Welcome to the World of the Cross Dresser
MisKnickers
on 26 February 2021
22 comments
Pop culture has really left us at a bit of a loss when it comes to cross-dressing. At worst, our general point of reference is a super macho action hero squeezed into a wig and dress for some goofy American ‘comedy’, at best we’re looking at Dr Frank N. Furter. Either way, these representations are hardly true to the common experience of the cross-dresser.
Cross-dressing is a complex kink. Although evidence suggests the general cross-dresser is a heterosexual male, cross-dressers are assumed to lack clearly defined gender and/or sexual preferences. This lack of clarity is partially due to culturally perpetuated myths, and a society with a dependence on strict binaries, but it’s also due to the very complexity of the behaviour, and the varying ways it’s expression is perceived. So, let’s break it down and look at the realities of cross-dressing.
What is a cross-dresser?
There’s a lot of confusion and misunderstanding about what actually constitutes cross-dressing, or what it is to be a cross-dresser. This is not hugely surprising - not only do definitions change with context and cultural shifts, but the basic simplicity of the answer hides an incredibly complex world of both self-identity and sexuality. Essentially, to cross-dress is to wear clothes gendered opposite to the biological sex one is born with, be it for sexual gratification, or gender expression. This definition generally excludes those who cross-dress as part of their profession, eg. female impersonators, actors, Drag Queens/Kings. Although they may be cross-dressing for a particular role, if it’s for performance only, then it’s an ‘act’. Cross-dressing isn’t an act; it’s an outer expression of an inner feeling.
"When people see a me dressed as a woman, they often think two things: either,
I’m a trans woman, or I’m into some kind of kinky sex. They don’t get that I can be fine
in my male skin, but have a female side I also want to express." Tanya
For this article, the focus is more on the experience of male cross-dressers. The vast number of people who identify as cross-dressers are male, in fact female cross-dressers are uncommon these days. On one hand, this looks like a win for feminism - we get to wear pants and sensible shoes, hoorah! - it’s one less gendered taboo. But on the other hand if traditionally female clothes weren’t still looked upon as ‘weak’, or ‘submissive’, or ‘impractical’, then there would be no problem with your boyfriend rocking your nighty cos it’s close to hand… as you do with his t-shirt.
Why Cross Dress?
Cross-dressing is most often seen as part of gender expression. For some people, this means expressing a clear want to be the other gender for a period of time - and to take on the roles and responsibilities of that gender. For others, taking time to cross-dress provides an escape from their everyday lives - the emphasis is on the fun of dressing-up and the freedom in expressing another side of themselves. Whatever the ‘reason’, there is a need to express the gender opposite to which you were biologically assigned.
For the most part, cross-dressing is not engaged in for sexual gratification - it’s more of a look than a fetish. That said, most male cross-dressers do aim for a hyper-feminised version of Woman, and as such perpetuate a standard of female that includes curves, hair-dos, and make-up. No judgement on this - glam up’s are great! - but when you look so ‘hot’, there’s still an unfortunate assumption it’s cos you wanna be fucked. Just cos people wanna feel sexy, and show that via their look, doesn’t mean they wanna DO sexy. Most cross-dressers don’t see their desire as a way to get sex, and the male ones certainly aren’t out to ‘trick’ any straight dudes into sex - this is simply a form of self-expression, that many would appreciate having validated with nothing more than a friendly smile of acknowledgement that they exist in this world.
"For me there’s a lot of pressure to make (the cross-dressing) about sex,
especially online. It’s the way most people want to engage." Carlee
Fetish Cross-Dressers
In terms of kink and fetish, more people fetishise cross-dressers themselves, than people fetishise cross-dressing as an act. Considering that for so many cross-dressers, the act is primarily about expressing themselves, rather than getting laid it’s hardly surprising. The fetish cross-dressers, however, cross-dress with the focus on sexual gratification, be that via their own hand or with a partner. Masturbation is a very common form of sexual expression for many fetish cross-dressers - and although for many that need tends to drop off once they become more comfortable with themselves. For some the sexual link to cross-dressing never leaves. Those with supportive partners often find themselves involved in sexual role-play in which their cross-dressing is encouraged.
