So what do you call THIS nervousness?

[Nicole Erin]

Went to shoe carnival today. Wanted some cute new black tennies, the last cheapo pair I got are falling apart. Got my $25 worth I guess.

Few thoughts as I was shopping, kind of looking at heels...
"Hmm, cute red heels, I bet Julie would appreciate these. Oh gyod, did they make these sandals out of a 5 inch pile of crap? Oh wow, I have these! Yeeaaahhh, my s*** is hot!"
So anyways, no promising tennies in the women's section that wasn't a fortune or ugly as sin. I thought, "Let's see what is in the men's section." I mean black tennies, what the heck. Don't care if they are "men's".

So I went to the back of the store to wander into the men's shoe area. I didn't want to be seen going there. As I nervously walked up and down the men's shoe aisles, careful to avoid SA's, once again I found nothing to suit my taste.

Here is the weird thing - the whole time in the men's shoe area a voice was saying, "You are not suppose to be here". I swear, to comfort myself I thought, "if anyone asks, I will say I am looking for something for my brother/husband/whoever". Then I felt better.

Good God, it was weird, I was doing the exact same crap I used to when I was first starting out in my TG life.

I know it sounds weird. Just doing anything manly in public is nerve racking these days. What you think?

[LeaP]

I think you should've gone to DSW. I just got my new black tennies there!

[Persephone]

I can kinda understand, Nicole, it does seem odd at times to be on that side of the store.

On the other hand, lots of other women do it, "men's shirts, short skirts, man, I feel like a woman!" (But just try to get some of 'em in a skirt! Maybe it has to do with whatever we were forced to wear as children?)

I've been trying to get comfortable wearing something like a "men's" t-shirt once in a while but it does sometimes feel odd. Don't think I could do shoes.

Hugs,
Persephone.

[Rogina B]

I second the "go to DSW"!! Far better selection....Fall shoes are in..check em out!

[mary something]

deja vu?

[Debglam]

I get it but the funny thing is that most women do shop for the men in their lives. Nobody would have likely batted an eye.

[KellyJameson]

Wait until you walk into the mens room because your spanish is so bad and you have had to many Margaritas that you do not know the difference between Senor and Senorita and four guys at the urinals all simultaneously turn to give you that WTF are you doing in here look with those dangerous grins that make you wonder if you will get out.

I could feel my heart go into my throat and I broke out in a cold sweat but I sobered up damn fast thanks to the wonders of adrenaline.

Sometimes I wonder if I will ever totally escape my past.

So many little mistakes I make everyday.

[I Am Paula]

My greatest fear is not about passing, but being mistaken for a man. I steer clear of the men's section at all costs. My favorite moisturizer Clinique Dramatically different, comes in men's, at half the price, it's the same stuff, but I won't buy it.

[arbon]

Yes i always feel nervous when I look through or buy mens stuff (very rarely do I)

[Nicole Erin]

Yeah one day I might look at DSW. Only thing there is - last time I went, was asked FIVE times if I was doing OK. Did I look like I was about to drop over dead?


My greatest fear is not about passing, but being mistaken for a man. I steer clear of the men's section at all costs. My favorite moisturizer Clinique Dramatically different, comes in men's, at half the price, it's the same stuff, but I won't buy it.

Yeah there is something weird feeling about buying something packged for men even if it's the exact same thing. They just market it a certain way so insecure men will buy it without someone asking if they are gonna get a sex change.

[Debglam]

They just market it a certain way so insecure men will buy it without someone asking if they are gonna get a sex change.

Now THAT is funny!

[Marleena]

Erin you're a nut! I mean that in a good way though.:)

[Kathryn Martin]

I have stood beside girls 18 to 25 year old looking at women's shoes but because their feet were size 12 they could find nothing cute, or sexy or even simple fun. I have watched them go to the men's aisle and pick a pair of black tennis because that is all they could find. I have seen them cry, disappointed and upset, they were all young GG women.

I wear heels every day. I wear nice shoes. I tell those girls where to find them. I tell them it's ok to wear heels when you are 6'2" and that they are fabulous and beautiful. There is no place in shoe stores for tall girls unless you go to a few special ones.

[Nicole Erin]

Kathryn, it is good you can offer support to such women :) I imagine taller GG's know the struggle that many TG face with larger sizes.
For me it isn't so much about not finding the right size shoe (11R women's) but just I sometimes tend to be a cheapo.
Like my black tennies now - the bottoms of them are ripped. I didn't know that until my feet got soaked and I looked under my shoes and they had holes. Cute shoes - pink and black "Baby phat" but they are POS.
Next time I might have to just actually SPEND money and get some black reeboks and throw some pink laces in them.

Still though I don't know why I was nervous.

For those who think I am a nut - yes sometimes I am. In real life I sometimes act like, well, Move over Jim Carey.

[JohnH]

Yeah there is something weird feeling about buying something packged for men even if it's the exact same thing. They just market it a certain way so insecure men will buy it without someone asking if they are gonna get a sex change.

Now THAT is funny!

I just about gagged and split my sides from laughing from reading the text above! Maybe that's why typical men are so uptight about how they dress and groom themselves. That's what I call "masculine anxiety" which I am so glad I have chucked.

Johanna