Cross-dressing facts for kids

This image shows actors dressed as women in a 1942 show called "This Is the Army, Mr. Jones."

Cross-dressing is when a person wears clothes that are usually linked to a different gender in their society. People have cross-dressed for many reasons throughout history. These reasons include wearing a disguise, feeling comfortable, or for performances like plays and movies.

In almost every human society, there have been ideas about what clothes each gender should wear. These ideas often cover the style, color, or type of clothing. Many societies also have rules or customs about what clothing is right for boys and girls, or men and women.

The term cross-dressing simply describes the action of wearing clothes of another gender. It does not suggest why someone might do it.

What Is Cross-Dressing?

Cross-dressing means wearing clothes that are typically worn by the opposite gender in a certain culture. For example, in many Western countries, skirts are often seen as women's clothing. A man wearing a skirt might be considered cross-dressing. However, in other cultures, men might commonly wear skirts or similar garments. This shows that what counts as cross-dressing can change depending on the place and time.

Why Do People Cross-Dress?

People cross-dress for many different reasons. Some of the main reasons include:

• For fun or performance: Many actors, comedians, and performers cross-dress as part of their shows. This can be for plays, movies, or comedy acts. It's a way to entertain people and create interesting characters.
• As a disguise: Sometimes, people cross-dress to hide who they are. This has happened in history for various reasons, like escaping danger or joining groups they wouldn't normally be allowed into.
• For comfort: Some people simply find certain clothes more comfortable, even if those clothes are usually worn by another gender.
• For artistic expression: Artists and designers might use cross-dressing to make a statement or explore ideas about gender and fashion.

Cross-Dressing in History

Cross-dressing has been part of human history for a very long time. It appears in many different cultures and periods.

Ancient Times

In ancient times, clothing rules were sometimes different from today. For example, some ancient myths and stories tell of gods or heroes who changed their clothes to appear as the opposite gender. This was often done for disguise or to achieve a goal.

Medieval and Early Modern Eras

During the Middle Ages and early modern period, cross-dressing sometimes happened in plays. Men often played all the roles, including female characters, because women were not allowed to perform on stage. This was common in places like England during Shakespeare's time.

Modern Times

In more recent history, cross-dressing has continued to be seen in entertainment. Many famous comedians and actors have used cross-dressing for humor. It also appears in fashion and art, where designers and artists explore different styles and ideas about clothing.

Images for kids

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  Frances Benjamin Johnston (right) poses with two cross-dressing friends. The "lady" is identified as the illustrator Mills Thompson.

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  Depiction of Welsh laborers dressed in women's clothing during the Rebecca Riots in 1843.

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  Comedian Dan Leno as Widow Twankey in the 1896 pantomime Aladdin at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London.

See also

In Spanish: Transformismo para niños