Almost did it but chickened out

[brassieres]

At CVS going by the lipsticks. I was temped to buy, but then didn't. I saw prices lower, then came close. Then I went to different CVS, stared again, even cheaper, $2 and then only $1, but was scared away by a sales associate. I even went to a third CVS as well.

I just cannot do it, I am too chicken and self conscious, wondering what other people will think. I guess I will never get over this.

I ended up going to the hairstylist and got a regular haircut instead, still nervous, but it helped.

[DAVIDA]

I know that it can be really hard and nerve wracking! The truth is, nobody cares!:) I have been doing this for a long time. I was the same at one time, but after a while, it got a lot easier.
Just walk up to that wall of lipstick like it is nobodys buisness! Because it isn't!
Pick some up, look at different brands, pick something that you like, and pay for it!
Sounds simple because it is!:D
Have fun with it and if anyone says anything,(which they won't) just tell them that you can't make up your mind and could they give you their oppinion on a color for you!:thumbsup::heehee:

[Mirani]

Be carfeful - the tranny spotters are out there waiting to get you!!!!!!
The alarms will sound, the spotlights shined onto you and an announcement "Trannie ALERT! Trannie ALERT!" screamed over the loudspeakers ...................

OR

"Who really cares a ****?"
I acknowledge the FIRST TIME nerves sweetie, but you will find out that no one really cares at all. And, guess what, even if a SA suspected you just might be buying for you .. er ... er ... the world will turn, the sun will rise in the morning, you will never meet her again so you wont know what she thought and why would you care?

So, deep breath. Walk in positively. Pick up a lipstick. Walk positively to the checkout or the counter till, have your cash ready, pay and walk out.
Dont forget to breathe again :)

After the first time, it gets esier and easier. I really did start off like you. You probably wont end up like me (live as a woman), but you will end up getting what you want, when you want.

Good luck

[Maria in heels]

I think that we all have gone thru this at the start...as they always say, the first time is the hardest, but after a few times, it does get easier, but not as "natural" as buying a bag of chips or a roll of paper towels. It does get easier, but once in a while, if I have to get a new pair of "nails" I can still feel timid, even after all of these years, and feel that "pulse rise" when I go to the cashier. For your first purchase, maybe try the someplace different, as in my area, all CVS stores have young girls or guys as cashiers, which can make it more intimidating...or try on a weekday early in the morning, or during regular hours / after lunchtime, so the crowd has thinned somewhat, and there is no teenager at the counter.

[Mistybtm]

try ordering on-line no stress :2c:

[joanieb]

There is no question that it can be nerve racking the very first time you buy most any artical that is typified in the effeminant. To be honest, your the only one that cares. Most people are so busy in their own little worlds that they take little notice. On the rare occasion that I am shopping in drab and buying ladies sundries or articals of clothing, Yes I may get a comment or two but it's usually the sales girl commenting on my taste or how pretty the shoes or top are. Believe me it can be a blast and a conversations starter. But if your still not ready to be that (you shouldn't be embarassed about who and what you are, that's what makes it wrong in other peoples eyes) big or open, just mix the lipsticks in with a few other pick up items, kinda like the liqure store scene in American Grafitti.

[brassieres]

Now I have thought about buying a couple of other things too to try to off set things, but I tend to buy stuff that only further incriminates me. People used to be a lot less accepting of things, and I do worry about being a bad influence so to speak.

Reminds me 20 years ago when I bought a pair of tights (still nervous then) and decided I needed something else, ok razors, that will do. :eek: The sales girl did seem put off by it. But that was then and this is now.

I try to find places that either have A)woman cashiers or B) self check out.

As far as buying online, the thrill of it is kinda taken out of it that way.

[Angiemead12]

i find make up easy to buy! its clothes that i still get iffy with!

[Farrah]

GIRL!!! go buy that lipstick..LOL I promise you it is so easy. Who cares what people that don't know you think. I go to the other side of town where no one knows me and I rack up on make up. I even bought some lipstick right at CVS just outside of my neighborhood. Anyway, just buy it as if you're suppose to. Some associates may give you a look, but buy it with confidence!!

