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This article was submitted by Torrey Grover, a 50ish occasional crossdresser living in the intermountain west. Although presenting as male, he does have long hair and wears a lot of unisex outfits in public.
For years I had been window shopping at Victoria’s Secret and dreaming of buying a nice bra. I knew that Monday mornings were the slowest time of the week which would make the clerk anxious to make a sale, and reduce the risk of any encounters with other customers. My plan was to pay cash, wear something flamboyant but gender-neutral, and have my longish hair in a neat ponytail.
As I looked for the Victoria's Secret location on the mall directory sign I realized my heart was racing. I found a drinking fountain then the restroom before walking down the corridor. I saw the Victoria's Secret ahead, slowed down, then kept walking. I went back to the food court to sit down. I felt that everyone was looking at me as if they could read my mind. I got my mental state back in control and was ready for another attempt. The second time I approached the Victoria's Secret and walked right in. I glanced around and saw that the store was empty except for one employee rearranging displays. I started wandering, knowing that before long the clerk would notice me.
"Good morning? Looking for anything special?" It was now or never. No lying about gifts for girl friends or anything else like that.
"I'm looking for a bra."
"Do you know what size and style you want?" She was acting like my request was perfectly normal.
"I'm not sure, probably something with small cups but a large band. Maybe a 36 or 38 B?"
She gave me a quick once-over with her eyes and smiled. She opened a drawer and began sorting through the endless piles of bras. I was savoring the experience. Eventually she pulled out a very pretty flesh-colored bra with lace trim and nicely formed foam-padded cups.
"Maybe something like this will work? It's a Body by Victoria push-up. I really like this style." I decided to go for broke.
"This sounds silly, but do you mind if I try this one on? I'm really not sure of my size."
"That's not a silly request. Of course."
I followed her back toward the changing rooms with the bra in my hands. I have no idea what I would have done if we had encountered another customer at that point. She unlocked the white-and-pink door, and I went inside. I took off my shirt and undershirt, slipped my arms through the straps, and struggled with the fastener.
"How does it fit?"
"OK, but a bit tight." I had given an honest answer to what seemed a perfectly normal question.
"Let me get you another one." A moment later I saw a hand drape another bra over the top of the door.
"This one may have a bit more stretch. Is the problem that the band is too tight?"
"Yes. Do you have this style in a 40?"
"Unfortunately, we only stock larger band sizes in C and D cup. Have you considered a bra extender?"
A moment later she came back and handed a package over the door.
"These will add a couple of inches."
I took out a two-hook flesh-colored extender, attached it to the bra, and tried again. This time the fit was perfect! I stood straight with my shoulder blades pulled back and admired myself in the mirror. The push-up combined with my own chest fat to give a definite hint of boobs. The feeling of having my chest cradled in the cups and the fastener against my back was wonderful. I readjusted the shoulder straps to get just the right height for the cups.
I decided I better not push my luck by lingering. I changed back to my shirt and calmly walked to the counter where the girl was waiting. "I'll get this one." "I just wanted to thank you for being so understanding and helpful today."
"I hope to see you here soon. Here’s a gift card for your next purchase"
This article was submitted by Torrey Grover, a 50ish occasional crossdresser living in the intermountain west. Although presenting as male, he does have long hair and wears a lot of unisex outfits in public.
A great outcome for what is becoming a quite common experience for many.
Taking those first steps is always hard but, in the long run, it tends to work out better when we are honest and admit the item is for ourselves.
I hope you go back to spend your gift voucher soon Torrey.
Yea gotta go ahead and admit it
The younger SA s are more gender accepting and familiar with other genders as it is part of pop culture
I ve admitted to panties for me on VS online chat
I think they already are familiar with it
It is interesting that in my male life as a husband, father, professional all around guy I am virtually fearless. I have a crash through walls personality and nothing causes me any concern at all. I will take on any task or challenge and do my best to prevail.
The idea of walking into a VS store and asking for help in picking out a bra for myself scares the living daylights out of me.
Go figure.
Pat
I've had this positive experience from another store I shop at. Unfortunately VS doesn't sell bras my size. So I shop elsewhere, but if you become a regular it makes the experience so much more fun. The get to know you, what you like, and love to help you.
I'm inspired by this story and others like it! I think I'll set a goal of trying this myself before the end of the year! Thanks for writing it!
I'm so glad you had such a good experience there. It sounds so familiar. I went my first time to the VS semi-annual sale, fully aware that I was out of place that day, but just as determined to see it through. Now I go regularly to a nearby store, where they know me by sight and by name. They have seen me change since that first time three years ago now. I am no longer out of place. In more ways than one.
I have had only good experiences when shopping and trying on clothes in guy mode. Most sales people will help you. Last weekend I tried on several dresses, tops and ladies jeans at a thrift store and at a Ross. I always get just a touch nervous around other guys in the store, but never around women. I do 90% of my shopping for feminine attire when presenting as a guy; it's just never been a problem. But when you do get a very helpful salesperson it's even a more fun experience!
