Pink for Pride and Hope

This is yesterday's outfit, which I wore thinking of today. I knew that the momentous U.S. Supreme Court decisions on my home state's Proposition 8 and the federal Defense of Marriage cases would be announced this morning, & I was hoping they would be announced in favor of equal marriage rights. And HUZZAH, they were! It's a step in the right direction, but there is much more work to be done for full justice across the nation.

Also this morning, I had an important medical test. While I won't get the results for a few days, I hope the results will be at least as positive as today's news. To inspire positivity for both issues, I wore my rockstar skirt made by a dear friend.

Do you have special items in your wardrobe that you wear for good luck?

What I'm wearing:
Black knit military-style jacket, Macy's
Black T-shirt, Target
Pink & white 'rockstar' skirt, made by Donna
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Black heeled lace-up boots, Aerosoles
Pink & gold earrings, Ruche

Again With the Sweater

Yep, my favorite sweater & again White House | Black Market. Apparently, it's a theme this week. The sweater works well in this almost-summer season because it's lightweight & has three-quarter-length sleeves but is still warm enough to fight the air-conditioned chill of the office.

What I'm wearing:
Black & white print sweater, White House Black Market | Black T-shirt, Old Navy | Burgundy skirt, NY & Company | Black kitten-heel pumps, Aldo | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Silver "Bon Jour" necklace, Claire's | Silver filigree earrings, Target

Pink House | Black Market

I've mentioned before how much I love the few items I've bought at White House | Black Market. That store is *so* totally CorpGoth! The theme is black & white, & they rotate in one additional color every few months. The styles often include stripes, & in winter, you'll find plenty of velvety garments. The cuts tend to be fitted & elegant, & the quality is pretty good, which makes the prices worth it, in my opinion. [Note: I'm in no way affiliated with the company, this is an unbiased review!]

Yet I haven't worn any of my WHBM pieces together, until today. Well, I only have three items, this jacket & skirt plus one cardigan. But it was only a matter of time. And it felt very appropriate to add a spot of pink.

What's your favorite store to buy clothes from? Is there a boutique you love to splurge at?

What I'm wearing:
Black velveteen jacket, White House Black Market | Black embellished T-shirt, Calvin Klein | Black & white stripe skirt, White House Black Market | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Pink & black pumps, Irregular Choice | Black & silver skull bead necklace, DisneyLand | Pink filigree earrings, Etsy

Purple + Skulls

The perfect dress for a slow morning and a day filled with meetings at the office. Add a splashy skull scarf, and I'm good. This is why I'm always on the lookout for more knit dresses. They're comfortable and easy to make into presentable outfits when I just don't have the time or energy to bother much in the mornings.

What I'm wearing:
Purple knit dress, Land's End | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black & white skull-print scarf, Amazon | Purple cross-strap pumps, Aldo | Gunmetal hoop earrings, random accessory store

Back to the Office

After a month away, I'm back to work in the office. *sigh* It was fun while it lasted! Check out my photos from the U.K. and France on Flickr, while I get down to business...


What I'm wearing:
Burgundy peplum sweater, Anthropologie | Black ruffled-front sleeveless knit top, Macy's | Black pencil skirt, Banana Republic, thrifted, embellished by me | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Burgundy suede cutout pumps, Shoe Metro | Garnet & pearl earrings, bought at the National Portrait Gallery U.K. | Silver & garnet poison ring, eBay

Red & Black Week: 18th Century Redingote

Finally, my piece de la resistance for Red & Black Week, my stripey redingote. Properly, a redingote is an 18th-century French woman's gown based on an English man's riding habit. I made this one in a not perfectly historical fashion, but took liberties in the cut & materials to suit my gothic aesthetic.

I found this black & red striped rayon fabric in the L.A. garment district at least 5 years ago & have been plotting something like this costume for quite a while. It's very loosely based on period fashion plates that show this style of single-breasted button-front bodice with a broad collar & buttoned cuffs. I designed the collar & cuffs with a batwing shape in black velvet hand-edged in black silk.

Ideally, I'd be wearing a large, tall hat too, but since this outfit was first worn on my recent France trip, I couldn't make it in time nor carry another item with me!

What I'm wearing (all made by me except where noted):
Black & red striped redingote with velvet collar & cuffs & vintage velvet buttons
Black silk fichu
Black silk petticoat
White satin under-petticoat
White twill bum pad
Black corset, made by Sarah
White cotton shift
Black stockings, Target
Black buckled shoes, Fugawee
"Hedgehog" style hairpiece
Jet earrings, random accessory store
Gunmetal & jet ring, random accessory store
Faux ruby ring, gift from Sarah
Black lace fan, eBayBlack velvet mouche (beauty patch)
Red lipstick, Sephora

More about how I made this outfit on my costume website here.

Red & Black Week: With Queen Elizabeth in France

A casual outfit featuring a quote from the indomitable Queen Elizabeth I. Also, bonus French chateau cannon & the Pyrenees in the background...

What I'm wearing:
Red T-shirt printed "There shall be but one mistress here and no master," bought at the National Portrait Gallery U.K | Black linen skirt, H&M | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black riding boots, Clark's | Gunmetal hoop earrings, random accessory store | Red lipstick, Sephora

 

Red & Black Week: With White

I can't help it, I love adding a splash of white in with red & black. It just pops. I did it the last few times for the theme week here & here too.

And how cool of Victorian Kitty to add this combo as a theme-within-a-theme this time! Thanks :)

What I'm wearing:
Black & white floral-print sweater, White House Black Market | Black knit top with bow at neck, Target | Cherry red pleated cotton skirt, Newport News | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black pointy pumps with buckles, Payless Shoe Source | Dangly crystal earrings, random accessory store

Red & Black Week: Time for Tea, Part Two

Coincidentally to the bon voyage tea I attended, I went to another tea party early this year. For my birthday, my mom had asked what I'd like to do, if I wanted to go to dinner or something. One thing she suggested was high tea at a local tea parlor (a sister restaurant to the one chosen for my friend's party).

I liked the idea since, at the time my mom mentioned it, I hadn't been to high tea in ages. Well, it turned out that I went to two teas within a month of each other! Not complaining :)

Again, a proper tea requires a fancy outfit & a hat. But I had to wear a different outfit for this tea. This hat was custom-made for me by a friend, inspired by a piece of red & black fabric I provided for her. Everything else was her design, & the vintage trims came from her collection.

And by another coincidence, this outfit works quite well for Sophistique Noir's Red & Black Week!

What I'm wearing:
Black knit dress, Target
Black velveteen jacket, White House Black Market
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Red Chinese-silk flats, ShoeMetro
Garnet & silver necklace, gift from my mom
Red & black straw hat, custom-made by La Bricoleuse
Red lipstick, Sephora