Written by Ramayana
Author's note: This does not purport to be an authoritative treatise on crossdressing nor a personal account of the author's sartorial choice and sexuality. This article, in two parts, is introductory in nature and Part: 1 focuses on historical/traditional attire and ceremonial clothing which doesn’t construe as crossdressing per se’, but gives the reader a fair idea of accepted feminine-like dressing by men through the ages.
Since this isn't an exclusive crossdressing forum, it seems appropriate to begin with a very fundamental question.
Why do men crossdress?
Quite frankly, there is no one single reason or one complete and convincing answer. It could be the intense feeling of a woman being trapped inside a man's body and wanting to find expression. This Gender Dysphoria is a form of intense emotional distress whereby someone is unhappy with living in the role of one’s assigned gender. It is currently classified as a symptom of GID (Gender Identity Disorder).
Other reasons could be the sensual feeling of luxuriating in the softness and silkiness of all/few things femme. Or quite simply put, an extension of a man's girly side and the pleasantness of that experience. It could also be sexual - either the narcissistic self-pleasure of being a woman (Autogynephilia) or that of pleasing a companion.
It should be remembered that sexual orientations for crossdressers could be straight, gay, bi or trans. This is an important aspect of crossdressing that is often ignored and CDs are wrongly assumed to be attracted to men (Androphilia), especially in social networking communities - including FL. CDs are, to a great extent, attracted to Genetic Girls/Bio Women (Gynephilia). They may be attracted to other transvestites or transsexuals (Transphilia) and might choose to call themselves lesbians, as well.
A historic perspective.
It was only after the advent of the stitched garment that men and women began wearing clothes that differentiated their genders. Historically the unstitched fabric, which was worn prior, was by and large unisex in nature and (hold your breath), if you look at it in modern contexts, was always very feminine! Right from the togas to the chitons. From hakamas to sarongs. Shukas to even sarees*.
The sartorial customs of the ancient civilizations clearly establish that men wore varying lengths of cloth either as drapes or wraps. This historic tradition goes back to the time of the cave dwellers when man and woman wore skins in similar fashion to even, possibly, Adam and Eve and their leafy skirts.
Several national costumes and traditional/ceremonial attire, to this day, are distinctly feminine. Like the kilts. You would have also seen the saree-like drape of several African nationals and the skirt-suit of the Fijians and the grass skirts of the Hawaiians.
*To read more about the saree having been a unisex garment follow the link here - http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/ancient/sari4men.htm
Now, here’s a photo feature to illustrate the point that even in the modern era, several cultures still follow the sartorial customs of their illustrious forefathers.
You might argue that the pictures presented in this article aren’t exactly depictive of crossdressing. That’s precisely the point the author is trying to make.
Historically, men have been known to have openly dressed in feminine garb, but were still identifiable as men. Some of these cultures that span the world still embrace the tradition, as the photos clearly establish.
But, “some men” just DON’T do it for the love of tradition! If you look at the picture above, those men would want to wear the beautiful gown of the person to the right :)
What would the world be without the charm exuded by the crossdressers?
In the second part of this overview, the following will be outlined. The Gurl vs Girl debate, Types of Crossdressing, Transitioning, Variants, FTM (female to male crossdressers), Guilt and Purging.
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Tip of the quarter:
How to create Artificial Breasts...
Newbies to crossdressing often have this doubt. This writer often gets queries to that effect. Take heart, there are so many easy options available - some of which are downright easy to accomplish.
You can get breastforms right here in India, paying for them in Indian Rupees. Just follow the link below. Cheers!
http://www.bollywoodlingerie.com
Author's note: This does not purport to be an authoritative treatise on crossdressing nor a personal account of the author's sartorial choice and sexuality. This article, in two parts, is introductory in nature and Part: 1 focuses on historical/traditional attire and ceremonial clothing which doesn’t construe as crossdressing per se’, but gives the reader a fair idea of accepted feminine-like dressing by men through the ages.
 |
| “Priest King” of the Indus Valley Civilization (3300 – 1300 BCE) |
Why do men crossdress?
Quite frankly, there is no one single reason or one complete and convincing answer. It could be the intense feeling of a woman being trapped inside a man's body and wanting to find expression. This Gender Dysphoria is a form of intense emotional distress whereby someone is unhappy with living in the role of one’s assigned gender. It is currently classified as a symptom of GID (Gender Identity Disorder).
