Crossdressing Men
Posted in Crossdressing Opinions | By Zoe | Tags: daily basis, dear friend, eyebrows, friend helen, men wearing skirts, men with women, Personal Choice, religious dogmas, religious overtones, stares
The number of crossdressing men has increased considerably over time and I have always wanted to find out the reason for this. Here is an article from my dear friend Helen in New York (hence the word 'pants' instead of 'trousers'!. This is open for review and speculation so don't be afraid to post your comments.
Zoe x
Developed countries, in particular, are witnessing a surge in the number of crossdressing men. Though it’s more to do with personal choice, yet some people have wrongfully attributed religious overtones to this practice. Anti-Christ, anti-humanity, anti-society, are some of the tags that the crossdressing men have to counter on a daily basis. However, the discrimination seems misplaced and unfair when you compare men with women. No one bats an eyelid when a woman walks down the street wearing jeans or pants, but a man wearing a skirt or any other woman’s dress would immediately draw stares and howls from both men and women.
Apparently, this attitude seems prejudiced against men. Even if we dwell a bit into history, there seems to be nothing wrong in men getting dressed in women’s attire. Men wearing skirts was a common sight three or four centuries back. However, the attitudinal shift started when for the sake of convenience, pants were designed to ride a horse. The idea, somehow, got stuck as more men started wearing two-legged garment on different occasions and different purposes, like staving off cold and preventing legs from the elements. Even women developed the liking for pants for the obvious reasons and started wearing them as an alternative to more feminine dress, like skirt.
However, this crossdressing didn’t raise many eyebrows. People accepted women wearing pants as it was considered as a garment with multiple benefits. But when men started crossdressing, the same people questioned their motives invoking religious dogmas and conservative reasoning.
The arguments that crossdressing men often give in any transvestite discussion include:
1. All those who think that crossdressing is some kind of sexual perversion can’t explain why even some kids like to dress up in their mom’s clothes, at an age when they don’ know the meaning of sex.
2. Crossdressing is a matter of personal choice based on convenience and natural instincts. There’s absolutely no sacrilege in dressing up like a woman if a man feels he is more comfortable in a woman’s dress.
3. There is a difference between those who dress like a woman and those who act like a woman.
4. There is a sense of ‘anti-socialism’ in some men that compel them to challenge the pre-conceived notions of society about gender.
5. Some men simply want to look like women because they are not satisfied with their boyish looks, and this explains why they crossdress.
6. Perhaps, the most bizarre reason for crossdressing men is the ‘fashion statement’!
The reasons for crossdressing men are many but there is no unanimity on any of these reasons cited by the advocates of crossdressing. The popularity of crossdressing among men has even attracted fashion houses that are coming up with designer wear for the men looking to dress like a woman. Some of the dresses in vogue include lightweight cargo sarongs and hiking skirts that can be converted into shorts during summers.
At the end of the day, it’s just a matter of personal choice. Society needs to show much more maturity and accept crossdressing men as integral parts of every day life.
Just my view.
Helen xxx
Click here to link to this page from your websiteOther related articles you may find interesting:
Tags: daily basis, dear friend, eyebrows, friend helen, men wearing skirts, men with women, Personal Choice, religious dogmas, religious overtones, stares
Loading ...
June 4th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
I really liked this post. Can I copy it to my site? Thank you in advance.
June 5th, 2009 at 7:44 am
I do not think the percentage of Crossdressers has increased in recent times. I believe with anonymous resources like the Internet we have a voice without having to put forward a public face. Also people have become stronger emotionally and are more prepared to tough it out and stand for who they are. I have no desire to cause confrontation with the people around me, but I am also not prepared to cower in the corner anymore. My children are indifferent and supportive. I’m still the same Dad I’ve always been. I am proud of who I am’ and wish with all my heart that a man could walk down the street wearing any damn thing he chose. Love, Kaye.
June 5th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Well said Kaye,
Emotions play a big part in any crossdressers life. Something I found out that the more the desire to dress the stronger the emotions become to deal with uncertainty.
Zoe x
August 19th, 2009 at 8:22 am
I have been a heterosexual crossdresser since i was 10.I am now in my 30’s and still love dressing up. I dress up only at home mainly but have walked around the block a few times at night wearing a skirt w/pantyhose and hi heel boots and a wig.I go to halloween parties dressed up as a schoolgirl or a hooker as its alot of fun.
