Last week, I was looking at shoes and trying to look at capris, but I just couldn't get the nerve to get close enough. I used a tape measure to get the width of my jean's waist while folded, the way they'd be hanging on a rack in the store. I also measured from the top of the waist to the crotch to test for ballroom.
But when I got to the stores, I just couldn't work up the nerve to get close enough to the women's clothes racks to look for anything I liked, not to mention take out my tape measure and examine them closely.
Has anyone had this problem? If so, what did you do to overcome the fear?
Hi Shades,
First I read Kristi's stories (in her blog) about her first times...
Then I took a deep breath and walked in like I owned the place and I had every right to be there. Did my shopping
and checked out at a line with two 20 something women checkers. I'm not sure anyone even noticed me. And
believe me... I'm no where near 100% passable.
Just go for it... the feeling is amazing :)
Amanda
I'm just dipping into this myself a bit for the first time. My butt no longer fits in men's jeans so I wanted to try on some ladies jeans, specifically levis since the womens levis and mens levis look almost identical. The places I tried had the women's department all the way across from the men's department and I felt like I stuck out like a turd in a punch bowl browsing over on the ladies side. I finally gave up and went to levis.com and ordered some jeans.
I also made some passes down the bra and panty aisles at my local walmart when I noticed the security cameras all over the place and I was worried that the security people would come swooping down on me as some kind of pervert, so I chickened out there as well :-\
OMGOSH I know how you girls feel haha..
My first time was scary. I just walked into the store at a pretty late hour to minimize the amount of guys walking around, made a couple of passes down the bra and pantie isle... and eventually decided it wasn't working out. So I went and grabbed some pads, than came back and picked out some panties and a matching tank to go with it. Than I proceeded to the checkout where a guy was working a register and there we're no other registers open "GREAT" I thought.. So I just put the stuff down and grabbed an energy drink to try and appear more manly. He than made a smirk and said "Too bad your getting the pads otherwise I doubt you'd allow these panties to stay on her for long huh?"... This was BEFORE starting any transitioning, so I was of course completely in boy mode.. and I sort of stumbled over my words and was like, "Oh yeah.."
Now that I look back I am retarded for going through all that hassle. I should just have walked in there and bought it. No ones going to question you about it in the lines if they want to keep their job, and as long as you don't draw any attention to yourself that would make you look perverted while your looking at clothes, no ones going to say anything or even notice you.
-Chels :D
*kisses/hugs*
GOSH im such a dork! haha
Quote from: AlwaysAmanda on April 23, 2008, 04:57:34 PM
First I read Kristi's stories (in her blog) about her first times...
Amanda
LOL!!!
Seriously, Shades, I found out that they like my money no matter how well I pass or how I present. It's a huge hurdle to get over, but I assure you, it's a mental one. Chelsea's comment brought back a memory. If you are not sure about how well you are passing, get in a line with a male clerk, buy some tampons with your stuff, and I promise, he will hardly even look at you. I used that trick a time or two.
Best of luck,
Kristi
So far I have only bought online, but I know the day will come I will buy in person. I think your right, they want there money and I am sure it wont be the first time they have sold to a tg.
Quote from: monica_mis on April 24, 2008, 12:15:34 AM
So far I have only bought online, but I know the day will come I will buy in person. I think your right, they want there money and I am sure it wont be the first time they have sold to a tg.
I did most of my shopping in Boy mode.. I mean, sure they can speculate as to whether or not your a TS, but really don't know if you don't go in girl mode... But I don't know, I am getting to the point where it does not phase me to go anymore.
Thanks for the input, all. :)
I'm not TS. Possibly TG, definitely CD. I guess I've gotta just go for it and do it.
How to buy a dress in public (http://d332.com/textarc/index.html#buy)
From Pristine Ann Gee's nifty web site. It's a good read. Happy shopping! :)
If you go during the day... usually early in the morning most stores
are deserted... and I've found Kohl's have the best setup... the
dressing rooms are not monitored and they don't have much in the way of
floor help. And they have for the most part very nice clothes.
I think you will find... like a lot of things we go through... once you've done
it you have to laugh at yourself for making it seem so big a deal.
And I really did get inspiration from reading about others successes.
Amanda
Alyssa, thanks for the "How to buy a dress in public" link. The article is great.
