Gail Carriger at Comic Con 2012 Outfits ~ Day One Blue & White

So, in case you hadn't guessed, Fashionable Reader, I enjoy standing out visually, but in a classy way, or course. Or as classy as I can possibly manage.  *insert snorting noise here*

Under circumstances such as San Diego Comic Con standing out is a challenge. There are amazing cospay ladies everywhere, from comic book characters to steampunk to cross overs between the two. There are also lost of shorts and logo t-shirts, wings and hats, and robotic attachments.

So what did I decide to do in order to be unique? Well, frankly, just dress the way I normally do. With the exception of Saturday day, when I wore a cool adaptation of my old favorite spoon steampunk outfit, I mostly just chose nice bright ladylike dresses.

I've been hunting down, expanding, and investing in some day dresses in light packable fabrics. And a good thing too, day dresses look much better with flats and we've already discussed that crisis. On Thursday I wore my new blue and cream dress, paired with cream accessories.

I wore it with the matched jacket, day hat and low key pearls for daytime.

And switched the jacket out for an evening muff, the hat for a flowered hairband, the purse for a clutch, and the daytime pearls for an evening set for that night.

I love blue & cream (or blue & white) together. It's an elegant color combination and I just don't have enough of it in my wardrobe. I always think of Wedgwood china and the like when I see it, which reminds me of tea, which is no bad thing.

This outfit packs beautifully. As ever, here are some other takes on this classic combo for your perusal, fashionable reader. Let us start with some great retro options.

 Dita-von-teese-westwood-louboutin; Dior 2011

 Monique-Lhuillier; Louise-Roe-Rebecca-Taylor

 stella_mccartney_resort

Here are links to a few up for purchase.

 Cream and flowers with sleeves;  sleeveless blue roses.

With a peplum and belt, so cute.

How about a few accessories?

Cornelia James blue leather driving gloves at corneliajames.com

For a modern take on this look I really love adding a touch of red. It remains ladylike but has a bit of an edge. Black tights can also work well, or simply choosing a dress that is a little more modern.

How about something for the characters to wear?

For Lord Akeldama . . .

1740 Waistcoat The Los Angeles County Museum of Art

For Monique in the Finishing School series . . .

1860 Wedding dress Metropolitan Museum of Art

For Alexia and Ivy in the Parasol Protectorate series . . .

1870 A blue dress circa from La Mode Illustree

Next up, another day dress at Comic Con! (You know you want one.) Until then I leave you with myself, manga Alexia, and a reader.

Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.