Tzippy,
Yes, you’re right that there are women who come from out of town to shop in Lakewood, especially around Yom Tov time. People are generally very courteous and welcoming to these women. I personally will always give a warm smile and try to assist them if they need help finding products…
However, the people I was referring to are those who obviously live here – you don’t drive to Lakewood to give your shirts into the cleaners! If you meet certain faces in all the different stores around town on various occasions, that’s a pretty clear sign that they are locals.
In addition, perhaps as you mention the way these women dress is a step up for them. However, especially with the Inyan of Tznius, Minhag HaMakom plays a very large role in determining what is and what is not acceptable in that location. I have also met a few people that I personally know from before their marriage, and their mode of dress is definitely not a step up from where they’re coming from.
So as much as I agree that being Dan L’Kaf Z’chus is praiseworthy, that doesn’t change the fact that those who dress outside the parameters of Minhag HaMakom, as determined by the Rabbanim of the town in it’s current state (and not based on what the town looked like 20-30 years ago!), are inviting resentment for lowering the community’s standards.