Is Victoria's Secret Crossdresser Friendly?

[phoenix1105]

Hey everyone... I am really trying to gather the courage to go in and buy some bras and panties (and who knows what else) and asking a sales associate to help me with sizes for myself. I have a collection of various bras and panties from different stores in different sizes and styles. I'd really like to have some stuff that fits half way decent.

So, I am guessing I am either a 38 or 40 in the band size, and I have breast forms that make the bust a large B or C Cup. I have no idea on pantie size. My waist is about 35 inches, and I really have no hips.

Anyways, I am looking at Victoria's Secret and Lane Bryant's Cacique stores to try and get sized in. I'd like to try VS just because they have sexier stuff, but LB seems to have a better reputation with the LGBT community. I am also wondering, due to my business oriented mind, are the sales people on commission in the stores. If they are, that is all the more incentive to help me

Any advice, or encouragement would be great!

Thanks in advance...

 

[chargergirl]

You might also think about asking this in the "How To" forum, if you don't get any answers here.

How To: http://forum.literotica.com/forumdisplay.php?f=6

Good luck!

 

[Aphro]

Having been fitted myself at a Victoria's Secret store, I am trying to imagine a man being back in the fitting rooms, and I really cannot. The women who are trying on bras open the doors to the rooms to admit the staff to check on the fit of the bras, and I suspect that there might be complaints from the other shoppers if there was going to be a man in the fitting room area. Just a hunch.

I think you'd have to talk to the store manager ahead of time, and perhaps work out a time either before the store opened or after it closed. Good luck, and I hope you are able to get the help you need.

 

[StacyTG]

Having been fitted myself at a Victoria's Secret store, I am trying to imagine a man being back in the fitting rooms, and I really cannot. The women who are trying on bras open the doors to the rooms to admit the staff to check on the fit of the bras, and I suspect that there might be complaints from the other shoppers if there was going to be a man in the fitting room area. Just a hunch.

I think you'd have to talk to the store manager ahead of time, and perhaps work out a time either before the store opened or after it closed. Good luck, and I hope you are able to get the help you need.

I remember my first time with lingerie/panties and shoes!

Completely agree with the above poster. Just go in there and do it. It's far less creepy if you come right out and say what you're looking for, as opposed to the whole "I'm looking for something for my wife/girlfriend...she's about my size."

Walk in there with your shoulders back and your head high. Confident and proud, just like a real woman.

Best of luck, and let us know how it goes!

 

[soflabbwlvr]

You're wasting your time at VS. My wife can't buy anything there other than bras, and that's rare. They don't sell larger sizes. Go to LB.

 

[StacyTG]

You're wasting your time at VS. My wife can't buy anything there other than bras, and that's rare. They don't sell larger sizes. Go to LB.

True, they're sizes run on the smaller side, but if you're smaller (like me), then it's not too much of a problem.

 

[Symamantha]

I have found much better choices online. Often, I have my bras made for me, and they are lovely and fit. The same goes for skirts. As for knickers, you are probably looking at L/XL or 14/16.

 

[phoenix1105]

Yeah I am going in and basically saying up front this is for me... not make up some bs story. It just seems VS might have more of a selection as opposed to LB, just judging from the websites.

I appreciate the feedback... the more the merrier!

 

[StacyTG]

Yeah I am going in and basically saying up front this is for me... not make up some bs story. It just seems VS might have more of a selection as opposed to LB, just judging from the websites.

I appreciate the feedback... the more the merrier!

Wait till you go buy shoes! That's a lot of fun! But be careful, but it can quickly become an addiction!

Hello, my name is Stacy, and I love shoes!

 

[njlauren]

I suspect they won't give you a problem if you say it is for yourself, the problem is that VS if you are the size you say you are, is not likely to have stuff in your sizes, they basically ignore the fuller figure end of things, a lot of women can't shop there either (It is like Anne Taylor, their idea of large is a size 10 US!).

One thing I have found, as long as you aren't creepy, most places will help you. Higher end department stores like Nordstrom I found were helpful, and a lot of the time independent bra/lingerie stores will be happy to help you, and they generally have private fitting rooms to boot. Few places can afford to give up sales, and if they give you a hard time, smile and say "have a nice day" and walk out.

 

[StacyTG]

One thing I have found, as long as you aren't creepy, most places will help you. Higher end department stores like Nordstrom I found were helpful, and a lot of the time independent bra/lingerie stores will be happy to help you, and they generally have private fitting rooms to boot. Few places can afford to give up sales, and if they give you a hard time, smile and say "have a nice day" and walk out.

