The word "crossdressing"

[umop ap!sdn]

To me, the word means wearing the clothes of the opposite gender. Like for instance at my last job I used to have to crossdress (i.e. drab) because I wasn't out yet.

So many people apply the term to pre-transition M2Fs who wear women's clothes, but how can that be since the people in question are women/girls anyway?

Even if it were somehow correct to use the term that way, where would one draw the line? There are so many steps in the process - being out, name change, hormones, not to mention the last step which not every M2F even has done. When would the meaning change?

Maybe I will call it "truedressing" instead.

[Buffy]

So True...

Besides I have never dressed a cross in my life any way...

Buffy

[melissa90299]

I guess one could say I am cross-dressing now as I am wearing jeans, a t-shirt and tennis shoes with no make-up (doing laundry)...the jeans are Gloria Vanderbilt though so I guess not...

True CDs, of course, are not transsexuals. I never did get it myself  but far be it for me to knock it.

[Kimberly]

Is it crossdressing when wearing clothing which matches your body?
Is it crossdressing when wearing clothing which matches your mind?

[Ricki]

Is it cross dressing when putting apples in apple pie?
NO!..........hehe...
Ricki

[RebeccaFog]

cut it out, Ricki. My ribs can only take so much of the laughter you provide me!

as for cross dressing, wouldn't it be cross dressing to wear the clothing of both genders while you yourself are only of one gender?

I am body sex male & gender female. should my clothes match my sex or my gender? I'm glad you asked. Because I don't know.




Becky

[Ricki]

Okay seriously i agree with Beck's question.  It would seem crossdressing is the opposite reference right? right?    So maybe in a natal person..its correct term.
But for us not so, so if we were dressing to our internal gender then we are not really crossdressing- we are dressing as we see ourself in our gender.  Society is the ones who are dressing blind and see us cross dressing then.
Agggghhhhh i have a headache from typing that!
Does that make sense..
Umop, turn this upside down so it makes sense..Please throw a poor dog a bone!
xo
ricki

[Ricki]

OhMyGod...........
I may be a cross dresser now! Oh how lovely!  won't santa be suprised when he sees me sprawled out under the tree!
Ricki

[SusanKay140]

"True Dressing"; I like it.

And how about calling drab dressing as "Safe Dressing?"


Susan Kay

[umop ap!sdn]

Umop, turn this upside down so it makes sense..Please throw a poor dog a bone!

I suppose that probably would help.

And how about calling drab dressing as "Safe Dressing?"

Sure!

[tinkerbell]

Is it crossdressing when wearing clothing which matches your body?
Is it crossdressing when wearing clothing which matches your mind?

hmm....let me think about this..yeah..I know, my IQ is not that high you know?

If a person has a male body and a female mind, that person is gender-blessed as said in some forum around here, so if this person wears male clothes, it is not crossdressing, for the clothes match "his" body, it is neither crossdressing if this person wears female clothes, for they match "her" mind.  Crossdressing should only be applied when someone wears the clothing which is not congruent with the person's body or mind.

tinkerbell

[Kimberly]

BINGO!

Although I would have said 'their'

[RebeccaFog]

Is it crossdressing when wearing clothing which matches your body?
Is it crossdressing when wearing clothing which matches your mind?

hmm....let me think about this..yeah..I know, my IQ is not that high you know?

If a person has a male body and a female mind, that person is gender-blessed as said in some forum around here, so if this person wears male clothes, it is not crossdressing, for the clothes match "his" body, it is neither crossdressing if this person wears female clothes, for they match "her" mind.  Crossdressing should only be applied when someone wears the clothing which is not congruent with the person's body or mind.

tinkerbell

I tried to write something similar to what Tinkerbell wrote, but my brain started hurting and I thought I'd be pegged as being delusional. So I quit.

Tinkerbell,
  Your IQ is at least at a working level unlike my own.   


I like the terms "true-dressing" and "safe-dressing", but I still find the term "drab" to be more fitting for safe-dressing. It's more accurate in capturing my emotional landscape while safe-dressed.  Of course the reason for the drab is safety, so either way on that one.


Becky

[melissa90299]

Now that I finally have the face I want and almost have the body I want, dressing doesn't seem relevant to me anymore, i am most comfortable with jeans and a stretch tee, no bra (to show off my cute little boobs)

I never was much into this "dressing" thing but my sisters are kinda butch too ha ha ha ha and without a doubt, I am the prettiest. Never thought I would live to see that day!

[ChildOfTheLight]

The definition I've used is "wearing clothes in such a way as to imitate the opposite sex."  So if a man wears a skirt, but makes no attempt to pass himself off as a woman, it isn't crossdressing.

Of course, this gets interesting when transgendered people are considered.  Is it crossdressing for an MtF to present herself as female?  Possibly not.  Should it be "the opposite gender", not "the opposite sex?"  That's a thought.  But what of people who consider themselves to be both male and female, or neither, or something else entirely?

You know what?  It's a useless term, I think.

Wear whatever clothes keep you warm (or cool) and make you comfortable and happy.  And don't pretend to be anyone when you wear them -- in the most overused and undermeant phrase in the American language, be yourself -- whoever that may be.  That's what I say.  (I know it's not always that easy...It should be.  )

[Ricki]

Tinkerbell! EXACTLY.....
Well put my friend!   
Child of light offers great concept as well!  I'm in the presence of such brilliance we at least have to be over 80 on iq levels, hehe.....
Did anyone ever post the iq test-or a link to one?  I had a disc once a friend gave me i do not think it was accurate i got a 117 or 119 on it? Dah i am not that smart.....
cheers
Ricki

[Shana A]

If I were to wear a mens suit and tie, that would most certainly be crossdressing. 

Seriously though, the word is loaded with societal assumptions about which clothing should be worn by which sex or gender. Therefore use of the word somewhat buys into the cultural baggage associated with it. Nowadays, women can wear a mens shirt or tie and nobody makes a big deal, why shouldn't a man likewise be able to wear a skirt?

zythyra

[Ricki]

Zyth,
I could not agree more with what you said!!
The public as a rule or people seem so bias and stereotypical (that's my big word for the night stereotypical...)
Ugghhhhh
Ricki

[beckster]

So True...

Besides I have never dressed a cross in my life any way...

Buffy

ROFLMAO - looks like another new hobby for the Beckster to get started with next year - decorative crossdressing !!  Hours of countless fun culminating in Englands best crossdresser !!  What a way to get people back in to the church's, I will be emailing the Archbishop of Canterbury after this post.

Anyhows, back to reality ... erm ... does it really matter what people are actually wearing anyhows.  As long as they aint naked I think you are right in as much as people should just be able to wear what they want.

Becky
xx

[Ricki]

Becky to me it does not really, i am one of those who does not try and care or classify people by mere sight, hard thing to do but i try everyday not to make social judgements...
England, oh goodie you can get me hooked up with Tony St. Clair so we can Tanquery.. I love those commercials!
later
Ricki