Casual Crossdressing

[phathack]

Welcome to the group.

I prefer the term freestyle for my choice of clothing, Crossdressing to me infers a man who is trying to look like a woman and thats not something Im interested in doing.

These days I spend most of my personal time in freestyle clothing. I wear Skirts, Leggings, Tights, Pants, Shoes and some tops from the women's department because Im looking for comfort and a particular style that just not available in the mens department. Most of women's clothing is designed to accentuate a women's natural curves and as such, to my eye, look completely wrong on a man.

However if a man likes the look he is welcome to wear it as far as Im concerned.

[Grok]

Flipping the gender of colors.

[jamie001]

I would also like to postulate that overt "Tomboyism" is a modern phenomenon only coming into prominence in, probably in the last fifty years, though starting with the female workforce in "men's work' during the 1939-1945 war. Women, who had been dressing in "male" attire, were in the era directly after the conflict, supposed to go back to being humble helpmeets of their menfolk and women dressing in trousers and male like shirts were quizzed as to their own sexual orientation. What is happening now with crossdressers is just a repeat of what female pioneers experienced a half century ago--and they have, in some little way, smoothed the road to acceptance for others to follow. Those who have just taken an unbifurcated line will have an easier time than the more flamboyant "crossdresser".

I respectfully disagree with your statement that crossdressers is just a repeat of what female pioneers experienced a half-century ago. There is really a very big difference. The difference is that when women wear men's clothing they are not attempting to deceive people into believing that they are men. The don't wear fake mustaches or stuff a sock down their pants. On the other hand, the typical crossdresser trys to deceive people into believing that he is a woman by wearing fake breasts and adopting very feminine mannerisms. Therefore, women that wear men's clothing while presenting as women are very similar to myself and other freestylers here on skirtcafe that incorporate women's clothing while still presenting as men. Can you see that there is a really significant difference between crossdressers and women that wear men's clothing while still presenting as a woman?

Anyway, it is interesting to note that society has embraced women wearing men's clothing and accessories. If you google "women wearing men's clothing" you will see many articles in fashion magazines that describe how a woman can integrate men's clothing and accessories including shirts, pants, neckties, shoes, men's large watches, men's fragrances, and the list goes on and on. On the other hand, you will not find many articles that are supportive of men's wearing women's garments or accessories except for sites like skirtcafe. Every time the issue of men incorporating any women's garments or makeup or nail polish is brought-up in GQ forums, the reply is very negative and makes a point that no self-respecting man should ever wear women's garments/accessories. The double-standard is alive and well in the 21st century. We need to be out there so that the public can see that we are proud of who we are and the clothing that we wear. That is how we can do our part.

[Grok]

Actually, the trend for women began with bloomers back during the 19th century. It was a very modest start...sports was the first niche in which these garments had a limited acceptance.

[Grok]

Scroll down to #13. Concept that one's gender expression may have an orientation different from one's gender identity.

[Sarongman]

Please accept my apology for the misuse of the words, Jamie, I did mean freestyler, though some do stray well in to the realm of the aforementioned crossdressing. Those posing as women I would have termed transvestites however, my semantics are probably not quite up to date. I might also say that, in a way, all of us who are wearing something purchased on the distaff side of the aisle are crossdressing or, to mangle George Orwell, "We are all crossdessers, but some are more crossdressed than others".

[Grok]

Tomboy gender expression.

[jamie001]

Tomboy gender expression.

I believe that the following is one of the most important points of this article:

"Compared to girls, boys are more strongly encouraged to behave in sex-typical ways and are more strongly discouraged from engaging in cross-gendered behavior," they write. "Thus, girls may be more likely than boys to manifest hormone-related predispositions to gender-role behaviors more characteristic of the other sex, because these predispositions are less likely to be counteracted by other influences."

[Grok]

Thoughts about free styling. Interesting concept of a free style subculture. (Or would that be a counter culture?) Unforetunately, I have to agree about the the vast bulk of males.

[skirtingtheissue]

Thoughts about free styling. Interesting concept of a free style subculture. (Or would that be a counter culture?) Unforetunately, I have to agree about the the vast bulk of males.

Interesting website. And did you notice in "Thoughts on freestyle fashion 1" a recognition that skirts are the leading edge? ..."While one day skirts (not just kilts) may well be a staple part of menswear fashion, I don’t believe we will see a dramatic shift towards other “feminine” style garments by the general populace … but that’s okay!"

[Grok]

I can imagine a (very small) Unisex inset at the Rubber Band-sarongs come to mind.

[Mike]

I think using the term crossdressing implies that we're doing something wrong. To me crossdressing is trying to appear as the other gender. My pantyhose, skirts, and or heels don't make me appear female, nor do I want them to. I just wear clothing that I enjoy wearing. That's it man. It can be called freestyle fashion, or fashion freedom, but that still kind of implies that we're doing something wrong. I just call it wearing clothes.

[Grok]

I think the term "casual cross dresser" is an improvision; think of it as a place holder name.

[FISHINGRODIE]

I blame our mothers for making us dress like boys, in trousers. That is where the rot set in.
Some mothers allowed their sons to wear skirts and dresses at home, but not go out in a skirt, where they represent the family and let the side down.
This brain washing of the male continued at school.
The whole social thing which we and our sisters were indoctrinated with was "boys do not wear skirts "
My mother usually wore skirts, in the forties and fifties but we wore trousers, like our fathers.
i was always intersted in mugs, classical style, biblical style, and scottish style. I was not even allowed to have a kilt. This was a social fashion thing.

We now consider we are guilty if we cross a line which does not exist. The female of our generation suffered the same brain washing.
the wife or the mother may consider the skirt is not for the real male.
some males pushed the barrier into the t v world to in female guise so they could not be read.
I was not happy with this state of affairs so i went to a national tv local event and anounced myself as a man in a skirt
i ended up as the only male on the dance floor wearing my calf length pencil skirt, and dancing with two real female girls, dressed in thier trousers , who both had tv partners drinking at the bar.

I am not knocking the tv world as some have done.

I have been identified by modern school girls as a man in a skirt, or perhaps a lady boy.
i have succeeded in being identified as a man in a skirt, or man in a kilt
The police stopped me for a traffic offence. I got out of my car. The police officer said "why are you wearing a skirt ?" My reply was " because i like wearing skirts. They are rather comfortable. There is no law against wearing a skirt ."

The officers reply was "you are quite correct sir, there is no law against wearing a skirt. I wish to inform you your Vehicle test certificate has run out four days ago "

I do think people do not care what we wear, as long as we know how to dress in a reasonable manner.

Moderator note: Original post, in all capitals, has been edited using MS Word “Correct case” function.

[TheSkirtedMan]

Unbifurcated is just another layer of labels that society gets obsessed with. A skirt is a skirt and trousers are trousers.