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View Full Version : I did it! My visit to the local wig shop



Marla GG
07-15-2005, 08:57 PM
Well, last week was a disappointing one for us as far as wigs were concerned. We are trying to replace Angel’s current wig, which is looking a little old and tired, and we decided to take a chance on ordering a closeout from BeautyTrends that looked like a similar style—a medium length “pageboy.” It didn’t work at all. The bangs were all wrong, there wasn’t enough hair around the face, and the whole effect was unflattering. Angel declared, “I look like an aging hippie!” So we put it up for sale on Ebay and went back to the drawing board. Then we ordered a nice monofilament wig with more fullness and a little layering. When that one arrived and Angel tried it on, the verdict was, “This is the same hair I had when I was sixteen!” It did unfortunately look very laddish, in a 1979 kind of way.

So this morning, I made up my mind. I decided I was going to bite the bullet and visit a few local wig shops to see their inventory and ask if they would be open to serving Angel and me. I was a little unsure what the reaction would be, since we don’t exactly live in a crossdressing mecca, and none of the wig shops around here specifically advertise that they cater to TGirls. I looked closely at all of the ads in the phone book, trying to get a feel for what sort of clientele each shop might serve. All of the ads mentioned cancer patients, but some seemed to specialize in that, while others also focused on fashion wigs. I picked one, got in the car, and set off. On the way I felt a little nervous, but more excited than anything. “What’s the worst that can happen?” I asked myself. Well, in the worst case scenario, they would tell me to take my kinky lifestyle and get out of their shop. But I didn’t think that was really going to happen.

I arrived at the shop and saw that it was an ordinary glass-plated storefront. There were no blinds or curtains and I could see a few customers inside browsing and talking to the salespeople. The help desk was at the back, and I strolled up to it, smiled, and made eye contact with the lady standing there. She asked if I needed some help. “Yes,” I said, “I’d like to look at your selection. I’ve been on your website, but I thought you might have more available in the store.” She nodded. I smiled some more and tried to sound confident as I continued, “Well, the wig I want to buy is not for me, actually. It’s for my husband. I would like to bring him in with me sometime, but I need to know if you welcome male customers trying on women’s wigs?” I watched her closely. She seemed to hesitate for a moment, then shrugged and said, “Mmm hmmm, sure.” I don’t know what possessed me to do what I did next, because it wasn’t strictly necessary, but I looked her in the eye and said, “He’s a crossdresser.” I’m not sure why, but somehow I felt that it would be liberating—even empowering—to say that to her. This was something I had never told another soul in real life, and it felt good to say it with my head held high, with complete confidence, and without guilt, much as I would have said “He’s an engineer,” or “He’s a Sagittarius.” The lady just nodded and said, “Okay.”

“So, do you have private fitting rooms?” I asked. She nodded and motioned toward a curtained-off area behind her, which looked like a mini-salon. “Should we make an appointment?” I asked. She said that would be a good idea, and we set a time: 1pm next Saturday, the 23rd of July. I then said that I would like to look around at the wigs they had on display.

A second saleslady, who had overheard all of that, motioned for me to come with her and asked me what style and color I wanted. I said I wanted a natural-looking, medium length wig, preferably monofilament, in light auburn or light red-brown. "That's my husband’s natural haircolor," I explained. She showed me several styles that I thought were cute and would suit Angel. I asked her whether they would cut and style Angel's wig, and she assured me that they would.

The best part came at the end of my visit there. I was about to leave, and I asked the saleslady, “So….do you think I should bring him in guy mode? Because the wigs don’t look as nice without makeup.” She said, “Oh, it’s the same with our women customers. When they come in to buy a glamour wig, and they aren’t dressed up and wearing makeup, they don’t like the wigs as much.” I looked at her quizzically, still waiting for an answer. “Well,” she said, “I think you should bring him in ready to look beautiful!”

