suzanne
07-25-2008, 06:07 PM
I'm not going to apologize for the length of this tale because I actually enjoy reading all your posts when they are long and packed with the details of real experiences.
Well, thanks to the support of all you wonderful ladies, I sucked up enough courage to go dress shopping. Actually, I have gone many times in the past and bought panties, nightgowns and even a little black dress. This time however, I was determined to try clothes on in the store. I had read so many wonderful stories about positive experiences while shopping that I felt it was high time for me, too.
As soon as the stores were open, I went downtown in drab. Yes, drab. I look like a former football player and there is no possibility for me to avoid looking like a nightmare if I try to present as female.
I went into a well known major department store and found my way to the Plus size section. On arriving, I could feel the nervousness rising a bit, but I told myself "It's showtime and you're ON." I was not going to let myself back out yet again. I had the area to myself and began browsing. One or two people strolled by ignoring me. Great! Just as you all had described. It really IS none of their business why I'm there, is it?
I thought it would be better to have some sort of objective rather than wander aimlessly then leave in a rattled state. I decided I wanted to find a knee-length light colored skirt in a light floaty material and a top that would go with it. I picked out a couple of very pretty skirts, one in size 22 and one size 20, and looked for a SA. OMG, the fitting rooms were halfway across the store and there was no SA in sight. By the time I eventually found her, I could feel my face and ears were getting hot from nervousness. No matter, Suze, you're doing this, because it looks way worse to just back down and slink out.
"Could I try these on?" I heard myself say. The SA, a Filipino lady in her fifties, was taken aback. She looked me over and I don't think she had much experience with CD's. She didn't seem as welcoming as the SA's I had been reading about in other posts. I gave her a little smile, hoping to look sincere, and then she said, "There's already a couple of ladies in here, so you'll have to wait." But then, she escorted me over to another set of fitting rooms nearer the middle of the floor, telling me it's probably not occupied. There wasn't any other SA in the area to check in with, but the three booths were empty so I went in and tried on my skirts. Yay, I finally did it! And then, O crap! The 22 was way, way too big and the 20 was maybe OK but longer than I wanted.
I changed back into drab and exited the fitting room. Outside,I spotted a man in the aisle, a bit older, a bit taller and alone. He looked at me for a second I couldn't help wondering if he was there for the same reason as me. You never know, right? Anyway, I put my two skirts back on their racks and looked for more. There was nothing I felt strongly enough about, so I left the store. I felt I achieved a lot anyway, since I did the fitting and I now know my skirt size (18 or 20)
I know I can't call this a 100% successful shopping trip, since I didn't actually buy anything. But I have made purchases there in the past, so I know that going to a cashier to check out is relatively easy for me. O well, better luck next time.
I am grateful to all of you in this forum for sharing your experiences. Your stories gave me the courage to stand tall and be unafraid of negative comments, because there are none! I also know I will have progressively less nervousness in future outings. Thank you, thank you, thank you and I hope I can now offer encouragment to another of my sisters.
Well, thanks to the support of all you wonderful ladies, I sucked up enough courage to go dress shopping. Actually, I have gone many times in the past and bought panties, nightgowns and even a little black dress. This time however, I was determined to try clothes on in the store. I had read so many wonderful stories about positive experiences while shopping that I felt it was high time for me, too.
As soon as the stores were open, I went downtown in drab. Yes, drab. I look like a former football player and there is no possibility for me to avoid looking like a nightmare if I try to present as female.
I went into a well known major department store and found my way to the Plus size section. On arriving, I could feel the nervousness rising a bit, but I told myself "It's showtime and you're ON." I was not going to let myself back out yet again. I had the area to myself and began browsing. One or two people strolled by ignoring me. Great! Just as you all had described. It really IS none of their business why I'm there, is it?
I thought it would be better to have some sort of objective rather than wander aimlessly then leave in a rattled state. I decided I wanted to find a knee-length light colored skirt in a light floaty material and a top that would go with it. I picked out a couple of very pretty skirts, one in size 22 and one size 20, and looked for a SA. OMG, the fitting rooms were halfway across the store and there was no SA in sight. By the time I eventually found her, I could feel my face and ears were getting hot from nervousness. No matter, Suze, you're doing this, because it looks way worse to just back down and slink out.
"Could I try these on?" I heard myself say. The SA, a Filipino lady in her fifties, was taken aback. She looked me over and I don't think she had much experience with CD's. She didn't seem as welcoming as the SA's I had been reading about in other posts. I gave her a little smile, hoping to look sincere, and then she said, "There's already a couple of ladies in here, so you'll have to wait." But then, she escorted me over to another set of fitting rooms nearer the middle of the floor, telling me it's probably not occupied. There wasn't any other SA in the area to check in with, but the three booths were empty so I went in and tried on my skirts. Yay, I finally did it! And then, O crap! The 22 was way, way too big and the 20 was maybe OK but longer than I wanted.
I changed back into drab and exited the fitting room. Outside,I spotted a man in the aisle, a bit older, a bit taller and alone. He looked at me for a second I couldn't help wondering if he was there for the same reason as me. You never know, right? Anyway, I put my two skirts back on their racks and looked for more. There was nothing I felt strongly enough about, so I left the store. I felt I achieved a lot anyway, since I did the fitting and I now know my skirt size (18 or 20)
I know I can't call this a 100% successful shopping trip, since I didn't actually buy anything. But I have made purchases there in the past, so I know that going to a cashier to check out is relatively easy for me. O well, better luck next time.
I am grateful to all of you in this forum for sharing your experiences. Your stories gave me the courage to stand tall and be unafraid of negative comments, because there are none! I also know I will have progressively less nervousness in future outings. Thank you, thank you, thank you and I hope I can now offer encouragment to another of my sisters.