The boutique owner/proprietor was a woman in her mid-50’s. Initially, we were just acquaintances, but we became friendlier after she forgot her keys one day and I let her get into her store via the unlocked door that separated our back rooms. After that we chatted almost once a day and became better acquainted.
Over time, I noticed a couple of gents who shopped at her store on more than one occasion, so one day I asked her about her male customers. She quickly responded that they were “transvestites” and that she had about a half dozen male customers who were so inclined.
“That's interesting,” was my reply.
Then she added, “You look to be a size 16. I have some outfits in your size that would look lovely on you.”
I didn’t see that coming! I was very embarrassed and could only manage to squeak out, “Thanks, but no thanks.”
“If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”
I thought about it often, but never took her up on her offer.
ADDENDUM
I was very closeted back then and up to that time, I had only gone out en femme once and that was for Halloween. While in Kingston, I was living out of a Holiday Inn and often dressed in my room, but never stepped out of that room en femme, although I did visit an old school lingerie store in Kingston en homme and purchased an all-in-one (you can read about that adventure by clicking here).
As I mentioned here before, I am a feminine guy and I assume the boutique owner recognized that and along with my question about her male customers, put two and two together and correctly guessed my "hobby."
And so it goes!
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| Wearing ModCloth |
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| Lena in Sydney, circa 1985 |
Florence Fashions, a women's clothing boutique established in Massachusetts in the 1970s, catered to mostly cisgender women at first. Florence, the owner, started to see with customers seeking girdles for their "bad backs." She saw right through them but Florence was always happy to accommodate them. Over time, word spread throughout the community about her friendly and accommodating nature, leading to a substantial portion of her business coming from our community. Many years have passed, and Florence continues to run her thriving business with the unwavering support of our community. Paula G
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely story! I wonder if she could see something in you (and what that would be) to make her realize you had a fondness for feminine clothes.
ReplyDeleteGreat story Stana! Such a missed opportunity looking back, but given the different circumstances then, vs. today, it seems very understandable. I wonder what tipped the clothing store owner off?
ReplyDeleteI love the vintage "Femulator" photo! I wonder if Lena gets out and about in Sydney today?
Norah
Decades ago, in my community, there was an independent woman's store in a local strip store that had a small sign in the window that welcomed cross dressers for evening appointments. Several decades later one of the local news channels ran an interview with a woman who opened a thrift shop and openly invited cross dressers to visit. On-line retailers seemed to bring the end to independently operated shops. When I was a teenager in Queens, NY there were two woman's shops across from each other on Broadway. The store had mannequins adorned with foundation garments in the windows. The store was at a bus stop, so I would "wait" for the bus as an excuse to gaze at its offerings. Back in the 1960's I would not dare enter a woman's store.
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