Shoe Time?

Thanks to several of you, we have gotten plenty of response here in Cyrsti's Condo to a short series of posts we did on the closing of Payless Shoes. Responses ranged from no interest at all from Shelle, to heading there during lunch (Sally) to Connie's reference to her visits at DSW , an upscale competitor to Payless who undoubtedly led to their demise:

"I've not had much luck with Payless, myself. Many years ago, I bought two pair of shoes there, and I only got the second pair because it was a BOGO sale. That's a 50% discount...sorta. I imagine that what has made Payless a go-to for trans women is that they do carry some larger sizes, but they also are basically a self-service outfit. I have found that DSW works better for me, and I can get better quality at pretty good discounts (becoming a VIP shopper yields even more discounts). I usually go to the back of the store first, which is where they have the clearance shoes grouped by size. The nice leather boots I'm wearing this winter were purchased last spring, and they cost me only $12.00 ($160-80%=$32.00, and a $20.00 coupon)."

I literally have not been to a DSW Shoes for years, due to the fact I could never find my size there. I would imagine in today's world though, with the overall increase in size of women's feet, things may be different now.

Overall, I am not the shoe fanatic many transgender/cross dresser women are. So my shoe buying experiences aren't as frequent. I also can't wear heels, so I have to "manufacture" the power women get from their heels in other ways. As long as my MtF gender dysphoria isn't working against me, I normally don't have a problem with confidence which doesn't have anything thing to do with shoes. Plus, I so love it when the others (trans or CD) have to bend down to hug me or talk to me.

Finally, speaking (writing) of frequent, tonight I will have a chance to wear one of my new pairs of shoes when we go out to yet another transgender - cross dresser social. I find this one to be more relaxing than the karaoke one we go to once a month. It is quieter and easier to communicate at the venue. 

I will let you know how it goes.

Payless

In yesterday's Cyrsti's Condo post, I mentioned Payless Shoes was closing all of it's stores.

We promptly went out to our very new Payless Super Store, waded in to the crowd and found three good buys in my 11W women's size. I even had the available finances to buy the shoes. The selection was very good and yes I did see one man looking at the larger size women's shoes.

Even though the stores are expected to be open through March (according to Connie), I wanted to get the best of discounts and selection. I ended up buying a new pair of black flats, a pair of summer sandals to wear with my maxi dresses and a new pair of girls tennis shoes.  So now, I very much have my warm weather footwear needs taken care of.

If you are wondering, the initial discounts were between twenty and forty percent. Since I rarely buy on line due to sizing issues, I don't know what Payless maybe offering discount wise in their on line store. 

Bored

Yesterday was almost the complete boring day. Liz's brother came for his birthday but wanted to spend it at our house. So, after I went with her to martial arts, we then came home for a brief cleaning of the house and waited for him to show up.

Once he did get here, he sat down on the couch for a seven hour stay. To make matters worse, he is not a conversationalist at all. At least we were home and didn't tie up a servers' table for a couple hours. Plus, I could get up and move around a bit when I felt like the chair was becoming part of my body.

So much for an exciting blog post!

Changing gears now, perhaps those of you in the United States have heard, Payless Shoes is closing all of it's 2000 plus stores. Over the years, on occasion, I have been able to find good shoes in my size (11Wide) at Payless. I am sad to see them go.

We are heading there today to see what is available.

Kickin' It This Fall

I do have a fondness for fall.  The weather, the football and the fashion! Another fashion site I subscribe to (free) is The Budget Babe.  "The Babe" recently passed along a selection of "tough girl" boot picks for fall. If you are thinking sizes like I am and can't find your size one place,  many times you can discover a good selection in your size in other stores such as Payless Shoes.

In my case, I have a very difficult time with sizes on line and almost always need to purchase footwear in person. Boot's in particular are difficult. An example is when I'm looking for say a pair of slouch boots, I just can't assume my regular 11W size will work. Most styles won't slide over the top of my foot and up my calves.  If I move up into a 12, then the boot is too big on my foot and my calves. Finally I also have to factor in comfort and safety in a boot. Too much heel on a snowy or even icy sidewalk can mean an embarrassing look up at a cloudy sky from the ground for me.

Over the years I have also been successful in finding a quality, good fitting pair of boots on sale at Lane Bryant's or The Avenue. Quality is important in a boot which can last you several seasons if you add a timeless classic to your wardrobe. (Always a great idea!)

Many of you have your own shoe shopping solutions to one of the best, fun parts of being a girl but if you don't, maybe these ideas may help! The stereotype of a woman and her shoes definitely carries over to us!

***For those of you Cyrsti's Condo readers like me and are rather forgetful - I have added "Cyrsti's Beauty Nook" here in the Condo. In the nook I have added most of the fashion/beauty sites I mention and their links. If you have other faves I would love to see them and add them to "the Nook"!