[Miley]

I used to be shy and self conscious but when my wife asked me one day to buy her foundation for her I went it and bought it without feeling self conscious. I think because we are buying it for ourselves we think everyone else knows but really it's just in our own minds and people really don't care.

[BRANDYJ]

I too find makeup easy to buy. It never causes me any problem. But like Angie said, it's the clothes that sometimes gets to me. sometimes I can 'man up' (or is it woman up?) and just go in and buy what I want. Sometimes I go in and start to look and then freeze and leave without even looking that long. So I can relate to what the OP said.
It's easy for me when it's Christmas gift buying season, or maybe even Valentine's Day. I guess I feel that it's normal for a man to be looking for a gift for his wife or girlfriend on those special occasions.

[Debb]

Now I have thought about buying a couple of other things too to try to off set things, but I tend to buy stuff that only further incriminates me. People used to be a lot less accepting of things, and I do worry about being a bad influence so to speak.

Reminds me 20 years ago when I bought a pair of tights (still nervous then) and decided I needed something else, ok razors, that will do. :eek: The sales girl did seem put off by it. But that was then and this is now.

I try to find places that either have A)woman cashiers or B) self check out.

As far as buying online, the thrill of it is kinda taken out of it that way.

"incriminating"! You're not a criminal, you're a drab guy looking to spice up his life. If a cashier looks at me questioningly when I purchase "lady" things, I smile my spicy smile.

Honestly though, I never get that questioning look... maybe I'm blessed with obliviousness (is that a word?).

Look, you're a real man. You have doubts, yes? You want an excuse to shop for girl things? Here's the excuse ... wait for it ... repeat after me ... "I just wanna be me!". People respond to that kind of honesty.

disclaimer: yes, people respond to your honesty. Depending on circumstances and location, that response may or may not be friendly... but it's usually at least respectful.

[AKAMichelle]

Do they know you? Will you ever see them again? Will they remember you or are you just a customer buying a tube of lipstick? What would happen if you went into the same store and bought tampons for your wife? Would they remember you as the guy who buys tampons? NO - A lot of guys do that for their wives. A lot of guys are sent to the store to buy things for our wives. Lipstick is just one of the items.

So buy the lipstick already. Clothes are a little trickier but it still down to the same point. Who cares what people think who don't know you. So it is up to you. Are you going to let people you don't know and will probably never meet again stop you from buying feminine items. Act like this is an item your wife told you to buy and you will be fine.

[LisaKarenAZ]

Don't feel bad. I went through a similar situation last night. My wife had bought a skirt at Fashion Bug that the zipper broke on when she went to model it at home. She asked me to return it while she was on vacation.

I thought this would be a great opportunity to exchange it for some panties for me. Nice sale at buy 3, get 3 free. I was also going to wear sandals into the store showing off my beautiful pedicure.

Alas, when I pulled up in front of the store, I chickened out and put some shoes on. I did have a bikini top on under my shirt, my typical panties, light eyeliner and mascara, sheer light pink lipstick, and perfume on, but couldn't bring myself to show off my pedi.

Anyways, when I took the skirt to the counter and said that my wife had bought this and wanted me to return it for her, the SA looked at me and gave me one of those half-smiles and a mini-nod of the head. At that point, I no longer had the nerve to go any further.

Now, I wish I had asked her to exchange the item for some panties and gone over and picked some out. Next time.

[Lacyfem]

Yes makeup is quite easy for me and it's the lingerie and clothing that still brings the sweety palms out though it doesn't hold me back if I want a new dress or some sexy lingerie as when in the mood I'm driven... Lacy

[kimdl93]

don't feel bad about this. It really isn't that important whether you buy your makeup at the store or on line. Try to let your CDing be fun, not an ordeal!

[JoanAz]

I carry some of my Pictures of me (Avatar and photo section) in my shoulder/fanny pack...have had to show them only a couple of times "darn" wish there were more times....
Sales Associates ALWAYS say "WOW!"
Remember I am 70, old Broads do well !!!

