Clothes shopping in boy mode or girl mode

[Sarah Louise]

Which do you find more comfortable, shopping for girl clothes dressed in drab or dressed as a girl?

I've done both, albeit very briefly.

When shopping in drab, my head says no one's bothered, but there's always a niggling doubt that makes me uncomfortable, even though I could easily be buying a present for my wife. For this reason, I tend to shop online.

I once went shopping in girl mode and lasted about 20 minutes. Worrying that I'll be clocked, I retreated to the safety of my car.

I've read on this site countless times that as long as you dress to blend in, no one really cares. It's still a scary prospect though. But it's something I really want to do and hopefully I'll get the chance next week. Hopefully, I last a bit longer this time!

No doubt lots of you are quite comfortable in both, but I bet there's many who find the whole thing very scary.

[Rachael Leigh]

Sarah, I use to only shop for my girls things en drab, but once I got comfortable going out dressed it's way more fun to shop in girl mode, I've gone many places, tried on clothes and such been helped by usually friendly SAs and have always
enjoyed it way more.
That's my story

[Kim_Bitzflick]

The first two or three times I worried, but as I got more comfortable, the only difference between trying on boy clothes in boy mode and trying on girl clothes in girl mode is I enjoy the girl shopping more.

[AllieSF]

I shop both ways, mostly in male mode because I shop when I want and have the opportunity and that is not always when I am dressed. However, I much prefer shopping en femme because I have all of my shapewear on and can then actually see how good or bad something fits and how it looks on me. Since I have no issues shopping for women's clothes and accessories in male mode, doing it en femme is super easy and non eventful.

[Lana Mae]

I mostly shop on the internet. Hope to change that once I get the makeup skills up a little. Have been window shopping locally in male mode. Shopped for the wife so male mode shopping is no big deal. Ultimately want to shop in female mode and try things on. Sometime soon. Hugs Lana Mae

[Lucy23]

Well, since I don't have a wig or any make-up, going all in is not an option for me; I always shop for women's clothes in drab.

I remember the first few times; my heart pounding, lingering thoughts as to what were other customers thinking of me in women's department, my voice feeling weak, and of course the obvious question "Do they know?" Sometimes these feelings return, but they hold no sway over me anymore. No one has ever given me any stares or comments as to what I was doing there, not even in lingerie stores or when I was the only man around there. And I looked for those signs intentionally.

And unless I want to just have a look around the shop, I always come to the first SA I see with a phone in my hand and ask where can I find this or that. I actually quite enjoy it this way. However, I haven't mustered enough courage to openly ask whether I can try it on. At least I have figured out the fit before and there were only few occassions when the clothes had to be returned.

[Elizabeth G]

The last time I was shopping was en femme and I definitely felt far more comfortable. I think I drew less attention and was more relaxed overall. No seemed to notice or care that I was looking at skirts or dresses since I was presenting as female, so I was consequently less worried about those around me.

[Diane Smith]

To reasonably try on clothes and shoes, I need to wear my corset, bra and stockings anyway, so I might as well go all the way and dress up fully. (Although the wig can be a pain when trying things on.) Furthermore, if you go into a shop dressed, the SAs have no doubts about your intentions, and can get at least a sample of your preferred style.

Plus, it's another chance to dress up and go out, which is kind of the whole point!

So I'm strongly in favor of shopping en femme. The only times I buy any girly items in boy mode are when I happen to pass by something I like while out shopping for frozen pizza or power tools.

- Diane

[Rachelakld]

SHAPE - yes my body shape is different in girl mode.
I've tried on (in their fitting rooms) and bought a few dresses in drab, but found they didn't fit or flow the same as when in girl mode due to the shape difference - so I really try to stick with the gender I'm shopping for.

[Beverley Sims]

I still feel a little weirded out if I spot a bra in guy mode and want to feel it for quality and suitability......

I don't think many guys really need to find out about the benefits of a water filled push up bra and inquire as to how it would benefit their figure. :-)

[Bruce64]

Yesterday I had on Panties, Brassiere and Pantyhose, I was looking for a few Feminine items, I just didn't see anything I'd like to buy, however I have done both type of shopping, I don't find any difference s.

[dolovewell]

I do both. If I really need to try something on, I prefer to do it in female mode. But if its not something I need to try on, either is fine.

[Sheila11]

I much prefer shopping while dressed. Forms and heels can make an outfit say yes or no. Besides I do not like the look of a guy in a dress.

Oddly enough I picked up some cute panties for my wife the other day while in drab. Did not bother me a bit but the young male clerk seemed a bit flustered.

[Teresa]

Sarah,
At the moment I only shop in drab mode but have had to dress for my seamstress friend in her shop to check out the alterations in full view .

I mostly shop in charity shops where many of the SAs are volunteers, but still haven't had a problem with trying clothes and shoes on, OK you do get some double takes when pulling the curtains aside to get a second opinion.

I almost forgot I have bought a cardigan from M&Co. when dressed in my Union Jack dress but that was at one of our social meetings .

[Joyce Swindell]

I prefer to shop for female cloths while dressed but have no issues with shopping in male mode for feminine things.....no one knows why I'm shopping for them......they may suspect..... but they don't KNOW. So what??? Now I also have tried on dresses while in male mode and that just means I have to use the mens dressing room. I try to go to the unattended rooms but have had to check with the attendant a couple times when I was in the "I don't give a dang" mood.

