Eight year old boy dressing in women's clothing

I am very troubled because I discovered that my eight-year old son has been taking my undergarments (bras and panties) and some of my sleep wear and trying them on in his bathroom. He confessed that he has also been taking some of my shoes and trying them on in front of a mirror. I tried not to react angrily, but I did ask him why he was doing it. He didn't have a response. I wouldn't worry as much if he were younger, but he is going on nine!  Is this a sign of things to come? Help.

[Liquid4444]

I believe once his peers get a vision of him or someone near his own age sees him, they will ridcule him. It will make him feel bad and hopefully embarass him into stoping. But that time has yet to come. How is he around his friends? I gather he doesn't do that around his friends. I believe it is a phase and something will happen to either make him stop, or really go into hiding with his dressing up. Keep the lines of communication open with him. I believe he may have a desire just to feel womens clothes next to his skin. I don't know. Just guessing. He says nothing as an excuse because he is embarassed about his reason. Does he talk about girls alot? Does he talk about girl's clothing alot, or some? You might bring up the subject with him just to get him to open up. Sorta like play along a little. Just don't admit anything he does is ok or right. If that fails, then start him on some activities with other male friends. Help get him involved with other guys.
You never mentioned his father. Am I to assume that he is not around?

[kca123]

Thanks for your response..My son has never shown any signs of feminine behavior. But he is very interested in women's breasts. He seems a bit fixated on them as he wants to look at them, touch them..etc. I discovered a few hours ago that he was also putting on lipstick and nailpolish. He was locking himself up in his bathroom for the past week or two for a few minutes after school. He said he was afraid I would get mad at him, but he still can't seem to tell me why he is doing this. He has two sisters and a brother and his father is very involved in his life. My husband has also spoken to him, but can't seem to make any sense of this either. We don't want him to feel shame, but I don't want him to think this is okay w/ us.

[Liquid4444]

You are welcome. I suggest that if this continues for another year or two with out any change for the better, that you might consider  counseling. And hopefully he will open up to a counselor. It may be that he doesn't really know what he is feeling and a counselor might be able to help him put it into perspective. I wish you luck.
I have a cousin that use to play dress up with us and he wore his mom's old clothing as did we all. But that was when we were younger than your son.