Crossdressing, Hobby, or a Lifestyle?

[GoggleHat]

For some it's a hobby, and for others it's their whole life. What does it mean to you?

[franlee]

It started as a Fetish, progressed to a habit and hobby and then I excepted it as a part of my life.

[Teri Ray]

Definate hobby. But one I enjoy as much as others.

[Tora]

Oh my God, several years ago I talked about my "Hobby" and offended someone. The real neat part of this forum is the diversity of the group. From full trans, to the casual person who holds a special love for one or a few items. Due to wife, family, and work, my expression is very limited. It is exciting to enjoy the story being told and the photo shared by our sisters. Be Well, Live, Love, be Safe and enjoy! Tora. Oh, and the personal meaning is joyful. Thanks for asking.

[lingerieLiz]

I think that we worry to much about definitions.

[Yinlingyen]

It is neither a hobby or lifestyle.
It's me.
I want to be a woman. Feel like woman. Act like a woman and be desired as a woman.

[DIANEF]

Whatever people want to call it it is up to them. Personally, my paintings, music, researching modern history are hobbies. My CDing is much more than that, not my whole life but a very important part of it. I could give up any hobby, but never dressing.

[Jaylyn]

Don't think I have gotten to a lifestyle full time and probably never will get that far. I love Crossdressing though. My hobbies I look at that I could quit any time and might miss them but my CD I've quit many times but always go back to it.

[Becky Blue]

From age 12 to 40 it was a hobby. Something that was fun to do from time to time with never any need to partake. From 40 its just part of me its fundamental to who i am.

[AllieSF]

It may have started something like a hobby or fun side activity but it is much more than that now.

[audreyinalbany]

well here's the dictionary thing:
hobby 1 |ˈhäbē|
noun (pl. hobbies)
1 an activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure: "her hobbies are reading and gardening."

So I guess I'm going to go with "hobby' for me. I don't want to become a woman but I sure like dressing up as one...it brings pleasure and I do it in my leisure time...although somehow 'hobby' doesn't really get at the essence of it. Makes it sound too "ohhhh I do this for fun," 'cause it's more than that.....hard to pin it down....sometimes I get concerned I do it too much in my leisure time to the exclusion of other (more productive?) things, but hey ! Whaddya gonna do? Guess you've just got to find the balance.

[Stephanie47]

I have never been able to wrap my brain around declaring wearing women's clothing and emulating a woman a "hobby." I would not suggest telling your wife that wearing women's clothing is a "hobby." She probably will tell you to find something else to do like collect coins. That's a nice dictionary definition of a hobby. Then, why hide it?

[docrobbysherry]

I think I'm there. A closet dresser with 100's of T friends with whom I do most of my socializing with!:heehee:

[AnnaMarie]

Certainly not a hobby. A compulsion, a need, a part of who I am? Yes! The more explore this side of me the more I realise it's also more than just cross dressing. Quite how far I'd like to take it and how far I can take it are two different things.

[redtea]

It can't really be a hobby. Hobbies can be picked up on a whim. I doubt many of use simply decided one day to go "hmm CDing looks interesting, wearing panties and bra's and looking sexy, I think I will casually pick this hobby up and go to the store and buy everything I need". Hobbies are like that, You decide that something seems interesting enough to jump into and you just buy most of what you need.

I mean technically you can consider it a hobby if it makes you sleep better at night. CDing is like masturbation, you wouldn't call masturbation a hobby now would you? while masturbation is sexual, CDing is more of a emotional stimulation which could* heighten a sexual act ten fold.

I couldn't recommend Crossdressing to a guy friend like it was a hobby, It's something that finds you on a curious day and then grows with time.

I guess it depends solely on the definition of "Hobby"

noun
noun: hobby; plural noun: hobbies

1.
an activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure.

By that definition alone CDing is a hobby...Then again CDing alone isn't a "activity", You could get dressed which is one, do your makeup which is another, put your wig on, But once you're all dolled up you are "CDing" yet not doing an "activity".

A good comparison would be "is being emo a hobby", It almost sounds like it's a phase that people choose with little thought. I don't think many of us here placed that order for that first article of clothing with an easy attitude of "gee wiz i can't wait to start becoming a beautiful woman".

[Stacey-J]

I used to think it was something between a kink/hobby/lifestyle choice for me. But honestly it's a part of me and who I am as a person. Vintage technology and old V8's are a hobby to me, Stacey is a part of who I am (and I have never been happier)

[Sashauk]

I don't think it's just a hobby for me, probably more part of my psyche.

