First time shopping

[the femm side of me]

Over the last few years I have been working my way to crossdressing. It started out with panties and nightgowns. I love it but still need more. After many, many talks with my wife we have determined that I need to go all the way and buy a few outfits to wear. It's clear to us that I want to dress in total. I have never done it and want/need to.

My wife is supportive but we are both a little on the scared side of it. I am sure it all about the unknowns. My wife has bought me some make up and I already have panties and night gowns. I wear them often.

As luck would have it we are with out kids for a few days and she suggested we try dressing together while we have some time alone. Here is the trouble with that. Where do you buy the clothes? (I know the mall)

I am sure I cam get a dress or skirt at fashion bug or dress barn in a larger size. What I mean is can you get size 11 or 11.5 wide pumps in the mall? I would think it mail order only.

We live in the far out country but will be going to Ann Arbor MI today if any one had an idea where large shoes can be purchased please post that info. I would be nice to finally dress for the first time. :D

[JenniferMBlack]

Look at payless and lane bryant also here we have a store called shoe depot that has some larger sizes not sure if there are any in that area. But other then that I have nothing. Hope that helps some.

[Lora Olivia]

Not to promote the Wally world god....because i really don't like them, I have found many pair of shoes there to size 11W and most for under $20...also if it doesn't bother you i have found some nice things at our local thrift store..1 pair of boots that were to die for but alas just not quite big enough

[SANDRA MICHELLE]

If your shoe size is 11 to 11.5 you can pretty much find that size at any department store but I really like Payless, they are very well priced and since you will only wear them on certain occassions who really needs to pay for designer brands. Payless does not have thew same shoes at every store so go to several differant ones and pick out your favorites, try them on at the store so you don't waste time bringing ones back that just don't work for you.
As for clothes, if you are a larger size you can go to lane bryant as previously stated or try Fashion Bug Plus. You can also find a good selection at dress Barn and I have seen many good picks at Carsons and Marshall Fields, you may even find big sales at these stores on very fancy dresses.
I am one of the luck ones as I can shop pretty much anywhere for my size but you can always find your size if you are willing to look. Good luck with your shopping and kudo's to your wife she seems like a great support partner.

[Jenna Lynne]

Sounds like you're moving forward, which is terrific, and have some support at home, which is terrific too. (When I was married, many years ago, my wife was initially very supportive but later turned hostile. I think she felt threatened. Hope-hope-hope that doesn't happen to you!!!)

I can't tell you where to shop, but I can offer two comments/observations. No, three.

First, don't be surprised if you don't get it right the first time. You may need to explore different retail outlets to find what you need, and it's quite possible that the first few things you buy won't look as good on you as you expect. Learning your personal style is not something most guys have to think about (awww...).

Second, if you take something home to try it on and it doesn't fit or look right, most retailers will let you exchange it if it's in good condition. That's bound to be less stressful than trying to use the dressing-rooms! (I was once shopping while dressed and had a shop-girl barge into the dressing-room to help me try something on. Not kinky -- it was a sweaty palms moment.) So try it on before you cut off the tags.

Third, what most retailers want is your money. They honestly don't care what you do with the merchandise when you get home. If you feed it to your dog and have to come back for more, they'll love you! So basically, there's no reason to be nervous shopping, unless you're worried about friends/acquaintances spotting you.

The only negative comment I ever had (this was years and years ago) was when I was buying some breast forms. These were the kind that mastectomy patients get -- designed to look super-realistic, and way overpriced because the insurance company usually pays the tab. Anyway, at some point I asked the woman who was helping me what she thought (about the fit and shape), and what she said was, "I think you shouldn't do it." Okay, she made her opinion clear, but she was still very professional about making the sale.

Hugz, ***Jenna***

[KandisTX]

Pretty much Wal-Mart, Payless, or any department store may well carry size 11 shoes. It's a matter of looking through the stuff and then if you're in a department store ASKING FOR IT IT THAT SIZE. (really quite easy after the first time).

Like others have said, the selection at payless or wallyworld are not the greatest, but you can get a "starter pair" of shoes there. Here in Houston, we have DSW (Discount Shoe Warehouse) which is known for having a huge selection in a wide variety of sizes as well.

Kandis:love:

[sandra-leigh]

The only negative comment I ever had (this was years and years ago) was when I was buying some breast forms. [...] Anyway, at some point I asked the woman who was helping me what she thought (about the fit and shape), and what she said was, "I think you shouldn't do it." Okay, she made her opinion clear, but she was still very professional about making the sale.


Things may have changed, or else I got lucky :) When I went shopping for forms at the beginning of this year, I went to three different places that had a speciality in supplying forms for women; the first two of them actively treated me well, and the third was polite (just not "into it").

After I bought the forms from the third place (which had them in stock), I went back to the second (a specialist who did nothing but fitting forms) and gave her some money, because she spent a good hour of her professional time with me and really tried to get the best looking form for me; I wouldn't have known what to buy at the third place without her help. She was reluctant to accept the money, and protested that "but it was fun". I wouldn't hesitate to send anyone to her (well, anyone polite! and willing to pay retail prices.)

[Billijo49504]

I too like Payless for shoes, but the Cloud Walkers at the Avenue are more comfortable. And they as well as Lane Bryant will help you with the outfits. Both have a corp policy to be trans anything blind. In other words, all they can see is the green of your money....BJ

[sandra-leigh]

If your shoe size is 11 to 11.5 you can pretty much find that size at any department store

Around here, most "nice" shoes stop at 10 in department stores, with only it not being uncommon for only slippers and plainer more functional shoes to be available in 11; a 12 in a department store here is quite uncommon. Thank goodness for payless, which regularily has 12 and frequently has 12W. But even with payless, you take a big drop in styles once you get to 11, worse at 12. I've never seen anything about a 12 in a payless locally, but they do show up in the payless catalog. (I have too much trouble getting the right fit to be comfortable ordering in shoes.)

[Glenda58]

There are many shops in Ann Arbor plus the mall. Was out there today. Don't be shy just ask a Sales Assistant (SA) to help you.

[the femm side of me]

Well we did it. My wife and I went to payless and found a nice sensible pair of shoe. They are a pump style sandal with a thin ankle strap a 4” heel in black. I think they are sexy. My wife had me try them on in the car and they fit. She has not seen them on me yet. I got home from work today and put them on (alone) and took my first steps. Wow what a rush! Did you heels much harder to walk in than I thought? I plan one wearing them for a short while to get use to the feel and to break them in. A week from today our plan is to dress up together.

My wife bought me a skirt, top, shoes, and make up. I have the panties, hose, camisole, slip, but no bra as of yet still looking. That’s hard to find as well. But like we were talking we will take it slow and eventually we will have a grand wardrobe. It’s taken about 14yrs to get this far so I can wait.