:heehee:

[pernille d]

The last 3 weeks i have gone from never buying anything in a shop ( except lingeri that i find easy) to being able to buy and talk about things .

for me it helped by having a goal . i spent more time thinking and worrying about it than you can imagine, but beleieve me things suddenly get easy. its one of those " its all about confidence things" once i tryed and brought my first dress things where all down hill from there . now i have no problem just walking into a shop and picking up what i need or asking for some help .

if you break it down into simple things " what you buy in a shop and who and what it is to be used for is really none of there buisness its only a probelm in our minds ," A lot of us here have been there worrying about buying things in shops and but believe me once you are comforable with it you will look back and wonder what all the fuss was about ,

but saying all that i can understand how you feel as dam!!! its not easy at the start

[Cheryl James]

Do it at the grocery store when you shop for food. Nobody cares. And that advice comes from a worrier like you. Make-up is a breeze to buy.

[RADER]

Years ago (about 20) I was building a special display case at a store that
was a deep maroon color pre-stained wood. I needed some nail hole puddly
and could not find any that matched. Then I dawned on me, Why not look
for some lipstick. HAY HAY, I found just the rite color to match the scrap
of wood I brought in. So I bought 1 stick. Now I was on the way home
from work, Very drab and dirty from saw dust. Two days later I went back
to the Walgreen's where I bought the first one, looking for more. This time
I got two. Now the same SA was at the register, and looked at me and
asked how I liked the color. O' Its great, I said, It matches my hammer
quite well. She looked puzzled, and I walked out; Leaving her to wonder.
Long story short; Your money is as good as the next person in line, so
build up a little confidence and just go for it. Now a days when I purchase
cosmetics, I bring in a small slip of paper, on it is what I am buying.
Now if asked, well I am getting what I was sent for. Works every time. :D
Rader

[DonnaT]

I just cannot do it, I am too chicken and self conscious, wondering what other people will think. I guess I will never get over this.

Never say never!

These other people you speak of? Do they know you?

If not, then why care what they think?

Just buy the lipstick! Your life won't end! May even get better?!

[Ms Jennifer]

Wow looks like we have all been through the first time jitters.:oBuy a few other items also and kind of mix it in but make sure it has the price on it.You don't want the SA to get on the microphone and say "Price check on lipstick":brolleyes:I have been doing it for years and still get the jitters.Once you get the first time over then the shopping is on.If you went to 3 CVS then you must be near a large town and most people are so wrapped up in their own lives they don't care what you do.But always be nice.Hey,It's the girly thing to do.Good luck and go for it.:daydreaming:

[brassieres]

Thanks on the price check idea, but I was thinking about using self check out instead. As far as the amount of CVS's, yes I do live in a large city in the Northeast. :D

[SusieK]

Had to respond on the self-checkout thing. I recently bought a few cheap items of make-up from a large supermarket as a starter set. I too was nervous, so I bought a small number of food items as camouflage, and decided to use the self-checkout.

Of course when self-checkout goes wrong, you really draw attention to yourself. And if you're feeling nervous and lacking in confidence, then the checkout machine can tell, and is more likely to go wrong:devil:. I couldn't for the life of me get the items recognised by the scanner, so the young woman who was 'self-checkout monitor' came over, and with a knowing smile demonstrated the correct scanning technique with the lipstick, and then watched over me, as I scanned the remaining items, foundation, blusher, mascara, eye-liner, eye-shadow, oh and a pack of apples and some biscuits and hurriedly put them in my bag. My face must have reddened, as I mumbled my thanks and left.

On the plus side, the world didn't end and I now own some make up. But in future I would just use a regular checkout and a dash of confidence - much simpler.

Try to recognise your own mood and buy when it feels right. If I'm buying on account of a pink-fog moment, then I'm more likely to be nervous. If it's more considered and less of a need, then I'm more likely to be relaxed and just get on with it.

