SHOE SHOPPING!




BY JODI LYNN


I must tell you about one of my shopping experiences in Indiana, Pa.,
my hometown. There is a NineWest shoe store in the downtown area
which carries nice shoes. It opened two years ago. The first time I went in, the
owner, Tony, waited on me. I selected a pair of black patent pumps and, at that
time, was too scared to try them on --I was in male mode. He looked at me kind
of strangely, but didn't say anything. I went back about three weeks later to buy
a pair of black ankle boots that I liked. This time, he very quietly asked me
if I'd like to try them on. I said OK, did so and bought them. He said he figured
they were for me, and that he'd rather I try them on than return them later.

Two of his clerks were there and he explained to them that when I come
in, I'd be permitted to try on items with no hassle. The clerks, both young
girls, said they were cool with that. About a year ago I stopped in on a Sunday
afternoon to buy a pair of brown ankle boots that were on sale. The owner's
wife, Connie, was there along with Julie, one of the clerks. When I asked for a
size 10, Connie just asked if I needed a stocking to try them on. Julie had prompted
her. I got the boots and when I got home, I decided to get dressed en femme
and wear the boots back to the store to get their reaction. When I went in, Connie
came up and asked to help. I asked her how the boots looked with the outfit. She
almost died. That day I talked with her for 45 minutes. She asked a lot of questions.

Now to the present time. The other day I dropped by in male mode to try on a
pair of tan knee high boots. They fit great and I bought them. Both Connie and
Tony helped with the fitting. He owns five shoe stores in the area and has
recently opened a clothing boutique next to his shoe store here. He said in other
towns, especially Altoona and Johnstown, he has established a number of T-girl
customers. He told me that if he thought he would have a market, he would begin
stocking larger sizes. He showed me a catalog of fetish wear that went up to size 14.
He said that he would special order anything from that catalog for any customer.

Well, last night I decided to go in early evening en femme to show him how
the boots looked. When I walked in, a new girl named Heather asked
to help. I told her that I was looking for a black sling with a higher heel.
She proceeded to help me with selection and fitting. I looked for any
strange looks from her and did not get any. Connie came over and really raved
about how good the boot looked with my brown skirt. When I selected a pair
of black patent slings, after trying on about eight pairs, I said to Connie,
“Do you think we should tell Heather if she already hasn't figured it out?”
Heather looked puzzled. When I told her I was a male to female
crossdresser, her jaw dropped. She was completely surprised. Boy is that a
shot of confidence for a girl. I sat and talked with both Connie and Tony for
about half an hour before leaving. I recommend this store very highly. Their
quality is good and they are definitely TG friendly. As with most other
TG-friendly stores, if you are going to try something on, be discreet so as not
to offend any other customers. The store is open 10 A.M. to 8 P.M. Mon thru Fri,
10 to 5 on Saturday and noon to 5 on Sunday. The store is Westie's Footwear
on Philadelphia Street in Indiana. As with most Nine West stores, most styles
are carried only to a size 10. The store has several non Nine West products
that he carries to a size 12. While at the shoe store, be sure to visit his
clothing boutique which has lingerie, dressy clothes and career wear,
plus all accessories the store carries. T-girls are permitted to try on clothing.