November 19th, 2009 at 9:38 am
I don’t believe a man or boy wearing a skirt is crossdressing. Crossdressing identity only applies when and if you, the individual, attempt to pass yourself off as a female. I have worn dresses and skirts all my life. Never have I attempted to pass as a female. I keep my hair cut of your usual male, I don’t wear bras (nothing there), but I do shave my legs. I shave because if bald spots on my legs, so it doesn’t look right except if I’m wearing tights. I enjoy the comfort from these garments. Light summer dresses and skirts are more comfortable on hot days than pants or shorts. Pants and shorts can and do cause rashes that itch (most guys know this). I’ve gone shopping at stores dressed and have gone to parks to enjoy the summer breezes, absolutely NO ONE has ever made negative comments to me, but several women have told me that at least one male knows how to dress for the sumer weather.
January 16th, 2010 at 8:28 am
Kelly, if your worried about being made the only thing your doing is putting more stress upon yourself. It can affect you both physically and psychologically. A lot of guys who xdress sometimes commit suicide or wind up engaging in criminal activity.
You need to get dressed. Dress conservative, a black pleated skirt or a kilt, use a pullover shirt (polo), no bra, underwear of boxer briefs (no lines). Go grocery shopping for a few things. You will discover that as long as you don't ACT weird most people will ignor you. Once out, stay out, go to a park during the day, go to the library and read a magazine or a book. (stay out of the childrens' section for obvious reasons) By doing this you will find out most people don't care what you are wearing, but you behavior will be watched. After a couple of times of doing this you will become relaxed and more accepting of yourself. Just remember to act the same as if you are at the auto parts store in jeans and a t-shirt.
January 16th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Kelly, if your worried about being made the only thing your doing is putting more stress upon yourself. It can affect you both physically and psychologically. A lot of guys who xdress sometimes commit suicide or wind up engaging in criminal activity.
You need to get dressed. Dress conservative, a black pleated skirt or a kilt, use a pullover shirt (polo), no bra, underwear of boxer briefs (no lines). Go grocery shopping for a few things. You will discover that as long as you don't ACT weird most people will ignor you. Once out, stay out, go to a park during the day, go to the library and read a magazine or a book. (stay out of the childrens' section for obvious reasons) By doing this you will find out most people don't care what you are wearing, but you behavior will be watched. After a couple of times of doing this you will become relaxed and more accepting of yourself. Just remember to act the same as if you are at the auto parts store in jeans and a t-shirt.
January 24th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
I have been worn girls/womens clothing since I was a kid, I think the first time was when I was three, I didn't know any different. I am now approaching 30 and still do it. I was “told off” the first time, so I kept it secret, unless we were playing dress up games, it wasn't until I was in my teens when I had to do some drama at school as a women that I started dressing more at home. My sister knew at the time, she wasn't happy at the time, she now orders me clothing from catalogs and is happy with it.
I don't want to be a women or look like one, and it's nothing sexual as most people perceive. I just love the freedom a skirt or dress gives me, it is so much more comfortable than trousers. I can't remember the last time I wore mens clothing in bed, it's just not for me. It has cost me a few friendships, but if they can't except me for who I am then I don't want a “friend” who tries to change the way I am.
February 6th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
feel free to use my comments as I support men in skirts. I also believe that men should be allowed to wear dresses. I've worn dresses since I was 11 yrs of age. I was not forced, but encouraged by my mother. My mother believed that boys as well as girls could wear them. She dressed myself as well as my brothers in dresses, she also let my sister wear pants. She said clothing is not gender related, only people with narrow minds thought so. She said up until the 1940s you could buy boys dresses from stores and mail-order catalogs. Her brother and male cousins wore them
as children so we could as well.
March 14th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Cross dressing isn't when you try to pose as a female thats either Shemale or Transvestite or infact Drag queen, cross dressing has nothing to do with trying to look 'female' otherwise it could eb concidered somewhat gay. It is about feeling sexy and rather kinky too.
If you enjoy wearing skirts and female clothes that doesn't necessarily make you gay either, look at Eddie Izzard. I think all men should be able to wear what they want, if women have fashion where they wear mens shirts and jeans, why can't a man wear a skirt? The Pope wears a dress.
