Retro Rack

I broke out the big guns for Teslacon this year, Fashionable Reader. Which is to say the red and black leather and brocade flasy corset. AKA the Class 5. You can read more about how it came to be in this blog post.


 Outfit breakdown...

• Fascinator with knit ladybug addition (similar $15)
• Ornate pendant necklace, gift from family friend (similar $9)
• Leaf earrings, gift from an ex (similar $10)
• Pen necklace, no longer available (eeek!) 
• Black chiffon wrap shirt (similar $20)
• Class 5 corset, bespoke from Dark Garden, style no longer exists, I'd say the Alexandra is most similar, with wide, tie cross back straps.
• RubyBlackbird corset buttons, no longer avaiable 
• Long bias cut maxi-skirt, thrifted (similar $15)

With a lovely reader who is portraying Queen Victorian as drawn in the Soulless Manga.

I really do love this corset, very eye catching and I always get a ton of complements.

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

You can shop my recommendations via the following lists:
Steampunk, Retro Jewelry, Makeup, Retro Clothes, Lifestyle

Product links on this blog are usually to Amazon using my associate code. At no additional cost to you this means I get a slight kick back if you make a purchase. Thank you! This allows me to continue to produce this blog without sponsors.

This is probubly the outfit I got the most complements on in person. The internet liked the polka dot one the best.

It works best in person, I think.

Outfit Breakdown

• Hair: silver turban - $7
• Earrings: tiny bottles - $10
• Necklace: lace with parasol details (gift from reader) - similar $9
• Broach: sparkle star (vintage) - similar $19
• Gloves: cream mesh - $16
• Skirt: raspberry pencil skirt (lots of colors, I'm wearing a size small) - $16
• Shrug: wine velvet - similar in satin $23
• Corset: Dark Garden Alyscia custom with princess straps - $2000 (here's a starter version for $26)
• Shoes: patchwork boots that I've had forever and are on their last legs (so to speak)
• Bag: champagne bottle clutch (designer, found at thrift store) - similar $36

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

You can shop my recommendations via the following lists:
Steampunk, Retro Jewelry, Makeup, Retro Clothes, Lifestyle

Product links on this blog are usually to Amazon using my associate code. At no additional cost to you this means I get a slight kick back if you make a purchase. Thank you! This allows me to continue to produce this blog without sponsors.

It's been a while since I've done one of these blog posts, partly because I haven't been shopping much recently.

Now I don't *think* there is anything wrong with me.

So here is what I haev added to my wardrobe over the past few months or so...

Why I got it? I've been looking to add a closed toed heel to my brown shoes collection for a while. This one isn't exactly vintage but it is super comfortable and has great tread for the rains and is both a wedge and a platform (two loves of mine). I wish it had come in black as well, as my favorite black platform booties died recently. I mourn them!

I added this beautiful cream silk and lace shirt to my steampunk costume collection. This one has the right cut and shape to go under one of my more difficult corsets, the Fancy.

The Fancy has double cross-back princess straps and is a bit of a challenge to find shirts for. The one you see pictured here is very warm and also on its last legs (or should I say arms?) so I have been trying to find a replacement. 

 A pinkish tan pearl strand (faux, I think, but very good quality). These I will like wear doubled up with on of my favorite steampunk necklaces as it's choker length. 

Jet choker. This one actually kind of goes with another jet set I already owned, the one I have is a longer tassel necklace that doesn't always work with my necklines so this will make a good substitute for dresses with higher necklines. And I love jet.

jet tassel set

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

You can shop my recommendations via the following lists:
Steampunk, Retro Jewelry, Makeup, Retro Clothes, Lifestyle

Product links on this blog are usually to Amazon using my associate code. At no additional cost to you this means I get a slight kick back if you make a purchase. Thank you! This allows me to continue to produce this blog without sponsors.

Without further ado, Fashionable Reader, here are the outfits I wore in 2017!


In Detroit, I went pretty low key and practical. I also was starting to test some of my clothes to see if I really wanted to keep them. Both this skirt and skirt have now gone on to new homes so this is the last time I wore them.


I love this outfit (although this is the cold weather variation). I'm really getting into steampunk pin-up as a look.


Resurrecting an old favorite dress and remembering how much I love it.


Changing up the way I wear my corsets now that I have the reduced rack and modified corsetry.


A new corset with an old dress, another one that I decided not to keep (the dress, not the corset).

Reminder! 

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

You can shop my recommendations via the following lists:
Steampunk, Retro Jewelry, Makeup, Retro Clothes, Lifestyle

Product links on this blog are usually to Amazon using my associate code. At no additional cost to you this means I get a slight kick back if you make a purchase. Thank you! This allows me to continue to produce this blog without sponsors.

My dear Fashionable Reader, for the first day of San Diego Comic Con I wore a hot pink 1930s style dress with a hand painted Dark Garden Corselette.


The dress I picked up from Max Azaria outlet mall store, years ago. I paired it with a Corselette (this is a curved variation in poplin designed to be a foundation garment) from Dark Garden. Since I now have a custom corset for my foundation garment, I decided to attack this one with metallic puffy paint, because I'm kinda like that.


I specifically went for a lightly 1930s design. Not sure I quite achieved that, but I think it looks rather nice. I might still futz with it a bit and I may put a design on the back too. We shall see. Knowing my limited free time these days, I'll likely just leave as is. I paired it with corset busk cover buttons from Ruby Blackbird.

What else am I wearing?

• Pink hair flower (similar $7) with added octopus broach $12.
• Some fantastic cat eye glasses I found on Amazon for $11.
• Vintage 1930s Deco costume earrings (similar Egyptian style $14)
• Long gold gloves (similar $6)
• Gold folding flats (similar $15)

Hope you liked it! Next up, what I wore on the second day of Comic Con!

