We are currently in Florida, and as such I don’t have all of my belongings with me, including my women’s wardrobe, but the bug to dress up has been biting of late. After all, it’s been a month since my last time (which was at the Be-All conference) so something needed to be done.
I talked to my wife about this on Sunday and she agreed that I should go out and buy a wig so that I would be able to dress sometime this week. With this in mind, I dropped her off at school on Monday morning and then headed straight for the beauty shop. It was just after midday, so there were only a few other shoppers.
The 3 Little Wigs
The wig selection was enormous, so I began browsing and soon one of the store owners approached me and asked if I needed any help. Once I said yes, she wanted to get a better idea of what I was looking for. Something in the 20 – 30 dollar range was preferred, but their cheaper wigs were really small and unsuitable for me.
Because of the immense inventory, I felt a bit overwhelmed at first, but within no time I found a couple of wigs that I liked. She asked me if they were for me or someone else, you can guess how I responded 
. Without missing a beat, the owner then offered to let me try them on, so I sat down in a barber shop style chair, anxiously awaiting my first public wig fitting.
The first two were pretty bad and after a third choice was even worse, she had to attend to a customer who had called in earlier about something. I told her that I would browse a bit more while she did this, but she took a while so I started tweeting on my cell phone.
About ten minutes passed and a different sales associate came to assist me. She was even more helpful than the owner, as she told me about the different colors in stock and the human hair wigs. I found a great wig and also picked up the head stand to go with it.
As I payed for my merchandise, I let them know how much I appreciated their help and that I would be back. When I told my wife the story I could hardly believe that it was me who had mustered up all that courage and confidence. While I was shopping for my new wig, my heart didn’t race and not once did I feel embarrassed, I would call that significant progress.
Bohemian Chic
As mentioned above, I didn’t bring any of Jessica’s clothes to Florida, so that left one exciting task: finding an outfit. I picked my wife up from school and headed to Ross, where we found a gorgeous teal dress for under fifteen dollars.
She wanted to find accessories to go with this look she called “bohemian chic”, but Ross’ selection was horrible, so we went home. I ended up accenting my dress with her wooden earrings and long gold costume necklace, and I think I set a personal record for quickest time getting ready.
Thanks to Karren, Savanna and Lori for tweeting with me during this experience, having friends’ support is a wonderful thing. Here is a picture of the wig that I bought.
I’d like to share one last point with you, that I dressed even though I had to deal with less than perfect conditions. My arms and legs were pretty hairy and I was missing all of my makeup and wardrobe, but I still did it. The flaws didn’t stop me from enjoying myself, and I hope I can pass that on to you, don’t let anything stop you from doing what you want.
Until next time, Ciao girlfriends!
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Great job, Jessica
The wig looks beautiful. You were so brave. I have yet to allow myself to be put into a situation like this in a store. But maybe in the future.
Thank you so much, Savanna. It helped that the associates there were helpful and didn’t give me strange looks, my wife was telling me that there are more transgendered people out and about in this town, so maybe that was the case here. It is one of the more well known and established beauty shops, and I’m sure they want business – especially with the way our economy here is going
.
Either way, I was happy with the purchase and with the way I was treated, I’m going to recommend them and write about them more.
Nothing quite like the wig salon for a completely feminine immersion. And typically you do find as warm and genuine an embrace in these shops as you dare dream about.
Nice touch too wig shopping in drab. I believe that, really and strangely, that is more “out” and more exposed than even the shortest skirt leaves you.
So glad you went, enjoyed and shopped.
Happy dressing – Petra
Thanks Petra, I appreciate the kind words as always
“don’t let anything stop you from doing what you want”
That phrase will become my life mantra. Besides, great wig. I will look for something like that someday…=)
Awesome, thanks Dekka! I hope that mantra helps you
I love the wig too, it took a while to find it but I am happy with my decision
Shopping for my wig was a terrific experience. I had been assured by many in my support group that I would be welcomed. I went in drab, though I had set up an appointment via email, so I was expected. Pam deals with many trans customers and really loves us. Two of my three visits were in the front of the shop, easily seen by anyone who happened by. And I never felt less than comfortable. Like Petra said, this was very “out”, much like trying on heels in drab, which I’ve also done.
That was the key: I felt so relaxed during my shopping experience. I knew that I was leaving with something, so I did my best to keep calm and just find a wig that I really liked. Although I have to admit it’s difficult for me to judge a wig completely when I have a full mustache and beard!
Verrry nice! I have a similar wig to the one in the last pic, except I’m a big fan of hair with highlights (as if you didn’t already know LOL). Hope to see a pic with you wearin it girlfriend!
Thank you Lori! Yea, highlights are so sweet!
I took a bunch of pics and I hope to share some very, very soon
Must have been lots of fun buying the wig and being treated so well while you shopped. I bought a wig at the Vegas Glamour Boutique a couple years ago and it felt wonderful to have someone fuss over me while I tried on several different wigs. Although I was in drab and had a goatee and shaved head the sales lady was very nice and I felt like I was a special customer for her. Oh – - makes me want to go out and buy some more girly things .
Hi Kathy,
Yes it was a lot of fun. I will definitely return when I want to pick up another wig. I had a goatee also, lol
!!