When we were first married we would go shopping together for sexy lingerie. At that time there was a great choice of nighties, slips and other sexy unmentionables. I did independent shopping around the holiday seasons, especially Christmas and Valentine's Day. There were many pretty reds and pinks and springtime pastels. Yummy! I also would buy her youthful outer garments. She really liked my choices. We even shopped together for nightgowns for me. That was before she and I realized I was a cross dresser, as opposed to just having a fetish for the feel of nightgowns.
As to going to Catherine's... I went into one Catherine's to buy a lacy full slip in black or white. I was totally en homme, not clean shaven or any other possible hint of being a cross dresser. Just based on the selection of size and a slip, the more mature sales associates looked like an alien (outer space and not illegal) had invaded their store. Several months later I revisited the store looking for a lacy white half slip. The same, invasion of the cross dressers?????? I drove to two other stores where the younger thinking and youthful sales associates were extremely helpful, smiling and just doing a professional job.
I think it was very thoughtful that you helped during your wife because of her limitations. And, I do think cross dressers' feminine side does arise under these situations.
