Forties Flirty, Goth Version

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I honestly cannot remember where I found this fun satin top.  What I do remember is I thought is was so adorable I snatched it up, took it home and it sat in my closet unworn for, oh, around 10 years. I’m fine with a bare midriff, but this top was too extreme. Recently while I (yet again) pondered getting rid of it, I thought to pair it with this high-waist skirt that I’ve worn on this blog several times.

I was quite delighted by the 40s-50s feel this outfit has, back when the exposed midriff was always done minimally and well above the belly button (like this and this). It reminds me of an outfit Lana Turner wore in this legendary scene from The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946): although it’s totally different look, the subtle sexiness is similar.  Rita Haywaorth was known for this look, too.

Check out this image of a vintage 40s sewing pattern with a very similar outfit to mine (but in green).  I was so excited when I found this image.  I was totally channeling the 40s when I put this look together!  :)

My new shoes are satin platforms by Pleaser with a super-long ribbon wrapped around the ankle. I think these are a perfect match for this flirty skirt. I only bought these because when I ordered the Demonia Victorian lace knee-high boots I only had to spend $20 more to get free shipping. So it was like getting these shoes for half price! :) I was craving a different texture from my usual patent shoes, yet the non-patent “leather look” doesn't really go with my style, so these were the perfect solution.

Monthly Homework Assignment for December: Comfort and Joy!

Today is Le Professeur Gothique's Monthly Homework Assignment. This month, she has charged us with blogging about something that brings us Comfort and Joy.

I wanted to keep this post on-topic for a fashion blog, but didn't have time to do what I had planned over the weekend. However, I still wanted to participate, so instead of a fashion-related post I present to you some interior decorating!

My greatest dream throughout my life was always to own my own house. When we finally bought the home of our dreams just over two years ago, Mr. Kitty and I wanted decor that was extremely elegant, dark, and reminiscent of the Victorian era without being a full-on Victorian reproduction. We wanted abundant details and texture. Most of all, we wanted something that would make our home feel like the most wonderful place we could possibly be. It's still a work in progress (I'm dying for crown molding, which we plan to tackle in January).

I chose to feature this room for the Comfort and Joy theme because our home is our sanctuary. We are extremely busy and don't get a lot of time to just relax, but when we do, this room is my favorite place to spend time. Snuggling on the antique couch (which desperately needs re-upholstered) with Mr. Kitty, Perseus and Prometheus, surrounded by tidy elegance is the greatest comfort and joy in the world!

Decorating this room has been a challenge, thanks to the modern style of the house. We're actually not fans of today's popular features such as bullnose corners, can lights and open floorplans. We've done our best to minimize those aspects in various ways, such as covering the pony wall with lush houseplants (see below) to help separate the dining room a bit and replacing some of the can lights with more traditional fixtures. We replaced all of the chrome doorknobs with new knobs in an oil-rubbed bronze finish. Thankfully, the entire downstairs had already been upgraded to laminate flooring by the previous owners. Laminate flooring is so elegant and clean: a much better option than carpet for pet owners.

Now, to get this post back on-topic: I got a new pair of slippers at Bed, Bath and Beyond last weekend.  Don't you love those 20% off coupons that always come in the mail?  So, how do slippers earn a mention on a Gothic fashion blog?  Well, these Dearfoams slippers were pretty boring, except for the fun velvety lining, until I went to work embellishing them.  No tutorial, because all I did was take a couple of ribbon bows (purchased pre-made from eBay for pennies each!) and sheer ribbon rosettes (also pre-made from eBay) and stitched them on.  Now they are the cutest slippers ever, and SO comfortable.  Just what I need to help me relax in comfort and joy!

What brings you the greatest comfort and joy? Write a post about it, then submit it over at Le Professeur Gothique!

Neo-Victorian Lace-Covered Boots

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In looking at everyone’s posts for my amazingly popular boots theme back in September, I ended up perusing a lot of boot Web sites. In the process, I saw at least a dozen pairs that I really would have liked to own, but this style from Demonia stuck out. I resisted buying them until October, which I think demonstrates remarkable self-control. ;) I ordered these from Sinister Soles because they had the best price, and I must say their service was fabulous. They offered free shipping with any purchase over $100, and the boots (plus another pair of heels to get me to the $100 mark) arrived in only TWO days.

I’ve had bad experiences buying boots online. Even if they are true to size and actually fit in the foot, they tend to be too wide around the calf for my slim legs. I think I held my breath from the time I ordered these until they arrived, and was SO relieved to find these are a perfect fit from top to bottom. The only thing I don’t like is that little skull and crossbone guy on the bow. I’m not into skulls of any kind, and this one isn’t even cool looking (he actually looks like he’s laughing). He’s firmly riveted on, so I’m still trying to think of a way to get rid of him without destroying the bows.

