Happy Easter, Girls!

 

Easter Envy

Easter has never been much of a holiday in my family; these days, it tends to pass with little more than a glance at the calendar.

It wasn’t always that way.

When I was growing up, we were Catholics, and Easter was a major production. The day began with Sunday Mass, followed by a full-family gathering at my aunt’s house for dinner. Afterward came the ritual egg hunt, which, for the younger set, was the real main event.

The preparation started well before Easter Sunday. My mother would sew new outfits for herself and my sister—carefully chosen fabrics, thoughtful details, everything just so. Meanwhile, my father and I followed a simpler tradition: we wore whichever suit had most recently joined our closets.

And that’s where the trouble started.

I remember feeling a quiet, persistent envy of my sister. She had the full Easter treatment: a new dress, new shoes, and, most enviably, a hat. My female cousins arrived just as elaborately turned out, each one a small parade of spring colors and carefully coordinated accessories.

I, on the other hand, was buttoned into a perfectly respectable and thoroughly uninspired suit.

Looking back, it’s hard not to smile at how clearly the divide presented itself, even then. The girls were allowed a kind of expressive transformation for the occasion; the boys were expected to look presentable and leave it at that.

I can’t help but wonder how many readers here experienced a similar kind of “Easter envy.”

And so it goes.

Wearing Stylewe

Lon Chaney femulating in the 1925 film The Unholy Three.
Click here to view this film on YouTube.

Like Father, Like Son?

Does a Crossdressing Father Give His Son “Permission”?

It’s a question that tends to arrive with a raised eyebrow, even when it’s asked sincerely:

If a father crossdresses, does that give his son permission to do the same?

The short answer is yes... and no. But the longer answer is where things get interesting.

We like to pretend that identity springs fully formed from somewhere deep and mysterious, untouched by the world around us. It doesn’t. Environment matters. What we see, what we’re allowed to talk about, what gets treated as normal or unspeakable—those things shape how we understand ourselves.

So what happens when a boy grows up in a home where his father crossdresses?

First, something subtle but powerful occurs: the taboo weakens.

In most households, crossdressing, if it’s acknowledged at all, exists somewhere between punchline and secret. But in this home, it’s simply… present. Maybe not always discussed, maybe not always understood, but visible. Real. Human.

That matters more than people like to admit.

A son in that environment doesn’t have to leap the same psychological hurdles. He doesn’t have to wonder, Is this something only I’ve ever thought about? He doesn’t have to construct an entire inner life in isolation. The idea already exists in the open. It has a face. It has a name. In this case, it has Dad.

And so, yes, there is a kind of permission embedded in that. Not a formal declaration. Not a sit-down talk at the kitchen table. But an unspoken signal: This is something a man can do and still be a man. That alone can dissolve a remarkable amount of fear. But let’s not oversimplify it.

A father’s crossdressing does not create the desire in the son. It doesn’t plant it, trigger it, or pass it down like eye color or a fondness for bad puns. Plenty of crossdressing men grew up in homes where the idea never appeared. And plenty of sons of crossdressing fathers have no interest in it whatsoever.

The inclination, whatever its origin, tends to show up on its own schedule. What the father provides is not the spark, but the conditions. He lowers the cost of acknowledgment. He removes some of the friction between curiosity and expression. He makes it possible for a son, if he is so inclined, to think: Maybe this isn’t something I have to hide.

Of course, that assumes the situation is handled with a certain degree of openness or at least a lack of shame because there’s another version of this story.

If the father’s crossdressing is cloaked in secrecy, tension, or embarrassment, the lesson absorbed may be quite different. Not permission, but caution. Not acceptance, but compartmentalization. Children are excellent observers of emotional tone, even when no words are spoken. They can tell the difference between something that is quietly accepted and something that is quietly feared.

And then there’s the possibility, rarely discussed, but very real, that a son may define himself in contrast. That’s his thing, not mine. Identity is sometimes built as much on rejection as on imitation. So where does that leave us?

A crossdressing father doesn’t write his son’s script. But he may edit the margins. He can make certain paths easier to see. He can remove some of the penalties attached to exploring them. He can, simply by existing as he is, expand the range of what feels possible.

