Category: Style

Retro Rerun — Foundation: Where It All Begins

| Oct 30, 2017 | Reply

Our Retro Rerun is a how-to on foundation makeup written by then TGF editor Cindy Martin. It was published on our old website in 1996. As with all our Retro Reruns much of the advice remains applicable today. Some of the terminology is dated but that just adds some fun. The original post ran in two parts but we put them together for you today in one tidy package. Enjoy.

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The Occasional Woman — Fall Fashion

| Oct 2, 2017 | Reply

Today’s topic in Lorraine Anderson’s The Occasional Woman column is fall fashion. It’s that time of year in the Northern Hemisphere when sandals get put away, bare legs get covered by tights and over-the-knee socks, and bright floral prints take a rest until next spring. Out come the “moody” dark florals with cute jackets, scarves, and sweaters. What are the trends to watch? Lorraine has read Vogue from cover to cover and taken notes. She passes the knowledge gained, along with her own fashion wisdom, on to you.

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Retro Rerun: Blush: Easy To Do Right . . . And Wrong

| Sep 25, 2017 | Reply

Today we dive deep into the TGF Archives to 1996 to pull out an article by founding editor Cindy Martin. Her topic was blusher. How to do it correctly so you don’t look like a painted doll. Keep in mind that this was written in the late 20th century and we’re getting on into the 21st, but the tips Cindy wrote back then can still be helpful. Keep in mind your blush should be subtle during daylight hours. At night it needs to be heavier but not war paint.

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Hot Look: How to Wear Tribal Prints

| Sep 18, 2017 | Reply

Have you seen the bold African print fashions that feature what’s known as Ankara? If you have and you’ve thought they might be fun to wear but you weren’t sure about how to successfully wear them, fear not! Our fashion maven Tasi Zuriack has advice on how to bring the Ankara prints into your wardrobe and make yourself look fabulous.

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The Occasional Woman: Passing!

| Sep 4, 2017 | Reply

Every male who dresses up in feminine attire has individual needs to meet. Some want to blend in with the female population seamlessly. Others want to proudly put themselves out there in fashion forward looks that draw attention and have those nearby saying to their companions, “You mean that’s a man?” If your goal is to blend in, for whatever reason, then you won’t want to miss Lorraine Anderson’s Occasional Woman column today. She talks you through the biggest “tells” that make others suspect you are not what you appear to be. And we include a video on how to walk in high heels. What more could you want?

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Retro Rerun: Lips: Beautiful, Never Beastly

| Aug 28, 2017 | Reply

The year was 1996. Cindy Martin was the editor of TGForum. From time to time Cindy would post makeup tips to help the readers beautify themselves. Since her advice was good in 1996 and when it comes to basic lipstick application it’s still good today, we present Lips: Beautiful, Never Beastly as today’s Retro Rerun. Cindy outlines the basics on how to manipulate the way your lips appear and she fills you in on techniques that could work for you. Of course today’s lip trends aren’t covered in an article from 1996 but much of the information remains relevant.

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How To Instantly Look “Put Together”

| Aug 21, 2017 | Reply

Some women always seem to be “put together.” They seem perfectly styled as if they had a personal stylist come to their home and pick their outfit for the day. Of course some lucky ladies do have that service available to them but for those who don’t we offer the advice of our fashion maven, Tasi Zuriack. Today Tasi tells you how to achieve that “put together” look easily by picking items from your wardrobe and accessories that are always ready to make you fashion forward when there is not time to spend hours going through the closet looking for the exact right thing. Read on for Tasi’s secrets.

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2017 Fall Fashion Trends

| Jul 24, 2017 | Reply

Our fashion maven Tasi Zuriack spends her days wearing down her manicure by clicking from one fashion site to another in order to bring you the scoop on just what are the most on trend fashions to come out of the designer houses, and up from the streets. Today she focuses on the biggest fashion trends for Fall 2017. It’s almost upon us and the well dressed lady needs to know she can step out in style when September and October arrive. Everything from fishnets to hats, to ’70s retro and wide belts have shown up on the runways in Paris and New York. Tasi has all the hot style choices waiting for you.

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The Occasional Woman — Summer Fabrics

| Jul 10, 2017 | Reply

Fiber is not only good for you digestive system. In hot summer weather natural fiber clothing is more comfortable. Today Lorraine Anderson, head seamstress at The Occasional Woman custom clothing service, discusses the benefits of all natural fibers. The choices available include linen, cotton, silk, and hemp, among others. Each offers different properties but all of them, when used to create a summer frock, will help to keep you cool and dressed well.

