And, Begin.

[Aurelia]

I'm (probably) a transsexual, but I guess as this is about crossdressing it belongs here. Anyways,

I've always found it hard to buy girls' clothing, seeing as I live in a town where it is frowned upon by most of the population. I've managed to get over that fear enough to be able to buy tights and longsocks, but nothing more than that.

Yesterday though, I went out to meet a good friend of mine who is the only person I know personally who knows about my transsexuality. And she let me borrow her skirt. It's black, knee-length (on me anyway, she's 5'4" and I'm 6'2", so there's a considerable difference), and it's pleated. It looks nice.

I brought it home, and making sure my family aren't about to intrude, I tried it on.

I can't describe the feeling. I've never tried a skirt on before, or anything really decidedly feminine.

It's like, I was told my entire life that wearing skirts was what girls do, and boys wear trousers and like guns and violence and cars and football. For the first time in my life I feel like I'm free. It's like being born with wings, but being told not to use them, until you finally do, and you soar.

Now I just need to do this more, and I should feel good about myself. I swear I look prettier in a skirt.


"Easy to take off, harder to fly." ~ Saturn Return - R.E.M.

[Jenny]

It sounds like you had a good time, and it is great that you have an understanding friend.

I've always found it hard to buy girls' clothing, seeing as I live in a town where it is frowned upon by most of the population.

Really? How on earth do girls go shopping then, with all that frowning going on? What do husbands and boyfriends do when they want to buy their wives / girlfriends something nice?

Going into a shop and buying girls clothing is only a problem because you know who it is for, and therefore believe that everyone else will know too. But, unless you live in a town straight out of a Stephen King novel where telepathy is rife, how can they?

In all honesty, I used to feel the same way. I used to think that if I walked into a shop and bought female clothing that the assistants would all be laughing at me, and somebody would point and say "Hey everyone, look at that weirdo... he wants to be a girl!"

That lasted until one day I saw a jumper that I just knew my girlfriend at the time would love. I walked into the shop, and looked at them more closely, and not one person paid me any attention. I picked out her size, and on the way to the checkout saw a few things that appealed to me, so I stopped and looked at them. No one cared - I was just another person browsing through the shop. I went to the checkout, and the girl there reacted completely normally, took payment and thanked me. I walked out, without being subjected to suspicion, ridicule or humiliation.

The point is, a shop exists to sell things. They get short customers, tall customers, fat customers, thin customers, male customers and female customers. If you walk in looking nervous and furtive you will attract attention -  probably from a security guard thinking you are a potential shoplifter! If you just walk in, browse and purchase whatever takes your fancy then no one pays you the slightest bit of attention over and above the norm.

I know it's a big hurdle to overcome, but I would urge anyone living in fear of going clothes shopping to give it a go - it really is easy to do, but that confidence can only be gained by doing it. The only thing stopping you is yourself.

Failing which, Ebay is a good option too with some great bargains if you hunt around hard enough... and not a shop assistant in sight  

[Aurelia]

Of course, you knew what I meant. I have a knack of misphrasing things, though. And people do seem to care - I've had the strangest looks from people behind the counter when I try to buy girly things. I think my passion for wearing pink clothing gives the game away. I always have to think to myself beforehand, "if I don't buy this, I'm a failure," and things like that to force myself into thinking there's no going back. But I live in a town where I've been beaten up simply for having long hair, and so if I wore girls' clothing outside, or gave people clues that I like to wear girls' clothing in private, my life could easily be on the line. I've had too many black eyes and bleeding noses for acting or dressing too feminine to feel safe about it.

[Dweia]

Yeah.. I like skirts also...

This would be sooooooooooo nice  



But I think for next summer I will buy a kilt for me  

[Louise]

I remember the first time I bought myself a skirt.  Taking it home and trying it on was the most wonderful and liberating experience.  This was not the first time I had bought women's clothing--I had been buying clothes for my wife for many years (and I continue to do so).  Nor was it the first time I had  worn a skirt or a dress--I had been wearing my wife's clothes and before that my mother's clothes.  But it is really nice to have your own clothes that fit your size and that fit your style.

Shopping for yourself does take some courage.  The first time it is difficult not to be self-conscious and a little bit embarassed.  In this respect it is much easier to shop in a big city where you can be anonymous than to shop in a small town where everyone knows you.  If you live in a place where you cannot be anonymous then it might be worth your while to travel to a nearby large city (if there are any nearby).  The holiday season is a good time to try this.