And in a world where so much of this still lives in the shadows, that quiet expansion might be the most meaningful permission of all.

---

I’m personally aware of two instances of father–son crossdressing. Not studies, not statistics—just real-life glimpses that have stayed with me.

In the first case, a friend came across photographs of his father in his early twenties, dressed as a woman. It wasn’t something his father talked about; it was simply there, captured in images from another time. A year or two after that discovery, my friend began crossdressing himself and it became a regular and ongoing part of his life.

Make of that what you will. Coincidence? Curiosity sparked by exposure? Something that was already there, simply finding a way to the surface? It’s hard to say. But the timing is hard to ignore.

The second example is a little more layered. Another friend’s father had crossdressed as a high school student, again, something preserved in yearbook photos. As an adult, he revisited that role in a different context, dressing as a showgirl in a local civic organization’s production. It was public, performative, even celebrated in its own way.

Years later, I witnessed his son without any apparent self-consciousness playing dress-up with his older sisters, happily taking on a feminine role. No announcement, no explanation. Just a child doing what children do when the boundaries aren’t tightly drawn.

What do these stories mean? Probably less than people want them to and more than we might initially assume.

There’s no clear line from father to son here. No simple cause-and-effect. But there is something worth noticing: exposure matters. Normalization matters. When something exists within a family, even quietly, it can shift what feels possible, acceptable, or even interesting to the next generation.

That doesn’t mean it creates the inclination. But it may give it permission. And that distinction, between creating something and allowing it, is where things tend to get interesting.

And so it goes.

Wearing Bebe

Paul Dano femulating in the 2010 film The Extra Man.

Let's Make A Deal En Femme

Most mornings, I settle into a familiar routine: coffee in hand, MacBook Pro open, and the television tuned to Let's Make a Deal. It’s comfort viewing—colorful, a little chaotic, and built around costumed audience members trying their luck with the host.

I’ll admit, I watch for two very specific reasons.

First, there’s Tiffany—Tiffany Coyne—whose outfit of the day is reliably worth noting (usually a short dress paired with high heels, styled to perfection). Second—and this is where things get more interesting—I keep an eye out for any audience member who shows up en femme.

That second category is surprisingly rare. Most mornings, I’m left with nothing more than a passing admiration for Tiffany’s wardrobe. But every now and then, the show delivers.

March 30 was one of those mornings.

A contestant named “Landon” appeared dressed as Lucy Ricardo—the iconic role made famous by Lucille Ball on I Love Lucy. The costume was spot-on. Landon made a highly convincing Lucy.

Look a little closer, though, and the tells were there: the height, a voice that leaned unmistakably male, and, of course, the name “Landon,” which doesn’t quite pass unnoticed.

Still, credit where it’s due—the effort was impressive, and the result was genuinely entertaining.

Naturally, curiosity got the better of me after the show. A bit of Googling revealed that Landon is Landon Reid, who turns out to be very active—and very entertaining—on Facebook and TikTok.

Worth a look if you’re inclined.

And so it goes!

Wearing Ann Taylor

Mateusz Banasiuk (left) femulating Kylie Minogue on Polish television’s Twoja Twarz Brzmi Znajomo.
Click here to view this femulation on Facebook.

Stuff 113: Shop-a-Zon

By J.J. Atwell

Online Shopping

What CD doesn’t love to shop? I’m sure that many of us shop for our girl stuff online. I do a combination of online and in store shopping. Online shopping has the advantage of being easy and less stressful, so today I’d like to focus on some “best practices” to observe when shopping online. I’m sure I’ll miss some but, as I see it, these are some important things to consider when shopping online. You’ll want to be aware of who makes the garment, who you are dealing with, who is marketing it, what the return policy is and how accurate is the advertising. 

Know Who You Are Dealing With

While browsing the internet, you’ll likely be targeted with ads for some nice looking apparel. Some of these ads will be from known retailers while others will be names you’ve never heard of before. Be especially careful when considering merchandise from those last ones, especially if they are cheap. You may be buying from a vendor whose sizing is suspect, which I’ll cover a bit more later, or just some shoddy thing that bears only a passing resemblance to the picture in the ad. Remember that the pictures you see are carefully staged to present the product in the best light.

