I think that at some point you just have to get out there and do it.

Last night I stopped at the local grocery and picked up some lipstick and a few other items. I was really tired and just didn't give a damn about what anyone else might think. At the checkout the lipstick happened to roll under the other stuff, and the girl rang me up and then found the lipstick and held it up and said "this too"? Could have been embarrassing, and it was nice for her to point out that I was buying lipstick to the rest of the people in the store, but I just said yes and she gave me a weird look for a second - and rang it up

There was a guy behind me in line and I have no idea what was going thru his head, and I didn't care.

I had a cover story prepared about picking it up for the wife but decided that it really didn't matter anyway, and me saying something about it would have made me look guilty.

This weekend i'm going to go check out the 2nd hand stores for whatever I might find and fancy 

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Post Merge: June 13, 2009, 06:53:39 PM

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Made a run last night to the grocery to pick up an eyeliner pencil. Got checked out by an old asian lady. Nothing was said.

Made my runs today. Didn't find anything at walmart, so the next stop was the salvation army family store. They had a ton of nice stuff in there, it really surprised me that so much of that stuff was in quite good condition. I picked up a basically brand new boy golf shirt and some "do me" red pumps. There was an older lady behind the counter, and when I put the shirt and the pumps on the counter she kind of laughed and said "theres a different combination" followed by "nice shoes". No weird looks whatsoever. Happened by the same walmart again and stopped in and grabbed some red nail polish and polish remover. Went thru a checkout manned by a guy and I might as well have been buying motor oil and charcoal.

I think we work ourselves up over this when no one really gives a whit about it.

 I usually shop at night at walmart or first thing in the morning. I try to get a female checker. I try to time it so I'm not standing in a line. Must be the military background in me, because I kinda treat it like a potential firefight. I dont expect confrontations, and havent had any, but I guess some preplanning goes a long way. I think I'll just start ordering online for some stuff.

This is my first time posting on a website like this, but as someone who just started going out to shop for clothing i do have a little advice that helped me out. Some nights i find myself working late hours, so Ive almost always gone out at or after midnight, the 24 hours stores don't always have the best selection but the staff tend to leave you alone. I try and make a note when i go into a store at how late the u-scan machines are up, Using those have taken out most of the anxiety at check out.

I have to laugh at your comment about the self checkouts.  If you ever go thru one in Oregon and see a tall black hair woman at the monitor station, just stop by and say "Hi Janet, I am so and so From Susan". I work the one at my store.   

Janet

Quote from: CrimsonRose on June 19, 2009, 11:34:05 PM
This is my first time posting on a website like this, but as someone who just started going out to shop for clothing i do have a little advice that helped me out. Some nights i find myself working late hours, so Ive almost always gone out at or after midnight, the 24 hours stores don't always have the best selection but the staff tend to leave you alone. I try and make a note when i go into a store at how late the u-scan machines are up, Using those have taken out most of the anxiety at check out.

When I was in man's mode with short hair, I once purchased 3 unpacked white thongs at a department store and unintentionally just strolled along the lane while grasping them in my hand. Finally I realized that even women do not show thongs shamlessly like me. I hurried to the cashier.

The cashier was a pretty and young woman. She asked me like "Is this for you?" I did not reply.

Once at wall mart, I purchased a pair of pump. An old aged cashier there called me as "Mr." and just checked out it for me.

Barbie~~

Still after 3 years, it's not so easy to go to local store.
I prefer to buy stuff somewhere else than local stores... or online

Anyway I was on business trip and noticed that there were some sale.
I wanted to buy some bras so I just went in one of the shops in my male mode.

The shop was empty and I just told the lady that I need some bra for me.
She did look little bit shocked first, but as I was confident enough she was helping me as if I was a woman.
She even wanted to see that I'm not buying wrong size 

Go to old navy, pick up a couple of pieces you like in different sizes, carry them folded over your arm, and walk into the fitting area.
The sales clerks are only interested in making sure you're not lifting anything.

When I was in the US, I used to stop at Old Navy. Prices are reasonable, and occasional sales for out-of-season clothes. I liked clothes for teens.