I single and retired spend quite a bit of time dressed, but if I have to be in 'boy' mode it does not bother me - I just feel more comfortable in female attire.
Even when I have to dress male I am still wearing panties and if it's exceptionally cold I will wear tights under my jeans so I suppose I am never fully in 'boy' mode.

[Judith96a]

I'm not sure that 'hobby' is quite the right word but, for me, it's closer to who I am than 'lifestyle'

[BLUE ORCHID]

Hi GH. :hugs:, I have been in this program for over 69yrs. it's just who I am & it's just what I do...:daydreaming:...

[Lana Mae]

Lana Mae is my feminine half. It is more involved than a hobby. It is sort of a lifestyle but only part time. I still have a male side,too! Since,it won't go away, I guess it is more lifestyle. Hugs Lana Mae

[sara66]

Much more than a hobby, but not quite a lifestyle. Calling it a hobby implies that it is something we choose to do.
Sara

[Teresa]

Gogglehat,
The first time I saw it called it a hobby I almost exploded ! When you go through a difficult time with CDing it 's an insult to call it that to your partner and family. To face counselling, and come to terms with what it really means to you, and how low it can take up.

I now appreciate that some do treat it as an enjoyable hobby, that they may share with their partner, going shopping and comparing how they look.

I still don't relate to it like that and never will , I enjoy dressing but it satisfies a deep inner need, yes it is with me 24/7.

[Periwinkle]

It's definitely a hobby for me.

[Tracii G]

Its just how I express who I am.
I am this way 24/7 so its not a hobby in the pure sense of the word.
Not a life style either because I live a very normal life.
I may be gay but don't life the classic gay lifestyle,I CD but only have a few friends that CD.
I am TG so don't quite feel correct in a male body but still I wouldn't call it a life style.

[Elizabeth G]

I'm somewhere in the middle. Since I feel a need or compulsion to dress then it is more than a hobby by my definition of the word but since I don't dress all the time it isn't a lifestyle either.

[Meghan4now]

Based on an either or choice, with the given definition, I would tend to say hobbie. Like many here, it seems a little bit more. Something in between.

[Alice B]

I do not see it as a hobby, but more as an expression of myself

[immike]

I prefer to call it a fun hobby,which allows me to secretly dress in my mothers good clothes,without her knowledge

[Sharon B.]

I probably started off with a fetish then it turned into a hobby and now more like a life style as that door has cracked open a bit more and I am going out more wearing woman's clothes with makeup on.

[Micki_Finn]

For the sake of expediency of conversation I'd have to say that I fall into the "hobby" category in that I'm prettybpart-time with it. I however don't really like the word "hobby" as I feel like it weakens what we do and who we are. If you want to get semantic with it, religion could technically be considered a hobby (unless you're clergy) but it's definitely more than just a "hobby" to people.

[Karine]

At first, I considered crossdressing as a hobby, but I came to realize that it is little more than that.
Among all my hobbies, crossdressing is the only hobby for which the urge is so strong when I don't have the opportunity to do it for a long time. Sport is maybe the hobby for which the urge is strong too, it's surely because of the release of endorphins. Maybe crossdressing tend to promote the release of endorphins too ?
Anyway, I would that crossdressing is for me between the hobby and the expression of a little part of myself.

[fun4metoo2004]

For me, I would go with Fetish/hobby. I have not progressed to a full transformation. As, I am still hidden in the dark recesses of my closet, and have no time to do it other than under-dress, I don't know if I want to take it further.

[GoggleHat]

I just love how this thread came out so far! It's such a great thing to see all the different responses. Whether it's a hobby, lifestyle, identity, or whatever you want to call it, one thing's for certain, crossdressing is a hugely important part of many lives! I love that!

[Jasmine Mae]

I'm not sure which I wou call it. I do not drink, or do drugs. "Dressing" is my stress reliever, my dirty lil secret. I'm closeted unfortunately, but when I do escape to fantasy land I feel so so comfortable! So so "me"! Absolutely my favorite thing in the world to do!!

[biannne]

It is a lifestyle when you dress and think about it 24/7.

[Lucy23]

A part of me. Although checking out and coming up with outfits is more like a hobby.

[Majella St Gerard]

Lifestyle definitely, started out as a hobby but now it is me.

[sometimes_miss]

Having been brought up believing that I was really supposed to be a girl, and expecting god to 'fix' me, wearing girl clothes simply felt like what I was supposed to do. Over time, that became the norm for me, so by the time I got out of jr high school, I only felt normal when I was dressed up as a girl. That feeling has never gone away. So for me, crossdressing is simply all about feeling normal. In contrast, when I'm wearing men's clothing, I always feel like I'm in a costume and acting the part of a male in a play or something. It's that odd feeling you'd get, say, if you were wearing a pirate costume at a formal dinner. You'd simply feel like you're wearing the wrong thing.

