As I look back on my decades presenting as Tami, it is remarkable how much easier every aspect of my lifestyle is today from just 20 years ago. Most telling is when I am out and about in ‘drab,’ how accepting and even welcoming the retail world is to my interests all things feminine.
My small size and long hair helps cue anyone I interact with. Either way, any makeup counter any of us might approach is happy to help. I have never strolled into a women’s shop and asked about a top, shoes or whatever, without an enthusiastic response to help. I have a good feeling that often (again when in drab), that many women in retail think it is fun to see me try their product.
When shopping many years ago at the mall in Phoenix, I walked into a Rebecca Taylor store. I wasn’t familiar with that designer and had to look. Rebecca Taylor clothes were on the romantic, flowy and very feminine. The young lady (Jennifer), working there was happy to show me things she thought a somewhat feminine male might enjoy wearing.
I bought a top and started a friendship with this her. Jennifer went as far as to ship me other tops and dresses several times simply to try and keep or return. We stayed in touch for a couple years until she moved on to work at Joie.
I have and you may as well experienced this: Just weeks ago, I was shopping at a J. McLaughlin store as Tami. The two women who work there know me well as Tami. I tried on a black dress and then a brown leather sheath. Each time I stepped out of the dressing room to stand at the three-way mirror, another customer only away and compliments the fit of both dresses.
“It looks as good from the back as from the front,” she said.
I assumed this customer guessed I was trans or maybe not, but the ease and acceptance today is worlds apart from 20 years ago. This is not to say that one’s ambiguity quotient will always be ignored. It is important to have reasonable expectations, and one’s sincerity about our interests is equally important.
All in all, the free market and good business practices, works in our favor.
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| Wearing Ann Taylor |
