In Store shopping policies

[kathrynt21]

After reading a similar thread regarding policies iof stores re:crossdressers, I sent email to all of my favorite stores.
I asked what their policy was regarding men shopping for women's apparel in their stores.
On the list of recipients were Ann Taylor, Nordtrom, Avenue Talbots and Lane Bryant.
I have received the following replies:

Lane Bryant- Thanks for taking the time to contact us.
Although Lane Bryant is primarily a women’s apparel brand, we welcome male customers and are happy to assist you in our store.
You may find it more convenient for contact the manager at your favorite Lane Bryant store to request a visit ahead of time, so we can provide you with a private fitting room.


Nordstrom- Thank you for contacting Nordstrom.com with your question regarding our policy on Men shopping for themselves in the Ladies department. I am happy to hear that you do enjoy our service.
Our primary goal is to provide quality service and merchandise to each customer. Men may shop for themselves in the Ladies department if desired. We would treat this very sensitively and would not discriminate in any way.

Ann Taylor-Thank you for contacting Ann Taylor in regards to men shopping in our stores. I apologize for any inconvenience you have encountered while attempting to learn our policy regarding men shopping in our store locations. Ann Taylor does not have a policy regarding men shopping for themselves in our stores; however, our store locations do not have a men's wardrobing room. In the event that you would like to try items on, I kindly ask that you contact the store you will be visiting to make an appointment before or after store hours so that you may use our wardrobing room.
I hope this is helpful to any and all.
Nice to know these places appreciate our business. Hard enough to get the courage up to shop in store without getting hassled.

FYI- I called the Glen Mills PA Ann Taylor and spoke with the manager. I made an appointment to arrive 30 minutes before they open on a Wednesday. Not only was she pleasant and professional, she asked what I as specifically interested in so she could pull things before I arrived.
As I have read many times in the forum, when it comes to SA's a sale is a sale,. Nice to do your businewss at a place that offers advice and support as well.
Good Luck, ladies!

[Sharon]

It's cool to know these businesses are willing to allow us to spend our money in their stores. Personally, I have never called ahead to any business and I have never been treated with anything less than total respect.

[krisla]

I just shopped in Macy's and just went right into the fitting rooms, I was dressed en-femm and no one seemed to care, I tried on 2 dresses and skirt outfit, This is the first time I ever tried any thing on in the store, it was awesome. I was also in Ann Taylor but didn't see anything I liked in my size. Good hunting. Krisla

[Pamela75s]

I was in a Dress Barn and told the sales associate that the items were for me, and she offered a dressing room for me and offered to get me additional sizes if needed. All the people were very friendly.
Pamela

[sissystephanie]

I regularly shop at Nordstrom's, Avenue, Catherine's, and Coldwater Creek. Except for Nordstrom's, they are all strictly women's stores. In each store I have have always been well treated and offered the use of a dressing room if I needed one. In fact, in Nordstrom's the SA ask me if I want "to start a dressing room collection!" Never have done that, but some day! I have also shopped at Talbot's but never bought anything. Of course, I also was in there a lot with my late wife. Btw, some of the time when I am in those stores I am in drab. At other times I an dressed enfemme, but no wig or makeup. Since my wife passed I don't try to pass.

I was in Nordstrom's ladies department tonight, just looking. I was, and still am, wearing a Walcoal Bra(which Nordstrom's sells), a very deep scoop neck knit top which showed the lacy edges of the bra and a pair of "Not Your Daughter's Jeans with sequins down the seams. Except for the bra, which I bought online, the other items all came from that Nordstrom's. The SA greeted me warmly, and told me how nice I looked!:love: Service doesn't get much better than that! Oh yes, I was wearing sandals so my painted toes showed.

Sissy

More Girl than man sometimes

[Billijo49504]

My favorite Lane Bryant store will set me up with a fitting room any time. Even on a Saturday afternoon. They were busy, but my business waas just as important as anyone else's. Hope this helps. Shop till you drop...BJ

[Laurie909]

Nice that you were treated in a professional and courteous way.

[Sheri 4242]

On the list of recipients (was) . . . Talbots . . .

Did you receive a reply from Talbots?

[My Lady Marsea]

My local Lane Bryant SAs know me well now and of course I shop there dressed. So far it matters not how many GGs are there, when I'm ready to try on my selections I just walk over to the SA, she asks if I'm ready, I say yes and she unlocks one of the dressing rooms. They have even walked over to get me the next size up or down if I ask so I don't have to wander around with tags hanging all over me. Great girls there, luv 'em all so far. At Walmart I just waltz up to the dressing room attendent, she asks how many items and hands me a ticket and I waltz right into the womens try on rooms. NBD. At Kholes it seems there is never any one at the rooms so I just go on in. At our local Ross (discount/overstock/like a circus atmospher) she gives me a item # ticket and I head on over to the womens try on rooms and usually pass a couple of others coming or going. So far (knock on wood) I have never been banned or asked to use mens side.

