Retro Rack

Hello Fashionable Reader!

Here's my most recent event outfit. I went to Borderlands for their Mass Signing 20th Birthday Celebration!

(And then stayed for the Sponsor Social.)


The funny thing about this outfit is that I was having such a hard time deciding what to wear, I had Twitter vote on it.


Here's the break down of what they chose and how I put it together.


The velvet blouse is part of a 1940s suit (the skirt is no more). Like all black velvet, it photographs poorly, but it has tons of lovely little details like buttons and cuffs. You'll just have to trust me that they are there.

The bag, gloves and shoes are all modern but I bought them 10 years ago. The bag came from a thrift store, the shoes are aerosoles, and the gloves H&M.

However, still available are...

• The leopard turban ($8)
• The red pencil trumpet skirt (c. $40)
• The obligatory necklace pen ($20)

Next to the amazing Katherine Kerr (I was a little star struck).

I'm afraid, since it was at night, the light wasn't awesome

 
Finally here I am in my special Borderlands Sponsor sweatshirt...


Take a good hard look, this is the only time you will ever see Gail Carriger IN A HOODIE.

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.

For the first two stops of my Imprudence Book tour I wore my new red trumpet skirt. I know, the same skirt, 2x in a row! But you see, Fashionable Reader, 10 stops in 10 days, carry-on only, will limit even my choices of outfit, especially with the impossible heat.

Sorry I didn't note the source, but I think it was on Instagram.

with Valerie & Shannon (via Valerie on FB)

For both Texas events I wore my new red Power Broker- 30s Vintage Style Retro Double Button Skirt $30 (also comes in black). I own the size small (and I run size 4-6 on my lower half). It fits beautifully. This was its first major outing and it was GREAT. It travels like a dream, hardly any wrinkles (taking it into the steamy bathroom while I showered dealt with those). It also washed well out the other side (cold water delicate and a line dry and it looked as good as new).

For both events I paired it with a tiny red bow headband (modern, dying, can't find a good replacement but I'm thinking of something like this), red beaded necklace set (one is vintage the other modern, similar single strand $13, similar earrings $8, similar set $24), obligatory pen necklace (modern replica, $18), and a pair of Via Spiga suede sandals that I got about 10 years ago (no longer available, similar pumps $20-50).


In Houston I paired it with a stretch velvet 1940s style sleeveless top. This was originally a dress from Ross but I cannibalized it into a blouse and I wear it all the time. I adore it. It looks better in person.


In Austin I wore the red skirt with my cherry top. I got this one overseas, I want to say Germany or France, although I think it's a UK brand. Paid too much for it but I've certainly got my money's worth. Here's something in the same pattern if not cut, $34.



More tour outfits to come!

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.