So there it is girls. I promise that this is the absolute truth and I am not exaggerating anything. We have an appointment next Saturday for Angel to try on wigs EN FEMME! :eek:

When Angel got home, I told my story and she couldn’t believe it. She was in mild shock, I think….a strange mixture of euphoria and apprehension that her inaugural daylight outing will be to a wig shop where she will fussed over en femme by total strangers. Don’t worry darling, trust Marla. I’ll be with you. :love:

I felt that for my efforts I deserved a nice takeaway Chinese dinner, all the red wine I could drink, and a one hour backrub at least. Angel agreed, of course. When we finished our dinner, I broke open my fortune cookie, and can you guess what it said?

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT THIS MONTH.

Tamara Croft
07-15-2005, 09:08 PM
It's great isn't it, that feeling :D When Tam and I went shopping for wigs, the lady asked who it was for, I just said 'its for him' as he wasn't 'enfemme'. But she wasn't the slightest bit bothered by it. We got a great deal too. The wig was priced £70 and we got it for £40. I'm not sure if Tam would go out to by wigs enfemme.... I think going to the local supermarket one late night was enough for now :D

Tristen Cox
07-15-2005, 09:21 PM
Sweet! Now you just have to drag(I said drag...hehe) Angel out to the shop :D

Jenny Beth
07-15-2005, 09:23 PM
What a great story, you did all the leg work and Angel just has to show up. Seriously though I am sure there will be a few butterflies before next Saturday but it's going to be a fun day for both of you. Girls nite out for dinner afterwards I hope.

DonnaT
07-15-2005, 09:32 PM
Good for you Marla :clap: :clap: :clap:

My wife didn't care for the wig I got from BT and took me to a shop not far away. I already knew, however, that the shop catered to CDs, so had no qualms going in to try the wigs en drab. They didn't even have a private area. So Angel, you got it easy girl, have fun!

jessica33
07-15-2005, 09:33 PM
I wish my wife can be as helpful as you in this regard . Maybe next year . LOL

Sigrid
07-15-2005, 09:36 PM
Good for you!

I'm not at all surprised by their reaction, however. I called three wig salons in my area and asked if they welcomed transgendered clients... all said yes. I ended up going to one in Marin County (just north of San Francisco). I had considered buying off the internet... better prices, but opted for a walk in salon. I knew that way I would be satisfied with my selection.

Billi49504
07-15-2005, 09:40 PM
Wow, Isn't it sooooo much better shopping in person. Just like going out shopping for womens clothes. Like I've said before, there are 3 types of wig shops. The ones that deal with cancer patients, and rip off the insurance companies. The next is the ones that are in business to sell wigs, and don't care who buys them. The third type are the ones who are toooo picky who they sell too. Just wait, they will be having a going out of business sale soon. Enjoy the shopping...Billi

Rachel Morley
07-15-2005, 09:44 PM
I knew Marla was going to the wig store today, and I also know that my wife can be VERY determined when she wants to be. She had told me that she wasn't going to let me suffer with a wig I didn't really like.

I got home and she was all "smilely" and "huggy" with me (as usual) :)
I said "well, you're still smiling so how did it go?" She took me by the hand and led me into the bedroom, sat me down on the bed an proceeded to tell me the story. When she got to the bit about how I will be going en femme I said in a somewhat alarmed voice "Aw No! ...oh Marla that might be too much for my first time out".

But here's the thing, the more we talked about it and the more she reiterated what the lady in the store had said ("bring him in ready to look beautiful") I began warming to the idea that it would be all right.

So what I am feeling about it all now? Well, to be honest, I'm looking forward
to it. Once upon a time in the past when I was on my own I visited a Transformation shop in England and the staff there were so warm and friendly towards my me and my desire to wear women's clothes (of course). So I'm going to remember that experience and pretend that the women who will be fussing with me are as accepting as Marla and that it's totally ok to be me.

Anyway, I gotta go because I owe someone a back rub..hee hee :D :D

StephanieCD
07-15-2005, 10:06 PM
And the award for "Best Freakin' Story-post Ever" goes to....


(drum roll)


(everybody's lookin' around secretly hoping it's them)


http://www.sdtrophy.com/acatalog/683-0.gif

Marla!!

What a happy story - and any story that ends with a poignant fortune cookie takes the cake by default anyway ;)

Holly
07-15-2005, 10:36 PM
Marla,

You are a continuous source of amazement! That is just about the sweetest story I have ever seen! I do hope you and Angel make a whole day of it! Rock on, ladies.

