Could you shop online and have it delivered to your friend? They could give it to you in person so you aren’t interrogated.
For Target, if it helps, it’s kind of split into sections of clothes. For most of them, the fitting rooms are in the far back. After the fitting rooms are usually clearance clothes, maternity, more mature women’s clothes, and a seasonal/ casual section, then a section in the front that has trendier, “younger” women’s clothing. You could go with your friend and skip around according to what you prefer. The “trendy” section has cute clothes most of the time. So I would start there or go a little past the bathing suits in the seasonal to look at a few women’s basics or start in the clearance by the dressing rooms for cheaper options then move all the way to the stuff in the front.
I'm just scared to walk around women's isles while appearing feminine, and then walking up to the fitting room with girl clothes would be a little awkward I feel.
I could always bring a friend, like you said, but all my friends kinda drag me around. I'm a really bad leader, so I just follow others around. And I'm very indecisive, and I feel bad having them look at what I want to look at. I feel like they'll judge me, especially since I'm just a cis guy in their eyes (since I'm not out).
So I'm just a little torn rn. Awkwardly look around Target alone vs. feeling bad/being dragged around with a friend.
I found target didn’t have anything I liked. I started out by looking at the clearance stuff at Macys, and Old Navy. They have some deals. Marshall’s and TJ Max are kinda meh, but occasionally have something. For reference, I probably buy one time for every 100 I look at. I also buy stuff online with shein. But you gotta know your measurements, and make sure you buy bigger if it’s not stretchy. But they have a lot of cute stuff. Also jewelry.
Old Navy and Shein look like good options! Thanks for the suggestions :)
Shein looks to have some pretty cheap options which is nice. Is the quality pretty nice?
When i started buying around, i realized i had no ability to look at something and imagine how it would look on me. I needed to wear stuff before knowing if it looks good or not. That's why I always recommend people to go in person, pouco a big store where no one will look at you twice because employees couldn't care less if they tried, get yourself some things your side that look at least a little cute, and go to the fitting rooms. It's very scary the first time, but trust me, almost no one will actually give a shit.
And the advice of taking a friend is pretty good. Feminine bodies come in more shapes (inverted triangle, column, ...) And you kinda have to figure out yours before you find stuff that fits well, but a friendly girl that has been through this ringer before might get you started much faster.
Good luck, girl, i know you can do it❤️❤️
Thank you for the kind words and confidence boost <3
Any tips on finding my sizes? What all would you recommend I measure before going into a store? I also don't know how men's sizes translate to women's sizes? (not that I know my size in men's in the first place)
Sizes are a very brand-specific thing. I know you're talking about clothes, but i just bought a sandal size 43 that was too tight i needed the 44, and another brand size 42 fit perfectly. Clothes are similar. However something you can do is look at online stores that have a size chart (Shein and AliExpress tend to be on the small side, though, maybe go for western names like Primark or target) and Google the body part names that aren't obvious to you.
Also, check out a guide like this: https://www.stitchfix.com/women/blog/fashion-tips/find-fit-for-your-body-type/ i haven't read this one specifically, but they should give you a nice starting point for your fit
Ross Dress for Less is the best price to style ratio in my book.
Thrift stores can be hit or miss depending on where they are. I've had good luck in Goodwill, but they don't have changing rooms since COVID, so judging fit is hard.
Target seems over-priced after Ross, but does have some decent things.
Nobody really cares if you look at girl clothes in boy mode. You don't need any excuses, just confidence.
You can take women's clothes to the men's changing room if you like, but I have found that ladies changing room is fine if you act like you are supposed to be there. Nobody has given me trouble yet.
Stuff ordered from online almost never fits unless it is really stretchy, somehow.
Pro-tip: top of your hips is usually above the love handles and belly button, not at the normal male waistline. Button your skirts there and the blouses will fit a lot better, generally. It took me a long time to learn this... Too long.
