Retro Rack

Its happened again, but this time with feeling. Time for a closet purge.


My darling Fashionable Reader, can you believe it's been 10 years?

Well not in this exact blog but pretty much I've been talking about retro fashion and my love of it here on the interwebs for a decade.

And something has happened. I've changed shape.



I not going to shilly-shally around the point, I'm not precisely happy about this. However, I cannot expect to stay the same size that I was at university. I've become settled and I'm content with my life. But the life of being an author and is largely a stationary existence. I'm not tromping around the Andean Highlands anymore.

And I do love the occasional cream puff.

Perhaps more than occasional.

All these things have added up to a widening in certain areas. Not to mention the fact that I got a breast reduction several years ago. My shape, such as it is, has changed.



I am not going to substantially alter my lifestyle anytime soon. And even if I were, I am a believer in:

 never keeping clothing in one's wardrobe that doesn't fit. 

Quite apart from everything else, losing weight is an excuse to go shopping. And sometimes that makes it a motivation. Keeping too small clothing, on the other hand, is just depressing.

So accepting all these truths as self evident, I went through my closet recently and took a good long look at those dresses that really don't fit me anymore. Without too much surprise most of them are pencil dresses with no stretch to them.


Which leads me onto the next point:

I am also at a stage in my life where I want to change my style slightly. 

So I am shifting away from bodycon, tight, bombshell outfits towards things that are a little bit more relaxed and comfortable and that travel well.



I've been doing fewer events over the last couple of years, in an effort to protect my sanity and improve my production, but when I do travel it does tend to be greater distances which means the clothing that I have for events needs to pack well, not wrinkle, and pack small.

With all these restrictions in mind, here are a few of the items that I'm going to be getting rid of...

Black Velvet Jacket 1980s (1930s revival) CLAIMED

You have never seen me in this jacket because I've never worn it.

What? 
Beautiful black silk velvet swing jacket, with feather cuffs, 2 large velvet buttons at the top only.
Why?
It still fits. But it's still isn't right over the boobs. I thought if they were smaller it would look better, but it just isn't suitable for someone the my rack, the next owner needs to be less endowed and probubly taller too.

Has gone to a new home.

Grey Check Pencil Skirt (modern) CLAIMED

What?
Windowpane plaid, grey with teal stripe, fish tale kick pleats. BCBG size 4. (I originally owned 3 of this skirt in different patterns, this is the last one.) Modern materials, lines, has stretch.
Why?
Too tight in waist and hips, doesn't photo well, just never seem to wear it.

Claimed to a new home by my lovely Z.

Red & White Suit 1980s

What? 
Two piece cherry red suit with white birds, peplum top with button front, pleated fitted skirt, silk.
Why?

Too tight at waist, shirt is really for someone with a short waist and smaller boobs. Doesn't pack well.

Red Dotty Dress 1950s

1958 Red Pencild Button Front Dress

What?
Fitted and pleated red pencil dress with tan spots, silk, wonderful vintage seaming in neck and sleeves, matched belt. Satin wash poplin, no stretch.
Why? 

Too tight at hips, doesn't pack well.

Black & White Check Suit 1960s CLAIMED

What? 
Check sheath dress with matched crop jacket, skirt above the knee, flattering cut, bit of stretch.
Why? 

Too tight at hips and waist, too short for my taste.

Claimed to a new home by my lovely Z. 

The Pink Floral Maxi 1960s

What? 
Maxi dress with chiffon top with tiny pink bows and train, linen skirt with hand painted flowers. Probably bridesmaid. No stretch.
Why? 

Too tight in torso, requires assistance to get into, linen doesn't travel.

The Marigold Cocktail 1950s

What? 
Dupioni cocktail dress in a marigold color, low neckline, bra strap keeper, very flattering cut and seaming. No stretch.
Why? 

Too tight in shoulders and hips and sleeves, bit too long, needs someone taller than me with less broad shoulders.

I'm checking with local friends to see if they want 'em. If not then I'll probably consign them.

If you're super interested in buying any of them, you can ping me via my website calling card and Kelly and I will see what we can do for you. The usual warning about these being vintage.

I am sorry but it's too complicated to ship clothing overseas, given manifold troubles with customs and the high expense of postage, not to mention Kelly's time standing in line at the Post Office.

Be aware most of these are a size 2-4 and I'm 5'7" in flats and almost always wearing high heels.

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.

I've owned so many black pencil skirts over the years, Fashionable Reader. I would almost think it more a staple of my wardrobe than any other item of clothing.

My current one is the black pin strip fish tale. I think I picked up from Ross or the like. My only concern with it is that the waistband isn't really high enough for vintage.

Genius are evil quote shirt can be found here.

But everything else about it is so perfect I haven't yet been able or inclined to replace it. (I am always on the hunt for the perfect black pencil skirt.) It packs well, has a bit of stretch to it, has the ribbon detail and fish tale to give it something more.

Ellipsis shirt can be found here.

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.

It is a truth universally acknowledged, Fashionable Reader, that a lady in want of steampunk and warmth will struggle to pack lightly.


It wasn't as cold as I expected but it was cold. I'm wearing leggings and an undershirt and flat boots (because I didn't bother to pack any heels, I know, but it happens sometimes). 



From the top down I am wearing:

Black and red facinator from Amazon for $15 (lots of colors, packs well).


I actually added a knitted ladybug to the center. From a newly discovered crafter Borealis Baubles, more on her later.

Vintage gold costume earrings & necklace and the obligatory pen necklace $20.

That's a new lipstick I'm not sure about. CoverGirl Outlast All-Day Color & Lip Gloss, Richest Red $10.50. This is the base coat and then it has a darker gloss to go over it. I like long last lippy, and I like a glossy look, but as is always the issue is the gloss gets on everything - teeth, food, etc. So I'm not sure I'll keep up with this brand, but for a performance or special occasion it's a great option.



That's a little gold shrug I got on a whim from Ross for like $15 and wear all the darn time. I forget how useful a metallic neutral is. Similar $17-23. 

That's my Dark Garden Corset, the Class 5 custom with custom leather details.  Here's a costume alternative, for $35-$53:



I'm wearing it over a Max Studio silk cross over full sleeved blouse (similar $16).

And that's one of my favorite skirts, the Power Broker from Amazon c. $30.

I'm wearing some leather and suede black button gloves I picked up in Germany a few years and and my Pilner leather and suede gaiter riding boots $75. They're a few seasons old but there are some still out there. Also come in brown. I got mine at Nordstrom Rack.



 That's the first outfit round up. I've one more from this event and then a great look at a fantastic cosplay from Alaska.

Pip pip!

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.