fashion for faith in four colors: blue pattern
Showing posts with label blue pattern. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blue pattern. Show all posts

Monday, August 27, 2012

Modcloth for the Rack

I don't normally shill, Fashionable Reader, but I do like Mocloth. I also think, in the main, they are overpriced. However, currently they are having a sale, so I'm lying up a little under the weather and thought I might poke about and pick a few Retro Rack favorites.

Bathing Suits




Why I like it: black and white check, bow detailing at the neckline brings attention up to the face, side rouching and linear seam detracts from chest size, halter top shows off shoulders.


Why I like it: just look at that color? So good. It's like a cocktail dress for the beach. Halter top shows of nice shoulders, rouching hides chub, long full front seam allows for larger bust.


 Why I like it: gingham, I do love gingham, halter top shows of nice shoulders, rouching hides chub, I'm a little concerned by the angled sides and the short front seam allowing enough room for the bust, but I might risk it for this suit.


Why I like it: red with white dots, so cute, seaming is very flattering, boy short bottoms are comfy (and require so much less shaving), nice thick supportive straps, white edge at neckline to draw attention upward to the face, very 1930s look.

Dresses



Why I like it: dark black lace detailing at the neck drawing attention up to the face, higher neckline giving Rack lots of room, darker lace over the chest area with lighter blue and less lace down the bottom again dividing and drawing attention away, seams in the hips allowing for volume. Not in love with the cap sleeves, but . . .



Why I like it: black peter pan collar and cream color gives innocence to shorter skirt length, detailing at the neck drawing attention up to the face, higher neckline giving Rack lots of room. Wide belt and lots of picks over tummy to hide all sins, shorter length made sweet by blue ruffle.


Why I like it: cross front but not a warp, pegged high and enough to cover the Rack, very vintage and muted color pallet, design of dress nips in at lower ribs normally smallest part of the body so worth emphasizing, sash detail, nice full skirt not too long would look adorable with flats.



Why I like it: what you thought there wouldn't be a steampunk pick? And steampunk for a hot day? Practically impossible to find.

Skirts



Why I like it: A-line is a practically perfect shape for anyone, adds volume to balance out the Rack but not too much to make a lady with hips too hippy. Teal is a nice unexpected choice, pair with a black top to keep attention down towards the legs, again, great with flats.


Why I like it: Such a cute pattern, I have thing for anything equestrian, a little fuller than an A-line but still not too much volume, and pockets, I love pockets!  Again a nice pattern draws attention down away from chest, pair with a brown top to keep attention towards the legs, again, great with flats.


Why I like it: a pencil skirt with a fish tail and in cherry red? What's not to like?

Others



 Why I like it: Ladybug nail art, see Blameless.



Why I like it: The only top I chose, a pussy cat, not sheer, with half length sleeves. So flattering, slimming, feminine, and minimizing. Modcloth has it in other colors, but I like of like the turquoise.

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

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Comic Con Outfits ~ Night Three Blue & Black

After a day spent in steampunk garb I changed that night for my easy royal blue dress. This is the one I put to the vote for the documentary. It's not vintage but it fits well and with the full skirt it looks good with flats.


With the AB off and about on his own I sadly got very few pictures of this outfit. But i paired it with black and fake white diamond accessories.





 Jason Wu

I like blue and black as a color combination, I think it's quite classic but with just enough edge. Wine or red with black is so popular in goth culture, that though I love it blue and black feels fresher to me.


To make it ultra modern I like to go for blue leather, or mix it with neutrals.


Kate Spade

Like green shoes I'm always on the hunt for some fun blue shoes.


But what I find I have are a number of royal blue tops and dresses.


And my retro cut JC Penny printed one is an old favorite. Apart form anything else, it packs great. Although, I am thinking of putting a crinoline under it to make it more poofy.


Some other retro takes on this dress.




Some vintage blue and black looks.

 Marilyn-Monroe-in-Gentlemen-Prefer-Blondes; 1949 The Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Some edgy almost steampunk and sci-fi takes on blue and black.




Something for my characters to wear.

 Something for Sophronia in the Finishing School books . . .

1850-1852  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Something for Alexia in the Parasol Protectorate books . . .

1875  The Philadelphia Museum of Art

And something for Ivy after the Parasol Protectorate books . . .

 1880  The Los Angeles County Museum of Art


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

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Comic Con Outfits ~ Day One Blue & White

So, in case you hadn't guessed, Fashionable Reader, I enjoy standing out visually, but in a classy way, or course. Or as classy as I can possibly manage.  *insert snorting noise here*


Under circumstances such as San Diego Comic Con standing out is a challenge. There are amazing cospay ladies everywhere, from comic book characters to steampunk to cross overs between the two. There are also lost of shorts and logo t-shirts, wings and hats, and robotic attachments.


So what did I decide to do in order to be unique? Well, frankly, just dress the way I normally do. With the exception of Saturday day, when I wore a cool adaptation of my old favorite spoon steampunk outfit, I mostly just chose nice bright ladylike dresses.


I've been hunting down, expanding, and investing in some day dresses in light packable fabrics. And a good thing too, day dresses look much better with flats and we've already discussed that crisis. On Thursday I wore my new blue and cream dress, paired with cream accessories.


I wore it with the matched jacket, day hat and low key pearls for daytime.


And switched the jacket out for an evening muff, the hat for a flowered hairband, the purse for a clutch, and the daytime pearls for an evening set for that night.


I love blue & cream (or blue & white) together. It's an elegant color combination and I just don't have enough of it in my wardrobe. I always think of Wedgwood china and the like when I see it, which reminds me of tea, which is no bad thing.


This outfit packs beautifully. As ever, here are some other takes on this classic combo for your perusal, fashionable reader. Let us start with some great retro options.

 Dita-von-teese-westwood-louboutin; Dior 2011

 Monique-Lhuillier; Louise-Roe-Rebecca-Taylor

 stella_mccartney_resort

Here are links to a few up for purchase.

With a peplum and belt, so cute.






How about a few accessories?


Cornelia James blue leather driving gloves at corneliajames.com

For a modern take on this look I really love adding a touch of red. It remains ladylike but has a bit of an edge. Black tights can also work well, or simply choosing a dress that is a little more modern.





How about some lovely vintage versions?

 1957 dior; 1955 Hubert de Givenchy, 1955  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

 1950s blue & white dress by denise
 1950's Blue & White Printed nylon chiffon vintage party dress John Selby
 1940's White Blue Floral Swing Dress; 1930

And how about something for the characters to wear?

For Lord Akeldama . . .

1740 Waistcoat The Los Angeles County Museum of Art

For Monique in the Finishing School series . . .

1860 Wedding dress Metropolitan Museum of Art

For Alexia and Ivy in the Parasol Protectorate series . . .

1870 A blue dress circa from La Mode Illustree

For Ivy after Timeless . . .


And for Primrose in the Parasol Protectorate Abroad series . . .

1890's Blue Dress with Lace

Next up, another day dress at Comic Con! (You know you want one.) Until then I leave you with myself, manga Alexia, and a reader.



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