Hi So I do my shopping online but I just want to say... And Idk where the best place to say this.... But it really aggravates me how the generic clothing stores are divided into "men" and "women" clothing. And there are ones particularly designed for "men" and ones designed for "women". But right now I'm still figuring out who I am, like whether I'm more masculine or femme. And I don't really want to choose between clothing designed towards a particular sex. Idk if I'm making sense, and I'm really sorry I used m and w, I was just stating how the clothes tend to be divided. But what about people who are LGBTQIA++? Where do we shop!? And i guess if it's hard enough online how do people out there who actually go to a shop? Like do you go to the male clothes isles or the female isles? It's mind boggling me even typing this. And I'm scared I'm using the wrong terms here so I'm going to stop but I guess what I'm saying is please if you feel able to, please share your shopping experiences, and if you have any I'd appreciate advice? Thank you.
It's easier, because you try on whatever grabs your attention, and aren't restricted to what you clicked. It might be anxiety-inducing in the beginning to buy in the other section of the store, but tbh salespeople don't really seem to mind. Especially when you approach it with confidence.
Clothing in stores is bound to be separated by gender, I don't think I've ever seen stores where it wasn't separated by at least men/women. Besides, no one really cares if you "look" different from where you shop, either they're too busy looking for clothes themselves or they'll think you're shopping for a relative/friend or something. I can't shop online because I'm too small to fit 90% of what I want to wear. I usually shop at thrift stores and then go into the kids section (thats where the clothes fit me) and then look for boys/masculine clothes. Early on when I was just starting out I used to go to stores like TJ Maxx and Ross which are basically clothing stores that take from brands and sell them at lower prices, but now I'm kinda tired of there very small diversity in... clothes. The boys section is either shirts from Champion/Adidas/Jordan/Nike/whatever and sweatpants from also the same brands lmao. Thrift stores have better options and cooler, sometimes more vintage clothes at lower prices. That's my opinion though! All in all, I would recommend thrift stores haha. All kinds of people go there and the cashiers wouldn't really judge you, in my opinion. They're really nice most of the time. Good luck!
At the same shops the rest of the population use. Well, I do anyway. At the end of the day clothes are just clothes. If you like them, buy them and wear them. And if you don't, don't. I identify as female so most of my clothes are from that section of the store. But I don't completely discount the male section - occasionally I'll see a colourful shirt or something that fits my style. Most of the time I find men's clothes spirit-crushingly drab. But then I always did. Beth
More often than not I shop in thrift stores. One advantage in shopping in brick and mortar stores (including thrift stores) is that often you can try things on first to make sure of the fit. Sizes can be very confusing especially if you are now shopping in a section different than before in life. I mostly buy clothes designed for women because I love the loose feel of skirts and dresses. Back at the very beginning of transition it would make me very nervous but I never once had a store employee object to my being in the "wrong" section or store.
Thank you so much for all your help. I appreciate all your comments so much. I admit the only time I've heard of thrift stores is the song Thrift shop by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. But I think I will check them out. Thank you, meltyblood, chicodeoro and QuietPeace. So much. Xx
NB: we don't really have 'thrift stores' as such in the UK. I guess our equivalent are charity shops (which is where I get most of my wardrobe from!)
Same thing, just a different label. Like "pharmacy/drugstore" and "chemist's shop", "trunk" and "boot", "french fries" and "chips" etc.
Hey CharlieLuca, I don’t know what your style is but have you looked online at Lucy&Yak or Run&Fly? Lots of fabulous gender neutral dungarees, I live in dungarees a lot of the time, with girly t shirts or men’s shirts. If it fits my body and I like it, I wear it
@Ingvermama I just checked out the sites and they're clothes are amazing!!! Literally thank you so much for suggesting them.
Yes they are. I have about 8 pairs of dungarees, they are my absolute favourite thing to wear ever. The run and fly ones suit me better as I’m quite tall. I have just woken up from a night shift, I think I might put a pair on now!
There is a company called The Sparks Company, now they are a feminist clothing company but also sell Pride items, you might want to check them out, good quality t shirts x
Let me know what you get if you buy anything. I have some rainbow ones and they are so beautiful. I can’t upload a picture as the file is too big or something.
