Retro Rack: May 2015

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Gail Carriger's New Acquisitions ~ Blue & Cream

Been seeing and loving blue lately. I think this has to do with the weather. As the world heats up, I crave cool blue colors.

Miz Mooz

These Miz Mooz blue sandals were gifted to me by someone who has smaller feet and purchased these thinking they would fit her. They didn't, they fit me. So she gave them to me. Yes!

I rediscovered these stretch cream gloves when I was sorting through my costume closet. I liberated them from the Rococo outfit I rarely have reason to wear anymore and popped them in with my other event gloves. Nice to have a lightweight fancy pair for hot days.

Cream Crochet Gloves $20

Although I just spotted these ones which are awfully pretty and come in blue, black, and yellow. Warning on the net gloves: they tend to run smaller, I don't think of myself as having tiny hands (not like some of my friends) but they certainly aren't big. In modern times I wear small-medium gloves.

Blue and cream scarf with hedgehogs on it ~ gift

This was a birthday present from my bestest, she knows me well.

These two scarves were part of the New Zealand head scarf haul. I think I have most of the accessory bases covered now so you should expect to see me with a scarf over my curls more frequently now. It's so much easier than all that fuss.

Found this baby on Amazon and just loved it. It's small enough to travel well but still be a talking piece. Comes in a whole bunch of other colors, too, for $15.

Retro Rack is also on Facebook, where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.
You can also visit the following shopping lists: Travel Dork, My Steampunk, My Wardrobe.

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Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Gail Carriger's New Acquisitions ~ Red Red Red!

So despite the fact that I have been trying to be Very Good and not buy stuff, Fashionable Reader, what can I say? I am a consumer. It seems that I have been feeling the red recently.

Cotton pleated knee length red skirt. I got this because it could work double duty as both a petticoat and a skirt in its own right, and because it has pleats it'll pack well without too many wrinkles. I already have a red petticoat, so this replaces that item. I hope.

Draped red cardy. I've been digging the draped cardy for flights. I have two cashmere ones in grey, one heavy and one lightweight, but I wanted one additional lightweight one to round out the collection. I found this red one on consignment and couldn't resist.

I don't think of myself as a velvet blazer kind of girl. The one I found at Goodwill, however, has a bit of a fish tail, which makes it perfect for steampunk as well as everyday. I finally got rid of the leather blazer I've been holding onto while waiting for something similar to replace it. I have been hunting for a red jacket for a while, I hope this one fulfills all my needs.

I do already have red beads but this strand can be doubled as a choker, or worn single as a long necklace. It makes it a bit more versatile than my existing princess length beads, as it works with more necklines.

Finally rounding out my red accessory collection with a clutch! I have a day bag but nothing for evening because I really want something these days that can hold a cell phone and a few other items, and has a chain strap when needed. This one ticks all the boxes for a cool $12.

Burgundy head scarf. Got this in New Zealand, rounding out my head scarf collection with something that will also work with my steampunk stuff.

BCBG Plaid Maxi Skirt $31

I love a nice light weight maxi skirt in the summer, and this one appeals to my latent Goth tendencies. You know why I love a maxi skirt? Shaving. And I'll say no more about that.

Fashion Design Stylish High Quality Reusable Shower cap $8

I decided Grown Up Gails should have grown up shower caps, and not keep using the same sad thin ones they scoop from hotels. So I invested in this puppy. Love it. Comes in many other ridiculous girly patterns.

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

You can also visit the following shopping lists: Travel Dork, My Steampunk, My Wardrobe.

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Thursday, May 21, 2015

Gail Carriger Has Fashion Listicals

Because I have so much to do, of course, I decided it's vitally important that I make listicals on Amazon instead. I don't understand either, Fashionable Reader. I blame jet lag.

Anyway, there are a ton of book related lists, and then these three fashion-related ones:

Travel Dork
My Steampunk
My Wardrobe

The last is the one that may interest you the most. Now, if there is something in particular you would like to see on these lists, please do let me know? Unfortunately, clothing is not like books in that these things go out of stock much quicker and easier, but I will try to keep an eye on them.

In non list related life, here is:

An awesome thing to do with a big scarf. Turn it into a vest!
10 Years of Beauty in One Minute.
How to roll shirts/pants and make them easiest to pack. (I should say this is not my preferred rolling method, because of the wrinkles. Mine is all together in a larger roll, but this is cool for camping and such.)

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

You can also visit the following shopping lists: Travel Dork, My Steampunk, My Wardrobe.

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Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Steampunk Inspiration from Victorian Historical Clothing With Gail Carriger

I am off to the Steampunk World's Fair soon in New Jersey, so I thought this would be an apt time to give you some steampunk inspiration.

1790 Riding Habit The Victoria & Albert Museum

1890 Jacket Redfern, late 19th century-early 20th century The Goldstein Museum of Design

1900 Walking Dress The Metropolitan Museum of Art; 1902-1904 Dress Bon Marché, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

1908 The Metropolitan Museum of Art; 1910 Reception Dress Callot Soeurs, The Philadelphia Museum of Art

1914 Evening Dress Callot Soeurs, The Metropolitan Museum of Art; 1933 Golf Suit The Metropolitan Museum of Art

1940s Suit Lanvin The Kyoto Costume Institute

1988 Vivienne Westwood The Victoria & Albert Museum; Autumn_Winter 2007-2008 Vivienne Westwood IMA

For both your parasol and bumbershoot needs

Parasol case for iPhone

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

You can also visit the following shopping lists: Travel Dork, My Steampunk, My Wardrobe.

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Thursday, May 7, 2015

TV and the Rack ~ 5 Fashion Tips via Joan from Madmen from Gail Carriger

Here are some tricks, Fashionable Reader, that the costumer for Madmen is teaching us about how to dress for the Rack...

1. 3/4 Length Sleeves

I've made no secret of my love for this sleeve length. It's not always practical because of warmth, and it can make it hard to layer, but with a larger bust it is very flattering. The extra fabric in the sleeve draws attention away from all that extra fabric needed in the torso. Also, the slenderest part of most figures is the lower arm ~ show it off, I always say.

2. Leave the neck long and bare.

I don't often do events without a necklace, but looking at all the images in this post, I'm thinking I should opt for fancy earrings more often in the future.

3. If you must wear jewelry for day, go for a very simple long necklace and a matched brooch.

For some reason, despite the fact that I have them, I rarely remember to wear a broach although I do usually have my pen necklace on.

4. Embellish that neckline

Embellished necklines draw attention upwards to the face and away from the rack. Many of my dresses have embellished necklines for this exact reason.

5. Choose your neckline wisely

In the interest of foundation garments, you'll note that most of these dresses have a full coverage Rack, and then lean in favor of a particular set of necklines.