Howdy, first off, I definitely consider myself a newbie, so anything in this post is just my experience, I thought I'd share incase anyone getting started will find this helpful in taking the plunge to start wearing.
I waited forever and lurked and researched the forums for years before I just jumped in and started wearing, I wish I had done this years ago! I just started wearing 10 months ago, I kept my head shaved and sported a ballcap most of the time, I started off ordering from a different supplier- and went thru 3 systems in the first few months, I didnt know what to expect, and really wouldnt have known if what I was getting was good or bad except with the other suppliers pieces, I would always show a line where the piece met my real hair so getting ready in the morning was always a hassle trying to conseal this, the pieces were shedding something fierce, and I was being as gentle as I could, also the lace didnt match my skin correctly and had a tint to it- finally after waiting for a standard stock piece for over 14 weeks I called Toplace and ordered a stock piece from John, after waiting all that time for a stocker I was worried that I would end up in a jam and not be able to get another, I knew I had to find another supplier, 3 days later I recieved my toplace stock, no line on the side to hide, no tint to the lace, and fast shipping! Thats all I needed to know, I ordered a back up immediately. I have been wearing this stock piece for 5 months, I'm pretty rough on it too, and just now getting ready to break in my back up. I am wearing all SFS with a tape perimeter keeping the hairline low key, I have done all my cut ins myself so far, being a student money is tight, I wouldnt advise this to everyone, but I've always cut my own hair, I use a razor comb and thinning shears to blend, and clippers on my natural growing hair. I'm hopping back into the forum because I want to kick up my game a little, bleach the knots my crown of my back up piece and start messing around with glue and showing some hairline now and then, I'd say its about time to start experimenting with that. I have to say that wearing has been nothing but a positive experience for me, I look 10 years younger, I'm 35 and get ID'd buying beer from time to time which is great! People very close to my know, because I tell them, and they tell me I look great, I pay attention and noones eyes drift up to my hairline or anything odd, its been awesome, I'll attach a couple of pics, they arent tech pics, just some iPhone pics that show me with hair, so you get an idea, I will get some close up for you guys to check out and give me any pointers on my blending etc. as soon as possible.