Personally, I do a lot of my online shopping through Amazon because it’s easy to check seller ratings and return policies. Whatever site you use, stick to reputable platforms and avoid clicking on random ads that lead to unfamiliar sellers. Remember, if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably isn’t for you.

When you see something you love, check the retailer’s reputation first. Look for reviews and check whether customers mention issues with sizing or quality. A beautiful dress might look like a dream online, but the actual product may not be what you were expecting. 

CD Specialty Stores vs. Regular Stores

As I see it, there are two categories of places where crossdressers can shop online. The first is stores that specifically cater to crossdressers and the transgender community. The second is mainstream retailers that simply sell women’s clothing. Both options have advantages.

Stores that specialize in crossdresser fashion understand the needs of their customers. They often offer larger shoe sizes, forms, shapewear and clothing designed to accommodate a masculine frame. Two examples are Janet’s Closet and The Breast Form Store which have built strong reputations in the community. They also offer discrete shipping if that’s an issue for you.

On the other hand, regular clothing retailers provide a much wider selection and sometimes lower prices. Many of us happily shop at places like Nordstrom, Kohl’s and Target. These companies generally have good return policies and size charts, which can make shopping easier.

Personally, I lean toward regular retailers for everyday clothing. They offer more variety, and it can feel nice to shop the same places everyone else shops. But crossdresser-specific stores can be incredibly helpful when you’re looking for specialty items or guidance.

Know Your Size

You found the perfect outfit online, but how do you know what size to order? You don’t, because sizes vary widely. It’s probably the biggest challenge when buying women’s clothing online, especially for crossdressers. Unfortunately, women’s sizes aren’t known for consistency. A size 12 in one brand might fit perfectly, while another size 12 might feel like it was designed for a completely different species.

To make shopping easier, measure yourself carefully. Measure everywhere when you do this, not just bust, waist, hips. Also measure your wrist, neck, waist to floor, sleeve length and ring size. You might want to check the Stuff installment that Stana published on August 5, 2024, for tips on this. Once you have all your measurements, look for the sellers size info before ordering to determine what size you should buy. Be especially careful when ordering from Asian sellers. 

Know the Return Policy 

Even with the best planning, not everything you order will fit the way you hoped. That’s simply part of online shopping. Before placing an order, check the return policy. Some offer free returns while others require you to pay for return shipping.

Also watch for “final sale” items. These are often heavily discounted, but they usually can’t be returned. 

A good return policy gives you peace of mind and makes it easier to experiment with different styles.

Browse Incognito

When you browse clothing sites, your browser remembers them. Before you know it, ads start popping up everywhere. That might be fine if you live alone and share your computer with no one. But if you’d rather keep your girl shopping private, consider using your browser’s incognito or private browsing mode.

It won’t make you invisible to the internet, but it can reduce the number of targeted ads that suddenly appear on your screen later. Nothing raises eyebrows faster than a banner ad for high-heeled pumps appearing while someone else is looking over your shoulder. Think of it as digital housekeeping.

Shopping Strategy

If you recall a couple of previous installments of Stuff, I’ve talked about having a shopping strategy. Knowing what you are looking for helps keep you from being distracted by shiny things. It’s easy to accumulate a lot of random pieces, but will they add to your options or just clutter your closet? Think about it as a big, multi-dimensional jigsaw puzzle. Each piece should go with one or two items you already have. 

A good approach is to shop with a purpose. You might be looking for something specific to compliment something else. Perhaps a skirt that goes with a favorite top. A new pair of jeans to replace those old, worn out ones. Or, you might decide you need a completely new look. In that case, try to find complete outfits. Often looking at the pictures accompanying the item can give you an idea of what to pair it with, be it tops, bottoms, shoes or other accessories.

I’ll Be Back

While shopping, remember fashion should be fun. Enjoy the process and enjoy wearing the results while I’ll be finding more Stuff to write about. I welcome comments and suggestions here on Stana’s page or by email at Jenn6nov at-sign gmail dot com.