[Vintage4sarah]

Please count me in the column of those that evolved from a hobby and curiosity into a lifestyle that is ever in the back of my mind and being at all times. What it did was release the latent female side of me that has been under my skin for decades. I am sorry that it took me so long to realize it.

[Karen RHT]

Like several others have said, it's more than a hobby, but not a lifestyle.


Karen

[Krisi]

The first time I saw it called it a hobby I almost exploded ! ..........

Some people are too easily offended. 2016 was designated "the year of the offended". Hopefully people will be a little more relaxed and accepting in the future.

I call my crossdressing a "hobby" because that's what it is according to the definition posted in post #11. It's not "who I am" any more than fishing or golfing would be. I suppose it could be called a "lifestyle" just as fishing or golf could be called a lifestyle. It's certainly not my whole life. If I could no longer dress in woman's clothes, I wouldn't have a breakdown or kill myself.

[Jenny22]

Lifestyle for me! ... dressing every morning, wishing my moobs were larger, completely under-dressing except for Doc visits. wishing I WAS a female with appropriate parts ... yes, I guess that its a life-style in spades!

[NewBrendaLee]

To me its a lifestyle. I love dressing whenever I can. Many times I wish that I was a female too.

[Teresa]

Krisi,
I'm going back to when I first joined the forum. I was on a real rollercoaster ride, and needing gender therapy. No way do call it a hobby but accept that some do now treat it as such, please don't assume it's the same for all of us. Hobbies don't tear you apart and almost destroy your family relationship .

[lokkee]

This is interesting. As I learned other males did this and I have talked with a few (online) and honestly, I actually did not know that it was actually a lifestyle for some. And as such user said about tearing a family apart, I can see how that may occur. As I am new to this forum but have been cross dressing since I was 10, I just thought it as my little quirk, you know? After becoming sober a few years back, I went to Gay Pride parade. As I am from small town where the have the state was one area code and nice people but no one ever talked about these subjects. That's why I actually I think I told one person that I know, in person. Which she loves shopping than gives me her old items. Oh yea, gay pride, that really opened my eyes. Especially when I was in rehab my best friend asked me if I was comfortable sleeping in the same room with him. I said of course I am. Why the heck not. He mention he was gay and I thought for 2 seconds. Just like that my teenage years and everything I've seen and heard. I quickly replied, Dude, that just means you have bigger nads than me. To stand there and tell me that takes nads. He took me to gay pride. Moral of the story and please, I'm still learning as this is really all new to me, information wise. I do not want someone to take what I said wrongly. I grew up in a area where no one was openly gay or wore women's clothing. I've learned soooooo dang much talking with a few cross dressers that actually consider it a lifestyle. Honestly, hat goes off to you. I have respect for anyone who is actually being who they want to be. Sorry so long, I just found this question interesting as I always thought it was just a fetish. But I am still learning and willing to learn a lot. I love hearing and seeing different views!

[charlotte449]

I would say it's my hobby for the moment. I am still trying out lingerie, buying new dresses and skirts. I'm developing my own sense of style.

[Richelle423]

I dress because it reflects who I am in heart soul and mind.

[Krisi]

Krisi,
I'm going back to when I first joined the forum. I was on a real rollercoaster ride, and needing gender therapy. No way do call it a hobby but accept that some do now treat it as such, please don't assume it's the same for all of us. Hobbies don't tear you apart and almost destroy your family relationship .

Do you consider yourself a male to female crossdresser or something more? A transsexual, perhaps? If you believe you are a transsexual, then it wouldn't be a hobby but you wouldn't be crossdressing in the sense that the rest of us are either.

[CONSUELO]

Hobbies are something that one can put down for a while or a year. Being a cross dresser seems to be something with deep roots into ones psyche. I have never thought that the word "hobby" ever fit us as cross dressers. If your hobby is stamp collecting I'm sure that you don't hide it from your family or keep it in the closet. If cross dressing is a hobby why do so many of us keep it hidden and feel shame and embarrassment, and when discovered find ourselves in the center of an emotional storm with divorce as a potential outcome. If you do think of cross dressing as a hobby then you must be as open with it as you would be with other hobbies such as building hot rods etc.
I just don't see the fit.

[Krisi]

Consuelo, The fact that crossdressing is socially unacceptable does not mean it cannot be a hobby. The two are unrelated.

