You Can Get Anything You Want at Alice Rae's

Dorothy has been telling me to visit Alice Rae Fine Intimate Apparel since my first trip to Tucson.  I finally made it, although in drab.

My problem with intimate apparel shops is, they're usually outside my price range.  I know quality lingerie, like quality wigs, is expensive.  I just hate going into a shop where I know I'm out of my price range.

I was looking for serious shapewear.  They seem to focus on bras; more on that in a moment.

I made it clear I was looking for items for myself.  Terry, who was behind the counter, had no problem with that at all.

I saw one interesting corset ~ it was a heavy material, the better to swear off the inches, and could be put on by one person.  There were two rows of eyes for the heavy-duty hooks so as you shrunk your waist you could go to the second set.  Terry offered to let me try it on, so I did.  She suggested a small might work.

It didn't.  I could close one hook on the bottom and that was IT.  They had no larger sizes at the moment.

I also tried a shaping camisole, so tight that it had to be pulled up instead of over my head.  It did a good job of pulling in my tummy but it also emphasised the fact that I have NO hips at all.  Without a bust, I looked like I was stuffed into a sausage wrapping.

Camisoles and shapewear where on racks in the front of the store.  As I was looking around I did notice one padded panty, but I forgot to follow up on that.  I have one, but it's kind of unsatisfactory and I'd like to try something else, maybe with hip pads as well as butt pads.

I mentioned that I'd like to look for a bra, but I'd need my forms.  She pointed out a series of bras that all have pockets for pads.  I told her Victoria's Secret measured me and said I was a 42-B but I generally wore a 38-C and closed it to the smallest band I could.  She measured me and suggested I might even be a 36, but in that case I'd need a D.  (Victoria's Secret doesn't even carry 40 and above and the saleslady tried to sell me a 38, even though she just told me I was a 42.)

Bras seemed to be in the $50 range, which I think is reasonable, even though it's probably twice what I normally pay.  I get the double advantage of personal service and helping a small business.  I'd rather shop at an Alice Rae than a Victoria's Secret.

It was now approaching closing time and I still had to check in and locate Crossroads, where I had agreed to meet Andrea.

And after I left, I realised I did something really stupid.

Since I hadn't checked in yet, my pads and everything else were in the car.  I probably wouldn't try the dress over the pads and new bra (in the shop) but I could have tried on the bra and pads and seen how they fit and how it looked.  The store was mostly devoid of customers; it wouldn't have been a big deal since I hadn't hidden what I wanted at all.

Stupid stupid stupid.

Next trip, I'll stop by before I dress if after I dress it'll be too late, and I'll have my pads with me.

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