The Courage to Go Shopping

[jamiecd636]

I never would have had the courage to go out shopping without all of the information and encouragement I have received from others on this site. It does take courage to go out there and I do still get nervous even though I have done it often. For me, it's one of the experiences that every GG has, that I can enjoy. I would like to share my latest shopping experience with you in the hope that it offers encouragement to those who are afraid to give it a try. I only shop in drab, as I am not passable, but working on it.

I had some time to kill yesterday, so I decided to go to the Mall. I had seen a skirt in the window at Torrid over the weekend that I wanted to look at. I have never been in the store before as they sell larger sizes, but you never know. I walked in a few minutes after the store opened, there were no other customers in the store. The SA asked if I needed help. I said I liked the plaid skirt with the wide belt that was hanging on the wall. She walked over to help me find a size. This skirt is sized in 1, 2, 3, 4 rather than 10-12, 14-16, etc. I said I assume I would need a 1. She picked up on the "I" right away. She replied, "Would you like to try it on?" I said sure. As we were walking to the fitting room, I said I would like to look a a few other items. She said take your time. I picked out several other items, including a corset. I said to her, I ready to try these on. She walked over to open the fitting room door. As we passed, she said, she really did not like that corset as the boning is not very good, let me get you a different one. She checked on my several times, offering several other items for me to try including bringing me a pair of shoes so I could see how my legs worked in a mini-skirt.

I ended p buying the plaid skirt and a top to go with it. As I paid, she signed me up for a Diva Card, so I can receive discounts in the future. She was great to work with.

The moral of the store is, yes it does take courage, but you can do it if you follow the advice everyone here has to offer. As everyone says, be open and honest and have fun. Your bank balance will suffer, but you will have a great experience.

[kalina]

I'm glad you enjoyed a positive shopping experience! In this economy, it boggles my mind why any sales associate would want to turn away any customers. Sometimes it could be a fun, educational, and interesting challenge to dress one of us!

[carhill2mn]

What a great experience for you and how fortunate to have such a great SA!

[Ras]

wow..very cool. It makes me even more get up the courage to openly shop for lingerie rather then online. There needs to be more SA's like that out there. I think if they can get past their own issues of cding...they would realize we spend way more money on clothes than a lot of GG's.l

[Sarah09]

Congratulations, I hope that one day I can find the courage you did. I am very happy for you.

[MichelleP]

Way to go! Another great shopping success. And you're so right. Once you get hooked on the joy of shopping for girly things it ummm, is really bad on the checkbook.

Michelle

[Melissa Rose]

What a great shopping experience. I'm sure it will give some girls a little more courage to go shopping on their own. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[dawnmarrie1961]

Ain't shopping a hoot?!!! Try going to HOT TOPICS with your daughter. The last time we were there ,picking up a birthday gift for a lesbian friend of mine,we both spotted this really cute black leather short shirt with matching top. I wanted it so bad! Do you know what my little witch of a daughter did? She bought it for herself!! Suffice to say that's the last time we go shopping together!

When we got home the little bitch decided to model it for me!
Of course I told her that the outfit would look better on me!Next time I go over to her house I'm raiding her closet! She always raids mine!! Tit for tat!

Be Safe. Be smart.

Dawn Marrie

[mysticjs85]

Thank you for sharing such an inspiring story. I am really new to CDing and like all beginners I am scared of walking into a store like Torrid and being escorted out because I don't fit the norm and in the process being completely humiliated.

Stories like this help me see that there are those in this world that don't care about your private habits and even those who will help you. One day I wish to achieve that level of confidence that you have. It's stories like this that help me push myself further outside my comfort zone.

Thank you once again,
Aimee

[dana55]

great post! it feels great to hear that! :)

[skirtsuit]

I am scared of walking into a store like Torrid and being escorted out because I don't fit the norm and in the process being completely humiliated.

Everybodys scared like that at first, it goes away the more you do it. Not to make you any more nervous, but don't let your nervousness MAKE you act suspcious. Note that what the stores are the most concerned about is shoplifting - so don't accidentally act like you're casing the joint!

The shops are NOT concerned about what you're buying and for whom. In fact, they want you to come back for more as long as they don't think you're stealing anything.

Good luck!

Ann / ss

PS - i've read that a great first step is to buy some pantyhose at the supermarket or drug store when buying a bunch of other stuff. Mix it together and watch how nobody cares or reacts

[urmilaaa2008]

since i know the size, i buy my undergarments myself. only thing is i dont mention that it is for me

[Marisa_M]

I'm quite sure that 90% of the SA are nice and helpful if you are nice to them too. They need to sell no matter if you are a woman, a man or a Tgirl.

[Emma England]

Cool.

