#retrorack

[gailcarriger]

Gail Carriger at DemiCon in Burgundy & a Pin Striped Corset by Dark Garden

Here I am at a recent event, DemiCon in Des Monies, Fashionable Reader.

I'm wearing a burgundy shirt that actually fits the rack perfectly (I know, crazy). It started life as a raspberry color but I dyed it. Now I question this choice, it would be more useful more pink, but that was a long time ago when I was in a goth phase and felt that raspberry was too girly for me.

I've paired it with my dark garden pin strip vest corset. This is an old one, probably about 15 years, but they still offer a version of it. It's called the Pointed Victorian with Straps, it has a full back and tiny pockets. I would recommend it for the smaller busted and those of a Madame Lefoux inclination, but honestly am not sure I would order again given the size of my chest. Although I do LOVE the full back.

Here's the best shot I have of the full outfit. I'm wearing it with a fish tail pin-stripe pencil skirt that is also an old favorite that I've had forever. And a pair of old Via Spiga spectators.

The turban I'm wearing can be found here for $11. It's one of my favorites because it's relatively light weight and not too hot.  

Tea kettle purse (behind my hand in the photo) is here for $60.

Sadly both the earrings (my MUCH beloved typewriter key ones) and the small black un-lined leather gloves died on this trip. I'm not too upset, it's the consequence of wearing and enjoying clothing, sometimes it dies on you. I might be able to fix the earrings but the gloves are gone. Time to start the hunt again. Finding unlined leather is kinda a beast.

And, that's it, hope you enjoyed this outfit.

Stay sharp!

Miss Gail

P.S. Here's two of my favorite book tie ins from DemiCon!

Security at DemiCon 30 as a BUR agent

Tea Scout from Chapter 42 with Timeless Banner

[gailcarriger]

Gail Carriger in Black 1940s Velvet with Red Accessories in San Francisco (Bonus Glove Length Terms)

Hello my fashionable darlings, been a while since I did an outfit post.

Here is what I wore to a speaking gig recently. This was a writer's conference in San Francisco. So It's local to me and I could wear stuff that I don't normally pack. Either because it takes up too much space, doesn't pack well, or isn't versatile.

This is what I chose. It was also relatively cold that day and I took into consideration that fact that I would be there a full day. Walking around a lot and also sitting on panels in chairs and stools.

The Outfit!

Top Down

Hat: 1950s red felt beret style fold felt number, vintage store

Earrings & Broach: 1980s costume jewelry augmented by me. The broach the earrings originally came with died as did the tassel dangling from the broach I'm wearings so I cannibalized the two broaches, which is why the metal doesn't match. I have considered hanging a Bumbersnoot from it instead. But I love those earrings and wear them all the time so having a matched broach is a GOOD thing. Thoughts?

Necklace: Obligatory pen necklace, sadly no longer available. I don't know what I will do if mine die.

Top: 1940s velvet. This is the top part of a vintage suit the bottom of which is a simple velvet pencil skirt. The skirt no longer fits but I can still fit the top (yeah boob surgery). I have had this piece since high school, for years it was what I wore to funerals. It has the best fold over and big button details but because it is velvet and velvet eats light it doesn't photograph very well.  I got it on Haight Street in the 90s.

Belt: Slim red one, modern, from Target years ago (similar $7) (although if I were going to buy it over I'd actually buy this one $10, because it has no metal components and is therefore more versatile).

Gloves: Classic not lined black leather 3/4 vintage, thirfted (similar $40).

Skirt: eShakti, yes it has pockets, I usually use this as an underskirt but I bought specifically because it also works as a day skirt.

Shoes: Modern, very low kitten heel patent almond-toe Mary Janes. Remarkably comfortable AND waterproof (similar $32)

Glove Lengths

Short: Ends at Base of Thumb (AKA drivers)

Wrist: About 2 inches from base of thumb

Classic: 4 to 6 inches, ending below the elbow (technically the ones I am wearing above as classics)

Elbow: Traditionally 8 inches from the base of the thumb. Recently, up to 12 will be defined as this length.

Opera:16 -23 inches from the base of the thumb to the upper arm, for a glove to be called "opera" it MUST GO OVER THE ELBOW

Unfortunately if you are shopping for gloves NO ONE obeys these codified descriptions. Sigh.

There you have it. Me in mostly black, not something I do often, but this outfit suited this event and people seemed to like it.