Retro Rack

So Etiquette & Espionage (my new YA book and the first in a four book series) launched into the world on Tuesday night. The organizers of the event said they woudl love it if I would wear something steampunk. I was left with a bit of a quandary. With Nova Albion around the corner, a local steampunk event thus allowing me to pack and wear ALL my favorite steampunk outfits and ALL their companion parasols (YES!!), I didn't want to wear one of those to this event. Too much repeat in too story a time. Plus I needed something I could drive in that was a little more casual. I'm rather chuffed with myself for concocting this outfit:



I started with my Fashioned By Flobért gold robe carriage dress (which might, more properly, be called a coach dress) with buttons all the way up the front.


The dress is stained and slightly faded, in a heavy satin. This makes it only suitable for low-light late evening events, and warm, and in ever great need of ironing. I bought it on sale for $10, it needed repairs and new buttons all up the front. I have a great source for vintage buttons in Petaluma and I sourced 32 abalone shell replacements for $10 plus narrowing every single button hole. It was quite the task. I do like the architectural details in the bodice. I'm now in possession of a nice wide belt, which I'll be wearing with it in future when it's not all steampunked. It did steampunk nicely though, didn't it?




It actually has a bit of a train, so the front hem is shorter than the back, which shows off the shoes and looks ever so slightly bustle-like with the waist cinch. It's very robe like, not surprising as it turns out Fashioned By Flobért was mainly a boudoir designer.

Similar styles:


I paired my Flobert with patchwork boots and long dark red vintage gloves inherited from my Grandmother.


I also wore this little octopus necklace. I like to have octopus on my person somewhere.


The hat from my Autumn steampunk outfit, and when I'm not facing a windy San Francisco night I susually perch it far forward on my head.



I was reminded of this recent photo shoot in Restoration Hardware.


Along with the accessories I wore my custom stripped Dark Garden pointed waist cinch as a Swiss Waist with Ruby Blackbird Corset buttons to make it look more belt like. I was drawing on this kind of thing for inspiration.



So there you have it! Another event, another outfit.


Before you ask, the waist cinch is 22" but I don't have it laced fully down.

Something in this vein for the characters?

For Professor Briathwope in Etiquette & Espionage:


For Ivy:

For Prudence:



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

Greetings Fashionable Reader!

Got these cute pearl beaded gloves at the same place I got that little cream lace hat. Again I think they are probably for a wedding. I find myself pretty much always in need of new little white gloves. My favorite net ones died after years of good service and since they are pretty much impossible to keep clean my solution is simply to have a vast collection. It's not like they take up much space, right?



You can see and read abotu all my other gloves here.

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

I recently returned from my annual pilgrimage to Santa Cruz. This ritual has to do with high school affections, graduate School memories, and a new romance with a wonderful B&B. It also has to do with vintage clothing.


Time was once that Down Town Santa Cruz boasted not only several excellent thrift stores but a veritable cornucopia of vintage shops. Sadly, Moon Zoom appears to be the last honest vintage hold over offering really good options (by which I mean before 1970 and nothing new retro) and the thrift stores have gone decidedly down hill ~ those that are left.


Still, Moon Zoom remains standing strong, and I showed photos of self in the I Mag black & green dress, because they might not remember me but they certainly remember that dress!


And then I waltzed out with several pairs of gloves and a pretty summery flowered number.


I also bought some long green opera gloves to go with said green and black dress for a different shop, and some new green shoes as well (from the infamous shoe store next to the hat shop). So cute and 1940s these are Chelsea Crew, a new brand for me.




I know, I know, such a risk trying something not Miz Mooz or Via Spiga. But they are green and I kind of have a thing for green.

I did try on these Miz Mooz in 7.5, which seem to be running true to size this season. (You never know with the Mooz.)



I loved them in blue but they will probably end up coming home with me in red. I'm going to need a replacement for my well loved and much worn Miz Mooz red pumps in the not too distant future. My old standbys are on their last legs ~ so to speak.


I will be sad to see them go to the great shoe store in the sky.

Anyway, so that's the loot from Santa Cruz.

• 1 dress I didn't need, but fit too beautifully to bypass
• 2 pair of gloves vital to replace
• 1 pair of gloves that I wanted
• 1 pair of gloves that were too cute to resist
• 1 pair of shoes I'll probably get my money out of

 Now, of course, I'm thinking about a new green blouse. Since I have the shoes . . .

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.