Gail Carriegr in Tulsa in Black & Cream

Recently in Tulsa, only flying with carry on so I just took one vintage dress with multiple acessories. I went with black and cream because it's the most versatile.

So for the evening reception on the Friday I wore left hand side of the outfit board, and for the day spent teaching on Saturday I wore whats on the right hand side.

This is the little cashmere sweater I was so excited about finding at the last Alameda Vintage Fair. The evening bag is s new addition as well and worked perfectly for the event. The daytime outfit is a little frumpy. I blame the jacket. It's not vintage, I got it on Haight a while ago. It's a stiff waffle fabric and is alittle less fitted than I prefer. It has pockets, which is nice, and I like the single clasp, but I've been idly looking to replace it for a while now. With out the jacket looks a bit better.

All in all I was far more excited by the evening outfit than the day version, but they worked well enough for my needs and the layering was good given the inclement weather. I added my pale pink blanket coat to the mix whenever I was outside.

But the subject of this post is not pink, it's black and cream.

I also got some pretty Steampunk loot from Samantha of Bohemian Romance!

Now, here's some inspiration for you concerning the combination of black and cream. A little softer than black and white, a little more vintage looking. And, of course, cream and its derivatives (ivory, ecru, etc..) are often kinder to the complexion than white (or black, for that matter) so it's always a good idea to put it closest to your face. On the other hand, it can emphasize the Rack considerably, so scarves.

And now for the characters!

Of course, something for Ivy Hisslepenny from the Parasol Protectorate series. (The boxed set just went on sale!)

1875 Bonnet  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

And something for Sophronia in the Finishign School series. She's a fan of fans.

1620  The Victoria & Albert Museum

And something for Prudence in the Parasol Protectorate Abroad series.

1912-1915 Ensemble   The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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

Then & Now ~ Pumpkin Orange

In honor of Halloween approaching  . . .

Then

1860-1863  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Now

 Eva-Mendes-In-Prada-2012-Met-Gala

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

Then & Now ~ Black Hood

In honor of Halloween, Fashionable Reader, I give you, the creepy hood!

Then

Robe à l’anglaise, 1780 Kyoto Costume Institute

Boo!

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

Then & Now ~ Black & Mint

Then

1900s Evening Dress  The Minnesota Historical Society

Now

EVANS Clements Ribeiro Fall 2012 SWAN Collection

For Fun

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

Gail Carriger Lust Objects ~ Black & White

Is there anything more classic than black and white?  I do love it so. And it's been all over the runways for fall. Today, Fashionable Reader, a collection of lust worthy black and white outfits that I hope will inspire you to try this combination.

 1912-1913 Jean-Philippe Worth  Nasjonalmuseet for Kunst, Arketektur, og Design

And now something for the various characters!

Rue, who is often dressed by her adopted father, has a predilection for Worth gowns. Here's something he might insist she were of an evening. She does like long coats, like her blood father, for similar reasons.

 1900 Evening Coat  Jean-Philippe Worth  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

And to go underneath.

 1900s  The Minnesota Historical Society

Something for Primrose. Who patronizes various fashion houses, and likes a few more frills.

1900-1905  Visiting Dress  Jacques Doucet, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

And, as Halloween is just aroudn the corner, here's a option for a fun black and white outfit.

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

Then & Now ~ Red Crinoline

 Then

Cage Crinoline  1860-1865  The Victoria & Albert Museum

Now

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

Then & Now ~ Navy & White

Then

1872-1874  Half-Mourning Dress  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Almost Then

Now

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

Then & Now ~ Black Lace

Then

Evening Dress  Georges Doeuillet, 1910-1913  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Now

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

Then & Now ~ Cream Pinstripe Suit

Then

1911-1913  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Almost Then

Now

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

Gail Carriger at NCIBA in Black & Green

Friday I made a brief appearance at the NCIBA.  (That's the Northern California Independent Booksellers Association.) I was going to wear the marigold cocktail dress, but as it was the evening in San Francisco I thought it might be too cold. Then I thought I might wear the forest green drape dress, but I thought that might be too hot inside the event.

 So I ended up choosing the black with green roses cocktail number.

Paired it with black (or black and green) accessories and my Timeless pumps.

I was delighted to see some familiar faces, and to meet new people. Writing a YA book opens up all sorts of new bookstores to a girl, and that was truly exciting.

It turns out the forest green would not have been too hot, because it was quite cold in the NCIBA room (and later out in SF). But I do love this dress, so in the end I'm happy I wore it. After NCIBA I infiltrated SF in SF to meet up with Ken Scholes & Andrew Mayer for some writer schmoozing.

Sadly, the dress may have died the good death for this one last appearance. The zipper went as I was undressing later that night. I don't do zippers, I just don't. So I am passing it off to the Mum to see if she can perhaps fix it over the winter months. We shall see.

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