This Retro Rerun was written by Hebe Dotson in 1998. In it she lists 28 reasons why men dress up as women. All sorts of excuses to don femme attire have been used in real life and on film and TV. Hebe listed them in categories ranging from “forced to dress” to “dressing is fun.” Although Hebe’s TGF account is still active we have not heard from her in a long while so attempts to communicate with her through the site may not meet with success.
Our resident fashion consultant and seamstress Lorraine Anderson takes a look at the Fall Fashion Trends. It may seem strange to be talking about what to wear this fall but it’s only a few short months away. Lorraine tells you what’s big for fall, what’s supposed to be hot but is not, and how you can work elements of the trends into your wardrobe.
Today Katherine Diaz, our Columbian Correspondent, looks back briefly at the roots of drag as performance and part of street culture. As long as there have been different attire for the sexes there have been males who adopt feminine presentations to entertain, to express their own femininity, or to poke straight culture in the eye. And Katherine, as always, provides a video to go along with the blog.
Dina Amberle has cooked up another tasty column that is sure to satisfy. Today she mixes together a portion of trans kids knowing what they are, beats in the history of trans man husbands, sprinkles on a show from the Philippines that featured a beautiful trans character played by a cisgender man and let’s it all cool for awhile. Then she stirs it all together, seasons with some homely sexiness, and garnishes the plate with some hot glam punk from the ’80s.
With no recent adventures to recount for you, gentle readers, Julie Slowinsky, our part time princess, delves into her memories and tells the tale of her “business trip” to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2018. While the business portion was wrapped up fairly quickly Julie was let loose seeking fun every night. She found plenty of it in the Steel City and shares it all with you in today’s blog.
Today we dip into our TGForum Archives for another Retro Rerun. This one was written by TGF Contributor Diane Kaye back in 1998. Diane shared her research into which bras and panties work best for crossdressers who want comfort and the right amount of support.
Today Pauline Estelle imparts her wig wisdom. She gives her take on whether synthetic or human hair is right for your look and your budget. What style is most flattering and and how do you take care of your new hair are among the questions she answers. For some, growing their own hair is an option, but if your own hair has left the building your best bet is a wig. Pauline shares her thoughts on the subject in To Wig or Not to Wig, That is the Question.
Today we dip into the TGForum Archives for an article from 1996 by a significant other. Julie Freeman wrote about the necessity for crossdresser spouses or significant others to talk with their significant others concerning their need to dress up. And, to set boundaries. If the couple happen to wear the same size then is borrowing allowed? If they’re not the same size then who gets to buy a new dress first? See what advice Ms. Freeman offered in 1996.
Today Lorraine Anderson writes about the importance of the proper fashion accessories. In this particular time in history that means masks and gloves. It’s hard to be glam when you’re no longer alive so wearing a mask and gloves helps to make sure you have years of livng it up as a lady ahead of you, and it protects others as well. And, masks and gloves don’t need to be plain and boring. Gloves especially come in all sorts of designs. Masks can be playful or mysterious, or even give you a space alien look that’s sure to take people by surprise. See what The Occasional Woman advises on stayin’ alive.
Today I am going to write about what I think and feel, what I miss and long for. Today more than giving an opinion on some subject as I normally do, I will talk about myself. How in the blink of an eye our lives changed without realizing it, how we look back with nostalgia […]
Dina’s Diner is always a good place to stop. There’s never any restrictions on seating and no matter the size of the crowd you can always socially distance. And the proprietress, chef, and hostess, Dina Amberle, always has a fresh dish cooking in the back. No matter what your tastes run to Dina has something savory to satisfy. Today she offers up a few specials. There’s the controversy over former members of male teams who now identify as females competing with cisgender females. Then a compote of info on those who had show biz careers in one gender then transitioned to have more success as their true selves. She mixes in some protests of the peaceful kind, and offers up some thoughts on masking and thing swimsuits. Don’t miss Dina’s Diner!
With so much self-isolation time on her hands Linda is putting her mind to some of the deeper questions facing society. Why do people kill? How can we keep our plastic out of the oceans? Why is there such a drive to get an Earth colony on Mars? Why do crossdressers crossdress?
On June 14 in Chicago there was a protest march called Drag March. It brought together drag queens, kings, and everything in between as they lead a peaceful (non-violent) protest march in support of Black Lives Matter. One of those attending the march and showing her support for the cause was our crossdresser correspondent from Chicago, Miss Julie Slowinski.