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The Ubiquitous and Essential Cocktail Dress

| Jun 26, 2017 | Reply

The prince has invited you to a glittering cocktail party and all the “right people” will be there. What do you wear? A cocktail dress, of course! Or, maybe you just want to glam up your look for Saturday night at the trans friendly piano bar. The cocktail dress is also your friend in that situation. Tasi Zuriack, our fashion maven, has some suggestions on how to rock a cocktail dress for any occasion. From one shoulder looks to long sleeves, and of course the essential little black dress, Tasi has many ideas on how to add glam, enhance your figure with fashion, and be the darling of the cocktail party.

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The Occasional Woman: Undergarments

| Jun 19, 2017 | Reply

Wearing women’s clothing is something you have to teach yourself if you want to look comfortable and poised in a dress or separates. Even the best coordinated outfit, when you’ve done your best to match your shoes and handbag to the color of the tiny blue flowers in your floral print dress, will not look as nice as it should if you don’t have the proper foundation garments doing their job underneath your dress. Today Lorraine Anderson brings undergarments out into the open and gives you some ideas on what to wear.

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Behind the Fashion Code

| May 29, 2017 | Reply

Today our fashion maven Tasi Zuriack shares a secret passed down from the ancients that will transform fashion faux pas into fabulous fashion. It’s a hidden code that sets the rules that make the difference between dowdy and svelte. At the root of it is the Divine Proportion and that stands behind The Fashion Code. The Divine Proportion was used in the creation of the universe and rules all from galaxies to the Eiffel Tower, to the outfits in your closet when it’s implemented as The Fashion Code. Get this secret knowledge from Tasi and start transforming blah outfits into fun outfits.

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The Occasional Woman: Make Sure it Fits

| May 15, 2017 | Reply

So you found the perfect little floral print spring dress and it’s, heaven’s to Betsey, in your size. You love everything about it from the tiny flower pattern to the cut, and the flouncy skirt. And to make it even better it’s clearance priced! You take it home, without trying it on since using the changing room in the lady’s department makes you nervous, and learn that “little” is right. It’s too tight. Even though it is your size it’s either mislabelled or just “runs small.” Fit is very important. If you’re worried about popping buttons, or if you can’t raise your arms you’re won’t make a great impression. Today Lorraine Anderson talks about the importance of fit.

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2017 Fashion Trends I love

| May 1, 2017 | Reply

Our Fashion Mavin Tasi Zuriack talks about her favorite fashion trends for 2017. Tasi lives in Mexico and she talks about how the ladies in her city in the Yucatan are fashion forward and as such are a good indication of what the ladies in the USA will be wearing in the coming months. From ruffles to the slip dress, and from pink to platform shoes, Tasi previews it all in today’s column.

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The Occasional Woman — Spring & The ’50s Look

| Apr 17, 2017 | Reply

We leave winter behind and step into spring! And the fashions we wear are a step back — to the ’50s. Retro looks and feminine touches are all the rage and today Lorraine Anderson, head seamstress at The Occasional Woman, gives you ideas for how to be fun, floral and femme for the new season. Kitten heels, cinched waists, and full skirts decorated with floral prints will have you feeling all girly and glam.

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Advanced Style . . . Older and Wiser

| Apr 3, 2017 | Reply

Today Tasi Zuriack lauds the style of older women. After living through several decades of fashion older women have seen it all, and they have found their personal style. While today’s fashion trends seem to be shorter, tighter, and more casual, older women have often learned how to project their personal style in feminine ways that range from elegant to bohemian. Give Tasi’s post a read and get some tips from some fashionable and stylish older ladies.

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The Occasional Woman

| Mar 27, 2017 | Reply

Some members of the trans community, especially on the crossdressing end of the spectrum, love to dress sexy, or some would say slutty. That causes a bit of conflict with those who feel all trans folk should blend in with other ladies of their age in their surroundings. To be tastefully dressed and attractive as a woman is what they feel the goal to be. Today The Occasional Woman looks at the fashion mistakes a girl can make and cautions against them. This is not to say that you shouldn’t ever wear that extreme mini with those ten inch platform pumps. Just think a bit about the impression you intend to make on your audience. If you’re hoping to hear “Look at that sexy slut” then go for it. If you want advice on being sultry while sedate give this post a read.

