Bra Buying

[Janet Bern]

I have shopped enfemme and in drab. I have no problem trying on dresses in dept stores and shops. I am a bit reluctant to go to a place like Macys and try on bras in their fitting room. I could do it enfemme (never did it) but would still be a bit nervous to do it envemme. I am very reluctant to do it in drab.
Has anyone tryed on bras in a dept store womans section in drab?
Have you tried it enfemme?
I would love to hear your comments.
Janet

[KimberlyS]

I have tried on bras enfemme, and in male mode and mixed mode when away from home. And I have had no problems any of the times. A good way to start in male mode is to ask for help. If you need an excuse, tell them that someone dared you to do it. And I dare you to go and be fit for a bra and buy one. My experience has been act and be a serious shopper and be treated like one. I have always asked if there was some place I could try on what I had even if I was standing right by the fitting rooms. That puts the SA in control of if and where I can try them on. Every time it has been in a near by fitting room. But some times the SA's have asked me if I needed to try them on before I could ask. Talk about doing a quick self check to verify one is in male mode as you think to your self, did she just ask that.

Places I have tried on in male or mixed mode are: Victoria Secret, Lane Bryant, Target, Shopko, Sears, Macys, Dress Barn, and others.

Just do it and enjoy.

kim
joe in a skirt

[Absaroka]

I only go out in male mode.

Victoria's Secret may not be the best place to start. I think they have policies about these things but I could be wrong.

I had very good results at Lane Bryant, from a male SA no less. I'm told that their sales training discusses making us feel welcome. Also good results at Bare Neccesities. Both times I went in late October, said it was for a Halloween costume, asked lots of questions and acted like I knew less than I did. I volunteered that last year I used my wifes bra and it was very uncomfortable and I wanted something that would fit.

A couple of thoughts. Both times the SAs laughed, although it was a pleasant and accepting laugh. I had no problem with it and realized that I needed to allow them the honesty of their reaction if I was to want acceptance of myself. 2nd is that I have always found that the sizing guidlines don't quite seem to work. I measure at a 40 band but need at least a 42 or 44. I think it may have to do with the male torso.

Another resource is all the naughty lingerie stores. You'll want to check it out first but I have found the female SA's in those stores to be very accepting. Especially the stores with toys and books on crossdressing on display.

I once went to Zoe and Co in Westerly Rhode Island. They are a very upscale and classy lingerie store. No sex toys but they did have a book on crossdressing displayed. I called first for an appointment for a fitting and asked if they were comfortable with crossdressers. To my surprise I was told that we make up a signifigant portion of their clientele. Making the phone call was fun and important in a way I did not realize it would be.

I'd say with a small lingerie store call first and ask. If they act wierd they don't even know who you are but if they are welcoming on the phone you will feel much more comfortable when you go.

Oh and then there is Wal Mart. Can't beat the prices and the dressing rooms are unattended. Throw a guy shirt over your bras and try them all on. Scope out the changing rooms first though.

As you can see I am often in stealth mode. Not all here will be comfortable with that but it's me. They don't have to do it if they don't want to, just as I don't have to go out en femme if I don't want to.

Lastly I always try to buy something. (The exception is Vickies where nothing fit at all) I don't want to be the sort of man that goes to a ladies store, tries on all the lingerie, and doesn't buy anything. It reflects poorly on us I think.


Absaroka