Thanks for posting this Maxine!
April
I've also been out bra shopping several times but as a man. I wear a size 38d and I went to Soma in the mall.
And the sales lady treating me very respectful as she knew it was for me.
And she help me pick out my bra without asking I found a nice pair matching panties. As we were talking and she asked me if I wanted anything else and I said I like to get a tunic. She said we're about the same size so she went and Found Me one and I love it. Ended up getting a pair of leggings to go with it.
She said she had no problem helping me invited me back anytime if I want to come dressed as a woman and if I was nervous the best time to come is about an hour before they closed.
Nervous at first but love the experience.
I've been buying my own pantyhose since I was 13. I've received help several times from sales people. If they would ask if I needed help, usually I knew what I wanted, but there have been times when I liked a brand and style of pantyhose but I wanted it in a larger size or different color. Sometimes they would ask if they were for me. It wasn't exactly a secret because usually when I went shopping for pantyhose, I was wearing pantyhose with short shorts.
They would often look through drawers and stock rooms to see if they had what I wanted. If they did, it was not unusual for me to buy 10 or more pairs at a time. They often would take my merchandise to the register, ring it up, bag it and send me on my way with an "enjoy them".
When I got more and more into cross dressing, I had similar experiences. Most of the time, I just go about picking out what I want and buy it. It's a total non event. But over the years, I've purchase countless thousands of pairs of pantyhose, hundreds of dresses. bras, shoes, panties and drawers full of lingerie. I guess with that kind of buying volume over a long period of time I was bound to be asked if I needed help.
I have had great experiences buying bras for myself over the years. Earlier this year I checked out a specialty bra shop on one of my business trips in Michigans' UP. I went in looked around at all the pretty stuff they had. The of the saleslady asked if I needed help finding a bra. O course I said yes and told her it was for me. I told her the size I needed, 46DD, and she said that many stopped at 44, at least in the styles I preferred. She said I may try on some to see how they fit. I told her I wear them with some forms that I have with me in my truck. She said get them and we'll try some bras on. This was the best experience I have ever had trying on anything. She basically did a bra fitting that was just as if my breasts forms were the real thing. She would come and go getting different bras and she would help me put them on. This first time I came in wearing black running leggings with hose under and obvious at the ankles. I have been back several times always in a skirt and hose and one time I have even had my forms on when I came in. Everytime there has been other women in there and once one had her husband. I am sure I was talked about at dinner! The bras are Wacoal and I get the matching panties of course! The owner and ladies that work there are positive, very friendly and supportive of ladies like me. I just got some new forms, two additional sizes-one smaller than my 46DD's and one much bigger!, so I am ready for some bra fittings again for my other sizes. Have fun everyone!
Amanda P
Formaly ( Margaret )
I got tired of the hit and miss of internet shopping. So I decided to step out and purchase in stores. I called ahead first to a shoe store, a hair salon that I knew sold wigs I even had it cut and styled there. and also a bra store. I called ahead and explained who I was in advance and was welcomed at each place. the bra store sales lady even told me about a lgbtq friendly place in a city about one half hour drive from where I live that welcomed everybody I was there last weekend dressed. yes I still cant believe it one week later. needless to say my heart was pounding as I was walking there and I did meet a couple of people on the way but just kept on walking straight ahead. once there it was a great experience and a lovely gay couple walked with me back to the front entrance of my hotel to make sure I got back safe as I was little nervous. I would have probably not have done this for a long time yet If the ladies at the bra store had not encouraged me and also this site with their non judgemental ways really helped my confidence. Oh and by the way my wig was styled by an open minded male stylist I also had A leg waxing done in preparation for my evening out . all this just because I decided to open up to sales people at stores and not pretend the stuff was for some one else when This time last year I would barley go out side in my back yard under dressed. I feel better just being honest and Jane S is right it is never as bad as we think. Now that I have been out once I surely want to go again in the future.
Amanda P
Great to hear that you had a wonderful time, Amanda.
And wonderful to hear your experiences here have helped with your confidence. 🙂
I love VS. I went in to my local store one early morning just as they opened and met an SA named Liz. She asked me if she could help me and I told her I was looking for leggings. She showed me where they were. I looked at what I thought were my size and asked her if I could try them on. She said sure and escorted me back to the dressing room. I was over whelmed when I first entered the room but then got real excited too. The leggings were kind of big in the leg so she offered to have them ordered online with free shipping. I went ahead and ordered them. I love them so much. I would wear them everyday if I could. Now when I go into VS and Liz is working she calls me by name and gives me a big hug. I love VS. I called VS customer service and gave her a big kudo. I suggest everyone do the same if you get great service.