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The Maxi Trend — Here To Stay

| Mar 6, 2017 | Reply

Looking for maximum fashion effect? You might want to think about adding a maxi skirt to your wardrobe. But, they’re so long. Can you wear a maxi and not look silly? Tasi Zuriack has the answers to all your questions concerning ways to work a maxi skirt into your style menu. From daytime, at work, to evenings out Tasi shows you how to make the maxi skirt look work for you.

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The Occasional Woman: Dressing for our Winter Spring

| Feb 20, 2017 | Reply

In the north east we are having an odd spring-in-the-middle-of-winter week. Temperatures will be in the area of 50 to 60 degrees F. all week long. No need for that long wool or down filled coat. Time to shave your legs and wear nude hose. You can forsake the warmth of heavy leggings, layered sweaters and fur lined boots for more spring-like attire. Lorraine Anderson, the seamstress who runs The Occasional Woman custom clothing service, says keep in mind — it will get cold again. So use this warm period to find clearance bargains on coats. And during the warmer week pick up a cool moto jacket. One of those motorcycle jackets that are fashionable and look great with a feminine flouncy skirt.

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Dressing Sexy Without Letting It All Hangout

| Feb 6, 2017 | Reply

It’s almost Valentine’s Day! That romantic holiday that fills restaurants with loving couples and makes the greeting card industry a healthy profit every February. What’s important to ladies is looking fabulous on this important holiday. The most fabulous color outfit you can wear is red. Red is “the” color of Valentine’s Day. But how do you wear it well? If you do it wrong a red dress can make you look cheap and tawdry. Fortunately our fashion maven, Tasi Zuriack, has all the tips you need on how to wear a fantastic red outfit for your Valentine’s Day excursions.

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Retro Rerun: Dressing to Suit Your Figure

| Jan 30, 2017 | Reply

This Retro Rerun is from the 1990s and was written by the late Roberta Angela Dee. Ms. Dee was TGF’s how-to diva and covered all aspects of feminine presentation. In this post she talks about dressing to suit your figure. What works on one body type won’t work on other body types. She guides you through how to find your body type and then makes suggestions of what styles will enhance your feminine presentation.

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The Occassional Woman — Let’s Go Shopping!

| Jan 23, 2017 | Reply

It’s the time of year when a woman’s thoughts turn to bargains. Lorraine Anderson is not only an accomplished seamstress and custom clothing creator, which she does under the business name The Occasional Woman, but she is an accomplished bargain shopper. Today, while devoted to the bargains spots to be found in her local Philadelphia area, she has tips on where to get great clothes at bargain prices. Some of the spots she mentions are in national chains and others are local thrift shops.

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Monochromatic Outfits for a New Sense of Style

| Jan 9, 2017 | Reply

Monochromatic outfits don’t have to be monotonous. That’s Tasi Zuriack’s thesis in this report on fashion. She tells you all the tips and style secrets that can help you put together an outfit that utilizes a pallet of shades of one color. Properly done and accessorized you can work one color and become a fashion star.

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The Occasional Woman — New Year’s Eve Sparkle

| Dec 26, 2016 | Reply

New Year’s Eve! It’s the one night you can throw caution to the winds and wear whatever outrageous sequined, sparkly, snake print, feathered outfit you want. It’s a celebration and the best way to celebrate is in those sparkling 4 inch heels, that skin tight red dress and a ton of zircons, or real diamonds if you’ve got ’em. Lorraine Anderson, woman in charge at The Occasional Woman sewing service, has some tips on how to rock that New Year’s Eve party.

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The Slip Extender – A New Way To Create Style

| Dec 12, 2016 | Reply

Have a dress or skirt that you love but it’s a bit too short to wear out and about? Fix your length problem and add a “pop of pretty” to the hemline with a lace, tulle or chiffon skirt extender under your dress or skirt. Today Tasi Zuriack, our fashion maven, tells you about the many ways to use these versatile and sexy garments.

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Retro Rerun: The Mechanics of Beauty

| Dec 5, 2016 | Reply

This “how to” TGForum Rerun appeared on TGF in 1998. It’s by the late Roberta Angela Dee whose advice on beauty remains sound in the 21st century. In this Rerun Roberta acts as a makeup advice columnist and answers common questions with simple makeup tips.

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