[Jenny22]

Lucy 23's remarks ditto mine. I've only ever shopped for everything feminine in drab, and have never had a problem ... perhaps my age and grey hair help (that guy's too old to be a CDer, hmmm). I've often stood next to females while going through the same sales racks at Kohl's or Ross Dress for Less stores and have even asked for their opinions of something I held up to examine. Some of the conversations have been amusing.
I've only just recently made my first outing in femme with a forum sister. As I do more and become more comfortable, its in my bucket list to shop for women's things while dressed.

[Angie G]

I don't go out dreesed. When I shop for girl clothing it never bothers me what they think.
Angie

[Helen_Highwater]

Way more comfortable dressed. Only yesterday I bought 3 pairs (3 for2 offer) of knickers in M&S while enfemme. The SA's treated it just like any other GG buying them. They knew they were for me. Buying in drab I'd have the sneaking suspicion they'd be thinking "Perv likes to wear women's underwear. Yeh like they're for his wife".

[Lucy23]

I've often stood next to females while going through the same sales racks at Kohl's or Ross Dress for Less stores and have even asked for their opinions of something I held up to examine. Some of the conversations have been amusing.

Same here. I try to embrace this approach as a way to get more comfortable with shopping for me (and in the process develop some self-confidence; but that is another story). For example, I once bought tweed shorts and asked a SA what tights she would recommend wearing with them, and on another occasion what top she would recommend with a red flare skirt. They told me, I thanked for their time and help (and smiled!), and nothing more was said. I guess that they thought I was buying the clothes for a girlfriend.

Then again, I was buying high heels that would be size 10 in US and the SA looked at them and quietly smiled at me. It occurred me then, nah, whatever, and smiled back.

Way more comfortable dressed.Buying in drab I'd have the sneaking suspicion they'd be thinking "Perv likes to wear women's underwear. Yeh like they're for his wife".

It's funny though, I would never be able do it other way round. Although I must say, with all respect, that I find it intriguing that you can go shopping en femme comfortably and when in drab such thoughts sneak in...

[Jesse Six]

One important aspect: trying things on with all your enhancements! I could not try on a dress properly without my bra / breast forms / hip pads. It just wouldn't fit right.

[Tracii G]

Both.
If I see something that I have to have I get it.
Guy or girl mode it makes no difference.

[TheHiddenMe]

The majority of time I've bought stuff in drab. I originally tried to pick times when a guy would be buying for a SO or other woman; Christmas, Valentine's Day, etc. Lately, I've been going to thrift stores and looking, both for cost reasons and because I can try things on in male mode (gotten braver about just taking woman's clothes into the change rooms and trying them on).

The other place that I generally shop in drab is Macy's. They often/always have stuff on discount. The local mall also has a couple of change rooms that are away from the others and not staffed, so I can grab something to try on and slip into these change rooms. They also are generally understaffed so there aren't a lot of SA's wandering around asking if they can help you, plus they have a reputation for being crossdresser friendly.

My most recent shopping trip was dressed. I arranged beforehand to have a makeover at Sephora and then asked at Nordstrom if I could try on clothes. The SAs at Nordstrom were great, pulled clothes for me to try on, helped with zippers and opinions, and were very supportive. I then walked down the mall to Macy's and browsed their discount items (and tried some on in an unstaffed change room), but I'm not sure I would have had the courage to actually buy something dressed. I did buy two dresses from Nordstrom, and spent part of three days dressed there, and the staff told me I was welcome to come back anytime.

It's more fun to shop while dresses, but more practical to buy when drab.

[Tracy Irving]

To date, all of my shopping starts out in drab. A SA and I will find some dresses and I will try them on. Often I will look through the racks wearing the last dress I tried on. Then, if I make a purchase, I may wear the dress out of the store.

[DIANEF]

As a newbie to going out dressed bought all my stuff in drab, usually with a 'its for my wife' tale. Last Monday a bit of a first for me, bought a new womens winter coat at a store called Bonmarche (UK members will know it), and asked if I could try it on. Senior SA totally unfazed (a young girl gave me a funny look), fitted great, paid and off I went. Will I ever shop en-femme?, hopefully one day.

[IleneD]

Ha. I don't fake it. In fact, I'm getting to enjoy engaging with sales assistants.
I was in a ski shop today looking for new ski clothing. I was thinking of going with a more "Femme" look than my traditional "mountain man" ski look. Of course all the male ski clothing is so drab, drab, drab. No imagination or design.

I went to the womens ski clothes and found a unique pair of rose floral pattern pants. Really cool in that rose/hibiscus color of pink, a bit of gold and earth tones. Definitely not mono colored at all.

The female SA was great. After but a few seconds of discussing what I was looking for, she picked up immediately that it was for ME, without me saying so. She led me around to several other similar styles and prints and even escorted me to the fitting room to try on the rose pants. I could have fit them, and did, but I'd still like to have a bit more space in the thighs (but waist and butt were good for the womens L). I'd go for a size larger in activewear, and I passed since there was not one on the rack. I'll go back.

But I picked up that the SA was having a good time working with me. I was mostly in guy mode but mixed. I wore my large silver earring hoops and light lipstick on at the time ( w jeans, long sleeve T, panties, etc.) She KNEW and didn't blink an eye. It's fun for them too, trust me.