Category: Style

The Occasional Woman — Winter Accessories!

| Nov 28, 2016 | Reply

It’s time to think about your winter accessories and Lorraine Anderson has some suggestions that will brighten your outfit and your perception of the cold, dark winter nights. When stepping out in your black winter coat and black boots add some color with a scarf. Or brighten things up with colorful, or patterned gloves. There no need to be gloomy and gray when accessories that “pop” can save the day! Get some hints and tips on how to enhance your look this winter in today’s edition of The Occasional Woman.

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A Return to Elegance

| Nov 15, 2016 | Reply

Our fashion consultant Tasi Zuriack says it’s time for a return to elegance in fashion. Casual Friday has lead to a landslide of sweat pants, workout clothes and other less than elegant attire being seen on the streets and in the malls. But can you be feminine and elegant without being a wimp? True elegance commands a room and lets people know you are a woman to be reckoned with. Let Tasi give you her tips on how to work the look in today’s post.

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Winter is Coming. You Need a New Coat!

| Oct 31, 2016 | Reply

The weather has been changeable with warm days, almost like summer, and then cooler, rainy days. But the big change to solid fall and winter will be with us soon. Of course that means one thing. Coat shopping! Today Lorraine Anderson, head seamstress at The Occasional Woman, counsels color when choosing new autumn and winter outerwear. There’s nothing like a dash of color to brighten up a dreary winter day. Lorraine tells you what to look for on your coat quest.

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How To Be Super Sexy in a Pencil Skirt

| Oct 17, 2016 | Reply

Today Tasi sings the praises of the pencil skirt. It’s called that because it is a slim silhouette that fits tight at the waist, tight at the hips and tight at the knees. Okay, it’s a tight, sexy skirt and wearing it right can make you feel at your most attractive, sexy best. Tasi outlines the many types of pencil skirts that are available and gives you hints and tips on how to work one, or many more, into your wardrobe. There are also video demos and links to other articles on this versatile wardrobe piece.

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The Occasional Woman — It’s Fall! Stay Colorful

| Oct 3, 2016 | Reply

Some people feel that with the fall season comes a return to darker colors. They see black tights with brown and gray skirts and tops as appropriate for the season as the weather turns cold and damp. Lorraine Anderson, the woman behind The Occasional Woman custom clothing and alteration service says “Pshaw!” There’s no need, in her view, that fall clothes need to be drab clothes. A colorful top paired with a dark skirt and hose can lighten your mood as the chill winds of autumn blow. Give her fashion post a read and pick up some tips on how to stay bright in this darker season.

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The Bell Sleeve and Return to the ’70s

| Sep 19, 2016 | Reply

Our fashion maven, Tasi Zuriack, touts the adaptability and style of the bell sleeve. Whether on tops or dresses the bell sleeve adds a feminine boho touch to any outfit. With different accessories and fabrics they can work on anyone and go anywhere. Check out this primer on how to wear bell sleeves and look fabulous.

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The Occasional Woman — Better Check Twice

| Sep 5, 2016 | Reply

What’s the last thing you do before you leave the house? Check your lipstick? Make sure you have everything in your purse? Ascertain that your cat has food in its bowl? In showbiz when the actors are ready to go on the set to shoot their scene the hair, wardrobe and makeup people all take what’s called a “last look.” That’s an overall check to make sure everything is right. That’s what The Occasional Woman recommends you take a moment to do before you walk out the door for you next adventure en femme. It can save you some embarrassment.

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There Is No Joy in Mudville

| Aug 22, 2016 | Reply

Tasi Zuriack, our fashion guru, laments that the United States just isn’t a world leader anymore in the attire of its citizens. The malls are filled with people in t-shirts, ripped jeans, and flip flops or plastic shoes. And don’t even get her started about the kind of things you’ll see in a Walmart. According to Tasi this descent into fashion hell began in the 1960s and ’70s and by the ’90s all was lost. She feels it may be one reason that a well dressed crossdresser gets more attention at the mall. Her stylish outfit stands out from the drab ripped jeans and graphic t-shirt crowd. See if you agree.

