Even More Tricks of the Trade by Carollyn Faith Olson

Even More Tricks of the Trade is the latest volume of Carollyn Faith Olson’s wonderful non-fiction series. Having taken us from the beginner’s stage in the first book, to issues of comfort and presentation in the second, she takes a broader approach here, offering a little something for everyone, regardless of where they are in their gender journey.

What is interesting about this third volume is that it opens with some rather philosophical thoughts on what it means to be a cross dresser. While I am not sure I agree with everything written here, the questions are well worth asking.

In Part One, Kathy Hamilton contributes a lovely piece on Cross Dressing in Public for The First Time that should be required reading; Carollyn’s piece on the Things Every Cross Dresser Needs To Emulate a Woman starts out simple, but is actually quite exhaustive; and Deedra Kay and Jamie Anne May offer some valuable observations on hair removal.

In Part Two, Lucille Sorella and Kathy Hamilton help highlight the struggles we have with hair (and how to make it work for us), while Emily Kate Warren, David Borrows, and Didi Gluck tackle the subject of lips and lipstick from a few different angles. Part Three is all about legs and shoes, with some great pieces on how to buy, wear, and walk like a girl, while Part Four gets into clothes with some my favorite pieces coming from Cynthia Nellis (Fashion Solutions For Your Body Type) and David Borrows (Common Corset Issues and How To Solve Them).

Of course, confidence, cosmetics, and clothes can only take you so far, so Part Five gets back to the issues of comfort and presentation from the second book, exploring how to best feel and look feminine. Not surprisingly, Lucille Sorella has some of the best pieces here, advising us how to look shorter, adjust out body movements, pitch our voices, and disguise the giveaway of an Adam’s apple. Part Six is kind of a collection of pieces that did not fit anywhere else, but Kathy Hamilton and Heidi Phox have some really useful things to say about gaffs and tucking, while Stephanie Shosta offers some advice on those social media posts we all regret.

While none of them are likely books you will sit and read cover-to-cover, all three Tricks of the Trade books are valuable resources to have available when you need some advice or have a question about something in particular. 

Reviewed by Sally