General Letters of Inquiry and My Answers to
assist you in making your choices of various products
and transformation services offered at Wildside in Toronto.

In order to personally answer the many wonderful requests we receive from people who crossdress all over the world I put this page together for everyone to read. If your letter appears here I thank you for it - yuour questions are great questions and of interest to many of the people who inquire about our services. Enjoy these great letters and my answers. I hope they help!

Letter 1

Hello.
I am resending this message hopeing you remember it. I am still interested
in some information about dressing as a French Maid on or near halloween. I
would like to know what to expect, cost, what you have I can wear, can I
stay there or do I leave at the end of the evening, best time to start
getting dressed, what should I bring, is going out in public dressed as a
maid ok there? Any other info. would be appreciated. My dream is to spend
most of a day dressed as a sexy French maid, running errands, shopping or
whatever dressed that way. I will be 50 this year and decided that this
would be a good time to try some of my fantasies.
Hugs, Mary

Dear Mary,

If your intention is to purchase the outfit we can dress you in a head to toe french maid outfit with shoes and hair included for $500 - that includes a bra, breastforms in foan rubber, panties, socks and our traditional or pink or purple french maid outfit. If you want the crinoline it will be $100 extra but I assure you we have lots of lace on our outfits. There are many upgrades, like silicone forms glued onto your body but I warn you, that is expensive!

You can rent an outfit with a makeover for $150. That is called a transformation. You can stay here or go out once you are dressed - it is your choice. You can return later if you go out to remove your makeup and change back into a boy. Take a shower if you like - we supply all makeup removers and towels. If you have an agenda that day - you can hire someone to accompany you or bring someone to keep you company.

We have assisted in many birthday and other celebrations. We would love to help you with yours ! Paddy

Letter 2

Can you advise as to membership, fees and parking?

I believe there is a membership fee. If there is, how much is it and what
does it cover? Is it a requirement to visit Paddy's Playhouse? With a
membership, can I still use the facilities even when the store is closed
(e.g. Friday evenings).

Are there any other fees (e.g. a cover) to visit Paddy's Playhouse?

I'm from out-of-town... how do I address parking (i.e. where, how much,
etc.). Are there different procedures based on time of day (e.g. Friday
evenings versus Saturday evenings)?

Any info you can provide is greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Sylvia

 

Dear Silvia.

Paddys Playhouse is the common room at Wildside which has a stage in it. That is where the plays at Paddys Playhouse are performed. This is done 4 or 5 times a year for a week or two. You can click on events to find out what they have been like. There may also be info on what is coming. Paddy donates Paddys playhouse in the sense that if she did not provide this space free to actors, directors and writers their work would not be seen because theater space is so tight in Toronto

The plays are part of Paddy Aldridge's life because she graduated from Ryerson Theater School just before she opened Wildside in 1987. Paddy's theater training is one of the reasons she is so good at creating believable images for crossdressers and transsexuals. Having the plays at Wildside make for a varied presentation list. At other times we do Karaoke and theme parties on the appropriate holidays.

The membership fee is $50 per year and goes towards various things like property taxes in downtown Toronto, employees to keep Wildside and the Canadian Crossdressers Club clean and maintained (we just added a ceiling fan in the makeup room). Then there's hydro, a/c, heat, water, and garbage removal. That's 14 cents per day.

Now, for your $15 attendance fee. We supply towels, soap, shampoo, razors, showers, hot water unlimited, a dedicated makeup area with mirrors, a common room, cable tv and high speed internet access - with a computer that we keep well maintained.

Memberships are $50 per year and $15 per visit - we have many members.

You must show your identification to join because members get the front door code and can come and go as they like after store hours. Overnight accommodation is reduced for members.

Parking at Wildside is only available to overnight guests and costs $10 per night. During the day shoppers can park in the back while they are shopping - if you let us know we can unlock the back foor so you do not need to walk around.. Wildside is a busy place. Out front parking is $2 per hour in 2 hour increments before 6 pm. Between 6 pm and 9 pm you can buy the 3 hours at once for $6 and then park free between 9 pm and midnight. You must move your car at midnight or get a parking ticket because it is permit only. You purchase a parking coupon for the hourly parking from the meter in front of 163 Gerrard St. East next door to us. Then don't forget to place it on your dashboard inside your car so the meter maids can see it.

I hope this helps,
Paddy

Hi Paddy,
I was wondering what the costs woud be? What would a 2 night and 3 night package be complete with transformation and photoshoot? what other things might you have that could be part of the package.
If no packges just a cost for each different thing you may offer. I am trying to get a feel on a cost for my trip when I come out for a visit. Thanks in advance for whatever you can give me.
I am thinking of coming out sometime in October from a thurdsy to a sunday.
Regards, Marina

Dear Marina,

The minimum price for a two night stay would be 2 nights on the off nights from Sunday - Thursday which is only $79 per night plus tax - $158. plus tax and if you add a $150 transformation to each day it is $300 for 2 days and $450 for 3 days.

