First clothes shopping experience

[Martyn]

I have alway had a very conservative, dull and boring dress code, however, since starting all this Ive started to feel willing and able to explore more my inner feminine side. Today went shopping with my wife, we went seeking clothes for the new me, it felt fantastic trying on and buying lots of floral and feminised looking clothes. Can’t wait to start wearing them tomorrow :0)

[Jani]

Isn't it wonderful!   When you can finally throw that old paradigm out the window.  As a guy I was conservative at work in the office and a super consistent at play.   I never wanted to rock the boat with too many bright colors even though I pushed the envelope from time to time.  Now I wear exactly what I want.   You can too. 

 

I'm happy you had a good time.  I hope your wife enjoyed it as well.  Shopping together can be fun.  

 

Cheers, Jani

[Timber Wolf]

? Shopping for clothes is more fun now, isn't it!

 

Lots of love,

Timber Wolf?

[Avra]

Congrats! For me Amazon is still my store of choice. ?

[Martyn]

On 7/22/2018 at 2:49 AM, Jani said:

Isn't it wonderful!   When you can finally throw that old paradigm out the window.  As a guy I was conservative at work in the office and a super consistent at play.   I never wanted to rock the boat with too many bright colors even though I pushed the envelope from time to time.  Now I wear exactly what I want.   You can too. 

 

I'm happy you had a good time.  I hope your wife enjoyed it as well.  Shopping together can be fun.  

 

Cheers, Jani

Thank you Jani, I was surprised how relaxed my wife was when I gently tested the waters with more feminine looking fabrics, she said she’s always hated my frumpy appearance and was happy I’m now wanting to explore my inner self now :0) 

[Martyn]

On 7/22/2018 at 2:22 PM, Timber Wolf said:

? Shopping for clothes is more fun now, isn't it!

 

Lots of love,

Timber Wolf?

Thanks Timber Wolf, yes it is fun, can’t wait for the next time :0) hardest part tho is finding something you absolutely love but can’t get your size, it’s either small or XL I guess I’m shopping at wrong time of year in the high street.

[Martyn]

On 7/22/2018 at 4:01 PM, Avra said:

Congrats! For me Amazon is still my store of choice. ?

Yes Avra, I can see it makes sense as there is more choice on there, nothing beats trying things on in the shops tho - But I’ll give Amazon a try too :0) thanks 

[Rowan]

I love Amazon, but nothing is quite like clothes shopping in person for me. It's so validating. And when the employees are super nice and helpful, running around and grabbing clothes that would look good for me to try on, then I'm in heaven, lol.

[Martyn]

Just now, Rowan said:

I love Amazon, but nothing is quite like clothes shopping in person for me. It's so validating. And when the employees are super nice and helpful, running around and grabbing clothes that would look good for me to try on, then I'm in heaven, lol.

Oh yes please Rowan ! I’d love that too :0) am thinking of the Pretty Woman scene when she’s being showered with clothes from all the staff, I can dream eh? Lol 

[Rowan]

Lol, it's so much fun. I've always had a good experience at Torrid. The staff the is always wonderful.

[Jani]

4 hours ago, Rowan said:

nothing is quite like clothes shopping in person for me.

YES, trying on the clothes as you find something interesting is part of the experience.  You know instantly if its a go or no go.  When shopping for a dress for a wedding we attended, I shopped for hours and tried on dozens.  I was exhausted but what fun!

 

Jani

[Rowan]

1 hour ago, Jani said:

YES, trying on the clothes as you find something interesting is part of the experience.  You know instantly if its a go or no go.  When shopping for a dress for a wedding we attended, I shopped for hours and tried on dozens.  I was exhausted but what fun!

 

Jani

That sounds like a blast Jani! I've yet to find a dress that I feel comfortable in, but I've never been shopping solely for a dress. Every once and a while my wife will see one in the store that she thinks would look cute, but then I try it on and get disappointed. Some day though, I will find a dress that works for me, LMAO. 

[Martyn]

I’m probably quite a distance looking for a dress yet, but when that time comes I’d like the full Julia Roberts - Pretty Woman experience, I’m a big sucker for fairytale endings, lol :0)

[Rowan]

Just now, Martyn said:

I’m probably quite a distance looking for a dress yet, but when that time comes I’d like the full Julia Roberts - Pretty Woman experience, I’m a big sucker for fairytale endings, lol :0)

I hear you Martyn. I wanna go someplace fancy where they can look at my body type, and just know what I need. And I want to be sipping on a mimosa or two during the experience ?

[Martyn]

Sounds lovely to me too Rowan :0)

Ever since I’ve started this journey my romantic side has become much more pronounced, am much more emotional too but I wouldn’t change any of it for the world now 

[Kirsten]

Lol. Well idk about mimosas and all that, but it is fun trying stuff on in store. Funny I hated it when getting men’s clothes. I’d usually just grab something and go. Never worried how I looked in it. Now I try everything on! I was at kohls this past weekend for like 2 hours trying on shorts. Lol. And I bought my favorite pair. It was really enjoyable for possibly the first time ever. Well other than getting fitted for suits. I liked that too. All that pinning and chalking and everything is cool too. Someday I’m gonna go try on wedding dresses! Now that would be really fun!! 

