The early modern era marked a shift in how cross-dressing was perceived. As gender roles became more rigidly defined in the 18th and 19th centuries, cross-dressing started to be associated with deviance and rebellion. Society's increasing focus on strict gender norms meant that any deviation from the expected gender expression could result in social ostracism, legal consequences, or both.

In the 19th century, cross-dressing became a part of the discourse surrounding gender identity. Many women began to wear men's clothing to access spaces that were otherwise closed off to them, such as in the workforce or political arenas. One notable example is the life of George Sand, a French writer who famously dressed in men's clothing to gain freedom and respect in a male-dominated society. Similarly, in the United States, women like Charlotte Cushman and Amelia Bloomer adopted masculine attire to challenge societal expectations.

The 20th century saw cross-dressing evolve with the rise of movements advocating for women's rights and gender equality. During the 1920s, women began to embrace androgynous styles as part of the flapper movement. Women like Marlene Dietrich and Greta Garbo challenged conventional gender expressions by wearing men’s suits and adopting masculine mannerisms in films, signaling the growing acceptance of fluid gender roles in fashion and popular culture.

Cross-Dressing and the LGBTQ+ Community

By the mid-20th century, cross-dressing became more closely associated with the LGBTQ+ community. The post-World War II era saw the rise of drag culture, particularly within the gay community. Drag queens, often gay men who performed in elaborate female costumes, became icons of gender performance and subversion. The Stonewall Riots of 1969, a pivotal event in LGBTQ+ history, saw transgender individuals and drag queens at the forefront of the fight for gay rights, highlighting the central role of cross-dressing in the struggle for gender and sexual liberation.

As the LGBTQ+ rights movement gained momentum, so did the acceptance of gender fluidity and expression. In the 1980s and 1990s, artists like David Bowie and Prince broke down barriers by blending masculine and feminine traits in both their music and fashion. These cultural icons helped normalize the concept of gender nonconformity in mainstream society. shutdown123