Good luck :hugs:

Susie

[tammygirl79]

Aaaawwww sweetie, I was right there in your spot. The first time is without a doubt the hardest. I was ordering makeup online and then I realized that some things you just have to buy in person, you can't by over the computer. i was extremely nerveous at first....running a million scenarios in my head. Going to makeup aisles/counters, and then chickening out. Finally i just said to myself that i am going to do it, and that's it! So i finally did it one day. I even asked a SA for help....now i do admit, I gave a story about how i was buying makup for my young daughter because i needed to make her up for a dance recital.....but the point is, I did it....and you can too sweetie. Once you do, i think you will see that is wasn't nearly as hard as you were getting yourself all worked up for! :)

[Céleste_B]

Maybe you will get over it, or you won't...but the fact remains that you still want to buy that makeup.
So at some point when you're ready, you will buy it.

Beware though, the flood gates of purchases might burst open after your first. Before long you might have to stop yourself from spending all of your money.

Either way, make sure you enjoy every moment of it!
:hf:

[brassieres]

I know what part of it is, I am torn between my beliefs and what I want to do. Its a question of what is gonna win out.

Also, I really do feel weird if I buy something that is meant for women. I did buy tights a few years ago and the sales girl was nice and didn't say anything.

I did buy a pair of pantyhose recently and did that on the self check out without anyone noticing at all.

As far as the lipstick, I have not tried it since I was a teen and want to know what it feels like on my lips.

[Jenna Lynne]

My first time buying cosmetics, I was petrified. I was married at the time (that only lasted a year, but it was nice, and my wife tried very hard to be supportive).

I wanted her to come into the drugstore with me, but she wouldn't. She said I needed to do it myself, and she'd wait in the car.

So while I'm picking out a few things and standing in line at the cash register, the song that comes on the background music is "I Feel Pretty," from West Side Story! I swear it's true.

I still get nervous buying makeup, but not about what the sales clerks think. Meeting someone I know would be a bit of a challenge, but other than that, I'm fine.

*** Jenna ***

[Jenna Lynne]

As far as the lipstick, I have not tried it since I was a teen and want to know what it feels like on my lips.
Lipstick ... mmmmmmmmmm!!!

My only recommendation -- there are lip glosses for teenage girls that taste like bubblegum. They're nauseating. Go for the grownup stuff.

... oh, another thing: There are "all-day" lipsticks. I think they may stain the epidermal cells a little bit. I don't know, because I've never tried one. But if getting back into boy-mode is an issue for you, you might want to steer clear of those.

*** Jenna ***

[BobbiU]

I purchased lipstick and nail polish once, and was able to do it at a supermarket, in the evening when it was not crowded, and it was easy to wonder, and not have anyone come up and ask for help. They had a large selection, could have more fun there. Adding in a couple of other food related items , was no big deal at the counter. Have not tried again since that time last year.

[brassieres]

Well I tried again, having just a little more confidence this time, but still didn't want other people around, especially other men. I picked up one lipstick, but put it back.

It was the cheap stuff called New York. One kind is 99 cents and the other is 1.99. Not sure if either is better or if it even matters. All I do know is that I keep waffling on it. Do I really want to do this or not?

[brassieres]

The desire to buy the lipstick was strong today. Along with possibly buying tights also. I decided that if I am really to do this that I would have to go full throttle. I'd be embarrassed to do this in my area although there is a transformation salon which is not cheap. I'd be much better off traveling to say San Francisco to do this instead.

As I type I am wearing both a bra and panties that I bought online in the past, go figure.

[alice clair]

The first time i bought anything feminine i picked out what i wanted and walked my butt to the counter and paid for them. If you show full confidence in yourself then they wont say a word to you and who cares what someone sees or says that you dont know. I went to a Rosses store and picked out several skirts and tops then went to the dressing room and told the girl i wanted to try them on, she never batted an eye just gave me a number. When i came out she asked if everything fit and i told her that the skirts fit but not the tops. She said she would hold the skirts for me if i would like so i said sure. When i was done shopping and tryed on a few more things she said she hoped i enjoyed my purchases. I had a great time. So BE BRAVE and go for it. I was in rite aid to buy makeup and the manager was following me around so i asked him if something was wrong and he asked if he could help me i said no i already know what looks good on me, he stammered a few words and left me alone. Have fun at it and enjoy who you are.

Michelle

[dominique]

I used to be very timid in buying make up etc. But that changed because I reckoned that it was nobody's business what I bought. It was my money to spend where and when I chose to. My biggest worry to date was buying my first pair of shoes, but I needed not to worry about it. The transaction was over in seconds so no problems there.