I remember the first time an sa asked me whether I would like to try it on (I was looking at a pencil skirt at the time).

That gives you confidence to do it more in the future.

[restricted]

Mostly I get them off of the internet. I have bought some things before. The first time was for a dress going cheap in a shop. it was a nurses uniform. The assistant asked if I wanted to try it on. I thought about it, but as I had told her it was for a fancy dress do, I said I would feel bad enough wearing it on the day, let alone there and then. She never offered to tell me if it fitted me properly or not! I would have tried it on then. she was gorgeous.

The second time was for black tights. I couldn't get the right thickness. (I wanted 70 denier). A shop assistant said I would look lovely in them. I told her the truth. They were for me as I was sponsored to go to a charity do dressed as a nurse. The look on her face was unbelievable, but then all the other assistants wished me luck.

The last time was for a skirt. I picked up the size I wanted and went straight to the till. None of the asistants took the blindest piece of notice of me. I don't know how many men buy skirts from them. There may be lots for all I know.

The thing is, they need the sales, and so they don't care who buys what. They won't throw money away because of laughter.

But for one New Years Eve, I found a fancy dress shop. I wanted to hire the kilt. The shop asistant didn't want me to leave. but as soon as I put my trousers back on again, she couldn't wait for me to get out of the shop!

By the way, for thos of us in the uK, Evans are now doing shoes in EEE widths.

[Fabiana.rj]

Congratulations! Shopping is so addictive, once you start, it isn't so easy to stop.
I often buy my female clothes in department stores, so I can choose an item and go to the dressing room without anyone bothering me, but that's me, even when I'm buying male clothes I do that.

[Kristy 56]

AHHHH ! Torrid! Sight of my first real shopping experience,and first time I said it was for me. The SA couldn't have been nicer,and the rest is history. I always tell them it's for me,and so far they've always helpful in giving advice on how it looks etc. I still can't believe that until 2 months ago I was terrified to go shopping. Now I can't stay away ! Just love shopping and having fun with the GG's ! Last week in VS,the SA didn't believe it was for me ! Finally after telling her 3x ,she believed me & was very helpful. LOL. Enjoy your new found freedom !

[shannonsilk]

I did something today that I had never done. I went to someone's house to try on a dress that was listed on craigslist. A real bargain for a beautiful dress. She had other stuff--who know , I may have to call her again.

I had to admit I was a guy who wanted to come look at her clothes. But she was happy to try to make the sale.

[Jaclyn NM]

As with mant things in life, the thought of doing it is much worse than the act. I've gone shopping for my female clothing for years now, and never had a problem.

[Susan Dee]

Jamie

So pleased that it all worked out for you. That first step is always the worst.

I know just how you feel, and that friendly welcome you got will be a big confidence boost.

Enjoy :)

Susan

[DebbiAnne]

Would you rather have any other hobby?

[michelle_tx]

Fair warning about Torrid, once you start shopping there it becomes addictive. The girls who work at the three in the Dallas area know me well, and I'm pretty sure I've paid their salaries for the month more than once. :) I

[Tamera]

Shop, Shop, til you Drop(or until the Credit Card limit is up...). Yes I have had many good experiences with Associates, nice to see yours was as positive. Its these positive reactions that will continue for you to seek other adventures.
Hugs,
Tamera

[Amanda_Robinson]

Everybodys scared like that at first, it goes away the more you do it. Not to make you any more nervous, but don't let your nervousness MAKE you act suspcious. Note that what the stores are the most concerned about is shoplifting - so don't accidentally act like you're casing the joint! ...

That's absolutely true.
I haven't shopped a lot but when I do it has been in drab. The sales assistant will either help you or they will not. They don't get paid if you don't buy. :)

Being nervous is only natural and actually part of the fun.
I'm glad you had fun.

~Amanda

[MissConstrued]

One of my lady friends used to work at Lane Bryant. She said that while other clerks would balk at assisting transvestites, that we were her favorite customers -- easy to please, and never get bitchy. And bought way more stuff.

So yeah... while they may not all be just thrilled to death to help you... they will help. But some will be genuinely thrilled. Even if it's just because they know you and your money will return if they treat you right.

[skirtsuit]

Wish me luck!

I have an appointment with my new SA friend Tamara at the Ann Taylor store in Center city at noon tomorrow. I've never bought a new dress OR tried one on in the store before, so lots of new stuff all at once. They are setting up a dressing room for me in the back upper level with the petites.

I will be underdressing; black Hanes SRs, butt padding, and shaper. I will put the bra and shoes (basic black leather 5" pumps) on in the store. I really, really hope Tamara's as cool as she seems because if she is, we will have a blast. I can't wait.