Barbie~~

My fear is usually not of the clerk but of the other customers. Im always afraid Ill run into someone I know in the store.

Quote from: Bethany W on July 24, 2009, 09:48:27 PM
My fear is usually not of the clerk but of the other customers. Im always afraid Ill run into someone I know in the store.

Yeah, I can relate to that. I've got an "out" in that I can always say I'm shopping for my wife (who's about my weight) or my daughter (who's close to my height).

As an aside, my daughter does like one of my dresses.

Men buying female oriented goods is not unusual or something to be self conscious about. Just act natural and have self confidence. As someone with 3 sisters and now have been married for 11 years I have been forced to purchase the entire spectrum of female goods. When my sisters were teens I had to purchase their pads, liners, douches, vagisil and tampons because they simply were to embarrassed to do it for themselves.

As I also work in retail my wife often calls wanting me to pick up something where I work or on the way home. I often have to pick up a blouse or a pantsuit or a skirt that she wanted but decided not to get only to think about it and change her mind. I've bought makeup for her, unmentionables, pads, fingernail polish, polish remover, and all kinds of other things. Then there are birthdays and christmas and she usually always wants jewelry or clothes. Heck to be honest I've bought a myriad of female goods for myself from the place I work at as well. Nobody even pays it any attention. They just think that I'm getting the stuff for my wife. At worst I'd be the subject of juicy gossip, but of course me wearing women's clothing pales in comparison to the stuff they really talk about.

yeah i try not to really put to much thought into it. i just go and shop. sometimes people with walk up to me and be like are you a guy or a girl. (i like to think i can pass ok and that im not to Ugl to the Y, but some people just have the EYE as they say) and ill be like .um... im a woman? its like just be confident and let them know your not a perv and they like whatever. i have even shopped and made friends with such people before. just go with the flow as they say   

I think its important to note that, for the most part, people really don't care all that much what you buy. They know they have no right to question what you are doing, as it is well within your rights, and for the most part, they really don't care.

Imagine yourself in their position. Person after person coming through. It would seem to blend together. You would just be another customer buying another item for another purpose.

The sales associates that give people trouble would probably get fired. Or sternly lectured. But overall its really none of their business.

I have gone shopping a number of times. The most embarrassing moment when I was shopping was when I was buying three pairs of underwear and two bras. One pair of underwear had frills. The other two were small, strechy, and pink. One of the bras was laced.

So guess how many strange looks I got. None. The sales associate said nothing at all to me. Just another customer buying another item for another person.

I remember when I got my chance to buy my own stuff.  It was when I was around my early 20's.  As my mom & aunt bought some of my stuff for me.  As they found out of my cding.  Like some of you and most of you.  I buy some of my clothes off the internet as you can find good deals and cheap prices.  Also do go to some second hand stores as they also have some good selections as well.  I will go to dept. stores off an on and get some fem clothing I might like.  But most of the time it is usually off the internet.  The only problem with that if it doesn't fit you have to send it back.  To where in the dept. stores and second hand stores you can try on the clothes and make sure they fit.   Plus no matter why type of clothing your buying.  Whether it being boxers, panties, shirt, jeans or pantyhose.  In a dept store or online store no matter what item of clothing it is for male or female.  A sale is a sale.  That is how alot see it.  Even though we are the ones who are nervous and scared of the "female" item we are buying. 

I had the ultimate embarrassment for me the other week. I was in boi mode and picking up a pair of shoes, skirt, nylons along with some cosmetics. I had the price check on the express lane. So over comes this manager and she has to run back to the the woman's department. As I'm standing in line, a woman asks in a joking manner, if all the stuff was for me. Rather than get nervous or angry for the prying, I stated, "yes it is actually you should see how hot I am in a skirt." I suppose because I wasn't nervous or upset she thought I was joking around. There were three other women behind her and they all broke out laughing....if they only knew I was serious. Luckily it was close to X-mas and they all thought I was gift shopping
I tell you the shopping list works great to ease your mind.

