Exhilarating Shopping Experience

[Guest Leila]

So, I finally worked up the courage to go clothes shopping today. I've been psyching myself up to do this for quite sometime and have built up a little courage from a recent positive wig shopping experience.

My goal was to make no excuses and walk into a store that carried both men and women's wear to pick out whatever I liked and march right into the changing rooms not hiding the fact that I'm shopping for myself (buying women's clothes presenting as a man). I literally couldn't sleep last night, tossing and turning wondering how people would perceive me. I told myself I'd go first thing when the mall opened to minimize exposure.

So at 10am sharp, I went to the mall, only to find that many of the stores were slow to start, so I nervously meandered about, walking into a hallmark and pretended to look at cards as I psyched myself up.

The gap opened shortly after and I walked in, wondering if I'd browse in the men's section for a while first--get comfortable with the environment, before venturing into the women's section. Well, since they just opened, there were no people inside, so a sales associate just came up to me and started to sell me on their deals on mens jeans. I thought to myself, oh great, what is she going to think when I she finds out I don't want men's jeans! She was friendly but a little flustered (she had just come back from a 13 hour drive or something) and ended by saying the customary, "Please let me know if I can help you with anything."

Before I knew it, I just blurted out, "Actually, I'm here to shop in the women's section." And she looked at me a little strange doing a double take but was perfectly friendly. We chatted for a bit, I asked her where she went on her trip and it was friendly. Well that went better than I had hoped!

Anyway, I started browsing and picked out a few blouses and couple denim skirts (I'm never quite sure what size I am having no hips and a narrow waist.) So I walked to the dressing room and asked the same clerk to let me into a room. Once again, she was super friendly. There were more shoppers at this point and none of them really paid any attention to me.

So I went into the changing room and starting trying the items on. While doing so, the clerk knocked on my door to ask if she could get me anything else, so I asked her if she had any skirts in a smaller size. She happily obliged. She treated me just like how she'd treat anyone else and it felt great.

This was an absolutely amazing experience. I came away with a deep lavender blouse and a denim skirt that I'm really happy with. The man working the cash register was friendly as well.

Afterward, I went to Victoria Secret and picked out a cute black slip with white lace trim. I didn't try this one on. But once again the sales associate was super friendly. I asked her about her super cute shiny bracelet she had on and we chatted as she rung me up.

On the way home, I could barely contain my excitement. It really goes to show, people will treat you well at worse indifferent if you are friendly and willing to put yourself out there.

Hugs,

-Leila

[Guest Jaded1]

Welcome to the party!

Most of us would rather insert needles in our eyes than do this for the first time only to realize that in most cases you are dealing with younger more open minded people that have but one goal to achieve: Provide customer service to make a sale. It is not their place to judge us and for the most part they know that.

Now the only thing left is to come to grips with the AMAZING amount of variety now available to you.

[Guest missyscott]

Leila, thanks for sharing. I had a similar experience awhile back and it was truly exihilarating. I can't wait to go again. There is so much to look at as well. I liked the fact the salesperson helped me with sizes too. Very rewarding experince.

Xoxo

missy

[Guest Donna Jean]

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LOL...I had so much fun reading this!

I'm full time now and it doesn't apply, but, I sure as heck remember my first time(s) shopping for myself!

And you are so right......The sales people don't really care......Just be nice and it will come back to you!

Huggs

Dee Jay

[Guest Emily H]

So glad to read stories like this!

It's quite a good feeling, isn't it?

Just, my own personal advice- don't assume victory. Sure, its not a good thing to be tense, cautious etc, but it can sometimes be risky to be too comfortable. I know I'm probably saying the opposite thing everyone else has said... But my point is only what my mom says about driving- you have no reason to be afraid, just alert.

Here's to more awesome adventures like this!

[Guest kassidy michelle]

i wish i had your courage im still new to shopping for myself in stores i went to a walmart the other day tried on 2 pairs of flats but that was it... it was great but i had to walk away and come back about 10 times before i got the courage to actually try them on.... i am hoping to go in a couple weeks shopping i might have my first attempt at trying on clothes in the store still really nervous the stores in my area have seperate dressing rooms so i would have to shop in the womens section and take it to the mens section... i really want to try on shoes at stores though other than walmart somewhere where the salesperson asks what size goes to the back gets them and i try them on but still too nervous for that but i loved reading our post...

[Carolyn Marie]

Attitude is everything, honestly. Even if someone clocks you, if you are not defensive, not paranoid, and you are friendly and offer a smile, you will almost always be treated in kind, At worst, you might be treated indifferently, which seems par for the course these days in most places. Money talks, and retail employees listen.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience, hon. It made me smile.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Pamela5]

Early on I used to tell the sales clerk that I was buying clothes for my girlfriend but when I finally accepted that I was truly a woman I lost all worry about shopping. Now of course I pass but before I did I would simply say the clothes are for me. I have never had anyone be anything but nice and helpful. Try to shop at off times. Ross, TJ max, Marshalls and Victoria's secret have been wonderful. I now have a girl at Victoria's secret who has helped me with bras and panties and is almost like a personal shopper when I come in. I always deal with women.

Pam