Hi. It's been a while since I have been here-thought Susan's had vanished into the ether! Glad I was very wrong. Anyway, I see a lot of stories about bad shopping experiences and I thought I would share a good one!
I received a gift card last week from Victoria's Secret for a pair of athletic pants and 2 panties. I figured I would use them and off I went. I wasn't fully dressed, but I was wearing jeggings, calf boots, a sweater that covered my rear and front, earrings, and slightly distinctive lipstick. I wasn't trying to pass as a woman, I was just wearing what was comfortable.
I walked in and was greeted, I showed her the card and she took me back to the display and asked who I was shopping for-wife, girl friend, or someone else. I had already picked out one pair of pants , and I answered I was shopping for me. She then handed me a couple of other styles and said I might like these better and offered me the dressing room. I asked if the bralettes that were on sale online were also on sale in store. She said they were and walked me over to the display. I picked out a halter style and she said if the bra was for me, this style (handed be a different bra) would be better, that with my shoulder width, the strap would pull on my neck too much. She showed me to the fitting room and told me she loved my boots.
When I came out, I was looking around when another sales woman came up and asked how everything fit. and she liked my earrings. I told her Chelsea (the first clerk) was correct about the bra, and I liked the pants she selected for me enough that I would buy both pairs. I was looking over the panty display, and she started asking what styles I liked, and we started talking about our preferences in styles, lace waistband vs. branded (wide) waistband etc. I asked if they had this red plaid pattern boy short in the green plaid. Turns out we were both wearing the red plaid!
One of the other shoppers talked to me for a few minutes and said she wished her husband would wear jeggings and athletic pants. I asked her what color was her lipstick, she pulled it out, help it next to my face, and said the color would work for me, then she showed me the color. She liked my boots as well.
Once I had everything, I went to check out. The saleswoman came up behind me and said "excuse me 'mam, this is free with the panties." and hands me a toboggan. When I turned and smiled at her, she became a little embarrassed and told me she was "thinking of me as another woman when we were discussing panties...and, and, I'm sorry." I said that's ok, I'm flattered. And this point, I paid and left.
Typed out, that was a little longer than I realized. Sorry. But a good shopping experience should be shared as well as a negative trip.
With a couple of days to reflect, a couple of questions.
I felt very accepted, the saleswomen (aged early 20s to mid 30s)didn't seemed bothered. They weren't huddled up talking/looking at me. They offered real help and suggestions.
Could people be more accepting of a male in woman's clothes than we think? My clothes were definitely woman's clothes, and I am in no way feminine in appearance. (bald spot and all)
Since I wasn't wearing a bra, skirt, dress-(purely femine items) and wasn't trying to look like a woman, could that have made me more acceptable?
When I left the house, I wasn't concerned if I was seen, I was accepting and welcoming of my feminine side, and I looked nice. Could my personal attitude have made a difference?
I looked at CNN today and saw where some women were ejected from a Victoria'Secret about 60 miles away. Could a "Be nice to everyone" order have come down from corporate? and I just happened to be there at the right time?
Hugs to all,
Anastasia