Other reasons could be the sensual feeling of luxuriating in the softness and silkiness of all/few things femme. Or quite simply put, an extension of a man's girly side and the pleasantness of that experience. It could also be sexual - either the narcissistic self-pleasure of being a woman (Autogynephilia) or that of pleasing a companion.
It should be remembered that sexual orientations for crossdressers could be straight, gay, bi or trans. This is an important aspect of crossdressing that is often ignored and CDs are wrongly assumed to be attracted to men (Androphilia), especially in social networking communities - including FL. CDs are, to a great extent, attracted to Genetic Girls/Bio Women (Gynephilia). They may be attracted to other transvestites or transsexuals (Transphilia) and might choose to call themselves lesbians, as well.
 |
| This (Harappan) Seal may depict girls, but that is hard to assess with any certainty... ...the impression is that men and women dressed in robes or draped cloth. http://histclo.com/chron/ancient/india/indus/ind-clo.html |
A historic perspective.
It was only after the advent of the stitched garment that men and women began wearing clothes that differentiated their genders. Historically the unstitched fabric, which was worn prior, was by and large unisex in nature and (hold your breath), if you look at it in modern contexts, was always very feminine! Right from the togas to the chitons. From hakamas to sarongs. Shukas to even sarees*.
The sartorial customs of the ancient civilizations clearly establish that men wore varying lengths of cloth either as drapes or wraps. This historic tradition goes back to the time of the cave dwellers when man and woman wore skins in similar fashion to even, possibly, Adam and Eve and their leafy skirts.
 |
| How to wear the Roman Toga |
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| The Greek Chiton |
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| The early Assyrian drape of the Mesopotamian man |
Several national costumes and traditional/ceremonial attire, to this day, are distinctly feminine. Like the kilts. You would have also seen the saree-like drape of several African nationals and the skirt-suit of the Fijians and the grass skirts of the Hawaiians.
*To read more about the saree having been a unisex garment follow the link here - http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/ancient/sari4men.htm
Now, here’s a photo feature to illustrate the point that even in the modern era, several cultures still follow the sartorial customs of their illustrious forefathers.
 |
| The Masai tribals of Kenya in Shukas |
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| Ghanaian tribal chiefs wearing their Kente drapes with pride |
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| Korowai cloaks and Piu piu skirts of the Maoris of New Zealand – an exhibit |
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| A Japanese elder wearing a Hakama – the traditional dress of the Samurais |
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| Balinese couple in wedding finery |
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| Golfers in the Lavalavas of Polynesia |
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| A Tongan groom in a Tupenu |
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| The dignified gentry of Fiji in their Sunday-best Sulus |
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| Hawaiian dancers in Hula grass skirts |
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| The Gandura of Tunisia |
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| A tourist in a Jawanese Sarong |
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| Hungarians in Férfis on election day |
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| A Yemenese fisherman in a Futah |
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| Strutting out in the Scottish Kilt |
Historically, men have been known to have openly dressed in feminine garb, but were still identifiable as men. Some of these cultures that span the world still embrace the tradition, as the photos clearly establish.
But, “some men” just DON’T do it for the love of tradition! If you look at the picture above, those men would want to wear the beautiful gown of the person to the right :)
What would the world be without the charm exuded by the crossdressers?
In the second part of this overview, the following will be outlined. The Gurl vs Girl debate, Types of Crossdressing, Transitioning, Variants, FTM (female to male crossdressers), Guilt and Purging.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tip of the quarter:
How to create Artificial Breasts...
Newbies to crossdressing often have this doubt. This writer often gets queries to that effect. Take heart, there are so many easy options available - some of which are downright easy to accomplish.
- Padded Bras: This is the perhaps the easiest of methods and doesn’t bear heavily on the wearer’s shoulder.
- Inserts: You could boost your femme looks by using a number of inserts. Water balloons and half-cut smiley balls work wonders.
- Rice in socks: This is a classic trick in the book. Pour equal measures of rice (depending on cup size) in a pair of socks. Tie the ends up. Cut off the rest of the socks. You’d quite literally scream “Bravo!”
- Breastforms: This is the best option, especially if you want to spend the whole weekend en femme and want to tryout different attires. Don’t worry, you needn’t have to sigh and ask: “But, where do I go for B/F’s?”
You can get breastforms right here in India, paying for them in Indian Rupees. Just follow the link below. Cheers!
http://www.bollywoodlingerie.com
1 comments:
A futah looks very much like a lungi! Thanks Yana for the interesting piece and all the pictures! Looking forward to part II.
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