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View Full Version : I had a wonderful trip out to a wig salon.



colleen ps
08-02-2016, 10:36 AM
I hope i have posted this in the correct section, but i think maybe it should have been posted in clothes, shopping and beauty?

As some of you may have read in an earlier post of mine, i have been going out most days in very plain female styled clothing but not attempting to look female. You know, womens trousers and tops, neutral shoes and just being me! I have never had a reaction, only once a small person said to his dad " that man has got painted toenails" with a look and an apologetic smile from his dad. Now, on to the present. My wife and i are currently on holiday in Hampshire just outside the northwest part of the new forest. It was decided while here that i should find a place to buy a new wig, as i have had mine for many years and several attempts to rejuvenate it, it has finally died. over the next few days we will visit a bbq friendly park and give it the cremation it deserves.
Well, after a bit of internet surfing last week, i finally found what looked like a good place to start wig shopping. I made the phone call and asked if they minded a crossdresser popping in for a perusal and fitting with the possibility of making a purchase on the day. The nice lady on the phone said " No problem, i am not busy now, would you like to pop in?". After explaining that i was at least 45 minutes away, it was agreed to book me in for that afternoon.
So off we went. On our merry way to Bournemouth. We arrived at the salon, and was invited to wait a few minutes while finishing off a hair colouring. soon we were led to a private fitting room and it turned out that the nice lady was the owner of the salon, after the introductions i was asked what i was looking for. With no funny remarks, looks or questions, an hour later my wife and i had made a decision and got ready to leave. The salon owner asked if i could take a picture fully dressed and made up with the wig on and send it to her as she would love to see the finished result. all agreed, we paid for her services and left for our return journey to the holiday cottage. I got halfway back when my wife said, i was tempted to get the other one we both liked too! Doh. I suggested we call the salon and get the details of the other wig and order it via post later on. After getting back to the cottage and taking several photo's to send to the salon owner, we had dinner and relaxed for a while. Now my mind starts to turn cogs and let out a little steam. I had the thought that i really wanted to try the other wig again, so at the same time, we could get the details for ordering it later on. This led to me thinking "the salon owner wanted to see me dressed with the wig, so if my wife would allow it, i could drive down again but this time dressed. Now this is where the panic set in. I have never left the house dressed fully presenting as a female. Can i do it? should i do it?. will i be ridiculed when spotted? I spoke to my wife and got a sort of "Hmmmm, er, OK" Now i was pretty much committed to go through with it. It was semi planned to go to Bournemouth and Boscombe bay today for a shopping trip and a walk in the park at Boscombe and maybe sit on the beach for a bit, so after much deliberation, I dressed this morning and applied the face, fitted the new wig, decided what shoes to wear and formulated a plan. we would drive to the Salon, try out the other wig again and maybe leave a deposit for a later purchase. Then drive to a car park in Bournemouth, do a quick, back to male cleanup and shoe and top change to go shopping etc.
I called the salon and was booked in for 1pm. now the nerves were on fire, i dont know which one of us was worse, but i was determined to go for it. Midday arrived and we were ready, physically definitely but mentally?. Ok, lock the doors, walk to the car, drive down to the gate and stop. this is it. i have to unlock the gate, drive through, close and lock the gate, get back in the car and hit the go pedal. Surprising myself, i did it with no hesitation, no cars drove past, nobody jumped out of the hedge and beat the daylights out of me, just birds singing and light rain falling on my head. We drove off down the lane, i had to pull over to let another car pass the other way, got a thank you wave and a smile so returned that no problem. Hmmmm, this is not so bad i thought. carried on down the road and hit the motorway. No second glances, no funny looks, no CD police in sight so all was well. at the end of the uneventful journey, i pulled up just up the road and looked at my wife and asked "are you ready?" "yes" came the reply, so. open doors, grab handbags (purses) close doors and push the lock button. No turning back now! i passed a couple of delivery drivers on the path (sidewalk) with no reaction, we waited for the traffic to allow us to cross, and as i got to the other side, a little old lady walking her dog just looked and stared. Had she clocked me or was it a senior moment? dunno, dont care any more, just need to get through that Salon door.
Yes, we are inside. phew i need to sit down, or run away or hide or something. but no chance. Within seconds the salon owner came over and welcomed us back. she remembered my name, invited us into the fitting room and we went past a client having her hair styled with no second look other than a quick glance as you normally expect.
Once in the fitting room, The salon owner said, " i had to look twice as i did not recognise you, you look cool, you look really nice. I may need to get some make up tips before you go" wow! i never expected that. A genuine compliment from someone i did not even know. Plus she referred to me as she when chatting with my wife. After finding the other wig that we liked, we did the fitting again and The salon owner had to pop out for something. At this point, my wife suggested that we just buy the wig now and be done with it rather than mess about getting it posted. so all was agreed and i got more compliments plus some style advice for my wife thrown in and a really nice hug from the owner. Oh and a ten percent discount too. after a little banter, we finally left to go back to the car. once seated, i asked my wife where she wanted to go first and she replied that really she just wanted to go back to the cottage and relax, do the shopping etc another day as she was tired and it was raining.
the story is nearly over, but a little twist is to come. We hit the road, reset the sat nav and got on our way back. a completely uneventful journey once again, no stares at the traffic lights or roundabouts, just a nice drive back. Got to the gate at the cottage, got out to unlock and open the gate, drove through and got back out to lock up just as a parcel delivery van pulled up just past the gate. i started to walk to the car when i heard " Excuse me madam is this ******** cottage ?" Err, yes, why? "i have a package for you!" i dont think so i said, this is a holiday let! " But this is ******* cottage it says so on the gate!" Oh Ok i said, forgetting i was presenting as female and using my normal voice without trying to hide it. " Could you sign here please" You know how it goes i am sure. " cheers luv, have a nice day".
I got back in the car and we looked at each other and laughed. up the drive, battle for first in the loo (wifey won that one!) kettle on and settle down for a nice cuppa.

