Then
1880 The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Now
Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Then & Now ~ Black Lace
Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Then & Now ~ Tiered Wedding Dresses
Then
1874 Wedding Dress The Cincinnati Art Museum
Now
Lace Tulle Band Cream Layer Cocktail Dress
Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Gail Carriger's French Outfits: Black Jacket
Since the weather was largely inclement while I was in France, by far the most ubiquitous item of clothing I wore was my raincoat. My mother bought this jacket for me many years ago over the holidays when we were in Calistoga.
It has a kind of bubble bottom of which I was mainly suspicious until I tried it on. I found I really like the 1950s feel of the length and cut, in France I basically lived in it.
It's the main alternative to my black rain cape.
Because of the bubble bottom I can carry my cross body back underneath the jacket without really upsetting the lines which makes it nice and secure for urban travel.
The other thing I wore all the time was my mustache scarf. I got mine from Marshalls or TJ Max but it's also online for $13 from Amazon. I love it, nice and big and nice and warm. Not sure the locals appreciated the irony, but I found my choice of accessory hilarious.
This exact coat is no longer available but here are a few alternatives I found online:
In other news I'm on the bra hunt again. I'm an exciting 30J-K (30H UK) which basically just means life sucks, there are only 3 major manufacturers open to me (Panache, Fantasie, Freya), I can't find a brick & mortar anywhere that stocks my size, and I'm getting very familiar with ordering online and returning. I hate this part. And before you mention Figleaves, I will never shop there again. I've also had a bad time with Breakout Bras. So I'm down the Herroom and a few others with nasty return policies. Nash.
Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.
Black bubble jacket c. $100 no longer avaable
It has a kind of bubble bottom of which I was mainly suspicious until I tried it on. I found I really like the 1950s feel of the length and cut, in France I basically lived in it.
1955 swimsuit, via pinterest
It's the main alternative to my black rain cape.
Because of the bubble bottom I can carry my cross body back underneath the jacket without really upsetting the lines which makes it nice and secure for urban travel.
Mustache Scarf TJ Max $15
The other thing I wore all the time was my mustache scarf. I got mine from Marshalls or TJ Max but it's also online for $13 from Amazon. I love it, nice and big and nice and warm. Not sure the locals appreciated the irony, but I found my choice of accessory hilarious.
This exact coat is no longer available but here are a few alternatives I found online:
In other news I'm on the bra hunt again. I'm an exciting 30J-K (30H UK) which basically just means life sucks, there are only 3 major manufacturers open to me (Panache, Fantasie, Freya), I can't find a brick & mortar anywhere that stocks my size, and I'm getting very familiar with ordering online and returning. I hate this part. And before you mention Figleaves, I will never shop there again. I've also had a bad time with Breakout Bras. So I'm down the Herroom and a few others with nasty return policies. Nash.
Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Gail Carriger's French Outfits: Black & Blush 20's Dress Variation
For the longest time I hated pink. And I am leery of blush because it is so close to my skin color. But recently, Fashionable Reader, I decided to fully embrace my girly side.
I've also blogged at length on my concerns with the 1920s frock and the curvy top heavy figure. So no one was more surprised than I when I bought this dress.
It's not vintage, but modern and I shelled out about $40 for it at Nordstrom Rack last spring. I have worn it non-stop since then. During the winter over tights, and in the summer with a big straw hat and sandals. It's just so easy, and sweet, and girly and ballet. It's the little girl dress I never worn as a little girl.
Eugénie haute couture 1948-1949, Willy Maywald photography
Blush because very popular last spring and has persisted since then. Like most soft reduced colors it can be challenging to wear, particularly for us brunettes.
But it's so sublimely romantic, I just can't let it go. Neither, it seems, can the designers.
For the trip to France I paired my blush dress with black for a more edgy grown up look. I wore it in the evening for a fancy dinner with knee-highs and heels. And then paired it during the day with a turban and flats.
The turban is because my hair just refused to behave that day. After almost two weeks of styling constantly it finally gave up, and I needed a break from the morning routine.
Lord Akeldama:
For Felicity:
For Prudence:
For Primrose:
And the cape to go with it:
You don't have to take my word for it, top fashion blogger Keiko Lynn wears blush and black better than I ever could. And here's someone decorating with blush.
Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.
I've also blogged at length on my concerns with the 1920s frock and the curvy top heavy figure. So no one was more surprised than I when I bought this dress.