[robyn1114]

I have used the dressing rooms in Macy's, Lane bryants, dress barn, Kohl's and even sears all while dressed in drab. Lane bryants and the dress barn are the only 2 that I asked if I could try on things, the others being larger stores I just find a dressing room that's not busy and go right in.

[Mitch23]

Much appreciated Kathryn. My policy now is always to shop en femme if buying girlie things. never had any problems using the changing rooms at any of the leading uk stores and i've done it at least a dozen times now. most are stewarded by an attendant with a token system. I would of course be sensitive to other users but I think its the only way to shop!

Mitch

[Joy Carter]

In the early seventies, I was in Hudson's men's dressing room trying on jeans. When I could see under the partition, a pair of nylon stocking clad feet. I first though "Is it another CD ?" I finally heard a female voice talking to another. They were trying on men's jeans.
There were no big uproar. No one ran to the management. I didn't care.
So what's the big deal ?

[jennifer41356]

I have been to Nordstroms, Niemans, Macys, Penneys,Dress Barn, Dillards and of course all the outlets and never had a problem. If you go in the dressing rooms acting like a lady, I find you will be treated like a lady.

I was trying on a Dress at Ross and was looking at it in the mirror in the dressing room and a young lady , maybe in her 20s came up to and said , that dress looked good an me. She then told me she saw the same dress in another colr and asked if i had tried that on.

People will treat as they perceive you are, i was a lady trying on dresses and thus was treated as such

Jennifer:love:

[myhubbycrosdressesGG]

this is amazing!! wow.. i dont know how the stores like penny's, and others in our mall would react... i know that DH has not when shopping while en femm.. but who knows what could happen.. i think i will make some calls today and see what their reactions are and see what their policies are. i too think that in this day and age, they should have part of their training include CDs.
Becca

[CharleneCD]

A year and a half ago I wanted to get a couple of formal gowns. My wife and I went to a bridal store to look. I found some I liked but didnt want to buy without trying them on. We went to the desk ad asked what we could do. They were very easy going about it and set me up an appointment durring normal hours. When I got there I was treated like any other lady there. They did not hide me in a corner. In fact they put me right in the middle of them, when there were other dressing rooms sort of outa sight.

[Michelle_NY]

very nice of you to let us know GF. It really was a help, TY Michelle

[Paulette]

Kathryn I see you are fron N. Cal but you went to a store in PA. Hvae you tried any of the N. Cal locations?

[Jodi]

Did you receive a reply from Talbots?

Sheri, I don't know if Talbots has any kind of national policy, but I have tried on in the nearest Talbots store while in drab. Matter of fact, the manager insisted that I try on outfits before buying. This was done during regular business hours with other woman in the area.

Jodi

[noname]

New York and Company has a policy that no males are every permitted to use a fitting room. I found this out when I asked to try on an argyle knit vest. Though I've considered writing them and asking if what I was told is company policy. ( Which is what I was told ) Perhaps I should also ask what other discriminatory pollices they have in place such as race religion or handicap.

[BarbaraTalbot]

Did you receive a reply from Talbots?

Yes, I wait on the edge of my seat.


Sheri, I don't know if Talbots has any kind of national policy, but I have tried on in the nearest Talbots store while in drab. Matter of fact, the manager insisted that I try on outfits before buying. This was done during regular business hours with other woman in the area.

Jodi

Good to hear. Important that the family name is well represented..;) Seriously the Talbot name was a "nom de guerre" for me based on a childhood address. Since then I have giggled ever since I spot a Talbot's label in thrift stores out here. I usually buy it. I like their conservative look (at least what I can tell from items likely purchased decade or more ago and brought to Arizona by a transplant.

Oh I wanted to say I was treated so gently by a Target sales associate in the lingerie department where she even suggested I take the bras and try them on. She walked me there and checked me in so I didn't have to show the male attendant what I had. It really turned around my anti-French (for being anti-American) boycott of Target. Now I am at peace with the world. (well most of it)

[Randy]

I'd recommend calling your local affiliate. I did, and my local Lane Bryant stores both gave different answers. Both would let you shop of course - how could they not do that? One, however, would not let me use the changin rooms to try on, while the other would. Guess which one I visited.

[Patty]

Yesterday I used the dressing rooms of Old Navy and Ross. They were very helpful. :happy:

[Sandra]

Here in the UK Nigella has never had any problems in using the female changing rooms, all the SA's in all the shops we've been into have been very helpful.

