Retro Rack

While Etiquette & Espionage is officially not yet out, I was pleased to debut the cover of Curtsies & Conspiracies in my author blog today! As I have done for Etiquette & Espionage I thought I would do some fashion items that seems to match the book cover. Here we go!

 First let's start off with things from the past.

 Something for Sophronia's mother, perhaps?

1842 The Metropolitan Museum of Art

And an amazing broach to go with it:

1845  Doyle Auctions

Something for Sophronia herself to wear:

1850-1852 Evening Dress  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Something for Alexia to wear in the Parasol Protectorate books.

1874 Afternoon Dress  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

And something for underneath.

1884  The Chicago History Museum

Something for Prudence to wear in the Parasol Protectorate Abroad books.

1900s  The Goldstein Museum of Design

And to carry.

Fan  1900  The Philadelphia Museum of Art

And how about some pretty sparkles?

Boucheron Plume necklace

Harry Winston Skyscraper ring via Harry Winston on Facebook

Vhernier necklace at vhernier.it

Sapphire Ring  Tiffany & Co., 1920s-1930s   Lang Antiques

Willow Pattern Plate Set Necklace

The Rockefeller Sapphire via  Christie’s

Some Modern Looks

Roland Mouret Jarndyce Gown

And a peak at what Gail might wear to launch this next book!

Blue brocade shirt, made from an 80's dress.

Blue and white print dress & over jacket.

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

 I adore pussycat bow shirts. They have that lovely prim and proper yet slightly hot feel to them ~ very sexy librarian. I don't understand why anyone would have an objection to this kind of top, but apparently there are some who find them challenging.

Here I am at various events sporting the big bow.


One advantage of the pussycat? They draw attention up to the face and away from theRack, or so I like to pretend.

Here's my collection . . .


There are so many different ways to sport this look, from counter color to matched, from vintage to modern.


You can go knitted or as a gown, sleek and tiny or big and ultra retro.


If you are going to go for a blouse form and you are contending with the Rack, I suggest a knitwear version is your best option. Barring that, with autumn upon us, opt for layering your pussycat blouse under a fitted vest, cardy, or sleek blazer.

Technically, if the bow lies at the bottom of a v-neckline and isn't up high, it's called a tie-front blouse. But I tend to lump them all under pussycat. However, I think the tie-front is also a good option for the Rack, so long as the tie part falls above it, and not on it or bellow.

If you are going to opt for the flowy and filmy blouse style pussycat and you don't want to layer it make certain to choose the right options for your bottom half.


Unless you have a very short torso this means choosing bottoms that stop at the waist (no higher) and which are fitted in around the hips to counteract the blouse's poofiness. A pencil skirt, a-line skirt, or flattering formal trousers are all good options. You might consider tailoring your blouse in from bellow the chest down to cut the volume, also safety pinning it to your undies (yes, I said it) or tucking into your control-top nylons are valid options  ~ so long as no one is going to see you removing the outfit that night! And, so long as your bottom is indeed tight in at the waist (so nylons or undies don't show there).

I'd avoid more modern looks. Don't get me wrong, I love aspects of the above images: the small pattern purple with the black leather skirt and red shoe; the white blouse with the black bow; and the black and white pattern combo with the peach bow, but the cuts combos are flawed. We have what is referred to in fashion parlance as playing with volume. Those of us with a rack are already battling volume. I'm against a lady-like blouse with a full, ruffled, or bubble skirt. It's just a whole lot of puffy for one body to handle, unless a very skinny and tall body.

That said a ladylike blouse with a tough leather skirt? Very nice and edgy. Or black and white broken up by one pop of color? So chic.

There is also the side-tied pussycat to consider, if you are inclined to asymmetry.

And, of course, you can make one of your favorite collared blouses or suit jackets into a pussycat by simply adding a little ribbon.


You can aslo go pretty crazy with the pussycat bow, please resist the temptation.


When in doubt, opt for something in a single color pallet and more subtle, generally the bow does most of the fashion work for you.