[natalie]

The holiday season is a good time to try this.

great idea. for me the holidays give me a mental excuse to go shopping. it is great fun.
Around Halloween I go bonkers at goodwill ( a thrift store) . even better since the clothing is dirt cheep.

natalie

[Terri Gene]

I used to like skirt outfits.  I'd do it all up in a nice outfit, step into some 3' heels and have a great time out, but I began wearing levis a lot and for a couple of years now I haven't been in a skirt.  Still got several in 8 and 10 sizes to curl out to someone in need of one one of these days.  Hell, I'd feel I was being silly wearing one these days, its low rider jeans and nice over the waist tops for me.  match the shoes to the country side and your ready for any compay .... other then some perhaps .....

Terri

[Hazumu]

Wow -- That reminds me of my first dress.  When I first tried it on, there was such a sense of rightness about wearing it -- like I'd finally arrived at some sort of home-like place.

Thanks for reminding me of my first skirt experience.  And welcome to Susans, Aurelia!

Karen

[Melinda]

I used to have that fear about shopping in the misses department but it goes away with time.  The best day to go shopping around one of the biggest holidays lke in the U.S. christmas, new years and valentines day.   Most of my skirts are above the knee-I like mini skirts and salsa type skirts; pleated, tiered, ruffled.  I have one that I like more than the others its a Misses 14 lined Kilt w/ pleates by GAP. I like the freedom to move around as opposed to jeans, except you can't just bend over to pick stuff up w/o exposing your bum.

[TheBattler]

I'm (probably) a transsexual, but I guess as this is about crossdressing it belongs here. Anyways,

Hi Aurelia,

There are many people on this site who are inbetween the genders. Do not wory about if you are a TS or CD  - just worry about being happy with yourself. Take time to explore this site and people within our comunity - there is some much deversity in here.

Wellcome here to Susans.

Alice

[RachelRay]

I'm (probably) a transsexual, but I guess as this is about crossdressing it belongs here. Anyways,

Hi Aurelia,

There are many people on this site who are inbetween the genders. Do not wory about if you are a TS or CD  - just worry about being happy with yourself. Take time to explore this site and people within our comunity - there is some much deversity in here.

Wellcome here to Susans.

Alice

I like that Susan...  I'am new here....  just starting to look around....  I like what iam reading ...   I just recently started buying my own clothes....  I love the Dusty rose pleated skirt i bought off E-Bay....  also this holiday It was easy to buy clothes for me and my girlfriend because there were a few males in the womens dept.  Most of my clothes are from Victorias Secret mail order....

[Terri Gene]

 

I like the freedom to move around as opposed to jeans, except you can't just bend over to pick stuff up w/o exposing your bum.

Well, being a bonifide Dyke Tail Biter, I like my Jeans, From Levi to fashion, I can't help but expose my bum all over the place, but it looks good, so what the heck?

Terri

[gina_taylor]

I remember the first time that I bought a skirt. They had them in two colors, which were beige and black, so I grabbed both of them, Adrenaline was pumping through me as I rushed back home and was excited to try them on. Since they were both the same size, I only had to try one on, and I had choosen the black. It fit perfect and I was very happy! I slipped on my black heels and it completed the outfit.  I was definately one happy camper!!!

Gina

[RachelRay]

Gina,  Did you try the one skirt on at the store?   

[gina_taylor]

Hi Rachael Ray,

No I didn't try it on in the store. I was in DRAB mode at the time, so as to not cause any problems I at least knew my size and was able to find what I needed. 

Gina

[jamie lee]

I've gone into stores in male mode, and tried on ladies pants and top. I just walk in pick out what I like and take it to the mens changing room and try them on. (sometimes my wife is with me)
Most of the better store don't have anyone at the changing rooms, and if they did, they don't check on what your trying on anyway. If they fit I take and pay for them, If not I just put them in the pile to be returned.
The trick is to walk in with confidence, as not to draw attention to yourself ! And don't take any thing that will stand out
(I guess I don't have confidence with skirts, or dresses yet !)
So far no problem.
After all their no law that says males can't buy female cloths, and vice-versa !

Jamie Lee

[gina_taylor]

Thanks for building up my confidence Jamie Lee. I'm going to start trying on clothes at the stores a little more often these days. It'll sure save me a lot of time in not having to take things back because they were the wrong size. And I'm sure that the employees won't care either.

Gina