The golden age days? (of wigs)

[Guest Freegrl]

Hi,

My mother had great hair, but like a lot of other women her age, she used to wigs and hairpieces when I was a kid. Wigs were common in department stores and could transform my working mother into a glamour queen when she and my father left us kids at home to go out to on special nights.

I might be over-romanticizing things, but I think that it was okay for women back then to wear wigs and there were so many colors and styles. Some of the styles that I remember were very dramatic and intricate like what you see on 60's and 70's TV and in the movies of the time. I don't miss the entire era, but I think that new chemical materials and manufacturing, post-war prosperity and television created a golden age of wigs that faded by the time the 80s hit.

If anyone knows of a good documentary on the evolution of women's wigs, please share!

Thanks!

Freegrl

[Guest Kalie Aowynn]

Hey Freegirl,

I don't think you are over romanticizing it at all . We have a specialty shop here in tucson the I love and the styles especially the long hair styles they have are awesome. Hey girl I will look aroung and see if there are any documentaries on wigs and let you know.

Shade and sweet water

Kalie

[Guest Freegrl]

Thanks Kalie!

In Honolulu, there used to be a store called "WIG WAM." Of all things, it was a cheap departmental store with a Native American theme and it was a cornermark for a while, and they did sell wigs.

I have an eye on a "passing wig" maybe for Valentine's Day, but it's it's not a "must have" for many months. I really miss some of the vintage styles and how so many GGs would be able to wear them without a passing blink.

Love and Hugs,

-Tina

[Guest Valerie]

Tina;

I live in Mililani and I buy my wigs from a place called Shangri La's. They have a huge selection and the prices are very good.

[Guest Freegrl]

Thanks Valerie!

I need to educate myself more on current wig options before I go anywhere. Is that shop okay with males trying to fit female wigs?

Happy New Year!

[VickySGV]

Call any wig shop ahead of time and ask about their policies on customers. If Valerie went there you are probably safe, but since wigs can be medical appliances for people with a variety of medical problems the shops are discrete, and most will offer you an appointment to come in and be seen in a private try-on room if you call ahead. They are looking for money and you can think of your own situation as medically necessitated, since we are learning the GD is the result of our physiology and not just because we are nuts.

[Guest Valerie]

Tina

The lady who owns and operates the store is extremely open to people.

I have seen a few other trans women there and several cross dressers and a couple of drag queens. I have never had any issues while I was there.

[Guest Freegrl]

Thank you Valerie and Vicky!

I'm planning on treating myself to a nice wig around Valentine's Day if I keep to my weight-loss goals.

I've never had a human hair wig because of the cost, but I have purged two good synthetic wigs over the years. From what I've read, the newer materials are a lot more advanced that what I last wore 15 years ago. It can be pretty confusing but I'm starting to realize that I really need to try on my next good wig purchase.

Just knowing that there is a safe shop locally is really neat! I feel very blessed.

I have a couple of months to decide and plan whether to go as a male or as a CD, but I have faith that it will be a great experience either way and I'm looking forward to it.

I'm actually excited at the prospect and practical challenges of going out for a wig fitting as a CD though, so two months will probably go by in the blink of an eye.

Thank you again,

-tina

[Charlize]

I found wig shopping to be difficult. I had thoughts about how i wanted to look. Beautiful(of course) with long blond hair etc.. Fortunately i had a girlfriend who explained and helped me to see that for the most part older women had shorter styles. I had already purchases some wigs but was never satisfied. In the summer i ran into the problem of the intense heat! I thought that a ponytail was the answer and i loved it until a girlfriend had me look in a second mirror that allowed me to see how terribly unnatural the style looked in the back. I searched for a shorter wig and eventually ended up with my present look. It seems to work for me. I have several of the same type. They cost less than $50 on sale so over the last year i've gotten 3 of them. One is in reserve but the other 2 make it possible to look good instantly after washing my hair or swimming! Synthetics are great, cheap and the good ones are not only easy to care for but very realistic. My wig is now my hair. I wear it daily unless i'm asleep. It is me now.

Take your time. Get a girl friend to help with looks if you can. Expect your tastes to change for a period. It takes most women years to settle on their look.

Most of all Enjoy!

Hugs,

Charlie

[VickySGV]

Cheap human hair wigs look worse than medium quality synthetic wigs. I won't brag about how many I have, but I rarely wear them now. The one in my avatar is still my favorite, and I actually chose my own hair color from it. The grey had to go!! The wig was about $150 when I bought it, and went back and bought a second one, same style and color. The wig was bought in a brick and mortar shop and was about the 5th style we tried on. I have a good picture of me in it in my gallery, and some other pictures on wig wear there too. Go to it and enjoy.

[Guest Freegrl]

Thanks Vicky!

My fave is the red wig in your avatar, but my next fave is the blond hair extensions that let you show off those great earrings!

with love,

-tina

[Guest Freegrl]

Hi Valerie,

Is the owner of the shop a 50-ish short korean woman? Her life and mine might be meeting again, and she wasn't a great kisser when we were both drunk and she was a bartender. It's kind of scary and kind of nice. She has a slim face with a unusual-yet-beautiful nose and she used to favor dramatic earrings and she has a very fair complexion with more acne facial scarring that those typical of her age from Korea. Also, some thicker asian forearm hair if I remember correctly, thin upper lip, thick bottom lip and expressive nostrils? Nice pouting shape to her lips. Voice is peaky and clear at times when expressing positive emotions, but some slurring of consonant-led structures when trying to be reassurring. Very thick hair strands (brunette) and favors semi-bright red lipstick. Oddly enough, I think she does her nails herself in a non-french close cut back in the day.

I really don't think that she would recognize me if I showed up at her shop even if I was dressed down, but it's something for me to think about.

It's one thing to go to a shop where the owner doesn't know you, but it's a totally different thing when you have common friends and what I do can impact them. The local Korean community is pretty gossipy amongst themselves. Then again, a part of me doesn't really care since I'm not Korean.

I'm really not sure how to approach this:

1) Dress a guy.

2) Dress as GirlA - nice girl

3) Dress as GirlB - below my age

4) Don't stir up trouble for myself and go to another shop that doesn't have these "entanglements"

Oh well, time is on my side though but I am _so_ curious as to what the true twists and turns life can give you are!

Help me out Valerie!

-love, tina!