[Karentv]

Let me add my tuppence worth too!
I still occasionally get the jitters when I want to buy something be it make-up, clothes or anything feminine but I have learnt that no-one...absolutely no-one... gives a monkey's t#@s who you're buying for! I imagined my first time would be the end of me ie the tranny-alarm going off and life as we know it coming to an end! BUT...when I finally did pluck up the courage to just do it and bought some tights and lipstick....no-one cared! The feeling as I walked out of the shop was one of elation!!! AND I owned my very own lippy and tights!! What I'm getting at is...just do it love. You really won't regret it, I promise!

Confusious said "...even a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Take yours.

Happy shopping....

Karen xxx

[Melinda G]

You just need to learn some excuses.
"This will keep my daughter out of the wifes makup".
"This red nail polish is just the right color for my model fire truck, and cheaper than model paint".
"This nail polish remover is handy stuff around the garage".
"These nylons are the best wine strainers I have found".
"These thongs are like wearing no underwear at all! Oooops!:D

[NoraTV]

Unless the person behind the cash register is your next-door neighbor, they don't really care. Their job is to get to the next customer, not to make judgments about you.

[mapletree]

I feel your feelings-and I have found that it helps me to go and ask questions. So I learn the first one or two times what i really need or want and like then I go it
Only a few times has it been difficult and it was worth it to me

[crusadergirl]

I have the same problem with buying make up. Clothes i can buy with ease just not bras for for some reasons.
It happens to all of us we chicken out are just find a reason not to buy what we want.

[brassieres]

I guess I have a few things at play here:

1-While there is a lot of people living in my community, it is still small enough where someone could see me buying it.

2-I am terrible at lying and I am still in the closet when it comes to crossdressing.

So with those 2 things at play, it is sometimes hard. Then there is the final factor, do I really want to buy make up to start with?

[NathalieX66]

In general, the salesperson mindset is they do not judge. ....mainly because they have no idea what or where you are coming from. Is your town really that small?
Secondly, who cares what they think? Write back to me when someone makes a snipe, or tries to deny the sale. If a rumor occurs, all I can say is that's pretty God-damned petty.
At CVS, I have bought glue-on nails, makeup, bleach, eye makeup remover, and the cashiers do not care. It's all in your head.
So far my achievement has been going to two different Dress Barns, Ann Taylor Loft, and Macy's, and my local supermarket while en femme, and I have been treated excellently. I've also bought bras, sheer pantyhose, panties, nighties, makeup while en homme in a busy line full of customers, and I do not care. I'm going to push the envelope way beyond that. Bottom line is No one judges and no one cares. the only thing the cashier cares about is the paycheck.

[brassieres]

NathalieX66, I live in the Boston area. Downtown Boston is quite small, and then the community that I live in is even smaller. Maybe I oughta head outside of Financial District where I would be less recognized.

[NathalieX66]

NathalieX66, I live in the Boston area. Downtown Boston is quite small, and then the community that I live in is even smaller. Maybe I oughta head outside of Financial District where I would be less recognized.

Time to jump on the red line and head to Braintree mall , or in my case get on the T and head to Providence Mall, which is near the train station. :battingeyelashes:...hope this works.
Providence should work. It's a weird city, with RISD being there and all.

[brassieres]

I forgot about RISD.

Been to South Shore Plaza a long time ago, probably safe now. Could try Cambridgeside Galleria I guess.

In Providence, was too chicken to even check out the women's pajamas there.(Nordstrom's) I think that is a tougher place than Boston is.

[Carla4Guage]

The very first time I bought lipstick, I was as nervous as any one of us. The saleslady even had the nerve to ask me if I thought it was a good color for me. I just smiled and asked her what she thought. We both chuckled and I guess she will never know.

[brassieres]

I can't believe it, I actually went away and found myself still not going through with it.:doh: Right now I am tempted to call a place in my area that specializes in Crossdressing/transformations, etc. Knowing me, I would probably chicken out of that too though.

