Crossdressers-Haven.com

Ladies,

When out shopping do you "need" to be in girl mode or will you let the item dictate how you are dressed to purchase it.

My comfort level is one or two girl items I will buy in boy mode and if I really want to check out the clearance rack or buy somethinng from Victoria Secrets girl mode is more comfortable.

Just to mix it up though every now and then I like to present boy hair and face but mix it up with a pair of flats and fem top.

I can shop in either mode, but fem makes a few things easier on me I think. The biggie is trying on shoes and walking in them. I don't like to do it in boy mode. I may try the shoe on where I stand, but I have to have the right socks. When en fem, I can sit, take my time, put the little footie on and I can walk about with or without a shoe on and not worry about scaring other customers. I don't like to upset other customers, because I don't want to hurt the stores I shop in. Yeah, it's still possible to have customers complain and stop shopping in stores.

When it comes to dresses, skirts, etc., if I have coupon that expires and I am not sure I can ever get that particular item and if I'm not sure of the size, then I just might ask to try it on even when drab. I know most of my sizes in most of the stores I shop so I really don't have to try on very much so I simply rely on the return policies.

If I'm en fem trying on dresses and tops, the wig can be a problem simply because it's not glued or attached in any way to my head. On the other hand, it's nice in the summer to go to the dressing room and pop the wig off (only if you have a full height door ).

I have lived in the same small town(under 23,000) my whole life and have been in the closet to everyone that whole time. Since there are so many people that know me I do not shop for Carolyn in drab. Also, when shopping as Carolyn I can try things on before buying them. Shopping enfemme is one of the things I really enjoy doing. So, yes I "need" to be in girl mode.

I typically go out to shop as I always do, kind of en drab, but androgynous-casual! I always wear light make-up, very light...either boot cut jeans or skinny jeans, a loose-fitting top and sandals, sometimes sneakers depending on the weather. I must admit I usually do not try things on at stores. I know my sizes at Lane Bryant and Avenue and I go to the same stores so the girls there know who I am and are nice, no problems, so I usually buy what I want & put them on later and 99% of the time everything fits correctly.
Shoes I usually stick to both Avenue and the crossdresser's favorite, Payless...and I try everything on, both feet and walk around, you don't want ill-fitting shoes...I also usually wear knee-highs when I am trying on shoes...you don't know who had their feet in them before you! I always give new shoes and sandals and quick spray of Lysol as soon as I get them home before I wear them...you never know!

I've never been shopping in fem mode.

I have shopped in both -- but 90% of the time I'm dressed when shopping--much easier to do than in drab. Its funny--I love to shop in enfemme -- but not a big fan of shopping in drab. My wife seldom likes to shop at all --but she will sometimes with me.

I went to a thrift store today in drab, I was petrified with
the amount of people there so I left...sigh, maybe next
time or eBay

Kat, they weren't there to watch you. They were there to see what bargins they could find for themselves. You may try going back when they aren't so busy.

Leeza

I love shopping, regardless of what I'm wearing.

Though, I do enjoy scaring/frightening/surprising folks, en'drab, such as asking a sales clerk if 'this comes in my size'?, and looking for the 'WTF?' reactions.

Oh the joys of shopping en-femme, sigh. I used to do most of Cindys shopping completely en-femme when I was back in the UK. It's easier when you're single because you don't have the nagging "what if I'm discovered and it gets back to my wife/girlfriend" feeling.

Now, sadly, things are different there is the odd occasion when I go drab for Cindy to the shops but mostly I get my things via the internet.


Shoes however I always try on in the store. If I get the "look" I just smile and tell them that they're a present for my wife and that we have the same size feet.

The feet part is true but the present isn't for my wife

Before I started living full-time as a woman I had relatively few opportunities to shop en femme. Each experience is unique, and I'd describe my feelings as follows:

Drab, shopping for "someone else" started out as an exhilarating experience and I suspect most people here are familiar with the feeling. That heart-pounding adrenaline high of wondering whether anyone suspects the truth. Being completely self-concious with an excuse at the ready in case anyone asks, when in practice nobody ever does. If they do ask there's a built-in assumption in their question and the excuse seems silly and unnecessary. Eventually I found that even repeating the excuse to myself meant that I was reinforcing the idea that I was doing something wrong, and I didn't like that feeling.

Drab, shopping for myself got to be pretty comfortable. It meant that I could try things on, and sometimes I'd even carry a bag with a bra and forms so I could see how something fit properly before leaving the store. The amazing level of acceptance I found along the way was a huge confidence boost and helped me come to terms with my gender identity.

Shopping en femme definitely has additional advantages. Being able to emerge from the dressing rooms to ask a sales associate about the fit of a garment is nice, and I get a lot more helpful advice than shopping drab. It's much more likely that I'll get a good feel for an article when the rest of my outfit reinforces the look.

Of course it's natural that in my circumstance the closer I was to my chosen gender presentation the more comfortable I felt. Your mileage may vary.