Thread Intent:
For MtF individuals to describe the reasons why they enjoy shopping for women's clothing, any tips they use to ensure a positive experience, and to describe a positive experience they had doing so. All the above in order to promote positive vibes and good feelings.
OP's Request:
Please only post positive sentiments and do not derail into other topics or post on topics other then the thread's intent. There is no right and there is no wrong in people's good experiences I'm kindly asking them to share.
If you have nothing to add, please refrain from posting. Please note, positive sentiments towards other posters adds to the positive intent of this thread and is therefor VERY WELCOME! If you liked someone's story, and want to cheer them on so to speak, by all means!
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Why I Like Shopping
Personally I love shopping for women's clothes. I've liked doing it my whole life, but not so much solo in the past. Now when I go out en femme, I especially like it because I can actually try things on and see how they look in real time instead of ordering it online, trying it out, sending it back for another size or that I didn't like the way it looked.
Every gf I've ever had has dragged me to stores with them to help them pick out clothes, and it obviously became less and less of a 'drag' to get me there. They did this because I have a very critical eye and strong eye for fashion. I don't think of things as just individual garments, I immediately compose outfits mentally from one piece. I'm the type when the gf goes "what do you think of this?" and it looks good on them I'll say something like "that looks good on you because it does blah blah blah and enhances blah while detracting blah blah blah, and you know what would go good with it? Something like blah blah blah (or you're blah blah blah)" which usually gets them very excited as we start hunting down the rest of the pieces to the 'outfit'.
The other reason I enjoy shopping is I'm a deal hound, and I love finding nice things that look good at a super discount. Like making a 20 dollar outfit that looks like a 200 dollar one. I enjoy the hunt, and at the same time, I do enjoy the challenge of looking really freaking good or simply passing with a high degree of stealth.
I don't just throw on things, every outfit is different and requires different garments to work for me right now. I'm 5'10 170 lbs with a 9.5-10 shoe size and work out 4-5 days a week, so I'm nice and sleek, altho I need to lose some muscle I've developed in my routine, but I have the typical male bone structure (wide shoulders, no hips, and no ass). So I work hard to look good and doing so is part of the fun honestly. I'm also realistic in that I know this will be the way it will be even after surgeries and hormones, but I'm OK with that. I've already started making my new lifestyle changes to take it on, and although I realize it'll get harder as it goes along (until a certain point where it kinda evens out), I'm not afraid of the future. I embrace it and look forward to it.
Tips for Women's Shopping:
Hands down best tip I can possibly give is - take a GG with you that loves to shop and is of similar size. This way you actually shop together and you have a partner helping you. It makes the shopping more effective, and less stressful as a not-fulltime trans woman. If she really likes to talk, it'll be even better because her constant chatter will give you time to practice your voice and social behavior, and it's kinda relaxing. Means you don't have to talk all the time!
Another tip is dealing with the ID to use a credit card. As I've seen online, this is often a great source of embarrassment to trans individuals. NOT ME! I love this moment in the store and relish it when I'm presenting dressed, because I take great pride in my presentation. I smile and tell them "Yes I have ID, but I don't look at ALL like it. It may be a bit of a shock for you!" The clerks I've done this with, have all so far responded very positively. I've received compliments from some and support from others.
Honestly, it's the confidence I'm exuding, like I want them to be surprised because that means the work I put into the current presentation has paid off. Yeah look at my ID and be blown away sucker!
It also helps if you try and get female clerks and avoid the male ones.
Another tip is, shop when people are normally out doing other things or at work. Like the other night, I went to Kohls at like 9pm on a Saturday night. It was DEAD THERE. Practically had the place to myself. There were people here and there, but when I went to check out, only one person in line. That kinda dead.
Good Experience While Shopping
Honestly, most of my experiences are very good. I either find great deals, terrific outfits or accessories, or the check out staff is just so extremely nice and supportive once they realize I'm a Trans person. But I'll give a more recent one.
As I said, I recently went to Kohls on a late Saturday night. Found a dress that looks dynamite on me that was $95 marked down 80%, and since I used my K card, another 20%, so it was like $19 bucks. Found a kickass pair of flat black sandals to go with it, and I needed some more flat shoes since I have a habit of buying heels.
So anyways, as I go to check out, I get this older woman in her late 50's early 60's by the looks. She asks me how I'm doing as I'm walking up and I said "FAN-tastic! Found some things I really like." (my voice still needs work but I've just said screw it about being self-conscious about it anymore. There's other things that give you away more than your voice.) She said, "Oh great. Glad to hear it. :)" and then asked if I had a K card and I popped my hand to show I was holding exactly that and said "You know it!" She smiled and laughed and then asked the usual question "Do you have ID?" And as I mentioned in my tips section said "Yep! But I look nothing like it. You're probably going to be shocked."
She looked at it, smiled, and then said, "Nope, doesn't shock me. I've seen crazier things. Thank you."
I thanked her and she continued on talking about how people should be able to live their lives however they want, being very supportive. I thanked her and told her she was a such a sweetie. As I started to grab my bag and head out, she said with a bit of emphasis "You have a VERY nice night, dear."
Awwwww... she was so nice!
trying on a dress that fits perfectly
Finding my bra size instantly without having to search the entire section :laugh:
Quote from: Lady_Oracle on June 07, 2015, 06:48:31 PM
trying on a dress that fits perfectly
Finding my bra size instantly without having to search the entire section :laugh:
ditto
I never think of women's clothes shopping as an experience anymore, I'm checking off many passing boxes lately so I don't have reason to think about shopping casually as a transwoman anymore. I pretty much know what I want to wear, go in, try it on and buy it if I like it. It's a fairly routine affair now just as much so as when I was a guy.
Quote from: Lady_Oracle on June 07, 2015, 06:48:31 PM
trying on a dress that fits perfectly
Finding my bra size instantly without having to search the entire section :laugh:
Yes, this!
It's funny, I never liked clothes shopping until I started transition. Now I love it and am addicted which isn't very good for the pocketbook. ;)
It's all about the reaction for me :~]
Need I say more?
A positive experience..
About a year after I went full time, I went to the high end department store here in Melbourne to have a look at pantsuits, specifically the Dior and Chanel ones. While I was browsing, I was invited by the sales woman to try one on. While I was trying it on she walked in saw me in my underwear, (I don't tuck.) and her only comment was "Let me grab you the pants in a different cut.".
I learnt that day that Dior stuff requires some tailoring, Chanel fits off the rack.. [emoji6]
I just love shopping, not just cloth, everythings. I can't explain why, it just a thing I like. I like to spend my day off on walking around the malls, checking on different store, try on cloth you think it's nice. And it will be a great enjoyment if I get the perfect item with sale price. If you shop alot you will know which item is worth buying.
I just recently I just find out that it's not buying things that make me like, it the activities, you get to dress up, you go out see stuff, get some cloth that match my style. I love to pick fews cloths and bring it to the trying room and try one by one and choose it, abit of fantasize on luxury item. LOL have a good food, That's pleasure for me. And I like to do it alone once in a while.