This. I've shopped at many stores and I have never once had a problem.

 

[phoenix1105]

I tried talking to the online chat adviser on Lane Bryant's website, and they said as a corporation they are LGBT friendly, but it is up to individual store to set the "tone" of how they handle this type of situation. I am thinking I am going to try a mall with both a VS and LB a little bit away from where I live. Next Tuesday morning should be the slowest time of the week for them, if my old retail experience serves me right.

So one last request. I know a lot of people on this board are here for the same reason I am... I don't fit the social "norm" so I really appreciate the encouragement from everyone here. You might just think you are typing on a message board, but it is helping build my confidence.

 

[NatashaluvBoris]

Hey everyone... I am really trying to gather the courage to go in and buy some bras and panties (and who knows what else) and asking a sales associate to help me with sizes for myself. I have a collection of various bras and panties from different stores in different sizes and styles. I'd really like to have some stuff that fits half way decent.

So, I am guessing I am either a 38 or 40 in the band size, and I have breast forms that make the bust a large B or C Cup. I have no idea on pantie size. My waist is about 35 inches, and I really have no hips.

Anyways, I am looking at Victoria's Secret and Lane Bryant's Cacique stores to try and get sized in. I'd like to try VS just because they have sexier stuff, but LB seems to have a better reputation with the LGBT community. I am also wondering, due to my business oriented mind, are the sales people on commission in the stores. If they are, that is all the more incentive to help me

Any advice, or encouragement would be great!

Thanks in advance...

Victoria's Secret does not cater to larger breasted women or anyone over a 36 in the store. They carry larger sizes in the catalog and online. I am a 38 DD and I'm basically a freak of nature in that store. I'm embarrassed to even shop for panties or anything else there.

Sorry but basically if you're not stick thin, forget about that place it will be a disappointment.

 

[Emmcee20]

A fitting is the only way to go as you already seem to know that different brands size vary a great deal in both band and cup. LB has a good reputation.

You will also find a lot of helpful advice on http://hellotaxi.websitetoolbox.com/ - the Men Wear Bras website.

Happy hunting!

 

[Paris54]

Call me old fashion If you will...

I'm a Vanity Fair Girl.

Paris.

 

[phoenix1105]

So I wanted to update anyone who cares about the results of my adventures. I decided to call a few VS and LB stores in Tampa and Orlando. I kinda wanted to get a feel for their reactions before I was in the store. I asked to speak with a manager or supervision regarding store polices. I explained that I was a guy and interested in buying some lingerie for myself. I asked point blank if they would help me find my size and then try on bras with my breast forms.

All four LB stores were all very eager to help me. They didn't skip a beat when I asked them about the store policies. I mentioned I didn't want to make anyone uncomfortable, but that it was easier for me to try stuff on in the store, rather than buy it, go home, try it on, and then have to return the wrong sizes.

The VS stores were a whole different story. One manager said "her" store didn't cater to people like me. The second store noted that "only perverts would be interested in that." Another manager said they would measure me without the forms, just to get the band size. The last one flat out said no way.

So that got me thinking... I own a decent amount of stock in The Limited (VS's parent company) and as a shareholder, and a person struggling with this issue, that VS really blew it. And as I am willing to spend a decent amount of money on this quest, I could only think of one thing to do. I called the investors relations number for The Limited. I explained to the very nice lady that I was a shareholder and was very disappointed, and frankly dismayed by some of the answers I got from their associates. Here is the kicker... She was very apologetic for what the various managers had said to me, and asked me to reconsider selling off my stock in the company. Then she said she would be happy to look into this further and find a store that would help me, and call me back. 20 minutes later I get a call from a local store manager who again apologized for the other remarks made. She invited me to come by and promised me to answer all my questions. Additionally she said the corporate person who gave her my number was going to send me a $100 gift card for what happened. So we shall see what happens when I go in...

 

[njlauren]

So I wanted to update anyone who cares about the results of my adventures. I decided to call a few VS and LB stores in Tampa and Orlando. I kinda wanted to get a feel for their reactions before I was in the store. I asked to speak with a manager or supervision regarding store polices. I explained that I was a guy and interested in buying some lingerie for myself. I asked point blank if they would help me find my size and then try on bras with my breast forms.

All four LB stores were all very eager to help me. They didn't skip a beat when I asked them about the store policies. I mentioned I didn't want to make anyone uncomfortable, but that it was easier for me to try stuff on in the store, rather than buy it, go home, try it on, and then have to return the wrong sizes.

