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Beth's Shopping Tips

Let's face it, girlfriend. Unless we have an understanding wife/girlfriend/significant other who has the same taste and wears the same size, we are going to have to go shopping. Which is fine. I love shopping for clothes for my inner woman. {If I'm shopping for male clothes, I'll grab the first shirt that fits. When I'm looking for a dress, I'll spend hours trying to find the right one. Just like a woman *giggle*} I truly envy my sisters who can go shoppping en femme. Unfortunately, I can't, and have to shop for my inner woman's clothes in my male personna. I've found it can be embarrassing, but it can be done. I've developed a few little tips that I would like to share with any crossdressers who want to buy some pretties, but aren't sure how to go about it. If anyone reading this page has some tips to add, I would love the help.



If you're embarrassed about shopping for lingerie, there are two times of the year when absolutely no one bats an eye at a male in the women's lingerie department. Valentine's Day and Christmas. I love these holidays. I can spend hours going from one shop to the next, picking out just the right gift for that special girl on my list. {And, I can pick up a few frillies for myself as well. *giggle*} Mother's Day is another holiday when you will see some men in the lingerie departments; not as many, but enough to pass {if you'll forgive the expression}.

You can also shop for skirts, dresses and other outer apparel during these seasons. Of course, it's unlikely that you might be able to try them on when you're buying them. {And, in the Christmas shopping rush, I'm not so sure that I would want to be caught in the ladies dressing room with just my silk panties on. *giggle*} As long as you know your size, this might be a good time to pick up that saucy cocktail dress you've had your eye on.

At other times of the year, I've found that weekday afternoons are a good time to go shopping. Most shops aren't quite as crowded and you won't stand out quite so much. {There have been many times when I am the only one in the shop}

I tend to prefer buying dresses and skirts in used clothing stores and thrift shops. First, the prices are much better. {I've seen Nordstrom dresses for $4.00} Second, if I'm not able to try the dress on in the store, I don't want to spend that much for it. {I still haven't worked up the nerve to return a blouse I bought at Penney's that didn't quite fit.} Third, my experience with used clothing stores is that they can be supportive and some will let you try the clothing on first.

I've been doing some traveling lately and have developed a way to pick out clothing stores in strange cities. Most large cities have a section of town where the gay and lesbian community is located. Generally, stores in that section are owned by people who, if not gay and lesbian themselves, have no problem with alternative lifestyles. So, when I check in the motel, I get the yellow pages out. After I find out where the lingerie stores are, {*giggle*} I'll look up the address of a gay and lesbian bookstore. Then, I'll check that area for used clothing stores. I've found that these are the stores which will usually let you try on clothing before buying.

I've been struggling with sizes. Sometimes I wear a 9 sometimes a 10. On one occasion, I let out about a half-inch on a size 7 skirt and now it fits beautifully. Another time, I broke the zipper on a size 13 dress. I guess what I've learned from this is that it's hard to judge what size you'll take. If you're not able to try something on before you buy it, try to hold it up to yourself, discreetly if neccessary, and make an educated guess as to whether it will fit before you buy it.

I've read much about measuring yourself for a brassiere. One authority said to measure just below the bust, add five inches and blah, blah, blah. It might work, I guess, but I think if I added five inches to my bustline, my bra would be around my knees. When I measured just below the bust, I came up with 35 inches. Either a 34 or a 36 seems to fit well. I usually get a B cup and add padding.



My Girlfriends recommend:

Marybeth left the following note in my guestbook:
Favorite shopping tips-you can always shop bridal stores aroung halloween-they are closing out their summer stuff and you can get great deals. they advertise gowns as costumes, too. I got a pink formal off the rack (tried it on, too) for only $10!
Second, before I go to a new place for the first time, I call ahead first. I explain why I'm shopping, and ask if they have a problem. If they do, why would I want to spend money there, anyway? Usually, everything is OK-thats how I found TFF {Tall Fashions and Footwear} and a few others. They also appreciate the courtesy, that I'm not trying to 'inflict' myself on anyone. Thanks, Marybeth. I can't wait for next Holloween! I think I'l go as a bride!

The *other* Mary Beth also has a tip to share. She says go to the bonus days at Clinique oe Estee Lauder and write down what you want in a feminine script, hand it to the salesperson asking as you have no idea what your wife wants. So, if you order something over the bonus price, you'll get a gift with purchase. Personal recommendation-Clinique Sweetheart Beyond Blusher. Thanks, MB! I'll need the blusher if I go as a blushing bride {*giggle*}

Michelle left a bit of advice in the guestbook. Very simply, she says, "Don't be embarrassed to buy anything you want. You are not going to shock anybody in these days of Jerry Springer or Ricki Lake." Thanks, Michelle. As time goes by, I'm beginning to follow this way of thinking more and more. I guess the embarrassment starts to wear off after you've bought enough lingerie.

Becky sent a fe-mail with this tip -- I go into a store with large women's department stores, especially on a weekday morning. I walk right up to the sales girl and tell her that a friend is having a costume party and that I want to go dressed as a woman. This works great because my embarassment is ok...it's even appropriate. The several times that I've tried this (of course you can only use this in the same store once in a great while) the sales girls (especially younger ones) jump right into the game. They love to help me find a cute little outfit to dress up in. Also, if they do know what my real purpose is they never let on, and I think it's nice to give them a comfortable excuse for helping me. Additionally, I've found that it is important to have an idea of exactly what I'm looking for when I try this method. That helps me steer the sales girl in the right direction.

The last time I did this, I walked out of the store with a nice short skirt, silk blouse, stockings, underwear, and some shoes. And, with the exception of the underwear, I was able to try it all on...with the sales girl's encouragement. It was great. Thanks for a great tip, Becky! I think this is a good one for all of our shyer girlfriends.



If you have any shopping tips to share with the rest of the community, please send me a fe-mail or leave a message in Beth's Guestbook and I will post them on this page. If you own a store which is crossdresser friendly and have a website, please send me the address and I will post it in my links.

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