New Hats and Follies

New Hats and Follies

fashion style    10:54 AM   

Some new hats have come into my life recently, Fashionable Reader. They are very silly.

No, not quite that silly.

This one is hard to see when it's not on but it's one of those follies (or fancies) that is on a band, has net, a silly bow, and black feathers. I look forward to wearing it soon with one of my black and white outfits. It looks a little bit like this when it is on:

I'm strangely excited about it. It may come to ComicCon with me.

Here's one that started out black and white but I changed the dots to red, I thought it would be more useful that way. It's very spiky and outrageous. Both of these were gifts from my Mum, I believe she found them at Ross.

For this one, the tiny hat portion was a gift and the decorating and feather poof were my own additions. It has an almost Renaissance noblewoman feel to it. I think it's going to become one of my steampunk hats, it will travel better than the tiny top hats and so be more useful for distance conventions.

Speaking of tiny, this one is about two inches wide. It's on a little hair clip and was made for me as a gift from my grade school art teacher. (She is one of the teachers I thank in my forward to the first Finishing School book.) I love it because, apart for the emotional connection, it really will pack well. These days, everything is about packing. Here is one about the same size:

And here are a few other silly hats, just because . . .

 1943

 1949

Happy four day work-week to all the US readers. I hope you had lovely weekends.



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

Steampunk DIY pocket belt

Steampunk DIY pocket belt

fashion style    1:05 PM   

Steampunk DIY Pocket Belt

My latest DIY project is making a steampunk pocket belt from an old pair of cargo pants.

A while ago I made this steampunk belt from an old pair of shorts.

I wanted something nice to wear over my longer more formal dresses that I could hang gadgets off and put passes and money inside. Portable pockets, if you will. I also wanted it to be relatively easy to make. Here is an example of what it looks like on an outfit.

Well a dear friend of mine noticed the belt and when a favorite pair of cargo pants lost a battle with a leaky pen, she brought them to me to make over into a similar belt. This time, I remembered to chronicle the project.

The original pants, front and back. (See the pen leak on the back left pocket?) The material on these trousers was a little thin. I suggest something relatively thick, if you can find it ~ khaki or canvas or corduroy. Thrift shop for ones that are well made with reinforced pockets and a sturdy waistband. Ones that already have metal buttons are a bonus. You definitely want some of the pockets to snap or button properly, for security.

Using pinking sheers (just to be on the safe side) I cut the pants off above the knee, merely to eliminate excess material. I didn't want the belt to hang too low, aesthetically I think it works better to keep to upper level pockets only.

Still using the pinks, I then cut around the pockets I wanted to keep, leaving exiting seams (if possible) and at least a half inch allowance (if possible). I find that cutting out the zipper and at points near the waistband I lost seam allowance. That's OK you can cover rough bits with trim or other decoration later. Take care to keep the waistband completely in tact when removing the zipper.

I feel asymmetrical looks better (and less like the belt started life as cargo shorts). Thus I suggest an uneven number of pockets one side versus the other. In this case, because of the pen leak, we had one pocket on one side and three on the other. (If you have leftover pockets keep them for future projects. They make great additions to the inside of jackets for extra holding power.)

Fold over the edge and pin down. Again don't worry if there isn't enough in places. That can be fixed later.

Sew down the seam. (You can do the whole thing by hand if you prefer.) Then go over it and do a binder or whip stitch at those points (like corners) where the sewing machine was no good.

Then comes the fun part ~ decorate! (I handed the brown ones off to my friend and she hasn't had the time to finish the project yet, so we are back to the original belt as an example.)

I stitched a complementary color trim all around the edge by hand. I recommend keeping it in the same color family, so the belt goes with as many different outfits as possible. (I have one belt for browns and one for blacks.) So far as the buttons are concerned, I suggest going from larger to smaller in an angle up the seams (careful not to sew down any pockets). It's all personal preference, I just like the way this looks. Plus you want the most weight at the hem, so the belt hangs nicely. I use both vintage and new buttons, and beading spacers from a craft store as I get smaller. This belts also includes some octopus buttons and necklace pieces, an old broach, a key, and a pin. (Odd earrings can also find a new home.) Hanging off the waistband (in the space left by removal of the rear section of the shorts) I added some metal rings, these are from old curtain hangers. I use strong 100% nylon thread for my decoration, and a lot of it, especially on the rings from which I hang heavy pouches or gadgets using beaners.

Here's another example of the button decorative technique. Note I've also uses spoons and old-fashioned copper paperclips on the outfit.

That's the great thing about steampunk you can find beauty in the oddest household items.

Anyway, there it is. I hope some of you will try your own belt and have a fun time with it.

~ Gail Carriger

More steampunk fashion here.

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

Nail It

Nail It

fashion style    6:13 AM   

Don't you find a regular manicure works wonders for the hands? And for self-confidence I find. A bit of TLC for the nails always makes me feel so much more polished, so much more aware of my hands and the role they play when at work typing, or when in conversation or even when browsing through the rails when shopping. Our nails are a small part of our bodies, however, they say so much about us. Well-groomed nails instantly imply a woman (or man) takes care in their appearance, not so much that they think all day of how they look, but rather that they simply take pride in looking after themselves.

A chipped nail to me is beyond unacceptable. Remove the polish! Natural nails are better than chipped ones!

Of course, I understand that a regular manicure can end up quite costly but this is no excuse - when purse strings are tight, DIY. There are so many great products on the market that one can look after their own nails without too much effort. A little exfoliation, a quick buff, a shape and a slick of polish makes all the difference.

For a real treat though, head to the Nails Inc Champagne Nail Bar in Harvey Nichols Edinburgh. The staff are professional, friendly and charming and are guaranteed to look after you and your nails very well indeed. Whenever I'm in Edinburgh I book in for a manicure with the Nails Inc girls because a) you're spoiled with a glass of champagne b) they do such a great job and c) the nails inc products are brilliant (nourishing treatments and the widest colour range I've seen yet).

Even better, you can stock up on the Nails Inc range to take home with you to keep your hands in tip top condition.

From top: being pampered, my chosen colour Maddox Street (although I LOVE Brompton Place also - a girly, bubblegum pink), enjoying some champagne while my nails dry. Ah, bliss.

With thanks to Modus Dowal Walker.