[Mikaela]

Aside from some socks and makeup from someplace like Target, I'm an online buyer, however, one thing that helps my jitters is to go with a 'list' that I consult on a post it note. Not that anyone has ever said or looked at me funny, but if they did, I can always say "She sent me."
Of course, the she is my other self, but that's our secret.

[curiouslooker]

This reminds me of Friday.

I took off from work early and went shopping. I went to a chain store that had a layout different than the one I normally use. Well, I was looking around for some intimates but was not able to find what I wanted.

Turns out to be a good thing.

I was at the register "looking" at this very attractive young lady when her boyfriend showed up. Thinking he had caught me, I kept looking at him. Turns out, we work together.

I thought about how close that would have been since everyone knows that I am single now.

[Midnight Skye]

Its amazing how hard it is to do some things. I still hesitate on doing some things (buying the one dollar lip gloss is one of them). Actually I keep eyeing the lip gloss at CVS (I don't need any)... and I keep telling myself I'll buy it when I go enfem. The funny part is when I'm there enfem (half my visits lol) I forget to even look at the lip gloss!!!

So I can't blame you one bit... I'm out fully and I still feel weird picking up feminine items when dressed as a guy. Sometimes it results in awkward situations... not that you ever have to run away screaming.

[CamilleLeon]

It can definately be nerve wracking buying femme items. Fortunately, I usually buy things with my SO so it's not as difficult, but trying to do it yourself is scary. Even knowing that people aren't going to think anything of it, and that I'll probably never see them again, it's still hard to do. If you push yourself to do it, I think you'll be surprised at how easy it is. Good luck girl!

[cdsteph]

1. make a detailed list, give it to the lady at the makeup counter and ask her to find the items for you, it's gotta be for a family friend in the hospital or your sister in a body cast or the au pair tied to your bed...right?

2. Thrift store...give them a list....a friend lost everything, here's her size..here is her age...tell the sales lady this fictional gal needs everything...
Ask them to pick out a cute wardrobe, the classier the better.
They will pick out amazing items, give you an equally amazing deal and you can go home and spend a few hours trying on your new nearly free wardrobe.

3. ebay

4. Like most on the post...walk in, select the items... pay for them and comment on how you can't wait to try it on.:drink:

[regularman]

when i need to buy lipstick or something 'feminine', i always shop with confidence and if you ever get nervous say youre picking it up for a girlfriend/wife

[KristinSkye]

^^^ that's good advice IMO. Also for whatever reason it helps me to include other non-feminine items with my purchase.

[Jodygurl]

Gosh, ya mean I'm not the only one who's had trauma over a purchase. I used to go to elaborate measures to try to hide the nail polish, mascara, lipstick I was buying. Hoped it would blend in w/ the toothpaste and deordant. Then I noticed nobody cared. And, no TG alarms sounded.

I'd been buying a lot on line for a while but shoes are a different problem, right? I forced myself into a Payless across town (who'd recognize me there?) Looked around and found something I liked, tried it on and bought it. Again, no TG alarm or snickers.

Last week I went into another Payless closer to home. A very eager clerk asked to help me so I told her I was looking for sandals in size 11. She appologize for what she considered a small selection and walked me down the isle which just happened to have ladies on one side and men on the other. I guess I've become very self-assured about this but said, "Oh, no, darlin', I meant from the other side of the isle." She stopped for a nano second and started helping me w/ sizes and styles. Couldn't have been more helpful and I think she was having fun.

But dresses? Well, that's next week. Across town. :battingeyelashes:

[Valerie1973]

Buying make up can put an awful strain on your ticker. I found going to a grocery store here in my town either very early in the morning or very late at night and then going threw the self check out takes away the jitters. The makeup is way at the end of the store were no one really goes and it is if heaven fell to the earth with all the selections. :Zenith: Valerie

[Toni TampaCD]

Well I just purchased a cute little purse (only $6 on clearance!), and a few makeup items from Kmart yesterday (guy-mode). Got a few looks from the makeup section girl, but ignored her :o

Checkout- no problem

I guess I just don't care what people think when I'm in guy-mode!

(still don't have the courage to go in public dressed yet though).