Stephanie Brooks
07-15-2005, 11:01 PM
Marla,

Your husband may be named Angel, but he certainly married an angel too. WOW! I'll be thinking of you folks next weekend. Enjoy!!!!!!!

Julie
07-16-2005, 12:17 AM
Marla,

That story brought a big smile to my face. I can just imagine the smile on your's and Angel's faces! How cool!

The only time I was in a wig shop was over 20 years ago. My wife and I were taking a weekend getaway at a local hotel - just to be away from the kids so I could have a dress up weekend - and I told her I just wished I had a wig. She said, "Then let's go buy one." Faster than the Flash, I took out a phone book and looked up wigs. I saw an ad for a place in Chicago that said something like 'trans**** welcome'. I'd swear it said transgendered but I don't think that term was coined at that time.

Well, I was too self conscious to go en femme. I would have had to walk along the streets of Chicago in a densely populated area dressed and made up but w/o a wig. I wasn't that courageous then. So we walked in with me in drab. I was looking at some of the wigs when a sales lady approached us. She asked if she could help and I told her I was looking for a wig. I picked one out that I really liked and the three of us went into a private fitting room.

Now this was in the winter and I was wearing a brown leather flight jacket, kind of a macho symbol. I didn't take the jacket off for the wig fitting. My head was spinning and I wasn't thinking straight. So imagine me sitting there with no makeup wearing this jacket as the sales lady put the wig on me. No, I didn't like what I saw. :( Then she said, "You'll look a lot better with makeup." My wife agreed and so I bought it.

We got back to the hotel room and I couldn't wait to see how I looked dressed with makeup and my new wig. The sales lady was right, it did look a lot better. :D We stayed in the room and ordered room service for dinner. I didn't have the courage to step even one inch out that door! But it was a lot of fun anyway.

I still have the wig but it's a bit ratty. The last time I wore it was when I re-emerged from the closet in April 2004, after sitting in a box for about 10 years.

As for Beauty Trends, I've had great luck with them. All the wigs I wear now are from there. Guess I just got lucky.

Jessicajaxx
07-16-2005, 08:35 AM
Can I help you find something the lady ask? Yes I am just looking I say, she ask if I am a dresser? Yes I say, a big smile comes across her face. Hi i'm Judy she say's what are you looking for? Well my hair is getting thinner and I just want something to make it look better.
What color's do you like she ask? Well I like what I have now which is blonde. She ask for me to pick out 3 that I would like to try on. After which she put a stocking cap on my head, then put the first wig on my head and fluffed it up some and looked and said that does not do anything for you hon., which I agreed after trying on more and having a wonderful time I found a 3/4 cap that matched my head perfect. And found one that looked better which I ordered in my color. Judy was so easy to talk to I felt like she was a girlfriend. I even went into the back and showed her our site here. I told her I would tell all my friends here about my wonderful experience. She told me to tell you all you have to do is say Jessica sent ya and she would give you a wonderful experience as well dressed or not, when has a back room were you can be more private if you are worried about other customers seeing you. When we were there we were the only customers. So I had the run of the shop.
Right now they are having a summer sale with big discounts.
I had a good experience there today I just wish there were other places like that in Jacksonville that made me feel as comfortable. I met a new friend and hope to see her again, when I go to pick up my new wig in a couple of weeks I promised her I would be dressed as Jessica to wear it home. She smiled at the thought.
So all I can say is if you are looking for a wig or someone to fix your old wig is to go to Brandie's and tell them Jessica sent you , so you may have a wonderful experience as well.
Jessica

Deidra Cowen
07-16-2005, 08:53 AM
You are beyond cool girl! :thumbsup:

Stephenie
07-18-2005, 10:13 AM
Marla, You should be cloned some we all can have a SO like you. Do you teach classes? I would like to enroll my wife.

Marla GG
07-18-2005, 11:26 AM
Marla, You should be cloned some we all can have a SO like you. Do you teach classes? I would like to enroll my wife.


Ha ha....thank you for that, Stephenie. I know it's only a joke but it's nice to hear it just the same.

