James Bra: First Mission

Photo credit: aschaeffer

Your daughter asking you to go bra shopping is a pretty typical experience. What makes this request so different is my daughter was born a son. Winterspark, who is almost 21, recently asked me to go shopping with her to purchase a bra.

For a typical teenage girl, this isn’t so difficult; but since Winterspark still passes as a boy, this requires a lot more planning on both of our parts.

Winter knew she needed a store that doesn’t monitor the dressing rooms. So that eliminates Target, Wal-Mart etc. We decided a store at the mall would be better, but needed one where the men’s and women’s are on the same floor. We settled on Sears.

We carefully discussed how to allow Winter to shop for a bra while keeping her safe in the process. It was decided that she needed another female with her, so I agreed when she asked me. I suggested that Winter pick up a pair of jeans in the men’s department to act as camouflage for carrying the bras into the dressing room. I would pick out the bras and carry them until we had all the ones she wanted to try on.

Luckily, the store wasn’t all that crowded for a Sunday. I was able to quietly discuss which ones she wanted and then discreetly hand them to her. Winter then casually shifted them under the pants and we proceeded to the men’s dressing room. I stayed outside keeping my eyes and ears opened for any problems. Fortunately, we live in Albuquerque, a very open, liberal, and tolerant area. It would take a lot to draw attention to oneself here.

After trying them on and selecting the one she wanted, she hid it back under the jeans and we returned to the bra area to pick out one more in the same style, but in black. I carried them to the cashier and we paid for them.

While buying a bra for a transgirl who still looks like a boy takes more planning, support, and a little forethought, the experience was very rewarding for both of us.

Tips for bra shopping as a transgirl:

1. Take a female friend or relative that you can trust.
2. Shop at a store that has unmonitored dressing rooms.
3. Shop at a store where both men’s and women’s departments are on the same floor.
4. Pick up a larger item of clothing for cover.
5. Relax and have fun, but stay safe!