Quote from: Mindy Rae on January 07, 2010, 01:38:18 PM
I had the ultimate embarrassment for me the other week. I was in boi mode and picking up a pair of shoes, skirt, nylons along with some cosmetics. I had the price check on the express lane. So over comes this manager and she has to run back to the the woman's department. As I'm standing in line, a woman asks in a joking manner, if all the stuff was for me. Rather than get nervous or angry for the prying, I stated, "yes it is actually you should see how hot I am in a skirt." I suppose because I wasn't nervous or upset she thought I was joking around. There were three other women behind her and they all broke out laughing....if they only knew I was serious. Luckily it was close to X-mas and they all thought I was gift shopping

It is nice that they were not hostile at all to you. Even if they knew it, they would try to understand you.

At my workplace, most of my colleagues know that I am a crsosdresser, but they still joke about my clothes.

Barbie~~

Well I finally got the courage to go shopping in male mode from what I understand its called shopping in drab. I went to Bras N Things here in Sydney as they have a sale on and picked up some lovely panties, body suit and beautiful lace chemise. The sales assistant was helpful and courteous (she was doing her job). I knew my size and she said "have a look around as to what you like and let me know when you need some help". I had told her I was shopping for my wife. I am recently divorced. So I took my time and looked at everything. I was the only male in the store but I felt I was in a store that I belonged in.  Two days later I went back to change the body suit for the next size up as it was a bit tight around my tummy. No problem. At the end she asked with a little smile if everything else fitted right. I guess from that she suspected but I didn't care. I did nothing that was immoral, illegal or unethical. In fact I felt on such a high the next day I went shoe shopping walked into the various stores. I found a pair of court shoes that took my fancy but when I got home they did not fit so back I will go to exchange them. I was puzzled why they didn't fit because I purchased the same size as my strappy hells which fit perfectly. I guess its because the open shoes allow a bit more room for fit. I then went  dress shopping found a lovely dress in my size and purchased it. No funny look from the sales assistants as I browsed in the various stores. They all said "let us know if you need some help or are you after something specific"  Shopping is tiring and frustrating as many styles I liked the store was out of stock in my size and Im not that big. Anyway I had fun shopping and then at home (I am alone) wearing my new outfit. Will exchange my shoes for a strappy pair rather than get a refund. And my chemise is so comfortable to sleep in I highly recommend it.

Quote from: Kimber on January 20, 2010, 01:36:41 AM
Anyway I had fun shopping and then at home (I am alone) wearing my new outfit. Will exchange my shoes for a strappy pair rather than get a refund. And my chemise is so comfortable to sleep in I highly recommend it.

It is nice that people can be happy just by purchasing and wearing some fashion items at affortable prices. It is winter here, and I am virtually in hibernating mode.

Barbie~~

Well I've gone shopping twice in male mode since my last shopping trip. As has been said it is our own fear that stops us. I just walked into various dress shops and shoe shops and did what everyone else was doing ... looking to see if they had anything that I liked... in other words shopping. In one store they did not have my size so I went up to the sales assistant and asked if they had the size I wanted. She said the cut is a little big by that manufacturer and I asked would it fit my frame, she suggested the larger size. Now that took courage for me but I took the view of why lie about it. Then I went lingerie shopping at a major department store here in Sydney (Myer for my Aus sisters) and purchased my first bra with matching panties and it felt great. I took my time and looked at everything they had. I purchased some extra panties and stockings and pantyhose as they were on sale. My mode of shopping was no different than all the other women who were also there shopping. Fact was they paid no attention to me as I paid no attention to them. Then I lined up to pay and felt no embarrassment. I suspect that the cashier who was in her mid 50's knew the item were for me but it did not phase me. Next outing will be easier as will the one after that. The hard one will be shopping when fully dressed but I will get over the fear and venture out.

As Barbie says ... Just do it. 

I did the early morning wal mart thing. Bought some groceries, solution for my contacts and strolled through the women's department. Picked up a decent skirt, a pair of jeans, two blouses and one dress. I am afraid the skirt will be too short for me but I thought I'd give it a go. It wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be. Later, though, it will be the department stores and specialty shops. So many to choose from.

UPDATE:
I am thrilled after my Target shopping trip to have some shoes and confirmed my shoe size. Didn't have a bit of trouble, picked up some jeans, a sweater top, two pairs of shoes and love them!! OMG, where to go next??!!??