Past Lives

Some crossdressers believe they were female in a past life—a belief that blends gender identity, spiritual tradition, and personal intuition. While not universal, this idea is meaningful for those who feel a deep, inexplicable connection to femininity that they say goes beyond psychology or social influence.

Spiritual and Metaphysical Foundations

Many of these beliefs stem from spiritual systems that accept reincarnation or past-life memory, such as:

Hinduism and Buddhism, where the soul is believed to reincarnate across lifetimes, potentially changing gender with each cycle.

New Age spirituality, where regression therapy, hypnosis, or meditative journeys are used to "uncover" past lives.

Western esotericism, which often includes ideas of soul essence transcending gender.

In this context, a crossdresser might say, “I don't dress like a woman because I want to be one—I'm remembering who I was.”

Psychological Resonance

Some crossdressers report that feminine behavior, clothing and social roles feel instantly familiar, comforting or even inevitable, as if they are returning to something already known.

They may:

Gravitate toward vintage styles from specific eras (e.g., 1940s housewives, Victorian ladies) they have no personal experience of.

Feel distress or confusion living as male, which lessens when presenting femininely—seen not as a fetish, but as alignment with their “true” past self.

Report childhood dreams or vivid fantasies that feel more like memories than imagination.

Expression Through Crossdressing

For these individuals, crossdressing is not merely about gender play or sexual excitement—it’s a spiritual or emotional homecoming.

They might:

Create a female persona that they believe mirrors their former self.

Talk about “her” in third person while still embodying her through dress and behavior.

Feel peaceful or complete only when living in sync with this past-life identity.

Crossdressing, then, becomes a kind of soul retrieval or incarnation echo—a way of honoring a former existence.

Criticisms and Cautions

Not everyone embraces these beliefs and even within crossdressing and trans communities, such claims can be met with skepticism. Critics point out:

The difficulty of verifying past lives,

The possibility of romanticizing femininity as an escape,

Or the use of metaphysical language to rationalize crossdressing without confronting present-life gender issues.

That said, for many who feel deeply called to femininity, believing in a past-life identity offers validation and comfort, particularly if their current life restricts full gender expression.

Wearing Paige

Tommy Scott femulating in Space's music video for “Begin Again.”
Click here to view this video on YouTube.

Our Culture

The culture around femulating is rich, affirming and evolving—a vibrant intersection of gender expression, personal identity and community. Unlike casual crossdressing or drag performance, femulating represents a lifestyle and mindset where male-bodied individuals present and live as women in everyday settings, sometimes part-time, sometimes full-time.

Here’s a breakdown of the cultural elements surrounding femulating.

Aspirational Femininity

Femulating isn’t just about putting on clothes—it’s about emulating womanhood as completely as possible. This includes:

    Feminine gestures, posture and vocal tone

    Wearing age-appropriate women’s clothing, often business or social attire

    Adopting traditionally female hobbies, roles and social behaviors

    Using female names and pronouns during presentation

Rather than parody or exaggeration (like drag), it aims for realistic and respectful embodiment.

Everyday Womanhood

Femulators often integrate into daily life as women—shopping, dining out, traveling, attending church or work (when possible). It’s a way of life that affirms:

    Confidence: “Going out en femme” is a personal triumph over fear.

    Validation: Positive public interactions help reinforce the identity.

    Routine: Makeup, hair and feminine dress become habitual rather than special-occasion.

Femulating can transform from “crossdressing” into just dressing.

Learning and Mentorship

Femulators often learn from:

    Other femulators, especially older ones who’ve paved the way

    Online resources: blogs, YouTube tutorials, makeover studios

    Historical inspiration: Classic film stars (e.g., Joan Crawford, Grace Kelly) are icons

    Trial and error: Mistakes in appearance or voice become lessons in the journey

There’s an oral and visual tradition of transformation tips, often generously shared.

Community

Femulating thrives in supportive peer groups, both online and in-person.