[Stephanie-L]

The only time I have ever had a problem shopping for myself, either en femme or in drab, was at Macy's. A couple of times the SA in the lingerie dept wouldn't let me try items on, though other times they have. Keep in mind that these were older women, in the middle of "Bible Belt" Texas. Other stores, from Nieman Marcus on down to Ross have been great, usually very helpful.....Stephanie

[Jodi]

When I saw the statement on the New York & Company Policy on fitting rooms, I was prompted to give my former store manager a call. Here is what she told me. Recently, it came down through channels that it is now the company policy that no males are to be permitted to use the fitting rooms. When I asked her why the change, she stated that since the trend is now to the smaller stores that only have one fitting room area, there have been complaints from some customers about males in the fitting rooms. I asked her about use of the fitting room if the cd was enfemme. She said that in her store, they use judgment for individual cases. For example, She said--If the cd is presentable and is acting appropriately then she will put them in a room. If it is obviously a dude in a dress then no fitting room.

Now this is a very liberal store manager who will sell you the store if you have the money. She must protect her job and follow orders.

So, I guess it is official that NY & co will no longer permit trying on in drab.

Jodi

[Kim_Bitzflick]

I have been to a few stores in drab and asked to try on bras. At Victoria's Secret, the SA's were very nice and helpful. It was a busy day, but they took the time to help me find & try on what I wanted.

I also went to Dillards and Target. At Dillards, the SA laughed a little, but then realized I was serious, then she helped me. At target, no reaction from the attendant.

I will definately buy more bras at VS.

[noname]

When I saw the statement on the New York & Company Policy on fitting rooms, I was prompted to give my former store manager a call. Here is what she told me. Recently, it came down through channels that it is now the company policy that no males are to be permitted to use the fitting rooms. When I asked her why the change, she stated that since the trend is now to the smaller stores that only have one fitting room area, there have been complaints from some customers about males in the fitting rooms. I asked her about use of the fitting room if the cd was enfemme. She said that in her store, they use judgment for individual cases. For example, She said--If the cd is presentable and is acting appropriately then she will put them in a room. If it is obviously a dude in a dress then no fitting room.

Now this is a very liberal store manager who will sell you the store if you have the money. She must protect her job and follow orders.

So, I guess it is official that NY & co will no longer permit trying on in drab.

Jodi

So now we know it's not just the one store I was at. Crazy. I guess my girl jeans and t-shirt was not enough? So basically I have to go over the top to use a fitting room. I so very much need to email them and ask what there policy is on persons of color, religion and handicap.

Is it just me or should this be so very sueable?

[Sheri 4242]

Sheri, I don't know if Talbots has any kind of national policy, but I have tried on in the nearest Talbots store while in drab. Matter of fact, the manager insisted that I try on outfits before buying. This was done during regular business hours with other woman in the area.

Thanks, Jodi! Good to know. The local Talbots is one I wouldn't even approach, but that is b/c the manager is an old friend with one of the biggest mouths in town. That said, I do travel quite a bit, and there are Talbot stores in 5 cities all near me.


Yesterday I used the dressing rooms of Old Navy and Ross. They were very helpful. :happy:

I had a problem one time at an Old Navy in middle Georgia. I was drab, and took two skirts and two pairs of men's shorts to the dressing room. This particular location had a unisex drssing room that was constantly maned by an attendant. That day, the attendant was adamant that I leave the skirts with her -- she was clueless. Finally I told her to get her manager b/c I wanted to buy the skirts but only if they fit -- and I told her she was creating a scene that I did not appreciate. The fog seemed to lift a little. She started to pick up the phone, then put it down and handed me a door hanger with the number "4" on it (for 4 garments). Nothing more was said.

[noname]

Ok, I just emailed NY and Co. this ought to be good.

Curious though, why can't one sue for this? I can understand not using the same changing rooms, but aren't they legally obligated to provide some place to change? I know in my state businesses must offer the same services to all customer regardless of age, race, religion etc... etc..

[angelfire]

I don't know about suing them, but you could at least bring it to their head office's attention, and perhaps they would deal with it. I'd probably try that first, and second would be to just shop somewhere else.

[shauna 9]

About six years ago my wife broke her leg. She was walk around with crutches we went to JCPenney’s look for a dress for my wife . We found a dress for her and me so we went into the women’s changing room and I helped her try on the dress and I tried the dress on for me. when I came out my wife was still in the changing room sales lady approached me. that I couldn’t be there I would have to go to the men’s department . I told the sales lady I was hoping my wife because her leg was broken since that day I’ve never been back to JCPenney’s.

[Michelle (Oz)]

I feel much more comfortable shopping for female clothes en femme and that is what I usually do.

The good news is that Australia seems as enlightened as the US. All the major chain stores and all the smaller boutique stores that I have shopped at have been very service oriented. No problem using chaging rooms or the ladies' rest rooms.

Trouble is that I always then feel I should buy something. Oh well.

Michelle (Oz)