Modcloth for the Rack

Modcloth for the Rack

fashion style    2:55 PM   

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.

Then & Now ~ Mint

Then & Now ~ Mint

fashion style    11:55 AM   

Then

1868  The Victoria & Albert Museum

Now

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

Sunnyvale in a Black & White Skirt

Sunnyvale in a Black & White Skirt

fashion style    12:13 PM   

I don't know if I've posted in the past about how, before I was published, I had this dream about flying to New York. I think every wannabe author has a similar dream. Only mine was very specific and very fashion orientated. My dream was that I would go to New York to meet with my agent and editor and I would be wearing a black and white skirt.

It's not often dreams come true.

In 2009 Orbit flew me to BEA in New York, before anyone had even heard of Soulless, to present the ARC to the unwitting masses. While I was there I would meet, you guessed it, my agent and my editor! I was understandably excited. I was also, as you probubly might have guessed, in a veritable shopping frenzy looking for the perfect black and white pencil skirt.

I hunted, I searched, I looked everywhere. I tried all my favorite stores both vintage and modern. I did the Height Street treck. I visited Santa Cruz. I couldn't find one I liked.

Crisis!

But low, my darling Mum came to rescue. She is a fabulous seamstresses and offered to make me the skirt from a vintage pattern and we could choose whatever fabric I wanted. Well I found this great black on white irregular spotted fabric, and she made me this wonderful fish tale pencil skirt.

Did I wear it to BEA in 2009 and meet my agent and editor? You bet your booty I did!

Ah, look how young and innocent I look. Lee sigh.

I paired it with red for that occasion. I do like black and white with red.

Sadly the skirt hasn't had much play since then. I guess I felt like it was meant for the dream, and the dream had been satisfied. But I rustled it out of my closet last weekeend to take down to Sunnyvale for a little event at the library there.

Here I am posing with the lovely young lady dressed as Alexia from the over of the Soulless manga. For this occasion I kept the whole outfit black and white.

So, with an eye towards wearing this skirt more often I've collected some inspirational images of how to wear a cute black and white skirt.

 With red, retro and modern

 With teal or turquoise.

 With pink or blush.

 With olive.

Just pure black and white with modern touches.

Inspired I put together these two outfits which I intend to wear soon.

 A retro take with blush, silly shoes, a chunky necklace, and olive bag.

Modern take with some mixed patterns and steampunk ankle warmers.

Both looks require high heals and I'm off them for the moment, but I can't wait to try them out soon.

Here's a evening idea, going with golds and neutral accessories.

It doesn't have to be a skirt these days, either. I've seen some patterned trousers turn up too. I'm not certain this look is really for me, but I have seen a few who could carry it off. And, of course, I'm on the perpetual hunt for the perfect black & white check pedal pushers.

While I adore my dotted skirt, the one I want to buy did finally hit the stores a mere two years too late, in fall of 2011. I'm hoping some day this Marco de Vicenzo will turn up in a consignment shop in my size. A girl can dream, right? After all, dreaming is what started this madness.

How about something black and white for Prudence to wear? Since I'm working on the Parasol Protectorate Abroad series right now my life if filled with 1890's dresses.

1900-1902  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

This one is a little late period for her, but so pretty, I couldn't resist. It won't make it into the books though.

What to read when wearing black and white? How about Jane Yolan's marvelous Sister Light, Sister Dark and White Jenna?

 The omnibus of the two.

The best thing about this lyrical almost mythological two part series is the world building. I've not seen anything like it before or since and it's, simply put, amazing. The writing is definitely on the side of strong and empowered women (showing feminist 1970s roots, I believe). I think the world and story are complex enough for any reader, although I believe the target audience is YA. (When she wrote it I'm not certain there really was a "YA" concept yet.) Anyway, I love it, it's brilliant! I've kept these two books since I first read them over 20 years ago. It's a rare series that travels with me, as I move every 2 to 4 years.

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