Quote Originally Posted by karynspanties View Post
Ok, here is my .02...my wife worked for Mervyns for 4 years here in Michigan before they closed their doors. If you are a man, not dressed enfemme and by yourself, you have to use the mens fitting room. PERIOD. If you are with your wife and nobody is in the fitting room they would allow it. If you where comepletely enfemme, they could not legally ask you if you were a man or woman, so they would let you in. Think about it, really. What makes you think they would let a man in the womens fitting room when he is dressed as a man? Are you serious? Do you really think you need to ask a stupid question like that? I don't mean to sound like a b*&%^h, but come on poeple, use some common sensce!! If you are in drab and want to try something on...use the mens. What's the big deal? If your in victorias, just by it, if you really want it (you should know your size by now...if not you should not be in victorias) If it does not fit...take it back. Going into a store in drab or partially crossdressed and asking to try something on will get you told no AND it gives crossdressing another black eye. Don't add to the problem.
While I am sure that the above quote is well intentioned, I find it a bit arrogant and domineering. I have been denied the changing room only once in my entire CD shopping career (at Coldwater Creek), and a quick chat with the manager set the SA straight immediately.

I agree that if there is a men's changing room available right there, then what difference does it make? But, I shop almost exclusively in women's clothing stores. After all, I am shopping for women's clothes. There is usually only one set of changing rooms available. How I am dressed (if I am presentable) should make NO difference on how I buy. Trying on clothes is an essential part of buying clothes.

Dressing rooms should be closed in and private. As such, how can it possibly matter what gender I am, or what clothes I have on when I enter the store? And how, pray tell, do you propose I get the SA's opinion on my outfit? Call her into the tiny changing room with me? No thanks, I will come out to walk and observe the outfit in the mirrors and chat with the SA about fit and style, thank you.

Victoria's Secret is one of the CD and TG friendliest stores out there. I have always felt welcome there dressed as a man or woman. It has NEVER made the slightest difference. Most of the shoppers on this forum have had EXACTLY the same experience. I have no idea why one would have difficulty using the dressing rooms at VS unless the SA thought that you were just a pervert using up her valuable time.

Presenting as a well dressed, well behaved, and serious shopper can NEVER give the CD community a "black eye". These kinds of scare tactics, however, can have a very negative effect on the shopping career of a nervous newbie. Let's be a bit more positive here, shall we? Shopping should be and can be fun. A bit expensive at times, but fun. Having the attention of a good SA who knows his/her stuff is a valuable part of the shopping experience. A good SA will have NO problem with which gender you present as when you enter the store.

Stores want your money. Stores do not want to try and dictate what you wear when you shop. Just relax, girls. This whole thing is almost a non-issue. In my experience, and in the experience of many others on this forum, it's really rare that you will run into this problem at all.

Lovies,
Stephenie