Thrift Store Encouragement

[Jillieann Rose]

Diana,
You can buy used under things if you want to.
It's just something I would never do.
But I did buy a new bra with all the store tags still attached at a Goodwill store.
It is a pastel red, adds 2 sizes to you bust, retails for $30.00 and I got it for 99 cents.
Was a red letter (Bra) day for me. 
Hugs,
Jillieann

[DriftingCrow]

Hey Diana,

Glad you found something you like at the store. 

Why must the cutest outfits always be so short?! A bit longer, and this would be perfect! I suppose I could always manage to wear something underneath... 

I am not sure where you live in the country or if the same things up here would be popular there, but up here in New England a lot of girls wear black leggings under skirts like in your picture. Like this: http://www.amazon.com/HUE-Ultra-Leggings-Waistband-Black/dp/B005XLTIQI/ref=sr_1_15?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1361673842&sr=1-15

[Kevin Peña]

But its underwear I understand saving money! But used underwear?

Well, the dress I bought has been on someone else's skin, just like underwear.

Diana,
You can buy used under things if you want to.
It's just something I would never do.
But I did buy a new bra with all the store tags still attached at a Goodwill store.
It is a pastel red, adds 2 sizes to you bust, retails for $30.00 and I got it for 99 cents.
Was a red letter (Bra) day for me. 

Well, I'm not telling you to buy it used so much as just asking why you won't. 
Nonetheless, that sounds like a steal!

I am not sure where you live in the country or if the same things up here would be popular there, but up here in New England a lot of girls wear black leggings under skirts like in your picture.

Yeah, I know. That's why I said, "I suppose I could always manage to wear something underneath..." 

[Heather]

Well, the dress I bought has been on someone else's skin, just like underwear.

A dress is one thing. But prefer my underwear to have only been worn by me. Anyway I forgot to say your dress is cute. 

[Kevin Peña]

If that's what you like, fine. Also, thanks.

[Anatta]

Okay, I want to save money, so I decided to buy clothing at thrift stores instead of Sears. In Sears, there's so much anonymity since it's a big store and people aren't around.

On the other hand, thrift stores are tiny and personal! I went to one today, and some other girls walked in at the EXACT SAME TIME! 

Needless to say, I chickened out and bolted, despite the employee being the most bubbly and delightful lady in the world, even down to the squeaky voice.

Anywho, I'm rambling, so my point is that I need tips on how to be brave in thrift stores. 

Kia Ora Diana,
Think about this for a moment I would say most trans-people at one time or other have shopped in the thrifty stores, so if you do your maths[of which you are quite good at] the chances are due to the constant flow of trans-people in and out of their stores the staff would have seen it all and take it all in their stride ie, not bat an eyelid....

"Feel the fear and do it anyway"
You have the green light...

Metta Zenda

[MissHayleyKat]

You just got to learn to tune people out. Imagine your the only one in there shopping. You could also wear headphones and just focus on the music. Music helped me through nervousness when started presenting as myself.

I couldn't agree more, whenever I'm out and about, all I can hear is music, so even if I see someone who is obviously talking about me to their friend, it just looks like they're singing along to whatever I'm listening to

[Shawn Sunshine]

Let's think about this a minute.  Women go into thrift stores and buy clothes for their guys, and no one says a word.  So why would it be any different for an MtF, in boy mode, to buy things for 'their girl'.  OK, so 'their girl' is really themselves, but no one knows that.

Thrift stores are in the business of making money, and I have never seen anyone say anything to some one who was buying opposite gender clothing.

This is what I had done when I was at St vincents in south san francisco one time, it depends on how im feeling that day and how much strange looks i get from someone who says "may I help you"

I just say its for my girlfriend.

[MadelineB]

I had been clothes shopping at all kinds of stores for my disabled wife (when she didn't feel up to leaving the house) before I ever started buying women's clothing for myself. No one ever bothered me or even looked at me strange. We wore the same size, so if something was questionable I could try it on to see if it would fit her. Even when I started buying for myself, half of everything was for her usually.

I only ever got hassled once, by an idiot, and that only time was after I was presenting as female. It wasn't a thrift store.