Wearing Ann Taylor

Sha Na Na femulating on television's Sha Na Na.
Click here to see this femulation on YouTube.

Men at Work

Manicurist

Bridal Consultant

Hairdresser

Schoolmarm

Theme Park Tour Guide

No Kings

 

Grocery Shopping

Like a good housewife, I do the grocery shopping once a week. Aldi first for the bargain prices, then Stop & Shop to pick up whatever Aldi didn’t have.

I usually shop between 8:30 and 9:30 in the morning and at that hour, both stores are eerily quiet. Which is why I was a little surprised this week to encounter a crossdresser at Stop & Shop.

A large, tall woman, she appeared to be in her 30s, wearing a maxi dress and long, curly brunette hair (not a wig). Little or no makeup, her face read unmistakably male, and her expression—well, let’s just say it wasn’t a happy one.

We crossed paths twice—once in an aisle and again after checkout—so I had the opportunity for a couple of discreet, second looks. Enough to confirm what I thought I was seeing.

This wasn’t my first crossdresser sighting while grocery shopping, but the timing struck me. It came just days after I’d written about whether crossdressing is becoming more common. Sometimes the world has a way of underlining your questions.

And for the record, I was shopping en homme that morning. Though I’ll admit, I’ve made the same trip en femme more than a few times in the past.

And so it goes.

Wearing Tory Burch

Massimo Bellinzoni (right) femulating in the Italian film Nottataccia (What A Night!).

Is Crossdressing Becoming More Popular?

Or Just More Visible?

Every so often, someone will ask, usually with a raised eyebrow and a tone somewhere between curiosity and concern, whether crossdressing is suddenly “on the rise,” particularly among younger men.

It’s a fair question. Walk through certain corners of social media, browse fashion editorials, or spend ten minutes people-watching in the right urban neighborhood, and it can feel like something has shifted. The old lines, once thick, permanent, and aggressively enforced, now look faint, negotiable, even optional.

But before declaring a full-blown trend, it’s worth slowing down. What we’re witnessing is not quite what it seems. Because the real story isn’t that crossdressing has exploded. It’s that the silence around it has.

For decades, men who wore feminine clothing existed in a kind of cultural shadow. Some did it privately, some occasionally, some as part of a deeper identity, and some simply because they liked how it looked or felt. What they shared was not necessarily motivation, but invisibility. Social cost kept things quiet. You didn’t see it because people made sure you didn’t.

That pressure hasn’t vanished, but it has weakened. And when pressure eases, visibility rises.

Younger men, in particular, are growing up in a different atmosphere. They’ve inherited a culture where gender rules are no longer handed down as commandments but offered more like suggestions. Try this. Don’t try that. See what fits. Ignore what doesn’t.

That doesn’t mean they’re all crossdressing. Far from it. Most aren’t. But more of them are willing to experiment... once, occasionally, or in specific contexts without assuming it defines their entire identity. A skirt might be a fashion choice. Makeup might be aesthetic. Presentation might be fluid, situational, or even playful.

And that’s where the confusion creeps in.

We tend to collapse everything into one category: crossdressing, identity, lifestyle, orientation, as if they’re interchangeable. They’re not. A young man trying on a different presentation for a night out is not necessarily making a broader statement about who he is. He may be. Or he may just be trying something on, in the most literal sense.

What’s new is not the behavior itself. It’s the permission.

Of course, it’s not universal. Geography still matters. So do family, workplace, and social circles. In some places, the old rules remain firmly in place, and stepping outside them still carries real consequences. Even where acceptance is higher, there’s often an unspoken line between what is “edgy but acceptable” and what crosses into discomfort.

So no, we’re not looking at a tidal wave of young men abandoning traditional dress overnight. What we are seeing is something quieter and, in its own way, more significant.

A gradual loosening. A willingness to question what used to be unquestionable. A shift from “never” to “maybe,” and in some cases, to “why not?”

And once that shift happens, even a small number of visible examples can feel like a cultural surge. But it isn’t a surge. It’s a reveal. The men were always there. They’re just harder to ignore now.

And so it goes.

Wearing Alice + Olivia

John Hurt femulating in the 1975 British film The Naked Civil Servant.