[Princess Chantal]

I definitely classify my crossdressing as hobby, it is an interest that I came upon thanks to the internet and my (at the time) girlfriend's desire to crossdress me for a Halloween party. If it wasn't for her wanting to do a good job on the transformation and searching on the net finding the Masquerade crossdressing group, I probably wouldn't have ever found this fun. It was a hoot dressing up for and being at that party. Got me going into more depth reading and looking at the pictures from that website afterwards. Then the searching by myself expanded to more internet sites and chats involving crossdressing then onto attending a Masquerade monthly meeting. I just don't understand why some folks can't believe that someone could stumble upon crossdressing via internet or other areas where one could stumble upon it (like kink fetish events) and think "Wow, that seems to be fun!" Look at what my sharing of outings in Victorian style dresses have created interest in some folks to try it, or Even my interest in trying the body suits and masking thanks to Docsherry sharings.
I do respect that many deem their crossdressing is not a hobby, but wish those same folks would return the respect for us that do it as a hobby.

[FrankieB]

I would say neither, as it is more than that. It is part of the core you. It partially defines the true you.
Would you go out of your way to choose this? Hobbies you can pick up and leave alone, sometimes never to return. You can choose a lifestyle such as being vegetarian.
But this? I have read that many haven't bothered for quite a while, then it sneaks back up on you....

[Sallee]

I have to say YES. it is both I describe it has a hobby but it is certainly more. I hate to call it a fetish but it is part that to. It certainly isn't a life style but it could be if I let it.

[Teresa]

Krisi,
The straight answer is I'm a non-homosexual trangender with AGP. If I desire to deeply be seen and accepted as a woman then a form of transition will have to happen , I know it sounds confusing because I don't feel I'm in the wrong body but others have gone that far to finally come to terms with the deep need. You have to accept the basic principal that crossdressing is crossdressing, what ever level you take it to, it's what lays behind it or what drives it that makes the difference.

As I've already said it's hardly a hobby ! I know it will probably mean separation so I have to think very hard about my family needs compared with mine.

[SusanMarie]

Lifestyle:fairy1:

[irene9999]

Right now I'd say it's a hobby, I don't do it regularly or often enough to say it's a lifestyle.

[Unknown_secret]

Well I just wear whenever I feel uneasy with life. It let's me be someone else for a short time.

[Allisa]

It's an important and essential part of my life so for me a lifestyle.

[Tracy Irving]

Given these two options I will go with hobby as I tend to dress regularly in my leisure time.

[AbiGail2016]

For me it is unfortunately a hidden affair....;(

[Jennifer Michelle]

I can't really say that it's just a hobby because I have tried to stop but couldn't but I haven't Crossdressed in public other then once for Halloween so I am hesitant to call it a lifestyle yet. :battingeyelashes:

[Fiona123]

For me, not a hobby, not a lifestyle either. Both terms imply I choose my gender identity. It's not a choice -- it's who I am. The older I get the more I want to nurture my fem self.

[CONSUELO]

If cross dressing is a hobby, why are so many cross dressers afraid of being "caught" dressed or having someone find their collection of clothing?
Why are we so afraid of being caught in the act of enjoying our hobby? Do stamp collectors have similar fears? Do you hide your model car collection and worry about your wife or girlfriend finding it and telling your family?

[PeggyNell]

Is it a hobby or lifestyle when you know that you like to dress up in women's clothes at a very young age? It is not a hobby for me., And I can't say it is a lifestyle either. It is a part of who I am. I would not the the person I am with out the side of my brain that wants to be female. I am a man that likes to feel pretty and sexy by dressing in clothing that most women ware. Cross dresser is a pet peeve for me. It is not a woman's dress, it is my dress. There is nothing wrong dress for whatever reason you feel like, so put on those heels and skirt and be yourself!

[jami]

It is a hobby

[Princess Chantal]

If cross dressing is a hobby, why are so many cross dressers afraid of being "caught" dressed or having someone find their collection of clothing?
Why are we so afraid of being caught in the act of enjoying our hobby? Do stamp collectors have similar fears? Do you hide your model car collection and worry about your wife or girlfriend finding it and telling your family?

There are many hobbies that people don't share with others for fear of social judgements and lack of interest of those that are not in the activity.

[1958Candi]

fetish, so I guess that means hobby

[equestrifemme]

For me, it was a fetish, primarily before I got married. Now that I am married, it's more of a hobby to me. Sometimes I get more interested in it and dress up more often. Also depends on the seasons too. For example, I only dress up as a ski bunny during the winter when it snowed outside so I can try my skiis out and only wear my tennis outfits during the summertime.

