Sissy vs Transvestite? Is there a difference? What is cross-dressing for you?

[FredLofthefuture]

I'm new to the world of cross-dressing, and am not yet sure what "cross-dressing" is to me.

The idea of cross-dressing for role-playing as a sissy maid, or for BDSM sounds appealing. However I'm not sure if I would cross-dress on my own, or in the outside world.

I'm not sure if its just a sexual fetish object, or if there is more to it than that.

Those that have more experience, could you please share your experiences?

Did you start cross-dressing just as role-playing, but then it became more than that?

[Angela Campbell]

I never was interested in role playing, I started because at a young age I knew I wanted to be a girl.

[AmyGaleRT]

You're going to get all kinds of answers on this one, Fred, as the reasons people dress are many and varied.

I started, mostly, with nightgowns, which is almost a classic fetish pattern. However, I tried moving from those into dresses, and found that I wasn't "turned on" as such, but I felt happy and comfortable, and something about the way it felt felt right. This led to more of these, and building the kind of presentation that could let "Amy" enter the real world...but not as a "sissy" or a "maid," but rather as a reasonably-competent woman. It goes both ways, too; now I can slip into a silky nightie and not go into immediate arousal, but just feel happy and femme. I guess this is "maturity," after a fashion.

- Amy

[Ann Louise]

I started dressing as young child who had only the vaguest notions of what sex was. Thereafter, as i secretly dressed on and off through my twenties and thirties, I must say it was an Enormous sexual turn-on at times (and I wouldn't trade those experiences off for anything!). But now that I'm "older" I dress simply because I love to. I feel so much more at peace with myself now as my feminine self, even drawing on an inner sense of strength and equanimity that's not as available to me otherwise. I would imagine that many of us have grown through TV to CD to TG periods as we've lived our lives. So yes, it did become more than that, and I'm very thankful it did. Elfin

[Karren H]

I have to wear womens clothing.... but I don't consider myself a sissy.... I don't get the whole sissy thing personally....

[Xandra]

Must confess, the role playing appeals to me - as does the BDSM; but I like to wear women's clothes because they just feel right.

[Jessica Who]

There was a time during my teenage years that it was more toward the sexual end, I think many of this experience this, however now it is all about expression.

[NathalieX66]

I never was interested in role playing, I started because at a young age I knew I wanted to be a girl.

I was/am into role play , to an extent (.....my little girl thing.....you know, human imagination), but I finally realized it had nothing to do with expressing myself as the other gender. That part got me to where I am now.

Nowadays , I just prefer to be just the average woman. It's the social side of me. It feels great!

[Tiffany Grace]

I don't know what cross-dressing is either, I just know I love wearing women's clothing. I don't have a conscious reason for it, that i know of, it is just a part of who I am. Wish you the best. It is one of those journeys that one starts and for most people there is not turning back. Dress at your own risk. Different folks approach it from different levels. The deeper you go the more fem it gets. Some find dressing a way of experimenting with their feminine side, others dive deep into all aspects of femininity.

[Jenniferathome]

Cross dressing is not related to role playing or BDSM. Some may CD during those activities but that is a fetish thing, not a cross dressing thing. I've never been interested in any fetish behavior. I am just a cross dresser.

[Angela Campbell]

Growing up I was called a sissy all the time because I wasn't tough like the other boys. It was meant as an insult. I agree I am a sissy but it hurt to be called one.

[Eryn]

There is a distinction between being a sissy (ie. exhibiting feminine traits like compassion) and dressing in frilly "sissy style" clothes. Just because they happen to use the same arrangement of letters does not mean that they are related.

Sissy is a style of dressing that I don't really relate to, but that is fine. Many who enjoy sissy dressing might not understand why I enjoy being in public in a simple T-shirt and Capris. Vive la différence!

[AltairaMorbius]

I have always been curious about what it feels like to be a woman. As far as sexuality I do things I feel I'd enjoy if I were a woman.

Cheers,

[abbie_lynn]

To be honest, the 'sissy' thing never really appealed to me too much. Certainly at times it was a bit 'erotic', but interestingly enough as my 'girl side' has gotten stronger any interest in that flavor of material has diminished.

[Janelle_C]

I started out as role playing. That's how I got what I needed with out owning up to the fact that I wanted and needed to dress. It's not that I want to its just part of the role. But I think she knew, anyway that was 31 years ago.

[Keri L]

I started out as role playing. That's how I got what I needed with out owning up to the fact that I wanted and needed to dress. It's not that I want to its just part of the role. But I think she knew, anyway that was 31 years ago.

Truer words (for me, at least) were never spoken. At some point, however, I just wanted to remain dressed, without focusing on the arousal part. And, that's when it got scary, as I realized something much bigger was going on.

Xxoo,
Cate

[Angela Campbell]

I have wondered if that is the case on a few of the recent postings. I hope not.

[StacyPump]

There are many here for whom crossdressing is more about their identity and self image. But there are also many here who just dress for the fun, be it the erotic thrill or the wonderful feelings it brings. Or both. And that's ok. ; )

[ArleneRaquel]

For moi, It's me being the true me. I have desired for over 50 years to be a woman, or at least to live my adult life as a female. I am trilled to be leaving this lifestyle. I have not transitioned and do not plan to do so.

[Ninotchka]

In my opinion, a sissy is like a little girl, and a transvestite reflects his true level of maturity.

[SarahFxoxo]

I feel 'sissy' refers more towards a fetishistic way of dressing.

[Julogden]

Sissy dressing is a variety of fetishistic crossdressing. It isn't a synonym for crossdressing. Different people have different reasons for dressing.

I've never dressed for role playing, and I don't care for the sissy stuff. From little on, I dressed because of gender identity issues.

Carol

[sometimes_miss]

Okay fred, since you won't receive messages from those of us here on the forum, here goes. A fetish is commonly referred to as something required (an inanimate object, whether clothes, sex toy, shoe, whatever) in order to get sexually turned on, and without that object are unable to function sexually. So, that doesn't apply to the vast majority of crossdressers. What you write sounds like you want a submissive role as a female, with the attire, behavior, and all it encompasses. Remember, there's nothing wrong with that. Enjoy.

[noeleena]

Hi,

Never did crossdressing as refered to here, or did role playing never did the male or female role did not know what it was to start with, or saw it as most people seemed to. what then was my role, how i saw it, or more like what i saw was, people doing things . there was no only males do this or that & women did other things,

To me it was ill do what ever if i liked some things say gardening i did it mowing the lawns or doing washing just did it sewing was good i liked that. no matter what it was oven mits or sewing skirts or tops i saw it as i can do this,

Clothes to me were ill wear what ever to keep me warm, though i hated male clothes,i would not buy them. Mom did, & then Jos, yet did not wear female till the time came to live & be what i have allways been a female, so those clothes that reflected who i am as a person became more this is who i am as a female, who has grown in to a woman. theres allways a part of myself that say's male a mix of both really,

What does it take to be a female, being born one liveing as one & being accepted for who you are as a person, then growing into a woman,

...noeleena...

[FredLofthefuture]

I'm new to the forum, and am not sure how I can make it so that I receive messages. I understand that that's what I fantasize about. I'm just curious if I would like cross-dressing outside of the fetish world. Perhaps I just need to buy some cloths and try it out. I just wanted to see if there were other people who use cross-dressing as a fetish object, and for comfort or pleasure on their own (not only for erotic reasons).