Crossdressers-Haven.com

I am looking for a good wig shop...someone who is accepting of CD'ers and knows wigs.

Any help?

What does a good wig cost?

Thanks,

JodyAnne

Hi, JodyAnne -

I don't know of any wig shops in your area as I've been out-of-state for many years now, have you tried a Google search and follow-up with a phone call?

Virginia buys most of her wigs from Paula Young which has a great selection no matter what price range. FWIW, most of the wigs she buys are the $29.99 sale variety, and she has yet to get a 'bad one'. They also have a good return policy.

Virginia also buys some wigs from 'Sammy Dress' but caveat emptor on that site for both clothes and wigs . . . their clothing sizes are not 'true' and generally several sizes smaller than most other stores (ie, their XL is closer to a M), and their wigs? She's had a hit-and-miss on them, too, but at least she's not out a lot of money, and has given them to local CD/TGs. The good thing about their clothing being smaller than expected is that I've gotten several new outfits because they were too small for Virginia!

Good Luck!


- SL

I haven't found any place selling wigs to not be CD friendly. As for SL mentioning Paula Young, I used to get mine from there too and had been happy with them. Now, I get all my hair in person. Personally, I enjoy the process of trying them on and discussing color choices etc. You can't do that online.

Before you race off and get a wig (I'm assuming this is your first), you have a few things to think about. Rather than putting all that here, let me link to my website page that has all my thoughts and what I went through. See http://davita-farley.webs.com/how_to/howwig.html.

I think there can scarcely be a wig shop that hasn't dealt with CDs. That said, of course service does vary, but I can't say I've ever been directly put off and some of my experiences in wig shops have been amongst the best I've ever had CDing. I have bought wigs over the internet and generally been alright with what I've bought - including one of my favourites - but there's really nothing to compare with sitting in the chair and trying wigs on with someone who knows what they're doing.

Hubby would vouch for Paula Young as well. First obstacle is, can you receive package deliveries? Great if you can, especially in your femme name. If not, any wig store should have plenty of experience fitting CD's. An in store fitting has the advantage of discovering your style.
My Terri prefers shoulder length hair, short enough to match her age and easy to care for, yet still covers her thick neck.

Eileen

I think any wig shop would be CD friendly. Plus. I'm sure most shops have probably helped a lot of CD'ers.

I visited a wig shop once and while I didn't actually end up buying anything, the woman was extremely helpful, patient and so friendly. I tried on many styles that day - zero pressure.

Prices at a shop I find are quite a bit more expensive then what you can find online, but the ability to try on different styles and colours more than makes up for that difference. Plus, you can get an expert's opinion!!

Nowadays I would find difficult to believe there is a wig shop out there that has not dealt with at least one CD customer, probably many more. Back in the old days when I felt the need to keep up a male image for work I had a favorite shop and purchased several wigs from them in different styles and shades.

Yes one can probably find better prices online for wigs however it is just agues as how it will look and which shade is best for you. I would recommend calling ahead and making an appointment and going from there. You can try a variety of styles and shades to find the look best for you Jody. If we don't support the local businesses we are going to lose them and their expertise.

Every wig shop I have gone in has been friendly. I have been in one enfemme otherwise it has been in male mode. I have been more happy with the ones i have gotten in person over the ones I have gotten via the internet. But internet is a good easy way to get ones. The biggest plus to going to a wig shop is being able to try on a bunch of wigs to see what will look good on you. Plus it is fun. :-)

kimberlys cd
joe in a skirt

I agree with everyone here that wig shops have gotten used to dealing with the CD community and their needs. For me and it has been a long time since I "needed" a wig I would far prefer to shop at brick and mortar as opposed to online. The photos online and in catalogs are surely retouched and everyone is different with face shape, coloring, and personal taste so try before you buy makes more sense here if it is no more than avoiding the hassles of returns.

The support group up here tries to have a speaker or expert at every meeting to help the girls. Many of those are local businesses. Yes it does give them the opportunity to hawk their wares but also give the girls insight as to what to look for in a variety of merchandise as well as where to shop and how to act when they do both femme as well as in drab. Last year one of those speakers was a woman who has a beauty supply and wig store. I talked with her for a bit and she said she has been open 10 years now and she would guess CDs encompass 10% of her business overall and probably 25% of the wig business.

She told me the first time a CD came in it did create a stir but she as well as her employees try to help the girls as they represent a good chunk of the business but also everyone deserves to be shown respect. She did say CDs have a couple of issues though. First too many of the newer ones have preset ideas. From her perspective too many girls instantly want to be long haired blondes. As a blonde I can't fault that however not everyone looks good as a blonde or with long hair. Secondly she said too many beat around the bush when they come around. Finally she said there are a few that come in and end up "tire kickers." In other words they want to try on everything on the shop and buy nothing then return at a later date and repeat the process. Based on her observations I am going to offer the following suggestions. These will work for not just wig shops but other stores as well.

1. While it is fine to go in with idea of what you are looking for be open to ideas and suggestions. The owners and sales people there are the experts so at least try their suggestions and hints. Like I said not everyone was born to be a blonde.

2. Be open and honest with the sales clerks. Tell them it is for you and what you are looking for. Tell them whether it is a situation for just around the house or you are an out and about girl. For the closeted girl or those who just go to meetings or the club a synthetic wig is fine but if you are out and about and look to be as passable as possible human hair is best although they require much more maintenance. While a lot of the wigs look good on their stands there is a situation of practicality. What may work for closeted girls is not as practical in the real world.

3. Don't become a pain or time waster to the sales people. It is fine to go in and look but if you have no intentions of buying don't spend an a hour or more trying on wigs. In this vein I am going to add don't treat small businesses such as wig shops as showrooms for catalog or the internet. These businesses have costs and are there to help but their primary function is to sell merchandise. Many of us bemoan the death of brick and mortar stores and downtowns but that is the biggest cause of it.