Have you ever felt tensed walking into a Lady store?

I shopped at Victoria's Secret for quite some time.  I would get so nervous.  I would go out of town.  At one point I went to the local mall and wanted to buy panties.  I picked out a pair and stood in line trying to convince myself I looked like I was shopping for a girlfriend.  The salesgirl asked me at checkout if I wanted the buy two get one free.  She sold me on it being cheaper.  So, she walked me over to the panties table and asked, "What do you like?"

I was taken aback and then just eased into shopping with her.  She talked about what she liked.  She even lifted her shirt a bit and showed me the top of her panties.   She helped me find 6 pair.  She then asked anything more.  I said I would like to see a cami set.  She laughed a bit.  I went to the lacy lingerie type.  She said, "No, no, you want to be comfortable."  She showed me a super soft cami set that in XL without asking for size.  "You'll love this.  It's so comfy and sexy too!"

It was never overtly stated she knew it was all for me.  Yet, I realized when I thought about it later.  We never talked about me shopping for anyone.  I had also lost track of it being for someone else.  When she showed me the top of her underwear I felt like I was shopping with a girlfriend.   It was the best shopping experience ever.

Hi I felt a bit shy the first time I went shopping, I found 2 great shops in London @Westfield.. M&S and new look, the member of staff even asked if I'd got a top to go with the skirt and even asked if I was going anywhere nice to wear it

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That's a nice positive experience Danni.

Thanks, girls! For your time sharing your stories!

Have I ever not? 😉

Truth be told I've only shopped in one ladies' clothing store that is not geared toward CD/trans women, and that one was vouched to me by a sister as trans-friendly.

What can I say?  I'm a chicken at heart.

I’ve only done it a couple of times and only for panties but I actually find it a little bit exciting shopping for them.   Probably a little nervous too.

Sorry about your unpleasant experience Roberta.

Now I have a new protocol.... If they aren't nice to me, knock shit over 😉

Hugs

Do I know that feeling? Oh, yes. In the beginning, just browsing in the women's section of Walmart made me nervous, and I used the self-checkout line to pay. Similar feelings trying on shoes at Payless when they were liquidating - but I had to pay in person, and soon got used to it. In time, you will see that nobody cares and you can relax. You will accept the idea that you are a CD, and that it's OK to be one; the burden will vanish.
Hugs,
Bettylou

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You got that right Autumn. Xx

It's almost always very awkward when your first start shopping for your own clothing.  You feel like the entirety of the store is watching you, and you are waiting for them to page overhead that there's A MAN IN THE LINGERIE DEPT!

Then it gets easier.

Then you realize the cashier is probably bored ringing you up with your selection of panties or dresses.  They are only asking if you found everything ok, because it's rote for them.

Then you realize that, in all honesty, no one really cares that you're shopping for women's clothing.  At all.

Then you realize that casual conversation with the cashier or salespeople about your purchases isn't so bad.  You may even enjoy securing a dressing room to make sure your selections fit properly, so you're not out the hard earned money.

Then, and perhaps for the first time- you finally find out that it's quite ok that you are doing you.  Those brick-and-mortar stores LOVE having your business instead of taking it online.

Be you.  Comfort levels will come eventually.

I was terrified the first few times I shopped in person, and my blood pressure certainly still goes up.

I recently opened up to a store manager at a women's wear local store, when I've looked and bought things a couple of times.

I kind of thought that she had figured me out, but after she had asked a couple of times if she could help me, I finally said that I was shopping for myself. To that she, no problem, I'm just here to help, and told me the quietest times to come in and shop, and showed me a less obvious change room I could use to try things on, and their return policy in case I just wanted to buy things, and try them on at home.

Today, I went in and bought a couple of satin camisoles. We were at the back of the store, and she was holding them up to me, and talking about the fit, and such. Just like me Mom might of done!

Of course, it is only good business sense, and esp if you can get a customer to come in during the less busy times. She even said that all of her staff are very accepting, but if I have any problems, let her know!

Altogether a good experience.

Amy

I guess it does pass, I am generally ok with employees, but do try to be considerate of other shoppers when they have children with them.

I don’t have a tip because I also feel very tense, even if I’m just accompanying my wife.

A couple of times, as sort of a dare to myself, I’ve bought pantyhose at a drug store. I can’t imagine having the nerve to go into a brick and mortar store and shop for lingerie. There is a corset shop near the city in which I live that caters to cross dressers and will do fittings. I’m holding out my trip there for a moment when I feel I deserve a special treat.

Never I love being there I’m totally comfortable

Hi Aparna,

I wasn’t tense going into a women’s shop to shop for myself.  It was more exciting than being nervous.  Maybe a few butterflies.  It was fun thinking about what I wanted.  Some stores are more product oriented than service focused.  Other smaller shops only had one associate.  In the smaller shop I found a pretty bra I liked.  I asked the associate if I could try on the Bra and she told me where changing room was.  It fit well and I decided to buy it.

In other shops most items were in drawers behind the counters so I’d wait for an associate and tell her what I wanted.  She’d return with several items for me to try on.  Then she’d walk me to the changing room for me to try on and make my selections.

Alice