Retro Rack

Brown oxford wedge

cream silk and lace blouse

red velvet turban

Been wearing a lot of turbans recently and I like these velvet ones a lot. I also got this one in green. The bow isn't quite as big as pictured, but it is lovely, $6-8 depending on color.

More recently I hit up an antique store that was going out of business and picked up a few cuties that I really didn't need but couldn't resist...

green leather gloves

I just purged all my gloves. Yet I saw there hunter green leather ones and... had to have them. They are green. And leather. And have a button!

pear choker

jet choker

For my last Etiquette & Espionage event I wore a plaid dress over a blouse with Very Big Sleeves. 


This particular outfit has some steampunk notes and since the event was listed as a "Steampunk Reception" I thought I should nod in that direction. Normally, I use this blouse (1970s I think) for my Victorian recreation outfits, but I happened upon the idea of putting it under this pencil dress when watching How to Marry a Millionaire (for the millionth time).


Sorry I don't have a bigger screen shot. How to Marry a Millionaire is one of my favorite fashion movies of all time and I would like to own every outfit that each of the ladies wears. So good. Anyway where was I? Oh yes, plaid with steampunk touches.



Since it was a relatively cool day I paired the dress with a vintage fur wrap.


Sadly the poor wrap ripped during the course of the day so it's gone off to Goodwill. It's pretty near impossible to repair fur and certainly more effort than I have time for. Especially as I've owned this one for three years and only worn it 2x. I picked up this wrap from Bon Marche Thrift Store for $15, so I'm not too upset about the loss. I'll do a little blog to morn its passing shortly.


However, back to plaid. I've written on a number of occasions about my love affair with this fabric. I think it goes back to my goth roots. It's one of those patterns that bisects both the alternative scene and the tweed toffy country set. Tally ho the nightclub and all that.

It's funny but even though I have a whole lot of plaid already in my wardrobe it's something I gravitate to whenever I am out shopping. Plaid and and color red. I'm powerless to resist.


Hope you all have lovely plaid filled days!

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

I admit it, yes, I'm one of them. I'm one of those girls that always has cold hands. Always. This has resulted in a love affair with gloves.


The affair began when I moved to Ohio, persisted when I lived in England, escalated when I excavated in the Andes, and has never stopped.

Self at FenCon

My obsession has encompassed every material and type of glove from woolen mitties to fingerless lace to kid elbow length to satin opera gloves to plaid driving gloves.


Fortunately for me, I have rather small hands which means many vintage gloves fit me. Also freinds and family have learned of my love for gloves and so I have inherited many a particularly special pair. For example, of the ones above the red opera, and sage lace, and the cobalt are all from my grandmother from the 1920s. Also, I am less inclined to purge gloves as they take up so little room. And then my friends who knit get in on the action.

Here are some great shots from the runway on modern fingerless gloves.

It's amazing how the addition of gloves to an outfit can render it instantly punk, or retro, or ladylike, or edgy. I will say I tend to prefer lined leather for my everyday jaunts about town, cloth is so slippery.


The ones that seem to garner the most attention, however, are my little net gloves.  There is something about them that seems to be universally appealing.


You don't have to take my word for it, Tuppence Hapenny covers the same subject for those who are after vintage.


Of course, white is the classic choice. But they do get dirty easily, so tip number one, avoid white kid. It feels wonderful and wears great but is impossible to clean and very few professional cleaners know who to do properly it anymore.


You can go for the retro without being too vintage derivative by picking a glove color that doesn't perfectly match your purse, or by going for something that coordinates with the pattern of the outfit rather than fitting in perfectly.


But there are ways to make even your vintage gloves work with a modern street look too. Just plain old black works wonders in a high glamor context, but a pop of color can be ultra modern in a street chic look, see the catwalks this Fall and various style bloggers.

The other cool things about gloves is if you have boney little wrists (like me) that don't fit most bangles, puting the bracelet on over the glove makes it fit properly and not bruise your wrist bone!



How about a pair for Sophronia? She's my new main character in the Finishing School series.


And you know what the best thing is about gloves on the convention circuit? They protect you from Con Crud! It's fantastic. Of course, keeping a low intake of alcohol and sugar and getting plenty of rest are also helpful.