[AllieBellema]

It's mearly a hobby for me. I look it like all the other hobbies I'm into. I go into work and put my regular adult face on, take care of the bills and everything. Once I'm done with all of that, I want to put my fun face on and do something I enjoy more. Granted I have yet to get a good urge to dress up since the start of the new year, I still enjoy doing all of this as a hobby. And I agree with Princess Chantai... it does make it hard somedays when you work in a factory and you hear people talk about what they do when they're not at work... well most of the things I do, I can't share at work because I'm sure they would look at me in a weird light after that, so I keep most of my private life secret to them.

[Alisonforme]

Hobby, but definitely an intimate part of who I am. As pleasurable as any other hobby (my favorites kind of rotate :D)!!

[pantyhoselvr kendra]

Hobby 4 to 5 times a week. Hard to get anything done outside after work because it gets dark so early, so i stay in and get my sissy on

[Lily Catherine]

A habit that plays into my identity, at least how I would expect a tolerant outsider to see it. I don't think it's as expendable as my other interests, nor, with the greatest respect, as fulfilling in itself as a means to an end. Like a sweet in the wrong wrapper, or the wrong sweet for the wrapper. I know I cared a lot about the wrapper itself as I'm working against my own natural features.

[pattianne]

I believe it started out for me more as a fetish, being drawn to silky materials such as nylons, panties and slips. As I progressed in dressing more completely, I fell in love with the look, not just the feel. At that point, I started acting more feminine when dressed, trying to project a feminine/girl appearance and behavior when I was young and a womanly appearance as I entered my college years. In college, a womanly identity took hold as I moved from my bedroom/dorm room to the outside world. As confidence built, my working to be be more passable increased, which lead to more frequent dressing and outings. At that point, it became a lifestyle for me. I knew I needed to dress to feel complete and whole. At this time I met my wife. After dating for a few months, I finally built up the courage to tell her. I was wearing panties and pantyhose at the time. It was either tell her or be discovered later that evening. She was awesome. Within a week, she helped me dress head to toe, with the condition that if I was going to dress, we had to go out, either for the day or evening. After a few months of weekend outings she sat me down and told me she could see that this meant a whole heck of a lot more to me than crossdressing. That it was part of me and that if we got marries, we would have to work to make it a part of our lifestyle. On our honeymoon, I wore dresses for the duration.

[Dana44]

I have to say that it not a hobby for me. It is who I am and I am a transgender and non binary as a gender fluid soul and the life I live. It is far different than any hobbies I have ever had. and doesn't even relate in any way of a hobbies. I am what I am

[adam7476]

For me it's more of a hobby. I love dressing up when the wife is gone. She don't like me wearing her panties at all not to mention her lingerie.

[Georgette_USA]

Adam
If your WIFE "don't [sic] like me wearing her panties at all not to mention her lingerie", why do you do it.

As a possible wife/SO, I have NO problem with a husband/SO CD, but PLEASE get your own clothes. I could forgive the hiding a secret as being a CD, but wearing my intimate wear would deeply piss me off.

[Vicky_Scot]

Crossdressing is neither a hobby or lifestyle choice for me.

I had no choice in the matter. I was born this way as a famous singer once sang.

[Tomara]

Definitely a lifestyle for me , it's way easier than hiding the true me .

[Jenny22]

This post and responses reminded me of the song: Simple gifts. These are the first lyrics:

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

[rockerreds]

Lifestyle

[Jenny22]

This post and responses reminded me of the song: Simple gifts. These are the first lyrics:

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

[Mickitv]

I agree with many. It is not a hobby for me. I am not to sure it is a lifestyle if there is one. It is definitely who I am and I love every part of it.

[CDJoyce]

For me, it's just something I do to relax. Definitely not a 'lifestyle' more of a hobby but I've never thought of it as a 'hobby'.

[Lacy PJs]

Hobby. It's fun at times but it doesn't dictate who I am.

Lacy PJs

[HollyGreene]

I don't think of it as a hobby. It's probably a lifestyle thing, but a suppressed one due to family and social/society pressures and prejudices.

[raxdress]

Crossdressing is neither a hobby or lifestyle choice for me.

Neither a hobby nor a lifestyle for me too! Just like how wearing jeans or kakis when I'm a man is neither a hobby nor lifestyle either. I just like wearing a more diverse set of clothing he he he.

[Tania75]

For me, it probably started as a form of stress relief, as at the time I worked in a high stress job, and when I got home, around 3 hours before the 2 girls I shared a house with, I would dress in their clothes and makeup just be a different person from the stressed out guy I was. Add a glass of wine, and after a short time, I was relaxed and in a different place to work.
I eventually left that job (yay) and left the house with the two girls (boo), but despite now having to pay for clothes and makeup, enjoy life so much more.
I still catch up with the girls, and just occasionally they are wearing a dress that I have worn in the past. We both must have good taste.