I wasn’t sure how to style these for work, so I pulled out a burgundy velveteen blazer from Wet Seal and a fit and flare skirt, plus my black heart pendant for added Victorian romance. This combination resulted in several compliments from coworkers, and I felt pretty cute all day.

Mild, for a Club Outfit ;)

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At the risk of being a teeny bit risque, I decided to go ahead and post this ensemble. While it will probably make my grandmother blush, it really is downright modest for a club outfit. It's about as daring as I go, personally, but if you've been to nightclubs of ANY genre, not just Goth, you know what I mean. In fact, I've been (reluctantly) dragged to a few “normal people” clubs in my day and they actually get a lot worse than the most scantily-clad Goth club patron, IMO. But I digress...

I like this look because it's sexy but still classy. Mr. Kitty loved it too, for obvious reasons. An important factor in maintaining class and dignity while pushing the boundaries aesthetically in terms of sexuality is carrying yourself with dignity. I believe that if your behavior is elegant and sophisticated, you can get away with some slightly overt sexiness without coming across as trashy. Also, the key is giving just a hint, rather than putting it everything you've got out there for the world to see. A little hint can show confidence; any more than that is more likely to be misinterpreted. However, I still probably wouldn't wear something like this without a male companion at my side, as it could attract unwanted attention. (NOTE: I wrote this post several weeks ago, but it happens to tie in with a very recent post by Domesticated on Revealing Clothes, Unwanted Attention and Safety that is worth a read! I especially agree with her comments regarding alcohol consumption!)

As long as we're going for glamor with just a bit of va-va-voom, this felt like the perfect opportunity to take one of Hexotica's lovely Gothic Burlesque creations out on the town. This Ravishing Ruffles satin rose choker (also featured in my Hat Theme post) makes me feel downright lovely. I just know that's what everyone was staring at when I was out on the dance floor. ;) She makes a matching cuff bracelet, which I'm pretty sure I can't live without. I'll be ordering one very soon so this choker will have a little friend.

Corduroy Blazer and Back-Seam Hosiery

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I bought this blazer years ago at a random little clothing shop in North Hollywood. You heard me right; it's corduroy. I don't like corduroy when it's the typical 70s throwback style, but this one is made from very tiny micro-corduroy lines. It looks a bit like velvet but without the sheen.

The fancy blouse you see is really just a silk scarf which I tied into a bow. I wore a white t-shirt underneath and used Fashion Tape to keep the trailing ends of the scarf tacked to the neckline of the shirt so the shirt doesn't show. The brooch was $2.99 at Michael's. It's very cheap and will probably start to lose rhinestones within a few wearings, but at that price it's worth just enjoying for a short time. The lace pencil skirt is from Target.

I finally found a high-quality brand of back-seam hosiery, which happened to be right under my nose the whole time. You might remember my disappointment in the pricey Frederick's back-seam stockings due to their pathetic quality. Last time I was stocking up (no pun intended) on fishnets and sheer stockings on the Hue Web site, it dawned on me to check whether they offer a back-seam variety. They do! But only in pantyhose, not stockings. I promptly ordered a pair, and am delighted to announce that they are the same smooth, sleek, luxurious quality as the rest of the Hue line.

However, I'm going to indulge in a little rant here. Not about Hue, but about pantyhose (the ones that go up to your waist) versus stockings (thigh-highs). You see, I wear stockings 95% of the time. Even most of my opaque tights get converted into stockings via my sewing machine (I cut off the legs and sew on the old lace bands from retired sheer stockings [this only works with heavy tights, not sheer pantyhose]). Not only are stockings infinitely more comfortable (as long as they fit properly), but they last longer too.

First, let's address the comfort factor. A well-fitting band around the thigh that doesn't squeeze or slip is totally undetectable by the wearer throughout the day. Whether they have the stay-up rubber stuff in them or require garters, I can wear stockings for 12+ hours easily without even realizing they are there. Pantyhose, on the other hand, invariably have a too-tight waistband that pinches and binds and causes unnecessary lumpiness, even on a ridiculously tiny person like me. Make them “control top” as most of them seem to be these days, and let's just make the binding and lumpiness worse!

