Welcome to Crossdresser Heaven, a safe and welcoming place for everyone in the crossdresser community.
Join Crossdresser Heaven today to participate in the forums.
Hi everyone! I wanted to share another amazing experience while I was out and about today. With some time off, I decided to get all dressed up to go shopping at the mall. It’s been a while since I went out fully dressed, but wearing a mask definitely makes it easier, especially in calming the nerves and all the anxiety. It’s also a great way to add some extra flash and accessorize a little.
While looking at some sweaters in a department store, an amazing woman was kind enough to tap my shoulder and said, “Excuse me, ma’am! Sorry, but I just had to say how much I love your glittery mask! It looks so cute!” She called me ma’am; oh my goodness, I love it! I had a few more unexpected highlights throughout the day, and I’m glad I took some time to relax and be myself out in the world.
I dress casually as if I’m just out for a normal shopping trip like anyone else. I’m not trying to draw attention (intentionally) and just enjoy my time out and about. I chose a mostly casual outfit; something that would work with the new pink paisley skirt that I've been dying to wear outside of my home. Out in public, malls are a great place to walk around and build some confidence. Sure, there’s always that sideways glance from a few people, but I’ve noticed most people are generally pretty friendly and don’t bat an eye. It was gratifying to experience how kind many were, especially with the multiple compliments on my hair from a few different people around the mall, and again when I pumped gas at a station on the drive home! The extra attention was a little unexpected, but it was a nice confidence boost, and it made me feel more comfortable with myself.
With the mall not being overly crowded, I took my time walking around, listening to the wonderful sound that my heels made with each confident step I took. Malls are a great place for this; I’m not always so great walking in heels, and I definitely started to feel it in my legs. It was nice to be able to find a comfortable seating are to rest and immerse myself in the experience.
I’d snap some pictures, fix my stockings, and just enjoy the time to myself. I went to a few different department stores, and of course, I needed to visit Torrid and Victoria’s Secret. I always love how welcoming these kinds of women’s stores are, and a saleswoman at Torrid even complimented my hair again. She talked to me about their holiday sales, and said, “Let me know if I can help you, sweetie!” Oh my goodness, I got a “ma’am” and a “sweetie” from two different women in one outing! Seriously, I was walking high in the clouds after that.
After maybe an hour of walking around feeling great about my look, I found this amazing vintage shop where I looked at some cute skirts and thought about some new heels. That’s when I saw this mirror with this amazing sign above it – and how could I not stop and get a quick pic? It was a great experience and gives me confidence that I can go out into the world and be myself every once in a while.
Remember ladies – you’re all pretty!
xoxo Brittany
@brittanycd Malls are a great place where to test things and build confidence. That's where I go most of the time when I leave home.
I have had a couple of sales ladies call me honey or sweetie, too. I don't know them, to know what was behind that. Normal? Patronizing? Sarcasm? I will take it at face value anyway.
There was a sales clerk at a Nordstrom that was a confidant, even a mentor in some ways. I learned a few things from her. She would compliment me trying to boost my confidence when first dressing in public. Then Nordstrom suddenly pulled up their stakes and completely left Canada*. Bummer. Talk about pulling rug out from under someone.
* Apparently, Canada is a tough retail market for companies that don't do their research and come prepared.
@harriette It sounds like that sales clerk was a wonderful person! I hope you get to live that experience again soon!
Hi Brittany, I loved that account of the trip to the mall. You looked great and I'm so glad you had such a wonderful experience.
One of my earliest outings cross dressed in a ladies trouser suit (back in May 2023) was to a mall about 50 miles away. My wife and I were browsing round one of the big department stores when we were approached by a store representative "would you 2 ladies like to join the presentation on Yves Saint Laurent cosmetics by their UK Product Director - it's just about to start"? Of course my wife jumped at the chance so I found myself in a circle of 8 or 10 ladies, all of whom were friendly and accepted me even though it must have been obvious I was a man. It culminated with the YSL Director giving my wife a makeover and the 3 of us being photographed together.
We also had breakfast in one of the mall restaurants. A lovely young lady served us. On subsequent visits to the mall we have breakfasted in the same restaurant and been served by the same lady who always greets us with enthusiasm.
It is not just in the mall, but most places we have gone I have found that not only do most people not notice me as a cross dresser, but those that do notice have been generally warm, friendly and engaging.
It really is liberating!
