On crossdressing

[Ray]

Yes, I remember that schism well. It caused a split in the Cafe with a separate group being set up. Still, we are all here. Well, some of us....

[skirtyscot]

If I buy a blouse from a women's clothes store it is likely to have bust tucks in it and be made to fit a women's figure ...

True of some styles, which is perhaps why they are less popular among men than skirts are, and why this is not Blousecafe.

... and to appeal to women's sense of fashion and style.

Well that's entirely subjective. Boys of course have any nascent sense of fashion individuality exorcised from them by the age of 5.

Women's skirts are made with their wider hips in mind and so on.

Many skirts are designed to sit on the hips, so the waist:hip ratio does not matter. Most of mine are like that: I have slender hips.

... when I wear them , I can be said to be cross-dressing. Wearing wigs, makeup, false boobs and so on in order to try to look like a woman is what I understand to be transvestism.

I very much doubt that many people could tell you that, if they cared about the distinction in the first place. A bit like what's the difference between buying something which is exempt from VAT and something which has 0% VAT on it? (For the benefit of non-EU types, VAT is our sales tax.) Most folk would think " If it walks like a duck ..."

[moonshadow]

If I buy a blouse from a women's clothes store it is likely to have bust tucks in it and be made to fit a women's figure ...

True of some styles, which is perhaps why they are less popular among men than skirts are, and why this is not Blousecafe.

This is true, however remember that not all women are big busted. There are a lot of females out there who are frankly flat chested and it's not hard to find female tops that accommodate flat chested women, which by the way work on men, who tend to be somewhat flat chested by comparison. Just as there are women who don't have large breast, there are also men who don't have broad shoulders. Everyone's different. I just happen to have a torso shape that seems to work better in women's tops, at least to my taste anyway. But I've seen my share of men that it just won't work on.

... and to appeal to women's sense of fashion and style.

Well that's entirely subjective. Boys of course have any nascent sense of fashion individuality exorcised from them by the age of 5.

Very true. It's all the result of the arbitrary evolution of human civilization. In an alternate universe, it could very well be the men wearing the dainty lace and the women wearing the grease monkey coveralls! Really it could have simply started with Moses saying "men shall be submissive to women in all matters, so sayeth the Lord", and history as we know it would be VASTLY different!

Women's skirts are made with their wider hips in mind and so on.

Many skirts are designed to sit on the hips, so the waist:hip ratio does not matter. Most of mine are like that: I have slender hips.

Yep... 36inches is 36 inches anyway you measure it! Same as any other measurement!

*Hows THAT for good quoting! Na-na-na-na... na-na.. na-na... can't touch this... -tissssssss

[crfriend]

Really it could have simply started with Moses saying "men shall be submissive to women in all matters, so sayeth the Lord", and history as we know it would be VASTLY different!

Nope, it would have been "Misses" instead. God wouldn't bother passing the gospel down to an inferior.

[moonshadow]

Nope, it would have been "Misses" instead. God wouldn't bother passing the gospel down to an inferior.

Ah well... I stand corrected!

[Derek Plattis]

Glad to see my previous post here sparked off such discussion!

Derek

[crfriend]

Ah well... I stand corrected!

I'm glad to see that the crack didn't set off a fire-storm. It was written entirely tongue-in-cheek.

[WesleyN]

It's all confusing. I thought, that is always said, a crossdresser is someone who is dressed as the opposite gender. As man you looks like a woman. It is the same transvestite without sexual feelings. But who cares.

For me I wear clothes because it's nice clothes. And I wear only clothes because I like the clothes. Not because I feel more feminine. I think that is the best reason for wearing clothes. You feel good in clothes you like.

[Fred in Skirts]

For me I wear clothes because it's nice clothes. And I wear only clothes because I like the clothes. Not because I feel more feminine. I think that is the best reason for wearing clothes. You feel good in clothes you like.

Well said WesleyN well said!!

[oldsalt1]

It's all confusing. I thought, that is always said, a crossdresser is someone who is dressed as the opposite gender. As man you looks like a woman. It is the same transvestite without sexual feelings. But who cares.

For me I wear clothes because it's nice clothes. And I wear only clothes because I like the clothes. Not because I feel more feminine. I think that is the best reason for wearing clothes. You feel good in clothes you like.

I agree with you I wear the skirts and now dresses not because I want to look like a women but because I like the way they feel and I feel good wearing them.

[jjjjohanne]

I am a man who likes to wear "women's clothes". I like the look, the feel, the sounds, the breezes, the tight things, the loose things, etc. I present male and behave male when I do. I am the same guy I am in pants. I do try to walk, when out in a skirt, the way I walk when I am out in a suit or tuxedo, smoothly and with less cowboy jestures. I am not a female in side. I am not interested in being perceived as a woman. I am not expressing my femininity. I am just a man in clothes.

Some might call what I do "crossdressing". I have over the years accepted that. I really do not care what it is called. I just want to wear these clothes and be treated with respect by whomever I encounter. I do not care whether other men wear no women's wear, mixed men's wear and women's wear, or 100% women's wear.

So, whether it is called "crossdressing" or "fashion freestyling" changes nothing... except my macho defense mechanisms. If I feel like someone else thinks, "He's gay," or "He's effeminate," or "He's a sissy," because of my dress or a term associated with me, I get a little defensive. "Grunt Grunt, I'm all man!" I respond inside.

I'm just me. I wear pretty clothes.
We're just us. We wear what we like.
Let's leave the macho hang-ups back in middle school where they possibly originated.

Skirt on, dudes!

[skirtyscot]

Welcome, jjjj! Sounds like you should fit in just fine here.

[moonshadow]

I'm just me. I wear pretty clothes.
We're just us. We wear what we like.
Let's leave the macho hang-ups back in middle school where they possibly originated.

Right on!

[denimini]

A lot of good sense .... and fun in these recent posts.
I also like colourful and pretty things, they are cheerful and can be so much fun, unlike traditional "men swear". I have a mohair jumper (pull-over, sweater) that is teal with blue .... and primrose too, that makes me feel warm in winter just looking at it.
Although a beard and hairy legs puts paid to any CD speculation, I still avoid wearing some clothes I would like for no better reason than I am not as brave as some here, but have progressed so far to wearing a 14" mini almost everywhere.

[dillon]

I've never had any appreciation for the term "crossdresser" because it infers the idea that there are men's clothes, and there are women's clothes, and ne'er the twain shall meet. If I own the clothes they are MINE, not some woman's. I find the term derogatory and reject it. Additionally, it does carry the traditional image of a closeted man trying on his wife's undies. I dress as I please, and openly; I am a man; I do not wish to identify as a woman; therefore it is not "crossdressing."