March 20th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
I totally agree with you as to men should also have the ability to wear dresses or skirts. Crossdressers though take it a bit further, they wear stuffed bras, pantyhose, and apply make-up to appear as a female. Why can't a man or even a boy for that matter wear a dress or a skirt without the connotation of being a crossdresser. AS long as he still looks like a male (no make-up), legs unshaven and a normal male haircut. In Japan you can buy mens' skirts, as well as some European countries. It is here in the U.S. that males who wear these garments are either harassed or assaulted.
Most people don't even remember that up until 1947 you could actually buy your son a dress in some department stores or by mail order. (hisclo.com, Robert Moore's photos). A mans' nightshirt is almost immpossible to find except on line. There are even photos of Presidents Roosevelt and G. Ford in dresses as young boys online.
Considering this was only 60 to 70 years ago, isn't it funny how short some peoples memories are of what was acceptable for boys and men.
I know Eddie Izzard performs in skirts, but also 100 Monkeys performs in dresses.
their photographs are on the web. The main thing here is getting it more acceptable for men and boys to be able to wear dresses or skirts. I have a friend who has her
2 -3 yr. old son in dresses because it is so much easier, according to her, to change
him if he soils himself. Since I don't have children I wouldn't know the degree of difficulty. If this is true however mothers should demand that dresses become more available for their sons. They don't have to be lacey, frilly or the like, they could be designed with toddler male designs like cars & trucks or the characters from Sesame Street or Diego.
March 21st, 2010 at 8:14 pm
I live in the UK, and yeah when I am away from London I get some funny looks, but in London you can more or less wear anything. I have spend a bit of time in Australia as well, there it is fantastic especially in the larger cities such as sydney and melboure as quite a few blokes wear Sarongs. I have do say I do like the frilly clothing, nothing to much though. My favourite skirt is a black silk sequined around the waste, ankle length, it is so comfortable.
April 4th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Hi Zoe Just wondering who determine girls clothing and boy clothing ,
why can't a person choose what kinda clothes they want to wear without
being labeled this or that ? I like to wear girl like clothes but I
don't want to be girl . Rhonda ps you look great
April 4th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Hi Rhonda,
Great to hear from you and thanks for your comment.
Yes it's a shame us guys can't wear what we want. In fact I know a lot of men who don't want to dress as a woman but just want wear clothes outside. The only way they can do this is to go the whole way.
I would go as far as saying that if every man who desired to wear high heels wore them everyday then it would soon become a trend and after a while it would be accepted as a fashion statement.
Enjoy your day.
Zoe x
April 4th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Hi Zoe
I am new to this
Have always had the desire to dress but unfortunatly life gets in the way I cannot dress at home
Are there any places I can go to spend time dressed as a women ?
I have tried transformation and it was a great experrince But expensive !
I have not got my own clothes so that s a problem as well
Any ideas or help would be appreciated
Thanks
Jacky x
April 4th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
Hi Jacky,
I have been to Transformation myself and yes I found it to be very expensive, I guess as they are not appealing to a mass market they have to 'grab what they can' in order to keep going as a service.
My advice would be to join http://www.tvchix.com. There is an event calender which tells you where and when other like minded people meet dressed up. If you are in the UK it might be worth searching Yahoo Groups as I guarantee there will be a support group near you. You can go in 'Bob' mode and check out the group or the venue on your first visit to get comfortable. There is always a moderator that will help and advise. Once you meet other like minded people they will be able to let you know the best places to shop, stay, go and store clothes.
Hope this helps.
Zoe x
April 4th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Rhonda,
Society determines what is appropriate clothing for males or females for that matter.
Those with more common sense know the in reality clothing in and of it self is gender
neutral. Look at the tags sewn in, usually it does not say womens or mens, just the manufacturer and size. The same can be said for boys or girls wear. However when the same garment is advertised on the television or radio, the word womens or mens
will be stated. This propaganda is strewn over the airways, it is also put in print.
Unfortunately it is also displayed the same way on the web.
Like I said earlier, only 65 to 70 years ago you could buy your son a dress or a skirt.
You ACTUALLY bought them in the BOYS SECTION of department stores or were available by mail-order. If you type in today, BOYS DRESSES, you will be taken to a dress site but it will say GIRLS once you get there.