Now, let's move on to the issue of durability. Okay, all sheer hosiery are going to be quite delicate. With stockings, at least you only have to put them on once and they stay put for the day (again, assuming they fit correctly). Unless your legs come into contact with some nefarious object that they shouldn't be coming into contact with, they don't stand any risk of sustaining damage once they are in place. With pantyhose, you've gotta deal with them all day long every time you go “down the hall” (That's what we call it at work. The ladies in my office used to constantly announce “I'm going pee” until I made them stop 10 years ago. Dignity, please!) So, __(insert however many times you go “down the hall” in an average day here)__ times per day you have to tug your pantyhose around and rearrange them. Each time, you risk snagging them with your rings or putting a fingernail right through them. I'm lucky if I can wear a pair of pantyhose twice without ruining them. And once one leg has a run, the whole pair is trash (yeah, I've heard the tip about cutting the bad legs off of two pairs, but then we have TWO binding waistbands to contend with).

I do realize that some women find pantyhose more comfortable than stockings, so my message is this: To all the hosiery manufacturers of the world, please please offer all of your hosiery selections in both stocking and pantyhose versions, so us ladies can choose what is most comfortable to each of us without having to sacrifice style or quality.

I promise to return to my regular non-ranting self for my next post, when I can assure you I'll be wearing a nice, comfy pair of thigh-highs. Thanks for listening. :)

Where do you stand on the Pantyhose versus Stockings issue?

Thankful for Lace

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For Thanksgiving, I wanted to wear something that was sleek and classy, but comfortable enough for a TON of cooking (and cool enough for a very hot kitchen). Flowy sleeves are never a good idea while using the oven, and long sleeves of any kind are just too hot when the oven, toaster oven and two or more burners are going at once. I knew this short-sleeve blazer with ruched details would be perfect.

To tie in the romantic element, I used my tiered lace skirt from Spiegel. I had my heart set on wearing the cute blazer, but wanted to make this NOT look so much like a corp Goth outfit. I succeeded, because for work I rarely pair a blazer with a long, flowing skirt. I love the look, so it’s perfect for non-work days, along with lace armwarmers and a big flowery cross I’ve had since high school (both of which are also non-work pieces).  The giant chiffon hair flower is from Forever 21.  And to tie in the totally impractical element, I wore my point-toe Pleaser platform stilettos!

What did you wear for Thanksgiving? Was it an excuse to make a fashion statement, or did you just dress comfy for power-eating? ;-D

December 1 Theme: Outerwear

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I’ve mentioned before that I rarely buy anything from Bebe that is not majorly on sale, and this lace trench coat was no exception. I first spotted it a couple of years ago while wandering around the Bebe at Hollywood and Highland, but upon seeing the $285 price tag I just laughed (and cried a little) and walked away. It never really left my head, so I fatefully decided to check the Bebe Web site a good two months later and found it on sale. More than 50% off! Plus I had accumulated a bunch of points that I always forgot to use, so I saved a bundle on this baby. Most surprising of all was the fact that they actually had my size in stock. Normally when online sales occur, there is not an XS to be found anywhere.

The main reason this jacket isn’t worth $285 is the fact that you can’t wear it when it’s warm, and you can’t wear it when it’s cold. It’s completely unlined, so it must be paired with just the right long-sleeve top or sweater underneath. It also can’t be worn with anything too interesting underneath, or the shapes compete through the lace. So that leaves this plain black jersey knit mock turtleneck: nothing else in my wardrobe really works. It seems there are only a few days a year when the temperature is just right for this combination. I suppose I could add a cardigan over the turtleneck for colder days, but then I would have to be sure I never had to remove the jacket at any point.

As it turned out, the weather was manic the day I wore this for errands and shopping, so I froze half the time and was roasting the other half. I think I was only “just right” for about an hour. But I looked amazing, so I didn’t care.

Although this jacket doesn’t work with too many different tops, it looks great with a variety of skirts as well as pants.

My favorite skirt pairing for this jacket is a fishtail style from Newport News, featured on my blog last spring. A pencil skirt looks great with the jacket, too.

I also picked up my new glasses the day I wore this outfit. My vision hasn’t changed in over 15 years but I still get new frames every couple of years just for entertainment. This time, I went with the silver and black tiger stripes because they reminded me of Perseus and Prometheus.

Not sure if I like the shape of the new glasses, as these are bigger and bolder than my old pair, but Mr. Kitty loves them and compliments them endlessly, so I know they will grow on me when I get used to them.

Want to participate in this month's theme?

Now it's your turn! You know what to do (or if you don't, check out the full details). :)

1. Add the Monthly Theme icon to your blog post (copy the code below and paste into your post using the Edit HTML feature):
   
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