Amanda, when you mention Kohl's, you aren't by chance refering to the Kohl's outlet store in Vacaville, CA, are you?
QuoteAmanda, when you mention Kohl's, you aren't by chance refering to the Kohl's outlet store in Vacaville, CA, are you?
Probably... they are all identical on the inside from what I've seen :)
Seriously though... I never been to Vacaville.
Amanda
Quote from: AlwaysAmanda on April 24, 2008, 04:29:32 PM
QuoteAmanda, when you mention Kohl's, you aren't by chance refering to the Kohl's outlet store in Vacaville, CA, are you?
Probably... they are all identical on the inside from what I've seen :)
Seriously though... I never been to Vacaville.
Amanda
I don't go there very often; it's about 1.5 hours from where I live. But, my wife had gotten some really nice things there.
Quote from: Shades O'Grey on April 24, 2008, 01:02:24 PM
Alyssa, thanks for the "How to buy a dress in public" link. The article is great.
Amanda, when you mention Kohl's, you aren't by chance refering to the Kohl's outlet store in Vacaville, CA, are you?
Your in the vacaville area eh?
Hello, your practically my neighbor :D
Quote from: Chelsea on April 24, 2008, 04:59:30 PM
Your in the vacaville area eh?
Hello, your practically my neighbor :D
It's my step-mother-in-law who lives in Vacaville, and we visit her from time to time. I'm just south of San Francisco.
I am in the chico area.. not chico, but thats a good reference to go off of.
Also - That read about the buying a dress for a first time is VERY helpful. I just read it, and I feel like going shopping :laugh:
Quote from: AlwaysAmanda on April 24, 2008, 12:35:18 PM
If you go during the day... usually early in the morning most stores
are deserted... and I've found Kohl's have the best setup... the
dressing rooms are not monitored and they don't have much in the way of
floor help. And they have for the most part very nice clothes.
Kohl's one of my favorite places to shop ! :)
I usually go in in male mode, walk in like I' know what I'm doing. I'll pick out a couple of things, like slacks, jean, or tops from the women section. and one or two male pairs jeans for cover and head for the male fitting room.
If i what I want fits, I'll take the items and checkout, if not I'll leave them on the pile in the fitting room.
When I'm checking out if the clerk looks at me funny, I'll just ask them for a gift receipt. however I've only done this with slack, or tops. I still haven't got the guts to take a dress, or skirt and try them on !! :(
Jamie L.
i remember the first time i went shopping for my own clothes. the first time it took me a little bit to get up
the nerve to go shopping at the store i wanted to go to . but now i can walk into any store and get what
i like with no problem now a days . like say a new skirt or dress or what ever. i can say the first time is
somewhat nerve wrecking but i can honestly say it gets more better in time after that first few times
. then you will want to shop all the time ;D 8)
Kohls and Mervynn's are my 2 favorites. They have all the styles that I like, including racks and racks of clearance stuff.
I do the same thing...find some clothes that I want to try, pants, tops, an armload of clothes, (and with a few lingerie items thrown in).
I try everything on and decide what fits best. I've never had any problems with the employees getting curious.
QuoteThey have all the styles that I like, including racks and racks of clearance stuff.
I forgot to mention that... the clearance stuff at Kohl's is always really really cheap... I love it.
Amanda
I also like going to ross.. if you spend a little time in their you can walk out with tons of cheap cute outfits :)
Thanks for the "How to buy a dress in public" link too. My wife and I really enjoyed it.
I remember the first time I went shopping solo. I wanted to get a denim skirt that I had seen at an outlet shop. I went in with the mind set of "it's for my wife...." and looked around. I found the one I wanted before the sales girl asked if I needed hep. I told her that I found the what I wanted and was about to check out when I decided that I just had to have a new top to go with it. So, playing the helpless man in a dress shop, I told her that I was buying an outfit to surprise my wife with and thought I could use some help with finding a top to go with it. Well she helped me find one and as I payed for the clothes she told me I was very sweet for doing this for my wife. They both fit me very well. :D
Cheryl Anne
Retail sales margins are razor thin, and are in decline almost across the board. I get great service. They need the sales.
Keep trying, it will easier and you will eventually come to see that most sales assistants are very nice and very helpful no matter what you are wearing and no matter who the item is for.
Teresa