I lived in Brentwood and Franklin but now at the other end of the Trace.

oh, gotcha. I just moved from Franklin myself; the Macy's at Cool Springs is the one I referred to before. Back OT, they will always treat you with respect there.

Ok, so I'm getting ready to go out now to get clothes....but I'm so totally not sure about sizing with shirts, jeans, etc. Can someone here clarify???

Get your tape measure and check out http://fashion.about.com/od/stylebasics/a/MissesSizes.htm
You will need to search a little for your height.  But it will get you a general size.  And try on everything.  Sizes will vary.

Janet

cool, thanks! And if I have something wrong with measurement I should probably see a store associate then? lol

I'm going to go with the Goodwill idea too.  First they have a range of fashion (or non fashion) that no other store can touch, and a huge array of sizes (which are not always the same line to line, a size 8 is not always a size 8 if you will) that can give you some idea of what you're looking for before you spend a lot of money at some major store.

I shopped the Salvation Army store here yesterday (sadly it has no fitting room) and scored a good pair of ladies jeans and a nearly new pair of black slacks.

Quote from: Stacy Brahm on June 20, 2009, 08:33:19 PM
No one is going to hassle you... in fact, sad to say, by human nature no one will care about you at all. People are absorbed in their own lives and arent interested in yours, so you can basically shop with impunity.

Im guessing thats not going to help you, so let me give you a more concrete answer. I have (and sometimes still do) shop in drab, and I simply act like I belong there. No one has ever said anything.

I have asked for help from sales assistants and directly told them it was for me. Many times they are actually delighted to help. Why? Because we are enthusiastic shoppers who will listen to their advice instead of ignoring them or making demands.

Stacy is right.  Her advice is right on the money.  I've done the same thing and had the same experience.  Of course, don't over do it, but go in the store like you own the place.  Chances are NOTHING will happen.  On the far-out chance that the clerk says something stupid, just reply, "Do you get paid to laugh or to make sales?"  That line will get 'em 9 out of 10 times ... more like 10 out of 10 times. 


Just go shopping, Hon!  What are you waiting for?  Hugs!   

Thanks everyone! So I finally got the courage to do it yesterday, and after I went around to like electronics and what not in the store I went to the ladies department, and asked the young lady about looking for stuff. I didn't buy anything yet, but I did try on some jeans, and one pair I liked . After the lady was happy to help me out I got a lot more comfortable.

I think this weekend I'll be going out again to actually to buy stuff now that I have an idea

Now, the only thing I worry about is that after two pairs of jeans, I was watching my own anatomy. And I hate it when that area acts up when doing this kind of stuff ><, anyone have some advice on that stuff?

Many have the same problem.  After the initial experience, you will begin to enjoy just being a girl.  And of course HRT takes care of that problem.

Janet

Quote from: findingreason on June 20, 2009, 08:06:51 PM
If anyone has encouragement for helping to go do one of the scariest things in my life, please let me hear it

.. Pretend to be a guy shopping for clothes. .. I'd presume for his girlfriend or something of that nature. -- Scribble the sizes you want on a slip of paper, and reference it on occasion.

Boys are traditionally rather clueless about clothing, thus the slip of paper to remind of the important bits an such. ^*shrug* It's a bit of play on stereotypes to be sure, but in the same boys do on occasion by cloths for their girlfriends and it's an convenient pretence that isn't overly off.

Is a thought, perhaps.