Whilst skimming a blog on France 24 about the huge choice of second hand boutiques in teh Marais part of Paris (see the link below) it struck me that all of us special girls buy our clothes from a variety of places - just like women do.

I love shopping - almost more than a glass of wine or good sex but not quite - and its something I do a lot of (shopping I mean). Both in drab mode and as Pauline and often its just window shopping rather than actually purchasing things. Though this morning on the Asda run for weekend supplies I browsed through the sale racks and found a denim mini skirt with brass studs on it for £3 and a lovely denim shirt for £4 - both reduced from £12 and £15 respectively . So I "saved" myself £20 !!!!

I shop on line as well as browse for bargains at sale time or in charity shops ( thrift shops in the USA). I find buying clothes from catalogues good as well - because if they dont look right on or don't fit I can send them back with no questions asked. I do realize that this is not an option for many married Tgirls - as a package in a bigger size could raise some problems - but it is a useful option.

Also as I am UK dress size 20 or 22 and UK shoe size 42 or 9 I can buy clothes anywhere. Evans do shoe sizes up to 10 or 11 I think. Otherwise for those of you with larger feet it means searching for specialist shops - of which there are a few on line.

here are some of the places I shop. I am sure you could add your own and those of you who take larger shoe sizes maybe able to make recommendations for others.

1. Cheaper fashion stuff that fits well and looks good - Asda (both shop and on line), Primark, Top Shop, H&M, Matalan

2. Charity + secondhand shops - sometimes you find real bargains. Manchester's Northern Quarter has some very eclectic small shops and second hand ones.

3. High street middle priced shops - Debenhams, Zara, Next, M&S, Monsoon - an are all on line as well.

4. Catalogues - they almost all do large sizes and some do wide fitting shoes and boots - Evans and the JD Williams group ( includes Marisota and Fashion World and Viva La Diva for shoes). And Evans does have a range of bracelets which fit larger wrists and they are TG friendly - though these days most shops are (the tranny pound is always welcome)

5. More expensive shops - for those who have a lot to spend - Harvey Nicks, harrods, House of Fraser as well as boutiques, like Radley or LK Bennett and anything upwards in price. If you are a smaller size then sometimes you can get really classy outfits second hand - I know that there are a selection of shops in London doing that, and charity shops in nicer areas often have very classy stuff. look at the handbags, jewellery and accessories there too.

Its not a comprehensive list by any means and I am sure that you girls will add to it. In the meantime - remember

"when the going gets tough...the tough go shopping !"

hugs

Pauline xxxx



http://inparis.blogs.france24.com/article/2013/05/17/oldies-goodies-great-paris-vintage-0?ns_campaign=nl_quot_en&ns_source=NLQ_20130518&ns_mchannel=email_marketing&ns_fee=0&ns_linkname=http:__inparis.blogs.france24.com_article_2013_05_17_oldies_goodies_great_paris_vintage_0&f24_member_id=1011267768200

I tend to shop online, usually New Look, or Asos and you can find some good bargains in their end of line or sale items. In the past I've managed to get 5 skirts,2 tops and a dress for under £50. Which is good as I have difficulty finding shoes in my size (12), so they tend to cost me more.
Of course the best bit about shopping is trying everything on

Suzy xxx

|Good article Pauline. I too am a stock size 22 with a shoe size of 8 so have little problems shopping. I use Oxendales as my main web store, and a new one which has just come on line, especially for big girl called Yours which give value for money. E Bay are good for me and when ever in town shopping with my wife we tour the charity shops for "bargains". But most of my shopping is done one line and funnily enough I use my male name when shopping on line and by phone and have had some funny (ha ha) replies from the order girls, like I hope it fits SIR.

I'm just a smidge under six feet and dresses, particularly fitted and shift dresses are hard to find BUT Long Tall Sally is for tall girls and the fit is perfect. Their dresses can be a tad expensive but if its the 'right dress' then its a safe bet it will fit so a good buy! xxx

I shop often at the x caterlouge shop on north point in Hull and often I have got items cheaper than you can get second hand at charity shops.its the place to be,,at times.

your right P shopping is a big part of our lives! I am still searching for the magic dress that will make me look Sigourney Weaver!..... I've spent a bloody fortune on near misses! M&S works for me and Monsoon and the odd item at H&M and Gap.......XXXX

ebay is a good place wth just about everything you need if you feel nervous about going in shops also convenient

I tend to shop instore or online.
My shoes and clothing mostly come from Next or Newlook, I either pay full price or look in the clearance section online as they go up to sz 9 Euro 43. Next also do "Tall" Sizes in some of there clothes, and depending on the garment they do in some cases go up to a sz 20, as I'm a 16 I have found that sizes 12, 14 and 16 are rather popular and go rather quickly.


Thanks for the suggestion Pauline

Im lucky being of a smaller size but i only shop in the high st , i have found online shopping to be a poor substitute my self as i cant try it on and when i have ordered stuff it never fits . But to me walking down the high st looking for an outfit is all part of my shopping experience .I also work for Oxfam so get a good look at whats coming in before every one else so iv had some great bargains .

I know I always plug it - but don't forget Doreen's Fashions - an East End Tranny outlet since Adam was a ladette - and run by fabulous old East End girls who have a great understanding of girls! xx

I found a great site.... www.everything5pounds.com
They sell everything....shoes, dresses, skirts, tops, bags etc
I love Primani and George at Asda (the 10% discount helps there too)..and always browse in charity shops

ebay and charity shops oh and asda to im a cheap bird lol xxxx

Just found a sweet retro web site ,
Pinupboutiqe.co.uk
When's my next payday

Start talking shopping and i get going just bought shoes handbag and perfume on amazon and dress on ebay will i ever stop lol

I think shopping is in the pysche - not just of women but all Tgirls too. Even though I have enough clothes to fill maybe 6 wardrobes (I have 4 and use other storage as well - summer and winter outfits are key so at any time 3 are full and 1 is for boy stuff) I still like finding something new.

And I do clear out now and then - I support the local Bury hospice with clothes I no longer need.

Which makes room for more !!!!

love you for it andrea love, we all have the illness that anti-biotics wont cure,(thank god)

I tend to buy clothes and make up online and then collect from store. I like shopping in Debenhams (thanks heavens for the blue cross sales!).

I've got quite large feet so the highstreet shoe shops are no use to me. I usually by shoes from Alternative Footwear. They stock a good range of sizes and designs in the shop and you can park right outside so even a coward like me can go there 'dressed'.

Can anyone suggest what to do when you want to order online, but can't have anything TG related delivered to your home address? Would really love to get a great wig I've seen online, but can't get it sent home. Any ideas what a girl can do?

Get a PO Box address via the post office x

Does it cost much? And does all mail go there?

Don't know how much - but you can send anything you want to it xx

"Can anyone suggest what to do when you want to order online, but can't have anything TG related delivered to your home address?"

Some outlets use the Collect+ service where items can be delivered to local shops.
I've used this through Amazon and I think Ebay also does it. When the item arrives you get an email with a bar code. Print the bar code and take it to the shop with some ID. Easy!

http://www.collectplus.co.uk

x
This post was edited by Kathryn Croft at May 24, 2013 12:21 AM BST

Thanks for the adice. I found a few just down the road from me!

I was talking with Suzy Whyte last night and she is a size 12 in shoes, and i realized that its tough for some of you to find shoes in bigger sizes - especially flats. So if you do have any recommendations to make then please post them.

hugs

Pauline xxx

I do all my shop in drab. mainly shaop at Evans, M&S makeup from Boots. l also use online shopping.