As a young man, I enjoyed wearing what could be termed “pretty’’ underwear. Tight briefs in bright red or blue, cut high on the hips, were my favourites: basically, women’s underwear for men. I loved posing in front of a mirror, or my various girlfriends – so long as the label said “men’s”, they were OK with it. I got older, put on weight and lost interest, but then I started working out and wondering what it would be like to wear women’s underwear.

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I bought my first pair of knickers in January. Within a month, I was wearing knickers and tights under my clothes almost all the time. My partner of 20 years has embraced this wholeheartedly. Sometimes we go shopping together. I let the sales ladies know I am shopping for myself. As I pay, I smile and wink, as if to say, “I am enjoying this even if you aren’t.”

I have a good collection of pretty lingerie. None of those supermarket five-packs will do. My favourite items are high-waist panties or a body with hold-up stockings. The stockings have a beautiful, luxurious feel. I find it thrilling to go to a restaurant with my partner, dressed in this manner. Other times, we stay in and eat pizza with a bottle of wine. I spend the evening wearing only undies.

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For my partner and me, this has been a brilliantly enjoyable adventure. Neither of us expected it would grab us the way it has. Being fitter and slimmer is part of it: the underwear enhances the whole package; by itself, it would not have done anything. Had I remained overweight, I would have felt silly in knickers and tights.

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