Anyway, I'd like to say this: I am sure your wife is a terrific lady in her way--that's why you married her. Believe me, you do NOT all want an SO like me. I have my faults, plenty of them. I am bossy and controlling and prone to changing my mind every five minutes--a very bad combination. Luckily I have a spouse who is easygoing, adaptable, and likes being told what to do. We are not perfect, but we are perfect for one another.

Oh and....if I ever get those classes going, I'll let you know :rolleyes:

Hugs,

Emily Ann Brown
07-18-2005, 11:52 AM
Marla, I know someone asked about you having a sister so that's taken...what's left....hummmm.....ever thought about being poligamous and having TWO husbands that dress ???

Angel hit the lottery with you !

Emily Ann

DanaJ
07-18-2005, 07:45 PM
Marla - I just knew I had posted in your thread here, one of those darned mods must have deleted it!

Anyway - I just wanted to say - wow, you are something! Beauty, brains and bravo to you - Angel, I hope you realize how lucky you are :)

DanaJ

womanatheart
07-18-2005, 09:04 PM
Marla,
You and Angel are a wonderful addition to the "family". Thanks for taking the time, thought, insight and share your thoughts/love with us. Valuable.
Marla - I think you have been in the UK for too long - ie: "Chinese take away"? Only in the bloody UK would they say that!!! Next thing you will be telling us about your love of "crispy duck" (you'd think the Queen made it the Country Dish!!). :rolleyes:
Have you ever had "Spotted Dick"? Really! Come on - really! Get your heads out of the gutter!! (no I have not turned it xrated!!! - ask Angel - believe me!! ....please!!!! Come on all you Brits!!! Help!!!??)
I am having fun here, excuse my liberty. The UK is a wonderful place that is facinating and whick I have fallen in love with. There is not a more beautiful place on earth as England in the Summer on a sunny day!! :thumbsup:
Seriously - Angel and Marla - thanks. :)
Love you both.
Stephanie.

Tristen Cox
07-18-2005, 09:13 PM
Isn't it amazing how English countryside and southern California look so much the same.....

womanatheart
07-18-2005, 09:19 PM
Tristin luv,
I have a feeling I am setting myself up for a Tristin set up with this response????
Ok here goes: What does very dry and brown Southern Calif have to do with very green and rainy England?
(PS: Tristin - you look great in your photo) (will you not slam me so hard???)
Tristin - thanks for all you do for us! :)
Love
Stephanie

Marla GG
07-18-2005, 09:38 PM
Marla - I think you have been in the UK for too long - ie: "Chinese take away"? Only in the bloody UK would they say that!!!

Yes, I admit it! I speak fluent Limey! I would never be able to communicate with Angel's parents otherwise.....

The scary thing is, I automatically start doing it when I know that I am speaking to someone from the UK. Like today in the GG forum I found myself talking about how Angel wears girly jumpers and trainers! I have also written about tights, suspenders, and knickers on here....God help me.

I made a point of trying spotted dick the first time I visited Angel in England four years ago. I was not impressed. I am, however, altogether too enamored of Scrumpy Jack (English hard cider). When we returned from our last visit there, my carry-on bag was crammed full of it. 'Tis all gone now and can't be had in this country :cry:

Thanks for your kind words, Stephanie. It means a lot to us to be able to share our experiences with our friends here.

womanatheart
07-18-2005, 10:15 PM
Marla,
My have not room in my luggage; packed full of Sopherdine (sp?), Cider, English chocolate (by the tons), Earl Gray tea bags, HP Sauce, Heinze Tomato Soup (Like Campbells isnt good), bullion cubes and English lady fingers to make only the best Terimisu.
Marla - on another subject. Do you not find the average Englishman in London the best dressed? They dress to the T. Actually better than the women! (my thoughts!) :rolleyes:
Love,
Stephanie.

Rikki
07-18-2005, 11:40 PM
Marla, you are way too cool luv. My wife is very supportive, but you are the best. Angel, hun, you had better treat Marla to mor than just one hour back rub, she deserves one a night. The two of you are special and I wish you both the best of life.


Rikki