We might pop out tomorrow, to a park in the new forest for a walk and a picnic. Dressed of course!


So, after years of dressing, hiding away afraid of being seen, i finally realised, im not going to be put away for a jail term, i am not going to be jumped on from behind the bushes and the only police i saw was a bike copper parked on a bridge looking down at the motorway traffic.


Wow, my first real post and it looks like a novellete. Sorry.

might even post a few i piccys of our time away when we get home.

All the best and thanks for getting to the end without falling asleep.

Colleen

PS, If it is allowed i would love to give details of the Salon as the owner was so nice, friendly and professional, that i would love to let you all know where you can buy your new hair in comfort, without feeling out of place, get offered a cup of tea and plenty of chat and banter. No consultaion fees, just good service and being made to feel more than just another customer. We will definitely go back for wig maintenance and a nice cuppa, plus get My wife's hair done too.

Teresa
08-02-2016, 12:07 PM
Colleen,
It's a lovely story and so good that your wife is so supportive. I guess she's more relaxed being out of your home area, how will she deal with going out when you get back home ?

My wife knows but chooses not to see me, my avatar picture was taken at the June social meeting, my wig is another story but I can't believe that it works so well being that short, I have a thing about covering my male ears but it hardly does that .

colleen ps
08-02-2016, 01:37 PM
Thanks Teresa.

I know the story was a bit long and detailed, but i just couldn't leave anything out LOL. MY wife is also my best friend and we have always supported each other in anything we do, suffer or bear. Yes, i expect being away from our local area helped but i won't be going out dressed at home anyway. we plan to take several short breaks away each year now on top of our long summer holiday and i will hold these occasions open for this sort of thing if agreeable with my wife. Next year will be our 25th anniversary so i should make it a special time for her rather than me this time.

Thanks for the nice comments, kinda boosts the confidence!.

Colleen

Diane Smith
08-02-2016, 10:47 PM
So, what was in the package and why was it sent to that address?

Great story.

- Diane

colleen ps
08-03-2016, 12:26 AM
Yes Diane, i thought that too, so i opened it and found that the previous occupier had returned the welcome book for the cottage that had mysteriously gone missing before we arrived. Nothing exciting LOL.

Teresa
08-03-2016, 12:50 AM
Colleen ,
That was very convenient , so how did you sign yourself in ? Congrats for next year, I've just clocked up 42 years so I have more medals to display. We did a Baltic cruise for our twenty fifth , it gave us the cruising bug, the only down side is I so much want to dress for the evening functions !

colleen ps
08-03-2016, 01:16 AM
Teresa.
The driver asked my surname, then my first initial, then asked me to sign, no problem. the ps in my user name is the initials of my double barrel surname and Colleen is pretty much my first name anyway LOL. I would love to do the cruise thing but my wife has a fear of boats when you cannot see land, so maybe a log cabin in the middle of nowhere will be our choice.

