A recent poll about "going out" and other questions that have come up have gotten me to thinking.
Now I fully understand that there are those of us who are, for want of a better name, "Private Crossdressers" meaning they have no desire to leave the house, or for that matter, probably not even their closet. To each their own.
This may very well turn into a bit of a mental ramble and I guess that's OK. It might be difficult at times to follow my train of thought, but please allow me a bit of "Thinking Out Loud"
Disclaimer: The following comments are IN NO WAY aimed at any one person, place, business, or group. They are NOT to be taken as any sort of insult directed at anyone. If there is some discomfort in what I say, I am sorry if I cause any pain.
For those of us who are making the journey to eventually "Go Out" and if possible "PASS" I've kinda noticed that there are a number of "Tokens" we need to collect along the way. Much like some video games that are a "quest" type of game. Meaning the "magic ring" usually found under a particular rock, Then there is the standard "extra lives" that can be collected. You get the idea. I KNOW CDing is NOT a game, it is a way of life for some, a desire for others, a hobby for still others. I'm not exactly sure where I fall in this, but that isn't my point.
Reading other postings and belonging to a few other sites having to do with CD I've noticed a common set of actions among all of us. From the first tentative thoughts of wearing something to going out everyday and interacting with others, there are particular "milestones" to be passed, or "tokens" to collect. Perhaps even call them "merit badges" like Boy Scouts. "Do don't have a digital camera with a timer?, What kind of CD are you?" Gotta buy one of them.
The first "try on" of an article of clothing, (Even if it was too big)
The first "purchase" on line or even in person and telling "the fib" of loosing the football bet.
There a some steps we "must" take to be able to call ourself a CD. That first pair of heels. The skirt or dress. THE WIG, the makeup. Breast Forms, (even if they are bird seed blobs) You get the idea.
Shopping at various stores. I guess this is where all of this post is heading. I know about "marketing" and the art of sales. I have a B.A. in sales and marketing. But something that just "bugs" me to no end. Just what is it about particular stores that seems to be almost a "holy grail" of CDing? Case on point. Hardly a week goes by that I don't read some posting that says something to the effect of, "OOOHHH I went to Victoria Secret and bought....( panties, or bra, or both) and I felt so girly, the S.A. was sooooo nice.)
V.S. brought the subject of underwear to the mainstream with some splashy marketing and use of beautiful models that don't look anything like real women. They're selling a dream that many people buy into. Having to get my own "ticket punched" and earn my V.S. Merit Badge, I've bought some undies and tried on a bra at one of their stores. I will say that I wasn't highly impressed. The turn over rate for S.A. s is rather high, so if I were to return to the same store I most likely wouldn't find the same person.
I've also found this to be true in Lane Bryant. Just when I'd gotten comfortable with making any purchases there, the young lady I'd gotten to know, left for another job. Not that this totally devastated me, by this time I'd become a known person by some of the other people working there, so it wasn't like I had to start all over again.
I would much rather go to a local and privately owned store to make any sort of purchases. Usually I end up talking to the owner and find that I get a much better level of service and interest in what fits me and looks good on me.
Like I said at the start, "To each their own" Trust me, I AM NOT judging anyone for their choice of where they buy their clothing. I would just like to be able to understand what is the fascination with Victoria Secret and why has it become one of the "Rights of Passage" to be a CD.
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Roberta 
To Tammie that makes 2 of us I been doing it for 2 years now Webelos)
Originally Posted by Veronica Fallon
(In the uniform of course!)
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