The VS stores were a whole different story. One manager said "her" store didn't cater to people like me. The second store noted that "only perverts would be interested in that." Another manager said they would measure me without the forms, just to get the band size. The last one flat out said no way.

So that got me thinking... I own a decent amount of stock in The Limited (VS's parent company) and as a shareholder, and a person struggling with this issue, that VS really blew it. And as I am willing to spend a decent amount of money on this quest, I could only think of one thing to do. I called the investors relations number for The Limited. I explained to the very nice lady that I was a shareholder and was very disappointed, and frankly dismayed by some of the answers I got from their associates. Here is the kicker... She was very apologetic for what the various managers had said to me, and asked me to reconsider selling off my stock in the company. Then she said she would be happy to look into this further and find a store that would help me, and call me back. 20 minutes later I get a call from a local store manager who again apologized for the other remarks made. She invited me to come by and promised me to answer all my questions. Additionally she said the corporate person who gave her my number was going to send me a $100 gift card for what happened. So we shall see what happens when I go in...

That is interesting, was the store in question one you tried before? The thing about businesses is unless they are run by religious ding dong's like the clown who runs Chic Fil A, most recognize that being rude or nasty to people willing to spend money is bad business, pure and simple. I once went into a wig store in NJ in the shopping area of Paramus, it is a pretty well known store, their wigs are not cheap, and they were absolutely hostile and they lost a 600-700 buck purchase. I went to a local wig store and the woman there was so nice and helpful, I ended up buying two wigs there and recommended other people I knew to use her, and she was so thrilled!

It doesn't surprise me VS has that kind of attitude, they also are very snotty against women who are larger sized in the stores, I was in one in NYC when a woman who was by no means fat (she was tall, and actually was muscular, looked like a fitness model) asked about stuff in her size, and the salesperson was like "Oh, if you need stuff in that kind of size, why don't you go to one of those stores that cater to the Mall of America figured women" .....the poor woman turned beet red, and I wasn't too happy about that, and I told the salesperson that was the meanest, most unwarranted thing I have ever heard, and I found the store manager, told her what I had heard, and told her that if that was their idea of customer relations I would be looking for a new job in her place, because I had told the woman to call VS's headquarters, plus I planned on talking to them as well, as well as making postings on various review sites of stores and such. I did call VS headquarters, and they weren't happy when they found out I work in the financial industry and know analysts and such who deal with their corporate parent's stock, and that I was outraged they would treat any customer that way. Funny part was, I got a follow up call from someone at the Limited, and they told me they had looked into it, and apparently there were quite a few complaints about that store and its staff and they dealt with it, which I assume means some people ended up getting fired or otherwise punished.

I made the woman feel better, I gave her the names of several stores in NYC that I knew had better quality stuff that was actually not all that much more expensive then VS, VS is actually not great lingerie, it is IMO overpriced for its quality, they act like they are high end, when they are basically shopping mall level lingerie.

BTW, doesn't surprise me LB was friendly, I have been told over the years that a significant portion of the sales at these kind of the stores is from men buying for themselves, or transgender people, etc......I have heard numbers ranging from 15-30%, I don't know what the actual value is.

What I don't understand is given the size of women, how women have gotten taller and larger then they once were (and I am not just talking being overweight, I mean natural size), it makes no sense to me to cater to a group that leaves out as much as 40% of the potential customer base.Last I checked, 40% of women are size 14 and above....

 

[dawndavis66]

I have shopped at both LB and VS for myself. At LB I have been fitted for bras twice and used the dressing rooms. Once dressed as a guy and once full dolled up. I recommend LB for the service and niceness of the staff.

At VS, it was dressed as a guy and just buying panties and lingerie in my sizes. They were fine.

 

[sutherngent985]

I went into LB recently looking for panties and the lady at the register was very friendly. I told her I was trans and she helped me find what I was looking for aand said I should come back and said she would help me try on anything in the store. She said LB had a very accepting policy towards CD/trans.

Ive also found lots of bras on Ebay fairly cheaply. I've seen band sizes up to 58. Not sure about panties as I haven't looked for those there. They have larger band sizes with smaller cup size, like I bough some 50A bras that are really nice.

 

[ChrissyCD64]

As a now full-time cross-dresser I shop a lot for new things and am always dressed female. I wear size 6 panties and a 36 padded bra and have had no problem shopping anywhere at all. My wife is usually with me to help with any "issues" that may occur.