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Forever Outfits Never Out of Style

| Jul 25, 2016 | Reply

Do you suffer from “closet stuffed with clothes and not a thing to wear” syndrome? It’s an affliction that can happen when you don’t stop to think how you will wear that cute new top or what to pair those chunky heels with. With the vast array of gorgeous femme fashion available in brick and mortar stores and online the temptation to buy every pretty thing you see can be overwhelming. Tasi Zuriack has a way to make sure you aren’t looking into the closet and being stymied about a choice of outfit. She suggests you remember the 9 timeless looks you can pick from quickly.

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How to Get a Glamorous Smokey Eye Look

| Jul 25, 2016 | Reply

By Jennifer Kurtz Come on, come on, turn the radio on, it’s Friday night and I won’t be long. Gotta do my hair, I put my makeup on, it’s Friday night and I won’t be long. Put my makeup on, ah Sia! What a beautiful song! Reminds me of the task at hand. How to […]

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The Occasional Woman — Color!

| Jul 18, 2016 | Reply

Lorraine Anderson counsels those who wish to be stylish, add some colors to your wardrobe! But don’t just toss on any color dress and head out. Different colors bring out different aspects of your natural coloring. Pinks can soften your look. Fuschia bring a vibrant touch. And we all know black can be slimming, but there’s no need to dress all in black to get that effect. Read on for Lorraine’s tip on adding color to your wardrobe.

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Wear Ruffles at Any Age

| Jun 27, 2016 | Reply

Ruffles! You may think that ruffled attire is strictly for the pre-teen set but, as Tasi Zuriack reveals, you would be wrong. More mature ladies can integrate ruffles into their wardrobe by following a few simple rules on when and where to ruffle. Find out where a ruffle is appropriate and flattering and where a ruffle can mean fashion disaster. Read on and learn the ruffle secrets from Tasi Zuriack.

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The Occasional Woman “Must-haves”

| Jun 13, 2016 | Reply

Oftentimes department stores send out lists of “must-have” items. If a lady wishes to stay trendy then she simply has to have the listed items in her wardrobe, and by some strange coincidence, those trendy items just happen to be on sale. Today Lorraine Anderson, the seamstress behind The Occasional Woman service, takes a look at a list of items you just can’t live without this summer. Or can you?

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Oh! Those Sparkling Sequins

| May 30, 2016 | Reply

Today our fashion maven, Tasi Zuriack, tells you how to add sparkle to your look anytime of day or night by adding sequins. But won’t sequins during the daytime be much too much? Not if you follow Tasi’s sage advice on how to put together an outfit with the proper balance of contrasting areas to sequined areas. Give her column a read and add some sparkle to your day.

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All About Necklaces

| May 2, 2016 | Reply

Have you seen a necklace in the store and loved it but when you brought it home and put it on it just didn’t seem to go with your look? There is an art to wearing the right necklace to compliment your face, body and outfit. Some women have this as an instinct and their necklaces are always perfection. If you’re not one of those lucky ladies Tasi Zuriack has some tips on how to use a scientific method and learn to look good and easily wear any necklace.

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Makeup, Makeovers & Mary Kay Ash

| Apr 25, 2016 | Reply

Everyone can benefit from a bit of makeup. The proper use of cosmetics can make a bland face look vibrant. A touch of lipstick, a hint of blush and a lady feels prepared to take on the world. Some women will not go out of the house without their eyeliner in place. And, on the other hand, over use or improper application of makeup on a trans woman can be a disaster. How does one learn the do’s and don’ts of makeup? Cate O’Malley has some tips.

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The Occasional Woman — Spring Fashion

| Apr 18, 2016 | Reply

Today Lorraine Anderson, owner and operator of the seamstress service The Occasional Woman, discusses whether or not you really, really need those “must have” fashion items that the stores and magazines say you can’t live without. Rompers? The “New Shorts”? Are they really as important as all that? Lorraine has some ideas on the subject.

