noun
cross-dressing; transvestism
Refers to the practice of wearing clothing typically associated with the opposite gender. Often used in academic or formal contexts.
異性装は、演劇や文化的な行事で見られることがある。
Cross-dressing can be seen in theater and cultural events.
彼は異性装についての社会学の論文を書いた。
He wrote a sociology paper on cross-dressing.
男装 specifically refers to a woman dressing as a man, while 異性装 is the general concept.
Compound of 異性 (isei, 'opposite sex') and 装 (sō, 'attire, dress'). The term is a modern coinage, likely influenced by Western concepts of transvestism.