Love,
Wanda
Dear friends I live in the city of Sevastopol and we are this bad but I found not many shops where I was buying women's clothing Especially dresses with open back and not only that I'm not like everyone I like Sometimes, I advise women how to dress in women's clothes And how I want to wear women's clothes, wig, panties and bra to go to town so everyone knew in our city, Thank you for all this time that You understand Your favorite Vasilisa the Beautiful to
I went to a VF Outlet Store in my State.
You may know that they have great low prices on their quality lingerie.
It was late one afternoon, and I was the only customer there.
I saw a pretty young sales associate vacuuming the the floor far away.
I took a shopping cart to the men's area and put some black socks in my cart.
Then I went to the nearby lingerie department, and picked out several pairs of their beautiful Vanity Fair Ravissant Perfectly Yours silky nylon brief panties in various feminine pretty colors, and a Vanity Fair Rosette silky nylon and lace trim full slip.
I also chose some gorgeous silky nylon feminine nighties too.
I took my treasures to the counter to pay, but no cashier was there.
I summoned the pretty young sales woman who was vacuuming, and she came to cash me out.
I loved that she handled each delicate piece of my new silky lingerie pieces in her hands as she folded them to put into a plastic shopping bag for me.
When I finished paying, and was ready to leave the store, she said she had another hour of work to do, before she could leave.
I thought that was a possible hint that she was interested to meet me when she left work, and maybe she wanted to see me wearing my new silky lingerie, but then I dismissed that idea, and didn't say anything to her about that.
I was caught off guard and she surprised me when she said to me "enjoy your lingerie".
I blabbered something about "I will, and they will look good with my new black socks. They go together nicely.
I think I surprised her with my answer, because I saw her quickly blush.
I said thanks for helping me.
She said come back again.
Did I miss an opportunity to ask her to meet me after she got off her work shift, to model my new silky lingerie for her delight?
Any comments about this?
Thank you.
I took my filled cart
I found a great lingerie store in CT through their online website.
It is a small independently owned old style type of lingerie store that helps women and is also crossdresser friendly, and I just fell in love with it, when I went there.
I ordered some nylon full brief panties, and full slips from them, and were delivered shortly after that by USPS package.
After that, I called the store owner to thank them for helping me with my online order.
They said thanks, and invited me to visit their store personally.
I called ahead to ask the store owner if I could visit there that afternoon, and would she help me select some silky lingerie that I wanted to buy, and told her what I wanted.
She said she gets busy with her customers, but she would make time for me when I got there.
I entered this intimate and quaint lingerie store, and my heart was racing, because I saw all this gorgeous lingerie packed into that little store on racks. I thought to myself, that this was my type of old fashioned lingerie store.
I was greeted by the sweet older store owner, who helped me feel confortable when I entered.
She took my chest and waist measurements for my bra, slip, nighties, and panties sizes that would fit me, and told me my bra and panties sizes.
She showed me a variety of these items, that I chose to buy that day, and we're all reasonably priced too. I was like a kid in a candy store.
She showed me a pretty woman's picture on the wall wearing a gorgeous silky white nylon peignoir, and she said it was her mother who started the store years earlier, but had passed away. God Bless her soul.
This was her daughter, Chrissy, who inherited and took over her mother's lingerie business, and was carrying on to still operate it.
Chrissy worked with her mom in this lingerie store since she was young, and grew up in this fine business.
While I was in the store, another cd came in to buy a few pairs of cotton panties.
The store owner introduced us.
I said hello, and the cd left to meet another cd visiting her from VT.
After that, an older elegantly dressed woman regular customer of theirs came in to buy a bra or corset she had special ordered, and came in to try it on in the fitting room.
As the older woman walked by me, she stopped to ask me if I would model bras for her.
The store owner told her that I was buying mastectomy bras for my wife who just had the surgery done.
The woman accepted that answer, but was embarrassed that she asked me to model bras for her. Secretly, I wish I could have modeled my bras and lingerie for her. I think we both would have gotten a thrill over that if it happened to be. Unfortunately, it was like 2 ships passing in the night for that opportunity to model my lingerie for her.
The older woman left the store after she paid for her lingerie purchases.
The store owner, Chrissy, told me that my crossdressing is a part of me, not to be ashamed of it, and to accept it as that.
Those words of wisdom really hit home with me, and made me even more confortable with her, and myself as a cd from then on too.
She said she had cd's from all over come to her store to buy lingerie, and she was fully understanding, accepting, and supportive.
She was the type that I would consider becoming good friends with, and opening up to her about my feminine feelings.
If anyone is interested to Google her store in Plainfield, Connecticut (Central , CT area) to order online or visit them, the store name I recommend is: www.ireneslingerie.com.
I hope you all check out this store online or in person, because I think you will enjoy it, and meeting Chrissy, and her store associate, Louise.
Thanks for sharing your supportive experience, like a perfectly fitting bra. The advice from the store owner is something we CDs crave to hear, that it's really okay to feel the way we do.