My biggest fear is that I like it so much that I really get myself into trouble with the credit card. Even with a 30% off coupon, a new AT dress will cost 20-30x what I pay on average for one at a thrift store!

They have some really hot dresses for the early fall season. My other fear is not being able to chose....

All the Best,
SS / Ann

PS - I wish I could stop using the word 'hot', but it's soooo useful

[Virginnia]

My stepmother is taking me on a spree soon and i can not wait:)

[terry29]

I bought a garter belt, stockings and panty set at a lingerie store once. After I paid, I asked the clerk if I could use the bathroom. When I came back out, I was wearing the outfit under my street clothes. He smiled as I walked out without the bag. I've gone in since then. He's helped me pick out a couple of sets and delivered a stern spanking to me twice :)

[Nikki A.]

Now that I've gone shopping both in drab and dressed I must admit it feels more comfortable enfemme but I also don't care if I'm in drab because I am a customer and spending money.

[Rachel Morley]

Awesome! I'm so glad you had a positive shopping experience. Kudos to the GG SA for helping you and making you feel comfortable. I'm not particularly familiar and have never shopped at Torrid but isn't that a cool groovy teenage girls type store that has a focus on bigger sizes?

Anyway, I guess the moral of the story is: go at the right time of day (sounds like you did) and have some fun! :)

[Dannigirl]

I have always wondered if guys that aren't cd'ers are nervous when they go into a store to buy something for their wife or SO ? The guy knows it isn't for them, more than likely the size they pick out will not be a size that would fit them (of course not in all cases as I am the same size as my SO). Just wondering. But then the poor guy that is making the purchase has no idea of the euphoria one feels walking out of a store with some great new clothes and the almost uncontrollable urge to drive home at 200mph to model everything. I love that feeling.

[sonjazi]

I always have to build up some courage to shop for women's clothes. There is some risk involved but I have found this is mostly due to poor attitudes on the part of the sales persons.

So I've had some shopping experiences I would rather forget, but more often I have been fortunate to have very positive shopping experiences.

Over the years, I have had some very helpful female sales persons assist me with sizes and offer their opinion on the fit of the clothes. I have received excellent assistance selecting corsets in shops that cater more to the fetish community. But I also have received excellent assistance when purchasing women's jeans and leather pants in regular stores. On a few occasions I have left the store wearing my new purchases. I love doing that!

Attitude has a lot to due with the shopping experience. With a good attitude, a smile, and friendly conversation the experience is much more likely to be a positive one.

[Ms Mira]

Congratulations!

I bet TVs / CDs, especially ones shopping for the first or second time, make the best customers. You can sell them on things you might not be able to a GG, they probably just want to buy something and get out of there and it's not like they're not going to buy anything after mustering up the will to go shopping. It would be pretty silly of any retail outlet NOT to be super-duper friendly to us girls.

[TrekGirl1701]

I never knew shopping was so much fun until the first time I shopped in the women's section. There are so many clothes in the womens/juniors sections that I want to buy that I'd go flat broke buying everything I wanted. It just isn't the same when I shop in the men's section.

[speedo_man]

I have bought my swimsuits and running tights via the internet. But I recently did some buying in person, it is a real adrenalin rush, really worried that someone who knew me might have seen me.

I bought 3 different pairs of wet look leggings at Top Shop, New Look and Internacionale. the shop assistants didn't seem too bothered, I really thought they would ask "are these for you?" etc...

I also bought myself a pack of opaque tights in Asda. I went in late at night when it was quiet in the clothing department so i could spend a wee bit of time selecting the right pair. Got myself a 3 pack of 40 denier black opaques - great value. Want to get 60 denier ones next time though.... again a real adrenalin rush.... but once you have done it you want to do it again :drink:

[charlie]

Well done! When I shop it is grab the item, pay for it and get out. You had a true shopping experience and had good help to go with it. I'll try to be more patient. It seems it paid off for you>

[speedo_man]

Charlie - on all of these occassions it was a bit of smash and grab. when i went for the wet look leggings i knew exactly what i was going for, it was get in and get out as quickly as possible.

with the tights in Asda I had to take my time as there is an entire wall of tights on display. Again I knew that i wanted opaque black tights but trying to find them and getting the rights size took a few minutes (which seemed a lot longer!!)

[tricia_uktv]

YAY, brill Jamie, but just imagine how much fun it is when you're dressed!

[Fab Karen]

Nothing is as good as the fresh air of freedom.

[AmyL]

I've bought a few things over the internet, but it's such a hassle because they rarely fit and I usually end up returning them for a different size. I'm looking forward to the day when I have the courage to shop en fem.

[SusanCACD]

Turn them off?

[sherri52]

Congratulations. You listened, you learned, you conquered your fright, As some of us here have done. You are truly one of us.