My dress! I love it so.
It's not vintage, but modern and I shelled out about $40 for it at Nordstrom Rack last spring. I have worn it non-stop since then. During the winter over tights, and in the summer with a big straw hat and sandals. It's just so easy, and sweet, and girly and ballet. It's the little girl dress I never worn as a little girl.
Blush because very popular last spring and has persisted since then. Like most soft reduced colors it can be challenging to wear, particularly for us brunettes.
But it's so sublimely romantic, I just can't let it go. Neither, it seems, can the designers.
Ulyana Sergeenko S/S 2013
For the trip to France I paired my blush dress with black for a more edgy grown up look. I wore it in the evening for a fancy dinner with knee-highs and heels. And then paired it during the day with a turban and flats.
Evening outfit and the inspiration.
With black and layers for the daytime.
The turban is because my hair just refused to behave that day. After almost two weeks of styling constantly it finally gave up, and I needed a break from the morning routine.
Some ladylike blush looks from the runways...
Badgley Mischka via nymag.com S/S 2013; Bottega Veneta 2013
Chanel Couture 2012; Badgley Mischka via nymag.com
Some amazing blush accessories...
Reed Krakoff Leather, mesh feather sandals $695
Mugler Muglerette X Handbag $2,495 (yeah, riiiight)
Vintage pieces...
1906 Whitaker Auctions; 1924 Coco Chanel, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1925 Coco Chanel, Museum at FIT; 1927 Madeleine Vionnet, Metropolitan Museum of Art
1927-1928 Coco Chanel; 1929 both The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1937 Madeleine Vionnet ; 1945 Charles James both The Metropolitan Museum of Art
For the characters!
Lord Akeldama:
18th century Nasjonalmuseet for Kunst, Arketektur, og Design
For Felicity:
1876 The Metropolitan Museum of Art
For Prudence:
1881 Girl’s Dress The Los Angeles County Museum of Art
For Primrose:
1895 The Metropolitan Museum of Art
And the cape to go with it:
1897 Cape Jeanne Paquin The Museum at FIT
You don't have to take my word for it, top fashion blogger Keiko Lynn wears blush and black better than I ever could. And here's someone decorating with blush.
Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Gail Carriger's French Outfits: Brown Gingham Pencil Dress Variation
So the other pencil dress I took to France with me was my brown gingham. I love this dress. It just fits beautifully and the fabric is this great easy cotton. (By comparison: looking back over the photos of the flowered pencil and I think I'm
going to get rid of that one, it just isn't flattering over the Rack.)
I wore it layered over white with cream and peach accessories for St. Malo, and with balck at Epinal.
I am not one of those who thinks black and brown must be separated. I will also wear gold and silver together on occasion. Although that is more vintage regulation. To stay lookign very period I shoudl avoid black with this dress, but for packing reasons, black came out. I think the layering looked pretty cute, in the end.
I actually packed this dress because it is such a nice light cotton it's great in heat. Silly me, I thought it might be warm. Here's what it looks like on a hot day.
This is not a particularly popular color-pattern combination, I hunted about for some options for you without much success. Most of what I found was on etsy.
Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.
Paolo & I at St. Malo
I wore it layered over white with cream and peach accessories for St. Malo, and with balck at Epinal.
With and without the sweater at Epinal
I am not one of those who thinks black and brown must be separated. I will also wear gold and silver together on occasion. Although that is more vintage regulation. To stay lookign very period I shoudl avoid black with this dress, but for packing reasons, black came out. I think the layering looked pretty cute, in the end.
I actually packed this dress because it is such a nice light cotton it's great in heat. Silly me, I thought it might be warm. Here's what it looks like on a hot day.
Tea in Hayward
This is not a particularly popular color-pattern combination, I hunted about for some options for you without much success. Most of what I found was on etsy.
Vintage Options:
1950's Peasant Cut $30; 1950's Day Dress, M $56
1950s Day Dress Pleated Skirt $68; 1950s Day Dress Tiered Skirt M 40"bust (a steal at) $35
1960s rockabilly gingham dress $75; 1960s Button front Dress $31
Modern Options:
ModCloth Salty and Pepper Dress $70
Nina Ricci $1590; the Peggy Olsen dress it reminds me of
Something, perhaps for Sophronia's mother before the Finishing School Books:
Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.
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