The most recent fashion trends are very new to the world of fashion. With the rise of different technological devices that could help with updates and check-ins on a global scale, modern trends were created to be more universal and accessible for a broader range of people. That said, current fashion trends should not be seen as extravagant items that celebrities or models only do during award shows but as more approachable and wearable in everyday life.           

 

1. Cross-dressing

 

Cross-dressing is the practice of Dressing like a person of the opposite sex purely for entertainment or amusement. It can also refer to someone who identifies with a gender identity not traditionally associated with their assigned sex and cross-dresses to affirm their own gender identity. Cross-dressing has been practiced throughout history, as recorded by the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and medieval Europeans. Cross-dressing has been present in many cultures from ancient to modern times.

 

The increased availability of cross-dressing products, including wigs, makeup, lingerie, and high-heeled shoes, has resulted in the spread of cross-dressing among gay men. Cross-dressers have garnered media attention by making a spectacle of their gender identity, such as shock jock Howard Stern dressing as a woman to interview people dressed in drag.

 

2. Current Status of Cross Dressing

 

The current state of affairs for cross-dressing has been positive in several countries. According to a study by the World Economic Forum, Sweden, Denmark and Norway have the highest levels of cross-dressing in the world. There has been a surge in companies catering for cross-dressers, including male fashion lines. The BBC reported that a survey of 100,000 adults in the UK found that 25% had attempted cross-dressing at some point, while the number of people identifying as transgender has increased by 76% since 2005.

 

3. Negative Consequences of Cross Dressing

 

The negative consequences of cross-dressing include exposure to anti-gay and anti-trans discrimination, which can lead to socially and economically ostracized individuals. A private investigation reported that cross-dressers were dismissed from their jobs, harassed or assaulted by their employers and employees, or even kicked out of their homes for being gay. A study by the University of California found that approximately 1% of transgender people have been physically attacked for expressing this gender identity.

 

 

4. Positive Benefits of Cross Dressing

 

Cross-dressing can be used to develop self-confidence and increase self-esteem and self-knowledge. Cross-dressing may also help cross-dressers explore their gender identity; in some cases, a cross-dresser discovers that they are not transgender. Cross-dressing can also be a safe outlet for people with gender dysphoria or gender identity disorder. A cross-dresser might choose to be open about their behavior or keep it private as it feels right for them. Cross-dressing can provide a way for people to explore their gender identity without the restrictions of their assigned sex, which can lead to better coping with the other tensions in life.

 

5. Media Impact of Cross Dressing

 

Regarding media exposure, the transgender community has benefited from positive depictions in popular culture. The cross-dressing trend is especially visible in gay and lesbian-oriented media like HBO's "The L Word," "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," and "RuPaul's Drag Race." Cross-dressing also appears regularly in spoofs, including A&E TV's hit show "Duck Dynasty" and NBC's sitcom "Parks and Recreation." The trend has also been explored in major motion pictures, such as "The Crying Game" (1992) and, most recently, "Grace of Monaco" (2016).

 

6. Future Considerations

 

The increased cross-dressing among gay and straight men can lead to confusion among the public regarding their gender identity. The spread of cross-dressing among females may create a further divide between males and females over issues of gender identity. The increase in the space of cross-dressing among gay men may lead to a decrease in support for gay rights and LGBT issues. However, in 2022, cross-dressing has become a rising trend worldwide. Many celebrities and well-known political figures have openly admitted to being cross-dressers.

 

7. Cross Dressing in the Past

 

The issue of cross-dressing has been present throughout history and appears to have been popular with the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and medieval Europeans. In recent times, some elements of the royal family have practiced it, including British kings, with Queen Victoria's grandson George V dressing as a woman to attend women's functions at Buckingham Palace. It has also been popular with the Cambodian royal family, who in the 19th century used to cross-dress to avoid being assassinated.

 

More recently, high-profile transgender people are becoming members of society and earning their place as successful figures in history. These achievements include two British members of parliament (the first legally transitioned transgender MP), a US Navy Seal Team Six member, and the most recent high-profile achievement, actress Laverne Cox from "Orange is the New Black."

 

Cross-dressing has become increasingly accepted by Western culture over the past few decades but was not always regarded as the societal norm. As a result, cross-dressing is far more public now than ever before and can be seen regularly on television shows, in advertisements, and even in the news.