Kirsten 

[Jani]

3 hours ago, Rowan said:

That sounds like a blast Jani!

I've done it twice.  Once with my sister just before my GRS.  We had a good time.  She was taking photos and sending them to another sister for comment and opinion!  This recent time was with my wife.  We found her a dress real quick, but I took a while.  

 

You don't need an excuse to go try things on.  When I was younger, a female cousin told me how she used to go to Boston every so often with a friend to spend the day trying things on.  She couldn't afford to spend much, it was the thrill of the chase! 

 

Jani

[Avra]

Oh absolutely! It sucks that you can't try on clothes from Amazon before you buy. Most have a good return policy, but it's just not the same. Unfortunately, in the real world, I'm still a guy so shopping for clothes in an actual store would be awkward at best. Baby steps, I guess, hehe.

[memyselfandwe]

That's awesome and I'm glad you had the support of your wife to shop with you. I've been trying to shop alone because I don't have anyone to go with and as I would wander around the men's section I felt as if big neon arrows were pointing my way and all eyes were on me. I'm sure it's all in my head because I'm new to this, but it's just part of my journey. Anyway, I'm happy for you and wish you the best.

[Martyn]

Thank you for your comments, yes it felt a big step but a very enjoyable one, I have to admit I loved pushing the boundaries a few times and was surprised how pleased she was for me that I’m allowing myself to be me at last :0)

i hope you find the courage to take someone with you at some point, it really adds to fun side and helps you focus on what you like and what suits you too - Above all enjoy it would be my thoughts :0)

[Adaline]

On 7/24/2018 at 10:17 PM, Avra said:

Unfortunately, in the real world, I'm still a guy so shopping for clothes in an actual store would be awkward at best.

It will come and you will love the experience all the more once it does.  My place of work is only a few minutes from a major shopping center and I often go and look at clothes during my lunch break, especially the dresses.  Since I’m not out at work I’m in guy mode when I do this.  I found that most people don’t even notice I’m there.  Think about it, the last time you went shopping can you remember any of the people around you at the time?  Yesterday, I went looking for a blouse and a Mennonite woman was close by.  With her being from a conservative religion I thought for sure she would notice, when she did look up and she didn’t even blink and eye.  

 

Even dressing rooms are not an issue.  They see you going in with an arm full of feminine clothes, know why your there and don’t care.  

 

When you are in the hunt for the perfect skirt, blouse, dress, every woman, cis or trans, is eyes down looking to find the next treasure. 

 

In time you will get there

 

hugd

adaline

[Avra]

8 hours ago, Adaline said:

It will come and you will love the experience all the more once it does.  My place of work is only a few minutes from a major shopping center and I often go and look at clothes during my lunch break, especially the dresses.  Since I’m not out at work I’m in guy mode when I do this.  I found that most people don’t even notice I’m there.  Think about it, the last time you went shopping can you remember any of the people around you at the time?  Yesterday, I went looking for a blouse and a Mennonite woman was close by.  With her being from a conservative religion I thought for sure she would notice, when she did look up and she didn’t even blink and eye.  

 

Even dressing rooms are not an issue.  They see you going in with an arm full of feminine clothes, know why your there and don’t care.  

 

When you are in the hunt for the perfect skirt, blouse, dress, every woman, cis or trans, is eyes down looking to find the next treasure. 

 

In time you will get there

 

hugd

adaline

Wow, I mean yeah, I guess you're right. Maybe it depends on the location too whether people will care. But if a Mennonite lady doesn't notice then I guess nobody will haha. Being ex-Mennonite I get plenty of judgments just for growing my hair out. I guess I'm just really self conscious. It's not like I ever tried. Whenever I do go shopping I cast wistful yet cautious glances at the women's department but never go there. Hehe

[Julie J]

Avra, it is a much better experience going shopping as Julie. Suddenly I went from awkward and scared being a man in the women's department, to comfortable! I was behaving normally and after a number of shopping excursions (a girl can never have too many shopping excursions!) I feel totally comfortable and relaxed while shopping. I have gotten to the point where I can go in male mode (I'm not Julie full time yet), pick out items and go try them on. As Adaline said, they don't care, and I have every right to be shopping for whatever I want to check out. Plus it's so damn much fun! I've only been shopping twice with other people and they were both impatient with how much time I was taking, browsing through everything and trying stuff on. I used to hate shopping, but now I LOVE IT! 

Hugs and Smiles,

Julie J 

[Avra]

Thats amazing @Julie J! I can only imagine! ?

[Adaline]

Avra,

 

I remember those days of longing as I passed the women’s section.  When I would feel extra brave I would walk through under the guise that I was taking a short-cut.  I come from a very conservative religious back ground as well.  I wonder if growing up in an atmosphere of rigid gender roles makes it more difficult to take the first steps on our journey?  In any event, it’s all just a matter of moving at a pace that’s comfortable,  when you get their you will enjoy it all the more.  

 

Like Julie, shopping for clothes is a great pleasure.  The colors, styles, and endless ways to express your personality  leave you always wanting more.  Stopped into a thrift store at lunch today and they had dozens of new shoes in my size.  Picked out two pairs of flats and a gorgeous set of heels.  Just trying them on made me feel so wonderful. Can’t wait till I get a chance to show them off to the girls.

 

hugs

Adaline