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I live in the UK and very much been a closet crossdresser up to now but feeling the urge to go female clothes shopping (as a man) and would like to ask whether it is ok to select dresses, skirts etc and try them on in the shop changing rooms?
I've been buying my own pantyhose since I was 13. When I began dressing seriously at 18, I began buying a lot of other so called female clothes. I knew my size and never tried anything on in the store dressing room.
That being said though, there seems to be stores where they don't check the merchandise you take into the dressing room. There is also other stores who are friendly to cross dressers and will gladly accommodate you.
Investigate who those stores are and happy shopping. Maybe others on here can share that information. Where are you located Pauline?
I find it easiest to go to stores that cater to both men and women and that have gender neutral changing rooms. I often shop at Asda home store in Oxford. Cotton Traders, Tesco and sainsburys. Also my local Bon Mache are very friendly.
I shop for dress and skirts frequently in my masculine persona. As I never buy any clothes without trying them on, I have no problem using the fitting rooms to try on the skirts and dresses. When available, I use the dressing rooms in the mens department, but have never had any trouble using any dressing room. I have also shopped at womens clothing stores without any trouble.
MacKenzie
Thanks for the responses, its nice to know i am not alone in this desire. I live in Weston-super-Mare and will definately try places like Matalan and ASDA and i will let you know how i get on. One question, should i wear my panty corselette and tights under my male clothes to give me a better feel how the clothes feel and fit?
I usually wear panties and bra when I shop, even in my masculine persona. When I don't, I am nver sure exactly sure how everthing will fit. I once bought adress that didn't hide my bra straps. I hated having to return it, but going braless was not possible at the time. Had I worn my bra, I would have known when I tried on the dress at the store.
MacKenzie
I was nervous the first few times I went out shopping and wanted to try on women's clothes.
Start at cheaper dept stores or thrift stores, the kind where there is no fitting room attendant, so that you initially gain some confidence.
Next, at stores with both men's and women's clothing, take a few pairs of women's jeans/pants mixed in with other men's clothes and see if the fitting room attendant even notices. When you're ready, mix a blouse, skirt, or dress in. Remember, there is usually no store policy against trying on clothes - it's a business, so act like a real customer, and they'll treat you just like one since they want your business/sales.
Finally, take just a dress, skirt, blouse and a bra to try on. I often will defuse the situation with the attendant by saying "just wanted to see how this outfit went together" while smiling at the dress and looking as if the bra might work. Work up the courage to have a "that is a cute outfit/dress/shoes/purse" chat with a sales woman or even another customer in line.
I've found younger women working in stores either don't notice or can be amazingly helpful, encouraging. Older sales women have usually seen all kinds of customers and the successful ones never pass on a polite customer, regardless of what they look like they want to buy. Men working in stores usually try to ignore showing they even noticed you've got women's clothes to try on. Always be prepared for the rude sales people or glaring odd customer and you'll find that most people out there shopping are much nicer.
Happy shopping.