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Just thought i would share my shopping experience with you all.;-

At last I found a store where clothes fit me correctly !!!!

I have discovered Primark and before any one says its just a cheapie shop - go and try it.

I purchased a lace/lycra camisole, a soft cotton sweater and a great 'just slightly above knee'' skirt ( lace with a silky underskirt )

Then some lingerie...a few pairs...then some more !!

All for ------- wait for it--------- £20 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The sales assistant says '' the skirt looks very nice and it will go great with the sweater'' --- I then chickened out saying it was for my partner - The sales assisant then replies ''oh, I thought it was for you...it would have looked good on you - pity'' !!! - You could have pushed me over with a feather !! - so I winked at her and.....she winked back in a ' i know really '' look.

I had also ordered some new shoes from Brantano as my others are starting to show a bit of wear in them - I went to the store and picked them up and scurried home -Tried them on TOO BIG !! - So went to another branch, asked if they had a smaller size...expected giggles and sniggers from the femail s/a....nothing of the sort - couldnt have been more helpful !!! The shoes fit like a glove


Then went to Marks and Spencer to purchase some hold ups ( tights are too hot at this time of year) I needed some really thgick ones as my legs are a bit hairy at the moment as I am due to go on a residential course at work and will be wearing shorts......so purchased some 60 denier holdups 'autograph' brand...The sales assistant asked me what size...I looked at her..paused and was about to speak when she says, '' I think a large size would fit you ok, they wont stretch as much as a medium'' !!!!!!!!! Pushed over with a feather again !! and all for £8 a pair ( bought several !! )

I also purchased a 42aa padded bra form Amaon - £13.75 incl free shipping ( in plain packaging )

First bra I have purchased that fits correctly - never realised i could get a bra that was comfortable to wear ALL DAY !!

Top marks for all the above stores. It just goes to show - The s/a's are not really bothered who they make a sale to. In my opnion its best to state the goods are for you, be open with the s/a , dont act shifty in the store and they will help you get the best fit and combinations...


Drove to work today.....sunshine.....called at petrol station to refuel the car....self service atuomated station. No -one about...While filling up...a car pulls in....lady on her own...I thought this is it....screams/ police called etc but she just smiled and asked me where i got my skirt....said it was very nice, smiled and asked if i was going to a fancy dress or something. I replied No and then she paused....and said...' you have a lot of bottle to dress like that - good on you ! - the look is very good '' --- WOW !!

I am now sat at work in the office ( alone ) on a sunny day wearing ALL my new purchases. My co-workers dont arrive until midday and so I have a few hours to enjoy before putting my drab back on..

So my recommendations go to;-

Amazon ( aa lingerie )
Brantano ( great shoes and boots ) up to size 10
Primark ( great choices and cheap prices )
MArks and spencers ( what else can yousay about the old favourite ! )

best wishes

Sammy ( North Yorkshire )

Hi Sammy

What a fantastic letter, thanks for posting it and good luck to you.

Mary

Hi Sammy, xx

Sounds like you have had a great time, Thanks for sharing the recomendations and the expirience.

Marianne, xx

A few more or less relevant thoughts on the topic of shopping for undies, shoes, makeup etc while in male mode.

I started doing this as long ago as 1974 and while I have often lacked the courage to ask for help, on the occasions when I have done so, the shop assistants have almost invariably been helpful. In this period I have tried on clothes in London, Oxford, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, as well as in some smaller places. In particular, I have had few difficulties in trying on bras or shoes. On one occasion, rather to my own surprise, the assistant allowed me to try on a girdle. (This was some years ago in Leeds, from memory in Debenhams.) I lived for some time in Prague and found the atmosphere there even more congenial. I was quite a well known customer in a couple of shoe shops and one lingerie shop. In the latter I could and did try on anything - bras, corselettes, girdles, suspender belts... However, I suppose that's a long way to go to buy a bra!

I think the secret is first of all to have the courage to ask. Most shop assistants are, as other posters have noted, quite willing to be helpful. At the same time, it is I think a good idea to be careful about the time and place. The assistants are more likely to be helpful if there are not many other customers around to be disapprove. After all, while the assistant may be tolerant, she cannot know if the customers are, and may err on the side of caution. (The girdle episode described above was at a time when the shop was quite empty.)

At the same time, I find that as I get older I am less embarrassed about showing my preferences. While I cannot easily pass as a woman, I have taken to going shopping in about 75% female mode - light makeup, a bra sufficiently padded to show, suspenders and stockings, a blouse, ladies' trousers and low heeled shoes. I also carry a handbag. If anyone in the streets has noticed me in this garb, they haven't said anything. I recently got into a lift with two ladies. In the mirror it seemed to me that my makeup (light?) was very obvious; but they didn't seem to notice. When I am dressed like this, the shop assistants (when they notice) are likely to understand my needs more quickly.

I would recommendd in particular Derby Market in the Westfield Centre (formerly the Eagle Centre). It has a few old fashioned ladies underwear shops, where I have taken to buying bras and girdles. The assistants there are perfectly tolerant and although they don't in general have fitting rooms it is easy to take things back.

One recent discovery is the Natural Image wig shop in Debenhams in Nottingham. (I see there is one in Selfridges in Manchester.) I called them to explain my neeeds and they were very encouraging. When I visited them things also went very well. My essentially female garb did not attract any comment. Everything was perfectly natural, so much so that when one of my suspenders came undone just as I was leaving, I was able to ask without any embarrassment if I could pop back into the fitting room to adjust it, a request which was granted just as naturally.

So my advice is - don't be afraid to ask, but be sensible.

Incidentally, does anyone know where I can buy directoire knickers?

Another good recommendation of mine is Debenhams in Manchester where with the help of a lovely caring young girl called Claire I bought a couple of bras that actually fit and also Superdrug in Bury.

I have always had positive experiences in Superdrug stores. Never any problems.