Cross-Dressing. Why?

[naomi24]

I can understand homosexuality, I can understand trans-gender, but I simply cannot understand why heterosexual men indulge in cross-dressing. Any thoughts that may enlighten me will be welcome.

[fiction-factory]

If you can understand the first two i don't see why you are in any way puzzled by the third.

[fiction-factory]

I do not think it's a case of being either 100% heterosexual or 100% homosexual . For example there are bisexuals who may be 40/60, 55/45 etc. Some apparently heterosexual men may enjoy dressing up as women for all sorts of reasons- a sexual thrill, to attract other men, to satisfy their feminine side, to shock.... Not done it myself though since primary school

[VHG]

It takes all sorts.

One couple I knew the man enjoyed being wrapped in cling film.

He and his wife met at school and she had had no other sexual partners so after they married and he asked her to wrap him in cling film she obliged.

It was only after they divorced and she told a few of us about it that I even knew some people liked that sort of thing.

http://sex.sofeminine.co.uk/sex-sexuality/fetish-sex-tips-d49784c581751.html

As I said, it takes all sorts, and people get their "kicks" in all sorts of ways.

[AB Editor]

I saw Grayson Perry talk somewhere and he discussed the crossdressing as a form of theatre, subversion, - and enjoying the attention.

But then, you know what these potters are like!

Obviously the GP version of this is easier to understand as it's purposefully extravagant.

Another bit: that bit in the unbearable lightness of being which is all about the woman wearing masculine clothing (his grandfather's bowler hat or something)? Is male cross dressing different?

[murraymints]

I don't really think it is a sexual thing..just dressing up as an adult for fun ,my brothers used to teeter in my mum's shoes when young..for some it is a profession like Paul O ' Grady...they are not transexual at all with no wish to become women...but that is only my opinion, would be interesting to know if any ABers do it ? Boaty?

[ummmm]

Who decided what men and women should wear?

[AB Editor]

I don't think it has to be a sexual thing?

[naomi24]

fiction-factory, why would a heterosexual man want to attract other men? I'm assuming that the rest of your post explains it as fantasy?

[AB Editor]

Sorry MM - crossposting there.

Speaking of cross dressing, I'm furious when my shirt sleeves are inside out!

[AB Editor]

Maybe it's "banter" Naomi.

[jim360]

Now whatever prompted that question, I wonder...

I can't really explain it -- there are probably as many reasons as there are people who cross-dress, really. It just feels right, I guess. For others it's just a bit of harmless fun, at parties etc., for still others it's entirely a sexual thing, related perhaps to an idea of women being traditionally the more submissive gender so dressing up as a (fetishised depiction of a woman) helps some men to explore that side of themselves.

[andy-hughes]

fiction-factory - //If you can understand the first two i don't see why you are in any way puzzled by the third. //

I can understand - since cross-dressing is not connected to homosexuality or trans-genderism.

For a reasoned response, you would need to hope that a cross-dresser is A) on AB, and B) willing to discuss it with you.

Any other opinions are not based on direct experience and won't really assist your search for enlightenment.

[RATTER15]

I don't think its a sexual thing at all, I think it is just a preference of style of dressing.

I think Eddie Izzard is totally heterosexual.

"Izzard started to freely talk about his transvestism in venues like Edinburgh Festival as early as 1992.[52][53] His stance is that cross-dressing is neither part of his performance nor a sexual fetish.[54] He remarks in his show Unrepeatable, "Women wear what they want and so do I." According to Izzard, "Most transvestites fancy women."[55] He identifies as "a straight transvestite or a male lesbian".[56] He has also described himself as "a lesbian trapped in a man's body",[57] transgender,[52] and "a complete boy plus half girl".[56]" Wikipedia

[vulcan42]

\\ Not done it myself though since primary school//
I hope you weren't the headmaster.

[fiction-factory]

fiction-factory, why would a heterosexual man want to attract other men?

Sorry, I thought I'd covered that. How do you define heterosexual then? Are you saying people are either 100% heterosexual or 100% homosexual?

[ummmm]

Love Eddie Izzard. Did you see him showing his chipped nail polish while doing his marathon?

[woofgang]

^^ this a bit....but also and kind of related....am thinking how to put this without giving offence.....It does seem to me looking at this from the outside that both males who cross dress and people in M to F transition choose their “look” from quite a tightly defined social construct of what women should look like and wear. Are there no cross dressers or transitioners (is that a word?) who choose to live in jeans and sweatshirts, little or no make up and a short easy care hairstyle?

[woofgang]

oops, loads of answers while I was typing. The “^^ this” was for Ummmm’s comment.

[naomi24]

Jim, //Now whatever prompted that question, I wonder... //

You haven't explained your reasons, which as you well know, is what prompted this question. I told you I intended to post it.

[RATTER15]

ummmm, I am a great fan of his, especially this sketch "lego Version"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv5iEK-IEzw