Retro Rack

I went through this massive purge recently, frankly I've changed shape quite a bit since my surgery and not everything fits well anymore. Plus I really just want to slim down my wardrobe, I have too much clothing. Some of these I haven't worn in several years.

Modern Made Retro Dresses

I got this dress from Nordstrom Rack, it's not vintage. I like it but the slip under is too short, it doesn't fit well in the waist and it's sleeveless (I'm not into sleeveless these days). I also already have a 1930s style dress in this color that I tend to reach for if I'm wanting bright pink.



This one also came from Rack years ago, here it is in a steampunk style. The sleeves are now too tight and I find it a bit too short for my taste. I requires a slip which negates any advantage on a hot day.  And I just have to admit blush isn't a super flattering color on my skin tone.


 Cream lace dress, another Rack find. It is easy to get on, travels well, and packs beautifully, but I just don't wear it. It's slightly the wrong length for my taste and it's sleeveless. Which I'm just moving away from.


This ruched black dress. It's great, it hides a million sins, it packs. But... it's a little black dress. I have too many already. This one is not quite stretchy enough to show off my waist and (say it with me) it's sleeveless.

Vintage Dresses

1960s vintage teal velvet last worn for the Waistcoats & Weaponry book tour. I love this dress, it's flattering on but without my epic Rack it's just too big. It's so well made with lining and tucks and such that it simply can't be taken in, either. Here's hoping some lovely size 8-10 finds it and falls in love.


1950s striped seersucker makes me very happy, and I love this material. But the dress has never really fit me well and now it's just gone all pear shaped. Or perhaps that's me? I just don't love it anymore. And it doesn't have pockets.


1970s knitted set, shirt & skirt, both are a nubby cream acrylic knit. I think I like the idea of knitted sets more than the execution. I thought this set would both be so versatile and serviceable but frankly, I barely wear either the top or the skirt. Too warm, slightly scratchy. I'm also getting rid of the purple blouse shown with the skirt of this set. The third picture is of me right before I bought it (I'm wearing it over other clothes) but still, see the former rack? Whoa.


This black and white skirt. Massive sentimental value and great memories and affection ~ ask me at a signing some time and I will tell you the story, but it doesn't fit right anymore. It's time to let it go.

Goodbye Eshakti

These dresses served me well and brilliantly, and opened my eyes to the joys of eShakti. But after my surgery they are just way too big in the chest and that's just an area it's impossible to easily tailor. So I pass them on in the hopes they go on to find an equally well endowed young lady who, I hope, will be surprised and delighted to find something that actually fits.

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.

So I have been into the trumpet/mermaid skirt recently, Fashionable Reader. Why? Because I liked the red outfit I wore at Gaslight Gathering so much. I figured it might behoove me to have more of this style skirt for away steampunk conventions. They go well with corsets and pack small.

Let the shopping trials commence.

Before we start, FYI: I'm a size 6.

First up, here is the one I have:


This one is listed as: The Power Broker- 30s Vintage Style Retro Double Button Skirt - USA Stock! in Small/Red and it is $30. The material is stretchy and relatively thick, I really love it. The buttons are sewn on well, there is a little black lace round the bottom and a back zipper. It also comes in black.


Because it would work with my accessorizes I went ahead and ordered (what I thought was) the same skirt in teal. However, this one is listed as VfEmage Women's Elegant High Waist Party Work Mermaid Bodycon Pencil Midi Skirt 120 BLU S 4/6 (size no longer available) for $24. Now this is listed as blue, it is absolutely teal. The Small 4/6 was way too small for me. Also the material was a great deal thinner (which gives nice movement), the zipper didn't go down as far, and the buttons not as well sewn on as my red version. Despite all of this I would have ordered the next size up but it's not offered.

Returned it.


I ordered the Partiss Women's Vintage High Waist Wear to Work Bodycon Mermaid Pencil Skirt $28 in Medium instead. It's a Chinese manufacture which means I can't make returns (it says you can but it's usually too expensive) so it's a risk, particularly on color. But the same skirt comes in white, and so if it works I have more future options. So I decided to take the risk.

It arrived in reasonable time. It's more blue than pictured, on the turquoise end of teal. The fabric is a soft cotton blend, slightly ribbed body-con. It's a tiny bit loose on me, but because of the fabric (which shows all sins) I don't mind that, although not sure how it will work with a corset. It's not nearly so flow-y as pictured above, looking a bit more like the skirt below with obvious hem seam. It's mid-calf (a bit longer then I like). It'll work for now, but it isn't nice enough for me to buy the white version.

I don't think it's worth the $28 price tag.


Next I ordered this Women's Vintage High Waist Wear to Work Skirts Wine Small $17. It's fine, fits well and very plain. I wanted something without black trim/buttons so I could wear it with my fancy corset. Unfortunately, it's better for the Spoon corset than the Fancy, which to say the color is more burgundy than raspberry (on the brown end rather than the pink end of the wine spectrum). It'll do for now and I'll keep an eye open for a pinker more special option going forward as I thrift hunt.



So there it is: one highly recommended, one difficult to deal with and lukewarm, and one recommended with reservations. 

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.