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The Tulle Skirt — Not Just For the Young and Thin

| Apr 4, 2016 | Reply

Are you a woman of a certain age? Think you can’t wear a trendy tulle skirt? Why not? Fashion maven Tasi Zuriack believes that women of all ages can express themselves in the great variety of tulle skirts that can currently be found in your favorite store. Whether short, mid, or long length Tasi has recommendations on how to rock that tulle skirt without being mistaken for a ballerina or a bride.

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The Purse

| Mar 28, 2016 | Reply

You can tell a lot about a woman by looking at her purse. Some carry small bags with everything they need organized smartly. Others have gigantic shoulder bags with other bags stuffed inside. Some women always carry the same bag with every outfit, while others coordinate their bag’s style and color to the color scheme of their attire. Today Cate O’Malley takes on the topic of bags and puts forth the criteria she has arrived at after conducting exhaustive research on what constitutes a good purse. See if you agree.

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The Occasional Woman — Spring is in the Air

| Mar 21, 2016 | Reply

Spring is in the air and spring fashion is on lady’s minds. We all want to look stylish and many love to be on trend but are all the spring fashions right for everyone? Lorraine Anderson, seamstress from The Occasional Woman and fashion maven, has some thoughts on the matter. Find out what Lorraine recommends when it comes to designer trends like “cold shoulders” and “paper bag” waistlines.

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How To Flatter a Large Face

| Mar 7, 2016 | Reply

One problem for many males who wish to dress as females is the size of their facial features. Males typically have larger, wider faces than females. This is not to say that all females have small faces and petite features. Fortunately for males wishing to dress and comport themselves as ladies there are ladies who have larger faces so they can provide some insight into how one may camouflage a large face. Today Tasi Zuriack gives you several tried and true methods to help you use what you’ve got to good effect.

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Do You Have the Secret to Great Style?

| Feb 1, 2016 | Reply

It’s fairly obvious what constitutes fashion. It’s the designs, the clothing and accessories that make the woman. But what is “style”? That’s a concept that is a bit less concrete. It’s possible to wear thrift shop chic and have style. It’s equally possible to wear a designer suit and not have style. Today Tasi Zuriack writes about style and tells you about a Style Contest.

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The Occasional Woman: Makeup! Part 1

| Jan 25, 2016 | Reply

Today the head seamstress of The Occasional Woman, Lorraine Anderson, drops the subject of clothing to discuss something many of us could use help and advice about: makeup. It’s not that she’s an expert in the area of face decoration and enhancement. Far from it. Her usual makeup routine is basic and, routine. When she was a teen her paint was extreme. Now it’s minimal and she wants to learn how to do more, but not too much. Dip into cosmetics with her in this first of a two-parter on makeup.

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Accessories — the Secret to Stylish Dressing

| Jan 11, 2016 | Reply

They say clothes make the man but so often it’s accessories that define the woman. A basic outfit can be upscaled, cooled down or made sizzling hot with the proper accessories. Jewelry, scarves, shoes, hats, hair clips and pins are just some of the things you can do to take a basic outfit, like a little black dress, into new territory. Today Tasi Zuriack takes you on an exploratory journey into the land of accessories.

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The Iconic Red Dress – Sexy and Alluring for All Seasons

| Dec 14, 2015 | Reply

At holiday time you my want to be bold and stand out at the office party or an upscale event. In that case Tasi Zuriack recommends you go red. As Tasi says, “Every woman should own a bright red dress. The color red says ‘look at me!’ and ‘yes, I can’ or maybe even ‘yes I will.’ The color red sparks in us an enthusiasm and energy that increases the heartbeat and protects us from stress and fear.”

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The Occasional Woman — Holiday Glitz!

| Dec 14, 2015 | Reply

Happy holidays to one and all and may your holiday parties be glamorous and glittering! Today Lorraine Anderson, the woman behind the custom clothing business called The Occasional Woman, has some tips on what to wear to make the most festive impression and she has a few hints on how to do it on the cheap.

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