maybe Polly's Carl was even now looking at me from Clara's eyes!

She saw me looking, and was pleased.

"Do you like it?"

"It's great," I said. "Really suits you." And she offered me her cheek to kiss.

As we sat down, she said "In case you're wondering, I'm actually part African, part Indian, and part Portuguese, but really just a Yorkshire lass!" and laughed.

She was so nice, but my shock at hearing these words must have shown.

"Don't look so surprised," she said, looking worried.

"Sorry," I stumbled to answer. "That's quite a mixture, but it looks good on you."

She smiled and we began looking at the menu, then got drinks, then went back to the menu. I hadn't had a date in quite a long time, so I was nervous. Then I remembered she was probably feeling the same. Then I knew what to do.

"Sorry, I'm a bit nervous," I said. "I haven't been on a date for a long time."

She gave a sort of relieved laugh. "Me too. Awkward isn't it? You wonder how people manage!"

So then we got on all right, just chatting around the meal. She was good looking, she was witty, she appreciated or pretended to appreciate my attempts at wit. I was having a good time.

And yet, there was nothing like the attraction that Polly had felt, which was a bit of a disappointment.

As we waited for dessert she opened up.

"You know, after I broke up with my boyfriend I felt really down. I didn't think I could trust a man again. I'm so glad you broke the spell!"

"My pleasure," I replied.

She leaned forward and lowered her voice.

"It's not someone at work -- no-one you'd know. We were together for nearly a year and I thought it was the real thing. Then..." She hesitated, and continued in a whisper. "I discovered he fancied my clothes as much as me. He wanted to wear a bra and frilly knickers!"

I was genuinely shocked, though not for the reason she thought.

"Yeah, really! And you would never have guessed, he was so masculine. Oh, I'm sorry, but there's all sorts these days. You never know."

We had our dessert in silence. Then talked again over coffee, for quite a long time.

"Well," she finally said. "I think we should be getting off to our own beds. Thank you for a lovely evening. I think you should kiss me, but no more."

I was grateful for the direct way she signalled. I gladly gave her a kiss. She was warm and feminine in my arms and nice to kiss. But we both knew there was nothing more.