Red & Black Week: The Grand Finale

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I’ve truly been enjoying Red & Black Week. I really appreciate all of the wonderful contributions that have been made by my readers! I want you to know that I have read each and every post and will be sure to comment on them all. I haven't had time to reply to all of your nice comments on my posts, but I do deeply appreciate them. Thank you all for making this a fabulous week!!

As my grand finale for the week, I present to you a club outfit featuring my very favorite necklace. Think you’ve seen it here before? Not quite. :) I actually have a black one that is identical, whereas this one is deep crimson. Both are incredibly well made from glass beads, and both were purchased at Necromance on Melrose Blvd several years ago.

You might also recognize this corset. This is a Frederick’s piece. I have to say; I don’t even consider Frederick’s corsets to be worthy of the term “corset” since they all have plastic boning. They absolutely cannot be used for waist reduction at all. When cinched, plastic boning will just bend, bulge and warp, getting worse and worse the longer it is worn. The only way I achieved this lovely silhouette was by wearing a Gallery Serpentine underbust corset beneath the Frederick’s corset.

So why do I own it if it’s not good quality? I have purchased this particular style in three colors because it is a VERY inexpensive way to add variety to one’s wardrobe. I can only buy so many high-quality steel-boned corsets at $200 apiece! Plus there are certain colors that I don’t wear often enough to warrant such an investment, but would like to have available when the urge strikes. And the lovely lace trim along the top edge is just too pretty to resist! Rest assured I wouldn’t be caught dead (although that would be SO Goth) wearing these “corsets” without a good steel corset underneath to give it structure.

The long pencil skirt is from Newport News. It has a cute v-shaped yoke in the front, but I found the rest of the skirt to be a bit boring. So I added a sheer drapey piece down the front, some embroidered trim along the yoke and a satin rose in the center. Now it makes me feel pretty.

Did everyone enjoy Red & Black Week? Now show me you grand finales!



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Red & Black Week: Velvet!

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Here’s a fabric I don’t wear too often, thanks to the presence of four hairy felines in my household. Velvet! Okay, this is just inexpensive crushed stretch velvet, but to me that’s the most comfortable kind. I’m not a fan of heavy fabrics, although I do have a couple of “nice” velvet pieces that you’ll see eventually.

In my opinion, this dress embodies the term that Jamie used recently, “Insta-Goth.” No creativity involved; just pull it out of the “How to Be Goth” Catalog and you’re done. ;) As you might have gathered from yesterday's post, it’s not one of my favorite dresses for that reason… Still, it’s perfect for those days when I’m just not feeling creative but want something prettier than just a t-shirt. It’s cute, comfortable, and did I mention, Velvet! :) I’ve had this dress for at least 15 years, but hadn’t worn it in quite a while. I decided that it would be a wonderful outfit for hanging out around the house. Now I am determined to commit myself to getting more use out of it!

Sitting on the floor, because Comfy Dress calls for it!

I made the matching gloves myself, as one of my very first sewing projects shortly after buying the dress. At that time, I felt that the gloves simply had to match the outfit perfectly. These days, I think I would prefer this dress with plain black gloves, or maybe none at all. But it was nice to pull out one of my old homemade pieces to enjoy again.

What is the oldest piece of Goth clothing in your wardrobe?



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Red & Black Week: Dinner Date!

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This outfit was just a quick change after work to go for Persian food with the husband. As I was preparing this post I realized that it is a 100% Mall Outfit! Aside from the shoes, everything on my person came from the mall.

I know you are thinking, “Boy, for someone who’s far too old to be a Mall Goth, she sure does spend a lot of time at the mall!”  It's partly because there isn't much to do in our small town, and my husband and I both love shopping.

Goth has been around for three decades now, and in that time it’s only natural that certain elements would successfully infiltrate the mainstream. It’s a look that many people find attractive to some degree, even if they are not part of the culture. Not to mention, the evening wear market has long been dominated by the black, lacy and sparkly; items that we dark ones can surely put to use!  I know that while the mainstream may adopt some elements that Goths made famous, those things will always look better on us than on them.  I use those trends as opportunities to make my life simpler by grabbing up what is readily available and relatively inexpensive.

As an added bonus, shopping at familiar stores seems to give the normies in my life a feeling that I am more approachable. They realize that they can relate to me when they learn that I shop at many of the same places they do, such as Macy’s, Dillards, and New York & Company.

I’m rambling on now, but with a point. And that is, don't shun readily available shopping resources just because they aren't Goth enough. YOU are Goth enough, so take advantage of what is available (and often less expensive), and make it uniquely you.

Besides, where do you think the pioneers of our genre back in the early 80s got their clothing? There was no Lip Service or Demonia back then… Something to think about :)

So, give me the truth now: what store dominates your wardrobe?


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Red & Black Week: Satin Skirt for Work

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I went a little bit brighter with the red today, with this just-below-knee-length satin skirt. And I was lucky to have a scarf that matched almost perfectly!

