You are not logged in

New York Magazine

Skip to content, or skip to search.

Skip to content, or skip to search.

 

Dress Code

3/26/08

6:25 PM

Confessions of a Cross-dresser

Photo composite: iStockphoto

Maybe it's because Christian Siriano is shouting "hot tranny mess" from every rooftop in New York, or perhaps we've been looking at more cross-dressers than usual with Heatherette's new M.A.C line and all, but this whole men-as-women thing seems a hot topic as of late. How else to explain the London Times essay by a straight cross-dresser who's struggling with how to reveal his affinity for ladieswear to his girlfriend of two years? They're about to move into an apartment they've bought together, and he's afraid she'll discover his habit, which began when he started sneaking into his sister's room at 15 to try on her clothes:
I'd put on her high heels and totter around the bedroom, catching glimpses of myself in the mirror. I particularly enjoyed the miniskirts. This gave me quite a sexual thrill … Then I graduated to her underwear. I loved squeezing into her knickers, especially the thongs. Also I would put on her bras; black was best. Sometimes I'd strut around the bedroom in bra, thong and high heels. I was always terrified that she would come in, but this added to the excitement.

Now 23, he's acquired his own stash of women's "gear," which will be difficult to hide in his new living situation. He's straight as an arrow and would like to come clean to his girlfriend but worries, naturally, she won't be so cool with it. He adds:

I don't want to change because I get so much pleasure out of cross-dressing. It complements the sex I have with Samantha, which I don't want to give up either. But nor do I want to keep a secret from the person I love. I'd hate to think that she had secrets from me.

…I'm also now feeling the urge to “dress up” away from home. I'd love to go out in women's clothes and I'm frightened that one day I'll give in to this desire.

Even in these open-minded times, a man in a woman's clothes brings out the judgment monster in a lot of people, especially in a girl who's unknowingly dating one. This will not go well.

Family secrets: I want to wear my girlfriend's clothes [Times UK]

Advertising

Edited by Amy Odell

  • Get the RSS feed
The Cut Features

21 Questions: The New York questionnaire.

Ask a Retailer: What they're buying from the runways.

Backstage Video: Behind the scenes at Fashion Week.

Beauty Marks: Read all Beauty Marks posts

Body Issues: Chronicling the unending quest for physical perfection.

Cult of Personality: Digging in with the people who matter.

Dress Code: Deciphering the language of fashion.

Fashion Album: Stars' favorite runway looks.

Fashion Calendar: Pencil in these sales and events.

Fashion Yearbook: Read all Fashion Yearbook posts

First Looks: Read all First Looks posts

First Responders: Read all First Responders posts

Harriet and Amy: New York's fashion editors' picks.

In the Magazine: Stories from our print parent.

Loose Threads: Quicks news hits and assorted minutia.

Model Tracker: Who's dominating the runway today?

New York Fugging City: The Fug Girls on the Fashion Week scene.

Party Lines: What happened last night.

Passing Judgment: Read all Passing Judgment posts

Retail Therapy: Read all Retail Therapy posts

Reviews: Our critics weigh in.

Run Through: Fashion news daily.

Show & Tell: News from around the tents.

Tastemakers: Read all Tastemakers posts

The Fab Life: Read all The Fab Life posts

Three Is a Trend: Instant trend-spotting.

Video Look Book: Street style interviews.