Getting turned on

[Franie]

Does anyone get turned on sexually when dressing up or I am strange.

[Carol Ann]

Nope hon, you are normal .

But after dressing since I was 14 no sexual feelings just a normal day for Carol Ann.

[Paulette]

No, you're not strange.

Many of us do; many don't. And it's not a matter of being gay or cis-straight.

Just from reading many posts here and in other CD fora, I suspect that it has most to do with when you discovered you wanted to dress up. Before age 10, and it's something one desires, but doesn't usually get turned on by After age 10, and it's more likely to get you all hot and bothered. After all, you're not really a sexual being before than. After then, both boys and girls can be described as bags of raging hormones - and it's easy to see how looks and feelings might get associated.

I have no idea if this observation indicates a causal relationship or if it's simply correlative. But like most of us I have a theory, or rationalization. Some here feel that when dressing is associated with sexual feelings it indicates a fetish rather than a wish to feel or be or be perceived as a woman. Some don't. For myself, I feel that if we are not ruled by our fetishes through shame, fear, or obsession, they can be fun.

But again, it doesn't make you weird. Just one of many, and not at all unique.

Enjoy whatever you feel - because, why not? You are who you are. You're not a label that someone (including yourself) puts on you. You are more than that.

[Majella St. Gerard]

It still turns me on, it's always been a sexual thing for me.

[Davita]

Franie, Is that a trick question like do you take a lunch or ride the bus? I don't know if your strange or not because I don't know you well enough. As for the being turned on? Paulette is right to me. In addition, you might be turned on now, but later..... maybe not. Just human like the rest of us.

[TammyT]

I posted once before that it is a turn-on for me, but I don't like that it is. It's also an important distinction to note that I definitely don't need to be dressed up to be turned on. I've also mentioned that it took me a long time to realise that my femininity and sexuality are two different issues. To give an example to Paulette's observations, I've been intrigued by female fashion since I was about 8 and started dressing a few years later, but it didn't become sexual until my late teens. I've learned the hard way that, in recent years, the sexual side of it is my response to my loneliness, not my girliness.

To go further, I think context is crucial as well: dressing up wouldn't be a sexual thing if I was in the company of one or two supportive girls; I'm a sensitive and emotive guy, but occasionally I would love to be one of the girls just for an afternoon. Nothing sexual -- just for caring support with a woman's touch. It's because of my lengthy loneliness, I think, that sexuality has crept in when I'm by myself, but it bothers me most that it never had to be the case.

Another side to the discussion is that (genetic) women also feel beautiful (I hope) when they dress in something sexy, and it's perhaps a lot more sensual for CDs with male hormones and emotions. (I may have expressed that badly, and I have nothing to substantiate my theory, but it was something I added just seconds before hitting submitting my original post.)

[Dolores(GG)]

Not odd at all. My SO dresses for me occasionally and for him, personally, the fun of it is in transforming into someone else that makes him feel less inhibited. Like, he can become this woman who doesn't have the stresses or worries that he has "in real life". Also, I think women's clothing just feels silkier and more sensual on the body than mens clothes ever tends to be. I am sure everyone has their own enjoyment of it, but whatever it is, it isn't odd. Hell, people are attracted to rubbing ballons on themselves and all sorts of odd things, CD would definitely be on the tame end of the spectrum.

[Bobby]

putting on a new out fit, or just going shopping can give me alittle reaction 'down stairs'. for shopping i think its about how fun its going to be, for trying on new clothes its satisfaction that this is nice and i look good. also thinking how pleased my gf is going to be when she sees me looking nice and very happy with myself is also a turn on.

[Robbin_Sinclair]

I dress to feel feminine...softer...another self. A chance to isolate myself from a world out there that I don't need to share. Something makes me feel good about being dressed. And yes, occasionally, it rises to the level of "turned on", for me. I try to balance the whole experience with the rest of the things that I am doing that day and be mindful of why I am alive.

Post Script Four Hours Later: I just painted the wall of my studio and I'm admiring my work, sitting here in panty hose, ballet slippers, a flimsy light green skirt and a woman's top from JazzFest in New Orleans. It about 90 in my studio. Why am I dressed this way? It feels good.

Starting with the panty hose being compression hose with a doctor's prescription for blood flow in the legs, I just kept asking myself, what would I rather be wearing. Heavy jeans or the skirt? Tee shirt or the top? Gym shoes or ballet slippers? Fem won out in each case. It feels good.

At the present moment, the only thing I'm turn on about now is my choice of color and how nice the studio will look when everything gets done. Women tend to be calmer than men. Why? They can wear clothes that feel good.

[Martina Hall]

When I was much younger, I could get physically excited, but for many years now, it's on a more mental or emotional level, not a sexual arousal at all. Well, maybe just a little.

[Rachel Lynn]

Its very much a turn on for me to be a girl........it changes who i am too......i like and am attracted to certain thinks when i am a women. that i would not do as a man.

[Franie]

I appreciate all the discussion from my post. I don't get turned on every time I put on a bra, forms and heels. It seems if I am dressing for a short period, an hour or so, I am more apt to get turned on. If it is for a few days I guess I have time for my feminine side to come out and I just enjoy the way I look and feel. I love, love , love breast forms. The weight, feel and movement is an unbelievable feeling.

[Requal Jo]

Nothing strange about your feelings. I had similar experiences when younger, but have now grown out of them in may maturing years and frequent dressing.

[Robbin_Sinclair]

......... If it is for a few days I guess I have time for my feminine side to come out and I just enjoy the way I look and feel. I love, love , love breast forms. The weight, feel and movement is an unbelievable feeling.

Yes, that is a turn on.

If I believed in past lives (which has not be ruled out totally) I would have HAD to have been a woman. Dressing has not been that way all of my life but the feeling that you describe about breasts has. Since day one.

I'm coming to the conclusion that I love women if they are like me. Tallish-brightish-tomboyish-outgoing. This is true whether the woman is a generic woman or a person very much like me.

[Erica S]

I too get turned on when dressing. There is something about the silky clothing touching me that makes it feel good. I dress in part because of this aspect of dressing. I would rather be fully dressed and fee so good. Ienvy women whom can do this without anyone batting an eye. It is not strange to be turned on. I like wearing bra's and all the foundation wear, women have to choose from. It is so nice to slip into nylons a nice pair of panties and a slip with a skirt then finish it with the blouse bra. To complete it is to get fully made up on the face.

It is so wonderful to be able to dress even a little now and again!!!

Hugs,
Erica