Validation that you are an attractive member of the opposite sex is highly arousing for fetish cross-dressers, but a lack of support can lead people to seek a need of approval from less safe options - without support, it’s much easier to be persuaded into doing something uncomfortable cos ‘acceptance’.
Common Myths About Cross-Dressing
Cross-dressers are uncomfortable with their gender:
Cross-dressing is not a signifier of gender issues. In fact, many people who identify as cross-dressers do so after learning they can be who they are and wear the clothes and signifiers of the opposing gender without losing a sense of themselves. That said, the act of cross-dressing is often something transgender people engage in while solidifying their final gender identity, so there is potential for discomfort if people are lacking support. In terms of fetish cross-dressers, the cross-dressing is associated with sex, not gender, so is irrelevant.
Cross-dressing is weird:
Nope. Giving clothes a gender in the first place was weird! Super weird! And historically speaking, not something humans have been doing for a great deal of time. Cross your fingers it’s just a cultural glitch.
Cross-dressers are transgender:
Uhmmm, no. Absolutely not. Transgender people are the gender they identify as (male, female, neither, or both) and as such wear the clothes gendered appropriate to the identification. Cross-dressers identify with their biological gender and dress opposite to that. The confusion possibly stems from the fact that the word ’transvestite’ was coined in 1910 to pathologise people with a proclivity for cross-dressing. (…and both words start with ’trans’ so let’s just chuck ‘em in the same basket, right? Wrong.)
As more cross-dressers found offence in their activities being a medical issue, a critical mass grew, and the 1970’s saw the term ‘cross-dressing’ promoted and encouraged. Cross-dressing, like many other fetishes, are now only considered psychiatric conditions when causing ongoing dysfunction in to day-to-day life. And just to be clear, unless you’re a cross-dresser reclaiming the word for yourself, it’s probably good to know the only time ‘transvestite’ should be used in when singing along to Rocky Horror.
Cross-dressers are gay guys trying to trick hetero dudes into bed:
Actually, the vast majority of male cross-dressers are straight; statistics stating anything from 85-95% identify as heterosexual. The majority of cross-dressers aren’t doing it for direct sexual gratification. And if you’re the type that believes this myth, I doubt anyone would bother sleeping with you.
Cross-dressers are obvious:
The reality is that there are times when cross-dressers don’t have the freedom/space/time to do a total gender transformation, but they still want to keep in touch with that opposite gender expression. In some cases, people cross dress undergarments, or wear stockings under their masculine attire, particularly in work scenarios. On the other hand are people who work so hard to refine their look, that you would walk straight past them and not even know they weren’t the gender their outward representation suggests.
Going forward, cross-dressing can potentially play a role in addressing the inequality inherent in our patriarchal society. Rather than the current idea of women masculinising, perhaps we should encourage the dudes to ‘get chicky with it’? There’s definitely empirical proof that female clothes don’t actually kill brain cells, or inhibit blood flow to the frontal lobe - ‘female’ clothes don’t make anyone ‘weak’ or ‘stupid’. There’s actually nothing to fear.
For most, cross-dressing is more than just some fun-time fetish - this is an expression of who they are. It gives people some contentment and happiness, and makes them feel ‘whole’. Cross-dressing is a harmless, personal preference, and as such, should be supported and accepted as just another different thing people do.
22 comments
A.KnightsTale
More than a week agoThankyou for articulating a very difficult subject.
ReplyI love being out and about as Gael. I'm very fortunate to have a loving and supporting wife who understands completely.
Gael
KinkyGirl101
More than a month agoLove the article!
Reply333funcouple333
More than a month agoSorry for my earlier comments,
I’m a little bit over protective and aggressive at times.
After re reading the article I realise I was being harsh,
What I should have said is there is also another side of ( what ever your describe yourself as) where we are mainly only interested in being feminine for sexual pleasure, and we are often treated like a sub class by others that have different ideas, and if I read the articulate in a normal forum I would have supported it with gusto, but in a sex site, it just seemed....