The maximum amount of money for the stay you request would be 2 nights on the weekend at $99 per night   $198 - add $79 for a Thursday night
A regular transformation Day 1 upon arrival   - you can go out later.                    $150
Breakfast Day 2      9 am - 10 am      included each morning - you help yourself!           
A glamour transformation and photo shoot Day 2 from 10 am - 2 pm                   $500
Lunch and relaxation  Day 2 from 2 - 4  - order in or go out - not included      
A Femininity Workshop for 2 - 3 hours Day 2 from 4-7                                       $150
Take your instructor to dinner and practice your techniques 7 - 9                         $50
9 pm return to Wildside to change and go out for the evening               estimate    $100
A big sister will accompany you with her car for $25 per hour - you decided how long
Day 2 total is $950

Day 3 add another $950 if you want the same thing or just have a simple transformation for $150.

If you mix and match you can do the 4 days and have a really good time for $1000 - $1500

Just let us know when you want to come Marina. We'll be happy to have you arrive to enjoy yourself. We'll plan your activities to suit a schedule that is either pre-planned or you can choose after you get here.

Some people like to go to the theatre for instance, or a Jays game or a concert and that is off premesis and on their own time. Saturdays are good for people who want to meet other people - we are busy here and we have get-togethers in Paddys Playhouse, our common room. There is a good night life in Toronto - people go out in groups from here.

I hope this helps
Paddy

Hi Paddy,

1. When would the best time to come out be in October/November
regarding events/things to do en femme?
2. I hae some of my own wardrobe and makeup.
Therefore, would I be able to get any discounts on the transformation packages?
3. Is there many places to go en femme in the area? Is it safe?
regards, Marg

Dear Marg,

Halloween is best - stay tuned to our message board and Events page to watch for events co-ordinated by Wildside and CCDC members. The transformations are what they are because of the time and the expertise of the person helping you, not the fact that you use your own stuff. Either you get makeup only or a transaformation. A makeup lesson costs more but then you get 3 different looks - daytime, dinner and evening. We are downtown a block from the bars and nightclubs. You can start out at Zipperz and work your way up Church St. to Wellesley and drop into any number of places like Hair of tthe Dog, PLAY, Woodys, Church and Firkin, Crews Tango, O'Gradys, The Village Cafe, Byzantium, Zelda's, or go south on Church St. past Queen to Goodhandys, etc. Events appear a month before they happen so there is lots of time to plan your trip when ever it may be.

To find out what to do check our EVENTS PAGE

Paddy

Hey Paddy

I've been doing this for awhile now but rather stealthily and never out in public so I thought this may be the best place to start. I am interested in the full transformation where I am abe to keep everything. Is the price for this still $300? What exactly is included?

Also as I still have not really shared this with all that many people will any body hair (i.e. my eyebrows and legs) be visibly removed or altered?

Last question, from what I have seen in the transformation photo's the clothes look fairly provocative are there any clothes a little more conservative that I may be able to wear out in public afterwards?

How soon do I make an appointment?

Thank You, Peter

Dear Peter,

Congratulations on choosing Wildside to provide your introduction to the corssdressing world. We are twenty years in business so we must be ding something right. Your $300 includes head to toe dressing and a makeover. Shoes and wig are included. From the top - wig, blouse and skirt or dress, bra, panties, breastforms, pantyhose and shoes. The breastforms are foam rubber at $19.95 but you can upgrade. The wig is a $50 wig and the shoes are previously loved - ie: not brand new. Thw clothing is not brand new either - but we have lots of things and you will be most pleasantly suprised by our professional ability to create a believable look for you.

We do not need to touch a hair on your head in terms of shaving. We can block you brows to hide them if they are thick - they will still be there when your makeup comes off. We have pantyhose that will hide your leg hair.

The photos I chose for the web site show the upper limits of what we can accomplish. An everyday look is simple and easy. Some people think you haven't done anything is you don't go to town with a fabulous look. I have had some men come in for a makeover and say "When I look in the mirror I do not want to see myself." So I do more than I can to make them look different and they are happy. If less is what you want I will do less!

Make your appointment as soon as you feel you can keep your appointment. We can often see you the same day and we accept walk-ins.

Paddy

Hello.
Can you answer some questions for me please? What name is on the credit card statement?
I mean who does it say the payment is to.
Also, how is the shipment packaged, and what is stated on the label? I seem to
remember ordering something a long time ago from you and the contents were printed on the label. The isn't what I had hoped for. I live in Canada.
Thank you, Mary

Dear Mary

Hi thank you for your questions. Your credit card will be billed from Toronto CDC. The plainly wrapped package is shipped to your name and address. The return address is from Paddy Aldridge. The contents list is important if we send to another country and that needs to be attached to the box on the outside. Otherwise your package is shipped discretely.
Paddy

 

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