Rebecca xxx
Hi Rebecca! This whole experience sounds incredible and I love how supportive your wife is - you're very lucky to have each other!
@brittanycd I'm with you Brittany! Going to the mall has done wonders for my confidence. I'm careful to dress to blend and I have found that people just don't really notice another woman out shopping. I'll never forget the first time, I ventured out from my safe place which was the women's department of a mall anchor store into the main part of the mall. I wound up going the length of the mall and venturing into a number of stores. In one store, a sales associate even told me that the booties I was wearing were cute. It was such a great experience and I didn't want it to end.
@lauren114 Isn't that just the best when you get a compliment like that from a nice sales woman? Such a nice confidence boost!
The best part about it is that I saw her as being very stylish not to mention pretty! It was a complement from on high.
@brittanycd BTW, Brittany, well done with your outfit and looks. I have worn a skirt, stockings, and low heels in a mall once, but I have yet to go out in a dress, and I always wear a mask not only for health reasons, but it also covers my moustache.
Re: not drawing attention
I went to a mall after a medical appointment, yesterday. After the appointment, I went to a washroom and put on a bra and my largest forms which are at least a B-cup (400g, which is slightly less than 1 pound). Even though I wore a sweater jacket, it is also snug, so people do pick up on the enhanced shape. I catch lots of people looking at my chest, so maybe I have to tone it down a bit. Live and learn.
@harriette Thank you so much for the kind words! It sounds like you are pretty confident there yourself to go out and shop for yourself out in the world!
@brittanycd I dress en femme as much and as often as I feel that I can pull off without causing a scene. I don't always succeed, as what happened NYE, but practice and experimentation pays off.
You look great Brittany. I too have been to the mall completely dress in my feminine outfit complete with wig and makeup. I feel that I blended in pretty well. It's such a liberating feeling.
Thanks so much Daphanie! It really is such a wonderful and liberating feeling!
To Brittany &Daphanie,
love your wardrobe selection, Brittany and your hair style Daphanie… thank you ladies for your sharing your visiting the mall en femme… you both are an inspiration.
thanks again, Leonara
That's so sweet of you to say, Leonara! Thanks so much for the kind words of support!
Thank you Leonard. Nice to get uour lovely compliments. They are very encouraging.
Daphanie Allison
You look very pretty. I just got back from the mall myself. I haven’t cross dressed in a long time. I took several weeks to practice my make up and walking. The home work paid off. I was very nervous at first but no one seemed to even notice. Had a great time went through the mall and made it back safely. So much fun being a woman for the day. Thanks for sharing and be safe. Renee
Aw thank you Renee! It means so much to hear that, and I always love the confidence boost from being to able to go out and be myself.
Nice look Brittany and great experience! I would love to be brave enough to do that, however the malls around me are somewhat smaller, and the chance of me being spotted by someone I know is pretty high. So I will have to just content myself with living the experience through you.
Rikki! You would be surprised how much people do not care - honestly, so many people are busy worrying about themselves that they often won't even bat an eye or think twice about it. Dress casual and appropriate for the public and you might have a good experience!
You are looking great there! I too love to go to a mall and just wander around looking, sometimes trying things one.
I agree with you totally about the sales women, without exception they have been friendly and helpful. Even if my voice gives me a away, no problem at all!
@amylove2dress The voice part is always my dead giveaway! I've been practicing, but I still get so nervous sometimes...
Brittany -
What a wonderful experience for you. You look lovely in the picture. I've yet to have an experience like that but hope to some day. Hope you have more just like it soon.
XOXO
Suzanne
@cdsue Thank you so much for the love and support! I even like to go grocery shopping sometimes because it's a non-threatening place to just be myself and go about my day like anyone else.
Hi Brittany I have been out a few times to the mall and it is so exciting. It is true most people do not care or are to busy. I have had a few sales ladies help with the measuring for the right size bra and they are so nice. They know that I am a man but do not bat an eye . I also love the sound of the heels in the mall and sometimes catch a man having a look. No one has ever said anything negative and a lot of women that do see me are very helpful Thanks for your story and enjoy
Hi Darlene! That sounds exciting, so brave of you to have the confidence for an in-person measurement!
Welcome to CDH, Darlene!
It sounds as if you are enjoying your dressing, so keep it going. I would like reading about your adventures.
What a lovely enjoyable day, always so nice when we get compliments and an affirmation that we are pretty women enjoying a day shopping
A mall is a great place to dress, even in otherwise conservative parts of the country.