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ReplyAJMelbts
More than a month agoXXXXXXXX totally get it x
CUTETGURL
More than a month agoI've been a CD since my earliest memories , the greatest disappointments of my life are that ,I wasn't born female and I've never had the courage to transition , I sometimes wonder if I'd appreciate and enjoy my femininity if I had been born female , I'm not sure where I fit in with all the labels , but I know I don't fit into any typical standards society allows , I'm Bi sexual but my absolute preference is sex with a man and me as a woman ,there's a powerful confirmation of my femininity with that dynamic , I only feel happy as a woman ,all other times are loaded with anxiety , but I manage to function quite well xx I don't mind the article ,it's a fair overview of the myriad of reasons for Crossdressing , and I appreciate that this site includes us , I don't feel so much of a weirdo xxxxx
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ReplyAJMelbts
More than a month agoBabe.
My heart is pouring so much love your way - I totally get it
I want to put this into the mix... You said "The greatest dissapointments of my life are that ,I wasn't born female and I've never had the courage to transition , I sometimes wonder if I'd appreciate and enjoy my femininity if I had been born female"
Now If i was to think of when the above sentence was to play out is near when our times up on what ever this current life journey is. When we're looking back on our life with the ole Should have/Would have/Could have. You are you - and you are a BEAUTIFUL HUMAN no matter what identity you present to the world. There is no labels at the end of life so no need to make one for yourself now hey? you are just..... you :) Life certainly throws us some curveballs, some definitely a lot harder than others... I get that and have my own crazy life journey- however you have the absolute power to make sure everyday is how you want it to be.
Its not about being a new person, but becoming the person you were already meant to be and without a little rain nothing grows - sometimes we gotta embrace the storms of our lives
Your not alone in this x
Account Closed
More than a month agoI love that , thank you xx I was recently able to spend a week being my feminine self , the beaming smiles in my photos need no explanation xxx
Bluey1968
More than a month agoI thought I was the only one who felt like that Cutetgirl! i have never been able to put into words how it feels for me but you nailed it ! My biggest issue is that I feel so relaxed when I wear my lingerie and sexy as hell and a complete person but, I have the physical appearance and build of a Hells Angel. I struggle with feeling so dammed pretty but looking so damned horrible. I even avoid mirrors because of the way I look. It makes me feel a little better about myself that my thoughts and feelings have been validated and that I am not the only one. The struggle continues.........
Alicewho
More than a month agoAs usual a great AMM article, it would be great if guys could now read this in conjunction with the Trans articles and then understand that we are human and do not want to be treated as a closet freak. Being Trans is not a game its tough as is it to be a passable (whatever that means CD) so treat us with respect its not about sex.
ReplyCarlaSanz
More than a month agoTotally true!
ReplyI definitely enjoy exploring my femenine side but I am comfortable with my biological gender.
Mindfood2
More than a month agoVery good article, Thank You
ReplyWearing lingerie and highheel make me feel sexy, why not flaunt it while I still got it so to speak..
We are entitled to our own Definition of doubts..Expectations can be misleading..self expression and self preservation..can be ..just self loathing..just enjoy and have fun..and have a laugh without..judging..
muscleguy443
More than a month agoNice
ReplyPlumjoe
More than a month agoWhere in Melbourne is there a good place to meet cross dressers
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ReplyAMM.Events
More than a month agoTGBI Parties were hosting monthly events but have paused during covid
A.KnightsTale
More than a week agoDTs hotel in Richmond hold a function called Social Butterflies every month.
Sassysissy242
More than a month agoI absolutely love it as u can see my pics lol
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Replybadthoughts63
More than a month agoVery hot sassysissy.
Ifuwannadome
More than a month agowanna compare lingerie with me lol cross dressers are just people to
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ReplySatinlover1978
More than a month agoSure, let's chat and compare notes!
Ifuwannadome
More than a month agoanytime hun..........some guys have sexy lingerie that took me months to track where they got it from....i got soooo jealous....lol
Account Closed
More than a month agoIfuwannadome, we did chat once and I showed you some pics. To this day you are still the only female on here that has spoken to me.
Satinlover1978
More than a month agoHi MisKnickers, thanks for writing such an informative and insightful article. This is something I've explored (mostly privately) over the majority of my lifetime and never really understood where I fit in or what 'label' to use - trans, cd, fetish cd or just some weirdo that sometimes likes to wear womens clothes and underwear! Based on the above I now know I identify as fetish cd - I have no desire to present or be accepted as a female, it's just a sex thing, a fetish. Thanks again for such a wonderful article, happy to discuss more with anyone who wants to chat!
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