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

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

Product links on this blog are usually to Amazon using my associate code. At no additional cost to you this means I gets a slight kick back if you make a purchase. Thank you! This allows me to continue to produce this blog without sponsors.

Perhaps I'm being inspired by Wonder Woman, I don't know for certain but I wore this outfit the last day of the convention.


I call this my circus corset, because it feels like I ought to be ring mistress in it. It's from Dark Garden (like all my others) and was a customized fabric Christmas special based on their corselette style. I wear it all the time. It's probably my most used steampunk corset because it travels so well and is so very comfortable.


Outfit Details:

* I'm wearing the Circus over a little white chiffon dress I picked up at Ross when I was going through a summer is hot Greek phase (similar $19).
* Wine velvet caplet meets shrug with flutter sleeves bought on sale from a fancy shop in some resort town over a decade ago (similar $40)
* Octopus on burgundy lace necklace & earring set made fro me by a fan (similar in black $11)
* Crochet octopus hair bob I got in Alaska last month, find similar here.
* Soft brand gold sandals with big flower, much beloved, no longer available


Sorry I got these shoes years ago and haven't seen ones like it or even similar. Also I really want a hair thing that's like that gold leather flower.

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

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

Product links on this blog are usually to Amazon using my associate code. At no additional cost to you this means I gets a slight kick back if you make a purchase. Thank you! This allows me to continue to produce this blog without sponsors.

For some reason this is a really hard outfit to get a good photo of, Gentle Reader. Probably all that cream.


I've worn it several times in various different iterations (I have a cream lace skirt with a train for indoor only events, and a beautiful brocade over-skirt REALLY for indoor only) but this is my travel lace skirt version.

Outfit Breakdown:

* Leather flower hairband with additional pearl decoration added by me (similar $10)
* Lacey shrug from Newport News a million years ago (similar only with more steampunk, so cute $6-11)
* Double breasted corset from Dark Garden, highly customized based off their classic Victorian style but super modified. Autumn would make you one similar but take this picture to show her. I also had her custom make me matching wrist corsets. Back when I was working for her as a lacer I started to get some carpel tunnel, these helped and were cute.
* Crochet neckline under blouse is vintage, here's one sort-of similar for $20
* Pearl vintage looking jewelry set, similar $19
* Necklace watch brass $8
* Long stretch lace skirt found at Ross or similar years ago, similar $19


I like to wear cream at steampunk events as lighter colors are less well represented.

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

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

Product links on this blog are usually to Amazon using my associate code. At no additional cost to you this means I gets a slight kick back if you make a purchase. Thank you! This allows me to continue to produce this blog without sponsors.

The second day of Steampunk Worlds Fair, Saturday, I wore this outfit...



So I have had this dress hanging around my closet for a while, Gentle Reader.

Here I am wearing it a few different ways in France four years ago. It hasn't been worn a great deal since then, to be fair. 

So because I thought it'd be hot, I busted it out the back of my closet to go with a foundation corset I have. 

Throwing a bit of shade there, in more ways than one. I swear I don't have indigestion or anything. Anyway, I'm not sure about it paired with the corset as it's not great in the boob arena, even with a killer bra. Always a concern with underbust corsets.


Outfit Rundown:
Disregarding the dress, purchased years ago at Nordstrom Rack, I'm wearing...
* Dark Garden Cupid corset which I mainly use and an undergarment.
* Cream glove, long, vintage cotton.
* Suspender nylon thigh highs for $15.
* Cream oxford wingtips (no longer available except in small sizes)


 For accessories I have a blush flower hairband (similar $7), lace necklace (custom made for me by a fan, similar for $9), necklace watch ($5), pen necklace (silver $20), and bottle earrings (similar $8) you can fill them with whatever you like.


Anyway, there it is, still not sure on keeping this dress. I suppose I'll see if I wear it again.

Hugs, my lovelies!

Your Miss Gail

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

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

Product links on this blog are usually to Amazon using my associate code. At no additional cost to you this means I gets a slight kick back if you make a purchase. Thank you! This allows me to continue to produce this blog without sponsors.

So I kind of channeled the ballet for my first outfit of Steampunk Worlds Fair.


The thing is when I was in New Jersey for this event a few years ago it was scorchingly hot so I pretty much pack steampunk light, or as light as I could go.



Of course it turned out to be rainy, windy, and overcast the entire time. Hence the reason I subbed in the high neck blouse rather than my original idea.

Ah, May.


Outfit breakdown: 
* That's a button front pussycat bow blouse worn with bow tied as a cravat (similar $24) and a vintage parasol pearl pin (gift from a fan).
* Dark Garden Alyscia corset in a custom fabric with cross back princess straps.
* Cream gloves
* Fluffy blush high-low chiffon ruffle skirt I picked up from Ross or something a few years ago, similar for $25 or this really cool fancy fluffy one for $40
* I'm in love with these suspender nylons for when I'm in corset, basically a lazy lady's thigh highs for $15. I've multiple pairs now. Now if they would only make a black back-seam version.
* Cream oxford wingtips (no longer available except in small sizes). You can google cream oxfords and see what you get but frankly I don't recommend this color shoe. And make certain, if you do invest to get one with PALE SOLES. Never buy a light colored shoe with a dark colored sole. Trust your Gail on this matter.
* Crochet teacake was a gift from a fan up in Portland years ago, I simply pin it to my head with a bunch of bobby pins.

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

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

Product links on this blog are usually to Amazon using my associate code. At no additional cost to you this means I gets a slight kick back if you make a purchase. Thank you! This allows me to continue to produce this blog without sponsors.