I’ve been known for wearing satin to work that’s a bit too fancy, so today I toned it down with a simple, jersey knit tunic-length top that ties in the back. The top has a deep v-neck, which I made appropriately modest using a lace band made just for such purposes. Have you seen these things? It seems they are becoming fairly popular, as I see them in mall stores, Target, even Jo-Ann (yes, the fabric store). They usually come in white, black, and flesh-tone and really are a brilliant solution for concealing cleavage at the office! ;) They would be super-easy to make at home, too.

The silver, garnet and marcasite pendant is from Target, and of course the beaded necklace it hangs from was made by me. The beads look red and black, but they are actually dark red and brighter red.

Looking forward to seeing what everyone else comes up with for Red & Black Week today!  And remember, you don't have to post every day in order to participate.  So if you missed the last two days and want to join in later in the week, go for it!  :)

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Red & Black Week: Red Roses

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This fabulous blouse is the one and only lucky find I've ever had from Ross. It was probably a decade ago. I have to say, Ross never has impressed me. I've only been a handful of times and and it was never a good experience. I recently vowed never to subject myself to that again.  many people I know absolutely love Ross, so maybe it's just the one in my town that's no good... I guess I don't have the patience to hunt for the needle in the haystack. So ends my Ross shopping story, forever. At least I have this one lovely thing to show for it.

The pencil skirt with ruched side panels is from Forever 21. It's made from a fabric similar to black denim, only much softer. It has an exposed zipper in the back, which is not a trend that I am crazy about. Luckily my shirts usually cover it, but just to be safe I also painted it black with an industrial-strength Sharpie. How's that for a DIY?  ;-D

I've really been trying to remember where this necklace came from, to no avail. It's becoming an obsession, and driving me crazy. It was also a very long time ago, so I should just make something up and get on with my life. But I couldn't do that to my loyal followers! So it shall remain a mystery...

Are there any other Goths out there who wear florals?

Be sure to check out yesterday's Red & Black Week link-up to see everyone's Day 1 contributions!  Several came in late in the day, and they are not to be missed!  :)



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Red & Black Week: A Romantic Day in L.A.

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Recently Mr. and Mrs. VictorianKitty took a couple of days off work, just because. It was the first time in five years together that we’ve done this, without any kind of familial vacation plans. We spent one day just catching up on some things around the house. The second day we spent together on a little one-day vacation in Los Angeles.

First, we visited the Petersen Automotive Museum. We’ve been there several times, as they always have different exhibits (like most museums). This time was 60 Years of NHRA. However, as usual, my favorite car of they day was something other than a hot rod. By some stroke of fashion blogging luck, they had a 1939 Bugatti that matched my outfit perfectly! After the museum, we had dinner in downtown Burbank followed by a car show at Bob’s Big Boy in Toluca Lake. No, we don’t eat at Bob’s Big Boy. :) But we loved the car show!

Now, on to the outfit… This skirt is one of my too-few pieces from Heavy Red. It has a solid lining topped with a swirly mesh layer. This skirt is like one currently found on the Heavy Red site, except in solid black.

The red strapless top from Body Central features a lovely rhinestone detail on the bodice. Lovely, but it didn’t really suit my style. Solution: cover it with a flower pin! Of course there was no way to pin the flower to this metal embellishment, so I relied on Hollywood Fashion Tape. I scored this top on sale for $7!

Bodice – Original…

Bodice – Modified

The bat pendant is one of my few truly “cliché” jewelry pieces. It is sterling silver and came from a creepy little independent bookstore in Burbank years ago. Yes, creepy: they specialized in horror novels. I made the necklace for it myself from glass beads.

Close-Up of Today’s Shoes

These shoes turned out to be amazingly comfortable. We strolled around all day and my feet didn’t hurt a bit. It helps that Pleaser was kind enough to add a bit of cushion inside the soles. I don’t know if they would have been so comfy on bare feet… I suspect that the tights helped keep friction from the strap at bay!



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Red & Black Week Starts Tomorrow!

Sneak Preview!

June 5-10, 2011

Just a reminder that Red & Black week starts tomorrow (Sunday, June 5).  I'll be making my first post around 9 AM PST, so be sure to check back here and link up your post!

In case this is the first you've heard of it, here's the scoop:


To participate in Red and Black Week:

Each day (June 5-10), I will post my Red & Black outfit as well as a sign-up form. Add the icon to your Red & Black post for that day (it can be something you posted previously, as long as you go back and add the icon to the post). Then, come back to my blog and add a link to your post (direct link to your Red & Black post, not your blog’s home page) using the Mister Linky sign-up form on my post.

Your posts don’t have to be about fashion, but they do have to be "dark" and they must incorporate a red and black theme. Non-Goth blogs are welcome to participate, as long as the posts evoke an appropriately dark and/or classy aesthetic (red evening gown with black accessories would be awesome, for example, but a red and black football uniform would be not so much).

You don't have to participate every day of the event; feel free to just post once, twice or whatever you like!

Sneak Preview!

Posts that are linked up without including the icon will be removed, because it’s my blog and I said so. :)

Please share this invitation with any bloggers you know who might be interested!

Questions? E-mail me using the Contact Me page.


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