Retro Rack: February 2014

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Belts ~ It's What's for Your Waist - Part 1 Decorative by Gail Carriger

Decorative belts, my dear Fashionable Reader, are not a new thing. Here is a brief historical overview from Sophronia's time to today...

We begin with the bow, always a popular choice.

Bodice 1865-1866 Musée Galliera de la Mode de la Ville de Pari

How about one with a fringed bustle attachment?

1872 Godeys Aug 1872

Or something sparkly? Belt for lady, of black velvet, with jet ornament and chains in front.

1872 Godeys Sept 1872

A bit of everything?

1880 The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Something for Primrose in the Custard Protocol series...

1895 Afternoon Dress Whitaker Auction

After the turn of the century, decorative belts really had a bit of a revival.

1902 Augusta Auctions

via stylisharistocrat tumblr, Evening dress, House of Worth, c. 1902

1905-1908 Afternoon Dress Jean-Philippe Worth, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

This one is fun.

1930 Belt Cartier, Sotheby’s

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

quotes Gail likes

Goodreads Quotes

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Woudl You Go Two Months Without Buying Clothes? by Gail Carriger

Yes indeed, Fashionable Reader, you read that title right. Two whole months! Without meaning too, (because I did bring home 2 leather jackets, summarily rejected, and then returned) I have spent nothing on clothes in 2014. I broke my fast this weekend with a black sun hat, because I was away, intended a hike, and I already freckle beyond acceptable parameters.

Sonoma Hat Co. Black Ribbon Sun Hat, collapsible

It's sort of more like buying sunscreen, right? Nevertheless, this made me go check and realize that yes indeed I haven't bought clothing this year. How bizarre for me. I guess I made two more clothing-related New Year's goals without meaning to...

via FB

1. To spend less on objects and more on experiences with people I love. This is part of my ongoing effort to free up time for others. As much as I relish my life as a writer, and I feel fortunate to have this profession, it has rather eaten me from the inside out since 2009. My career has been nurtured enough for now, and it is time for me to gather in the other parts of life that are important.

2. To not buy any tops at all, knowing that next year I'll most likely be getting a reduction. After all, what is the point in buying when I know it won't fit in a year or so? And since tops are more necessary than bottoms in a wardrobe, and I have plenty of bottoms, I just haven't bought anything.

Hopeful Before & After: 1905-1907 The FIDM Museum; 1910 The Metropolitan Museum of Art

I did visit Target recently because my fashion spies reported in that they have a rainbow selection of skinny belts right now. I have a great love of the skinny belt. (Yes my belt series on this blog will continue soon.) But I had a careful list of the four I actually needed in my wardrobe (thank you StyleBook) and none of they ones they have were exactly right.

1872 Godeys Nov

However, if you are in the market, $15 will get you pretty much any color (except chocolate brown, emerald green, blush pink, and dove grey).

I walked out empty handed. You know, there a certain kind of power in that.

I wonder how long I can keep this non-spending habit up, especially with my trip to NY next week.

I am curious, amongst my fashionable readers, have any of you intentionally done a clothing fast? Unintentionally?

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

quotes Gail likes

Goodreads Quotes

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Then & Now ~ Scallop Edge

Then

1926 Evening Dress Coco Chanel The Chicago History Museum

Now

sue-wong-champagne-beaded-dress-with-scalloped-tiers-gold-$300

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

quotes Gail likes

Goodreads Quotes

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Then & Now ~ White & Black Gown

Then

1898-1900 Jean-Philippe Worth The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Now

emma_stone_red_carpet_polka_do

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

quotes Gail likes

Goodreads Quotes

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Then & Now ~ Sexy Wine Undergarments

Then

1876 The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Now

Lacy Bra

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

quotes Gail likes

Goodreads Quotes

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Book Outfits in Blue ~ German & French Covers of Soulless by Gail Carriger

Today, Fashionable Reader, I present for you clothing chosen to match one of my foriegn covers.

This is the French pocket paperback issue of Soulless utilizing the German cover. I started out ambivalent about these covers but they have grown on me. The color pallet is by far the best feature.

Here's what Alexia might actually wear of an evening:

1875 The Philadelphia Museum of Art

Here's what a real corset looks like from the time period (OK a little earlier)

1860s The Victoria & Albert Museum

Some some lovely stocking to go with:

1890 Stockings 1890s The Metropolitan Museum of Artblue

Here's something to wear over it all:

1885-1889 Evening Cape Emile Pingat, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Muff 1860 Musée Galliera de la Mode de la Ville de Paris

Here's something for winter visiting hours:

1880 The Los Angeles County Museum of Art

And here's something for Lord Akeldama to wear as he receives her call.

1800 French Court Suit, c. late 18th/early 19th century

He'd probably be deeply excited that they matched so well.

Some items in my own wardrobe I might wear to match this book:

Blue dress from J.C. Penny some 7 years ago, $40

Glass beaded necklace from Murano, Italy 1996

Lapis vintage 1950s necklace, gift

Matched earrings I found at a Thrift store

A favorite dress of mine, 1940's influenced, good stretch, $40

the original German cover

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

quotes Gail likes

Goodreads Quotes

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Then & Now ~ Beaded Black Gown

Then

1887 The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Almost Then

1920s The Frock

Now

Bottega Veneta corset dress at mytheresa.com

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

quotes Gail likes

Goodreads Quotes

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Gail Carriger in Blush at a Crutrat Tea 2014

So, last year, Fashionable Reader, I was poking about a thrift store looking for a piece for a Halloween costume when I found this dress instead:

At first I thought it was homemade but there is a label reading L. Rothschild San Francisco. Etsy listings and the look of the label suggest this is vintage but while the cut and style scream 1950s I think it might be 1980s or later. The company is now listed as suspended but it incorporated in 1981, and most of the clothing associated with the label has a definite 80s vibe.

Not this one, however.

1950s via goosberrye tumblr

Anyway, the dress fit me well enough and you know I love sleeved day dresses with pleated skirts. I liked the interesting button detail down the front as well. I wore it to the second of the Crudrat teas:

I paired it with black accessories. (Sorry about the lighting, my office is awful back-lit.) I'm wearing it with oxfords (modern from Marshall's $10 on sale, similar), a black bow belt (similar $5), a black beaded cardy (from Ross ages ago), and a black velvet hat (vintage gift). For accessories I have a lace mustache necklace, which I love, but never does hang straight, and some vintage typewriter key earrings, which I practically live in.

The image that inspired this look:

1890s Evening Dress Worth, The Mint Museum

I sort of love blush pink and black together. And I know I have to be careful because the pink is so close to flesh tone on me. I don't want to look all naked and stuff. But I have grown to love it.

1955 A Kelvinator Kitchen via rigerwikerson tumblr

1954 Fashion for Good Housekeeping via theniftyfifties tumblr

Of all my current characters, Primrose (in the Custard Protocol series) is the most likely to have blush gowns in her wardrobe. Thus here is a glimpse into that very wardrobe.