The Clothes Make the Woman One not-so-obvious expense of transitioning to another gender is the clothing swap. "You're changing your whole wardrobe," says Hanson, and depending on how long someone has been cross-dressing, that can add up.
Prata helps women assimilate to the point where they can't be detected as transgender -- including helping them find a personal style. She says that even if a woman has been cross-dressing for a while, they usually don't have everyday, work-appropriate clothing -- nor do they know where to start.
"A cross-dressing wardrobe is more like a girl in her teens who is wearing things to express her femininity," says Prata. "But a professional wardrobe that suits their life is entirely different."
Prata's clients spend anywhere from $2,000 for a seasonal wardrobe to $10,000 for a work wardrobe. Other clients get high-end, customized pieces and spend around $50,000.
One unexpected cost to keep in mind, says Prata, is the cost of shoes from specialty shops. "If you're looking for a size 12 shoe in wide, you're going to pay at least $100," she says.
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