[brassieres]

I finally did it, well kinda. I just bought lipstick online and another bra. I am not so sure how I feel about this.

[megan163]

I understand the initial fear, but once you start being confident and unapologetic about it, everything will be fine. Last night I went to a CVS dressed but with not great makeup. I'm sure the checker could tell I was CD but I walked up confidently and made my mascara purchase. She even commented what a great deal it was. I said thanks!

[HalloweenDragon]

You can do it!!! I had the EXACT same feelings and anxiety about buying anything feminine for years. I am lucky I have friends, a wife, and this website for respect and support. Even today, as long as it's a female at the register, I feel a little bit better about buying anything.

I've gone into lingerie shops being FULLY crossdressed and tried on clothes and bought a few things. There's clerks that are so nice and remember me when I come in. I feel so happy like that that I wish I could go everywhere all the time dressed how I truely feel inside.

Recently, I've been going EVERYWHERE with BLUE eyeliner, eyeshadow, finger/toenails and lipstick while wearing toerings, and an anklette. It has really helped me to get over the anxiety, but I have yet to receive a rude or akward comment (knock on wood!).

:) YOU CAN DO IT!!!! :)

[stefanie]

for sure.....this is problably the commonality most of us have. that first something 'taboo' that scared the bajesus out of us. It could of been an early 'try on something of mom's" to the CVS lipstick to the first step out......one thing for sure at least i have noticed is that once you do the 'once', the 'second', the 'third' becomes easier.....so what about the 'once'

for me, i just went for it but in a town i didn't live in, but that is just me..... After that, i was an addict....hell, i could shop for anything now :)

But perhaps try this to get yourself going and to be less intimidated......

buy 1: just buy some women's lotion, see if anyone cares
buy 2: buy some women's sock's (not nylons), see if anyone cares
buy 3: buy some women's accessories, see if anyone cares
buy 4: buy some tampons, see if anyone cares
buy 5: then buy some lipstick or other makeup product..... and you know something, you will find that well, as all have said, no one cares...guys, girls, old lady cashiers....none of them care.

good luck! happy shopping.

[Tina B.]

Girl most of us have been where you are, I did a lot of window shopping before I got up my nerve. But after while the want will over come the fear. A lot of us have things we find hard to by, and things that we can just walk in an get, and what that is changes from person to person. I bought so many dresses and blouses, that came easy, but foundation garments, and shoes scared the heck out of me. I bought this really cute form fitted out fit, that just cried out for a waist cincher, everytime I put that dress on I want cry, it hung stright up and down, (that was before I got fat.) One day I was off work, and really wanted to wear that dress, so I got into the car, went to the biggest mall in town, walked into J.C. Penny's, found what I wanted, got in line with a bunch of women, got a funny look or two when they noticed what I was holding. When I got to the front of the line, I looked that middle aged woman behind the counter right in the eye, she gave me a little frown, then rang it up, In payed walked out of there on cloud 9 (yes it's pink), After that I loved that dress and I looked marvalous!
Tina B. For the shoes, I walked into Sears one day, and found a 50% off sale, Went up to the counter and the little girl working looked up and smiled, she said, "thats a lot of shoes", I so no reason to amke up anything anymore, and just smiled and said, " Yeah, I can't resist a good sale". I didn't owe her anymore explanation than that, I'm sure she knew who they where for, but come on, 50% off, I had to do it.
Tina B.

[brassieres]

Now thats what I am afraid of, the looks, the frown, etc. It just would deflate any confidence that I may have. Ordering online is much easier, but even then sometimes I think that the party at the other end is less than thrilled about things selling to a man.

[PaulaLee]

I bought my first purchases on my own last week, a skirt and some tights , and it was very difficult, the queue to the checkout seemed to take so long, but when i did get to the front , the guy in from of me was buying a couple of dresses, so i thought what the hell. I think the hard thing for me is because of the size of the garment i am buying it is pretty obvious it is for me, and not for my daughter or wife. I can buy make up quite easy now, but like most of you say its the clothes. However nether mind , its what i want, who gives a damn what they may be thinking, i will be buying again this weekend, lets hope it does get easier.

Paula XXX