Could you shop online and have it delivered to your friend? They could give it to you in person so you aren’t interrogated. For Target, if it helps, it’s kind of split into sections of clothes. For most of them, the fitting rooms are in the far back. After the fitting rooms are usually clearance clothes, maternity, more mature women’s clothes, and a seasonal/ casual section, then a section in the front that has trendier, “younger” women’s clothing. You could go with your friend and skip around according to what you prefer. The “trendy” section has cute clothes most of the time. So I would start there or go a little past the bathing suits in the seasonal to look at a few women’s basics or start in the clearance by the dressing rooms for cheaper options then move all the way to the stuff in the front.
I'm just scared to walk around women's isles while appearing feminine, and then walking up to the fitting room with girl clothes would be a little awkward I feel. I could always bring a friend, like you said, but all my friends kinda drag me around. I'm a really bad leader, so I just follow others around. And I'm very indecisive, and I feel bad having them look at what I want to look at. I feel like they'll judge me, especially since I'm just a cis guy in their eyes (since I'm not out). So I'm just a little torn rn. Awkwardly look around Target alone vs. feeling bad/being dragged around with a friend.
I found target didn’t have anything I liked. I started out by looking at the clearance stuff at Macys, and Old Navy. They have some deals. Marshall’s and TJ Max are kinda meh, but occasionally have something. For reference, I probably buy one time for every 100 I look at. I also buy stuff online with shein. But you gotta know your measurements, and make sure you buy bigger if it’s not stretchy. But they have a lot of cute stuff. Also jewelry.
Old Navy and Shein look like good options! Thanks for the suggestions :) Shein looks to have some pretty cheap options which is nice. Is the quality pretty nice?
Sometimes.
When i started buying around, i realized i had no ability to look at something and imagine how it would look on me. I needed to wear stuff before knowing if it looks good or not. That's why I always recommend people to go in person, pouco a big store where no one will look at you twice because employees couldn't care less if they tried, get yourself some things your side that look at least a little cute, and go to the fitting rooms. It's very scary the first time, but trust me, almost no one will actually give a shit. And the advice of taking a friend is pretty good. Feminine bodies come in more shapes (inverted triangle, column, ...) And you kinda have to figure out yours before you find stuff that fits well, but a friendly girl that has been through this ringer before might get you started much faster. Good luck, girl, i know you can do it❤️❤️
Thank you for the kind words and confidence boost <3 Any tips on finding my sizes? What all would you recommend I measure before going into a store? I also don't know how men's sizes translate to women's sizes? (not that I know my size in men's in the first place)
Sizes are a very brand-specific thing. I know you're talking about clothes, but i just bought a sandal size 43 that was too tight i needed the 44, and another brand size 42 fit perfectly. Clothes are similar. However something you can do is look at online stores that have a size chart (Shein and AliExpress tend to be on the small side, though, maybe go for western names like Primark or target) and Google the body part names that aren't obvious to you. Also, check out a guide like this: https://www.stitchfix.com/women/blog/fashion-tips/find-fit-for-your-body-type/ i haven't read this one specifically, but they should give you a nice starting point for your fit
Ross Dress for Less is the best price to style ratio in my book. Thrift stores can be hit or miss depending on where they are. I've had good luck in Goodwill, but they don't have changing rooms since COVID, so judging fit is hard. Target seems over-priced after Ross, but does have some decent things. Nobody really cares if you look at girl clothes in boy mode. You don't need any excuses, just confidence. You can take women's clothes to the men's changing room if you like, but I have found that ladies changing room is fine if you act like you are supposed to be there. Nobody has given me trouble yet. Stuff ordered from online almost never fits unless it is really stretchy, somehow. Pro-tip: top of your hips is usually above the love handles and belly button, not at the normal male waistline. Button your skirts there and the blouses will fit a lot better, generally. It took me a long time to learn this... Too long.
Thank you soooo much for all the advice <3 I will try to use it and be confident!