    Meetups: Formal events like Fantasia Fair or Esprit or informal dinners or teas

    Online forums: Reddit’s r/crossdressing, TransPulse, or blogs like Femulate.org

    Social media: Many femulators post selfies, routines, and “out and about” photos

These communities offer affirmation, feedback, and connection—crucial for confidence.

Intersection with Identity

While not all femulators identify as transgender, the line between femulating and transitioning is often porous.

    Some femulators eventually come out as trans women

    Others view it as a dual-gender lifestyle

    Some are heterosexual males expressing a profound feminine side without altering gender     identity

There’s space for ambiguity and self-definition.

Fashion and Ritual

Femulating carries its own aesthetic culture.

    Office lady chic, classic skirt-suits, hosiery and heels are mainstays

    Many embrace “mature femininity” modeling after stylish middle-aged women

    Lingerie, shapewear and the ritual of dressing are central to the experience

    Shopping (especially in person) becomes a rite of passage

Femulating isn’t just a look—it’s a performance of grace, often tied to nostalgia for “ladylike” elegance.

Philosophy and Meaning

Many femulators describe the practice as:

    Spiritually centering or emotionally soothing

    A liberation from rigid masculinity

    A way to connect with empathy, softness, and beauty

    An act of gender defiance or private truth-telling

Some find deep peace and authenticity when they’re in femme mode, even if only temporarily.

And so it goes.

Source: Rent the Runway

Libor Landa femulating in the Czech Republic film Kamenak.

Stana Short

Short hemlines are synonymous with crossdressers for a few interrelated cultural, psychological and historical reasons.

Hyperfeminization

Crossdressers often aim to emphasize femininity, sometimes in exaggerated or idealized ways. Short skirts, high heels and revealing clothing are stereotypically feminine and have long been seen as bold symbols of womanhood.

Short hemlines equals instant visual femininity. A mini skirt leaves no ambiguity—it screams “female presentation” in a way jeans or modest dresses don't.

Sexual Expression and Taboo

For many crossdressers, dressing is tied to exploration fantasy, and sometimes eroticism. Short skirts play into this:

Tantalizing and transgressive

Wearing a short skirt, especially as a man socialized under traditional norms, feels daring and taboo—adding to the thrill.

Visibility and display

A short hem makes the transformation more obvious, almost performative.

Media and Pop Culture Influence

Crossdressers in films, drag shows and viral videos are often shown in ultra-feminine outfits—tight, short and eye-catching. Think: Tootsie, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Halloween costumes or drag brunches.

These depictions shape public and private imagination about “what crossdressing looks like.”

Affirmation and Identity

A short skirt may feel like a badge of courage, especially for someone asserting a non-masculine identity in a society that polices male dress:

“If I can wear this, I can wear anything.”

The exposure is both literal and metaphorical—revealing and affirming.

Missed Youth / Fashion Catch-Up

Some crossdressers begin dressing later in life, having been denied the chance to wear what girls wore as teens or young women. Mini skirts are often seen as “young girl clothes”—so some crossdressers are, in a sense, dressing their inner teenager. It’s a way of reclaiming missed experiences or indulging in a “second adolescence.”

Visibility Within the Community

Within crossdressing spaces—support groups, meetups, online communities—short skirts are part of a shared visual language. They signal membership, boldness, and pride.

“If you’ve got the legs for it… flaunt it.”

This Girl Can’t Help It!

Some if not all of the preceding reasons can apply to me, but the main reason my hemlines are too short is that my legs are too long! At my height, hemlines that are supposed to fall at the knee, fall above the knee on me. Similarly, dresses with hemlines above the knee are mid-thigh on me or “Stana Short.”

Yes, they do sell clothing for tall women, but the selection is limited and the styles are not my style. On the other hand, the styles at the middle of the height spectrum are limitless. This girl can always find something she likes and just has to endure a shorter than normal hemline (wink, wink).

Wearing Alice + Olivia

Sid Silvers femulating in the film Broadway Melody of 1936.