My new found confidence in dress shopping

[Sheena]

I went down to Melbourne thursday just to browse around the shops, nothing more. I had no plans to buy anything at all. All that I was after was the new Styx album (ha ha) and thats all. All of a sudden though, I passed a shop called The Syndicate which sold after five dresses and gowns. Usually, when I shop for dresses I walk in red faced and nervous (not this time). I walked in very cool like and just started browsing through some beautiful gowns. A sales girl walked over and asked me (honest) "Are you shopping for a dress for someone special or yourself". I automaticly said "Myself", but just looking. I had never done that before. It just turns out though that the girl was very helpful and supportive. I found a gorgous gown I liked, the girl said I could try it on in the fitting room, but I said no due to a lot of people around. Anyway, I eventually bought the gown, it was a size 16, its split in two, its a skirt and top that goes together, too the floor and is full satin. Its ever so beautiful. It just gets me how calm I was when I walked in and everything worked out so well. I think I'm getting somewhere in my confidence.

[Joanna_S]

Hi Sheena!

Wow! Your dress must be beautiful Is it possible that the reason for your cool behavior was the fact that you weren´t actually shopping for femme clothing? You simply didn´t have time to get nervous. I never shop my female stuff face to face but I tend to get nervous in various situations if I have plenty of time to think about them beforehand.


Joanna

[DonnaT]

Congratulations Sheena.

You did the right thing by answering that you were shopping for yourself. Seems the salesgirl was friendly to CDs, and your friendly response will keep her friendly, hopefully. The more friendlies we have the better.

And now you can go and shop there whenever you want without getting nervous, hopefully.

[Anita]

Nice post, Sheena. Now at least you know you can try them on, if you want to. It is a big deal, getting places to shop where you know that you'll be treated well.

[Elizabeth]

Hi girls,

After reading on this forum that Lane Bryant catered to crossdressers, I shamelessly asked to try on the clothes I was interested in, on my last visit to Lane Bryant.

Not only did I make sure that what I was buying would actually fit me, it also made me feel more normal. Like I was just another shopper. Dressing full time, as I do, I have found that most merchants no matter what they are selling, clothes, food, movies, etc. seem to be equally interested in my money and are perfectly willing to treat me nice to get it.

Not once have I been refused service or treated rudely at any establishment. And that makes life as a transgendered person, really nice.

Love always,
Elizabeth

[DeniseL]

I have shopped in Layne Bryant and Dress Barn and have had a positive reception at both.
In Layne Bryant, I asked the sales girl how skirts fit, large or small, and she did say a bit large but it could be returned. At that time I do not think she realized it was for me. I then told her it was for me. Her answer was really, then said i could try anything on I wished. A few minuets later she came to the door and asked how it fit. I mentioned it was a little large, she immdiately asked if I wanted to try the next size smaller. Immediately she put it over top of the door, and it fit wonderfully.
In Dress Barn, it was a mature sales lady. I asked about trying on a skirt. Her only comment was that she thought I was brave to wear ladies clothes. I bought 2 skirts, which were very comfortable. While I was dressed in drab in both cases, i just went in with confidence, and did not look sheepish at all

Denise

[Beauty]

Hi Denise,

That's really wonderful!!!! I'm going to have to agree with the sales lady. You are brave!

Thank you for sharing your experiences shopping. That is sooooo cool!!!

Beauty