We are only at 25 years as this is my second marriage, so we probably have earned enough medals anyway. Both of us came out of bad relationships. I think that may be why we are so tolerant with each other. soul mates to the end as they say.

mykell
08-03-2016, 06:52 AM
hi colleen, lovely story, brought me back to the time i purchased my first wig....she was so kind and i have been back several times since....i am even planning to have a support meeting at her shop this fall.
the one thing she would not do is let me try on wigs while made up, she did help me find another to help with maintenance, another friendly soul and i stop by just to say hello to them while im out.
i am puzzled by your ability to feel comfortable partially dressed but you had trouble fully done up, for me it is totally opposite....my wife knows but i cant leave the house dressed, soo i get it done in the car most times, terrified of getting caught anywhere in the middle of the transformation.

kymberly
08-03-2016, 08:08 AM
sounds like you had a fantastic dat

bridget thronton
08-03-2016, 10:16 AM
Wonderful story - thanks for sharing

colleen ps
08-03-2016, 12:36 PM
HI Mikell.

to answer your puzzle, when i am partially dressed, i am usually wearing womens jeans or trousers (pants) and a pretty neutral womans top and maybe some plain womens shoes or sandals. I fairly often wear polish on my toes and occasionally on my finger nails. This represents a person who wears what he feels comfortable in and it does not look like i am trying to pass. the only thing that shows is the nail polish as the clothes are almost unisex in style. Its when i went out trying to present as a woman that i worry i will be clocked as a guy in a dress. i worry because i have never practiced walking in a female way and my voice would instantly show as as a guy. I obviously look OK by the comments from the salon owner as she did not recognise me till she realised i had turned up for my appointment as a woman.

I just have to practice and get used to the fact that hardly anyone will see through the facade LOL.

If you think about it, many people are aware of guys in slightly feminine clothes due to people such as Eddie Izzard, so probably dont car, but realising that woman walking past, may just freak them out.

all the best.

Colleen

Teresa
08-03-2016, 01:06 PM
Colleen,
I'm with Mikell on this one I can deal with being fully dressed and out, but not in an in between situation.

There are always exceptions, I don't do makeup or a wig around the house and I've had to answer the door to delivery men.
Also I often walk the dog in drab but fully underdressed so I would remove the drab layer when I thought it was safe to carry on walking in a skirt and Tshirt , some of the stories relating to me being caught out go back some time but it was all stepping stones to get where I am now, I must admit I still like to walk the dog in mixed dress, sometimes with a bra and forms.

colleen ps
08-03-2016, 02:09 PM
Ok, lets just say, dont forget yesterday was the first time ever out dressed in full female attire and presenting as a woman so i was extremely nervous at being clocked. i dont mind being seen out in what looks like drab clothes and have never had an issue. I have been wearing nail polish for years in drab and mixed mode but the full femme was a new experience. Tomorrow, is our last full day here and we will be on our way home on friday morning, we plan to go out into the new forest and park up somewhere with a picnic and i am definitely planning on going full femme for the day. i am now interested in getting out and watching for a reaction (actually we decided it is better for my wife to watch) while i act as normal as possible and just get on with it. If we do this tomorrow, i am sure my confidence will be boosted and i will feel more comfortable going out. we are still not going to do it on our home turf as i know far too many people that would probably be very negative so that's that. i will just look forward to these breaks away to "breakaway" LOL. We do also have a favourite place to stay down in Hastings so not such a bad deal.

I thank you all for your comments and am taking it all on board for the future. Now my wife and I know this is for life, we are working together to deal with it and that is so much more important than actually what we do, Agreed?

Also, can anyone tell me if i can name the wig/hair salon that helped me take my first trip out or is there a policy i have to follow, i cant really search properly until i get back home to a full screen that i can actually see!

Colleen.

Teresa
08-04-2016, 12:42 AM
Colleen,
You're not that far from the motor museum and Buckler's Hard, that doesn't usually get too busy, it might be a good venue to try out, it's right on the edge of the New Forest.

Anyway enjoy the rest of your trip and keep thanking your wife for understanding your needs and being so supportive.

colleen ps
08-04-2016, 01:16 AM
Been to both places already, Mind you Bucklers hard is worth a second visit, the price is right, the atmosphere is nice and the pot of tea was as perfect as you can get at these places, but its got to be a short outing today as we have to go home tomorrow,

Colleen

Connie D50
08-04-2016, 05:53 AM
Colleen
What a nice story I wish you many many more in your travels.
Connie

colleen ps
08-04-2016, 11:43 AM
Thanks Connie.

Now we have broken the ice i am sure we will be back to do it again.