Our correspondent in Columbia, Katherine Diaz, reports on how the drag entertainment scene in her city has changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As in many other areas what used to happen as a live performance inside a theater or nightclub is now to be found on YouTube, social media streams, and on people’s websites. As always Katherine has a video as well as her blog.
Pauline Estelle recognizes that we are all going through some tough times. She has one suggestion for how to make things more bearable. She suggests that we all get dressed up! And she provides a blue print for just how to celebrate in a glamorous manner in the isolation of your home.
We pick up Drag in Cinema in the year 2000 with the Ving Rhames made-for-TV movie Holiday Heart. The early years of the 21st century featured several films that show cases male actors adopting drag, from comedy drag like Big Momma’s House, to the more realistic female impersonation of Juwanna Man. And of course the problematic Sorority Boys. Join us for a walk down the history of drag in cinema for the early years of the 21st century.
Lorraine Anderson isn’t wasting her time isolating at home on foolishness like baking sourdough bread or watching everything streaming on NetFlix. Nope, Miss Anderson has a plan to dump the old wardrobe items she hasn’t worn in years and refurbish the really great items. The plan has been put into place on every floor of her house and it’s yielding items that need no work and fit perfectly, so she’s gaining wardrobe items that were taking up space in the attic and dumping out the things that no longer fit or need too much work with a needle and thread. Check out her plan in today’s edition of The Occasional Woman.
Dina Amberle has been on the kitchen at Dina’s Diner cooking up a passel of good brain food. Some of her ingredients in today’s fare includes a trans woman who went from wearing frilly clothes, heels and makeup to being comfortable with herself in no makeup and more androgynous clothes. Then she stirs in several paragraphs on the male geishas of Japan, blends in some dish on a man who gave up med school to make copies of all of Madonna’s video costumes so he could wear them, and spices it all up with the inspiration she found in What’s My Line? and an experiment that put men into women’s bathing suits. To savor the full taste and aroma of today’s dish you have to step into Dina’s Diner.
For eight chapters Mary Jo has pushed her husband Tom into feminizing and engaging in lady type activities. it all started when Tom found a number of cedar chests full of women’s clothing from the 1800s in a house on his parent’s property that he was renovating. No one remembers much about who used to live there and the place was empty for years, hiding the trove of dresses, corsets and shoes. Mary Jo was inspired to dress Tom in one of the gowns and soon he was growing his hair, having facials and getting his nails done. Today the tale of his transformation into Claire comes to a close. Or does it?
Two more isolated beauties to our Isolated Beauties feature. If you haven’t sent your photo yet, or if you have a different photo in another outfit send it along.
Given our Chicago correspondent’s home situation isolating at home has meant no feminine activities. She hasn’t put on makeup in three months and she fears that when she is finally able to paint and primp she may have forgotten how it’s done. To fight that feeling Julie has written her blog on her beautification process. If she can remember all the steps after three months she will stop worrying about losing the knowledge. And she posts a blog filled with her makeup tips!
Last October I went to Provincetown, Massachusetts with my friends, David and Jerry. No, because of David and Jerry. Provincetown, or Ptown, is a resort town all the way at the tip of Cape Cod. It is owned and operated largely by members of the LGBT community, and a well-known vacation spot for the nation’s […]
More Isolated Beauties photos have arrived and we bring them to you for your enjoyment. Why haven’t we posted your photo taken while you dress up in your favorite outfit while you isolate at home? There should be plenty of part time ladies, as well as trans women, who would like to share what they wish they were able to wear for travels out and about. Set up your tripod or take a selfie with your smart phone and share your fashion sense with everyone.
This month Lorraine Anderson talks about the advantages for male to female crossdressers presented by the new rules requiring masks. Could masks become a coveted fashion accessory? Anything can happen in the world of fashion! Lorraine also discusses how to wear your mask, the difference between mask styles, and reminds you that as the owner of a custom clothing business she can sew you a mask in any pattern you like.
With the pandemic disrupting our lives it’s hard to concentrate on what to wear while we isolate. Our correspondent from north of the border, Pauline Estelle, has some tips on how those of you who can indulge in femininity while in isolation can take advantage of the lack of interaction with your friends who may not know about your crossdressing to express yourself in the comfort of your home. And, she has hopes that some summer dressing will be able to happen and she has outfit recommendations for the warmer days ahead.
Katherine Diaz, our correspondent in Columbia, is, like all of us, adapting to a new world where meeting people face to face is no longer safe. To stay safe we’re all practicing social distancing and self isolation. Señorita Diaz is no different than all of us. Used to going out and showing off her beauty now she is in her home trying to learn how to use other options available through social media apps. Read how she is doing and view her latest video.
