One of the things I learned about shopping for sale items is to use the self scanners located throughout the store to check for the price. Sometimes the sales price is not reflected on the scanner. Other times, when it is new inventory, it may not have been entered into the computer. Those may require assistance at the self checkout lanes. With internet sales I infrequently purchase femme items in stores.

There were some uncomfortable instances when I was new to buying femme garments. Usually I bought things "for my wife" at gift giving times during the year; Mother's Day, Christmas, Valentine's Day, etc. I would always ask for a gift box; something of a ruse to make the sales associate believe it was for my wife. When I was actually buying for my wife it was so easy. Other times I would buy at Halloween. Then, it seemed the sales associate thought it was cool and readily assisted me.

Once I saw an ad for JCPenny for Vanity Fair foundation half slips. I cut out the ad and scrawled on it some words suggesting my wife wanted me to stop and buy one for her. The sales associate, an older woman, was snarky and commented, "Oh, she even wrote the size down for you!" That was back in the 1980's. Later, I went back and bought another one in a different color, and, a younger sales associate did not say a thing or give off any non-accepting non-verbal clues.

Another time, which I have related several times on this site, I went into a Catherine's to buy full slips. I knew exactly what I was going to buy. I could see the rack near the window. It was not a case of browsing. When I entered the store you'd thought space aliens had landed to abduct earthlings. Both were older women. It was strange because there was another totally bored man in the store accompanying his wife. I was alone but dressed in slacks, shirt and tie coming from work. They were so uncomfortable with my presence that it made me uncomfortable. There were three other Catherine's in my area where younger women were totally eager to assist me and cheerful. Sometimes I think older women are set in their ways and have not caught up to where society has gone; totally judgemental in a negative way.