Ruffles & Frou-Frou

This weekend, I got back a bunch of repaired shoes & boots from the cobbler, so I built an outfit around these lovely velvet boots, newly re-soled. Which inspired a romantic outfit, rather well suited to the warm, spring day (sweater only needed for a bit in the morning & a few air-conditioned conference rooms).

What I'm wearing:
Black wool ruffled bolero sweater, Kohl's | Dark floral short-sleeve knit top, H&M | Black crinkle cotton skirt, Rampage | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Burgundy crushed velvet boots, bought from a friend | Chunky gunmetal & rhinestone necklace, random accessory store | Black with pink gems Victorian-esque earrings, random accessory store | Black roses cocktail ring, Icing

 

Summery Winter, Wintery Summer

This outfit is perfect for the wacky weather we've had lately. The jacket & boots are for the off & on days of pouring rain, & the sundress is for the intermittent days of blistering sun. Spring isn't usually this sproingy.

What I'm wearing:
Purple print sundress, Target | Black military-style jacket, H&M | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Tall black leather boots, Clarks | Purple flower pin on jacket, random accessory store | Dangly earrings painted with bats, local artist | Gunmetal & jet cocktail ring, random accessory store

Secrets

A friend mentioned that he likes how my CorpGoth outfits often have little quirky, fun elements hidden in them. Things like bat jewelry, punky stripes, a skull scarf, buckled boots. The whole outfit may appear quite corporate-friendly, but he admired how these touches were like little secrets in the middle of the work world.

I thought of his comment when I assembled this outfit, where I tucked a corset-like belt in with an otherwise subdued plaid skirt & sweater.

What I'm wearing:
Burgundy boyfriend sweater, Chadwicks | Black T-shirt, NY & Company | Black & white plaid skirt, H&M | Black corset-style elastic belt, Torrid | Black tights, Calvin Klein
Black buckled boots, Aldo | Black, silver, & crystal necklace, random accessory store | Pewter key earrings, made by me

Life Is a Drag

Last week kinda sucked for me, but I know this week will be better. For one thing, tonight is the finale of "RuPaul's Drag Race"! And the first gothic-punk drag queen on the show, Sharon Needles, has made it to the top three! Huzzah! She has been so much fun to watch, not just for her spooky style but because she has a great sense of humor & greets every challenge with a wicked smile & creepy yet "can do" attitude. I hope she wins tonight, but even if not, her making it this far is a victory for queer weirdos everywhere.

Today, I'm trying to serve up a little Sharon realness in a corporate-friendly fashion, but not too fishy, I hope ;-)

What I'm wearing:
Black & white stripe silk blouse, made by Donna | Black gear-print tie, Cyberoptix on Etsy | Black velveteen skirt, J.Jill | Black tone-on-tone stripe tights, Calvin Klein | Black patent square-toe pumps, unknown brand, possibly thrifted | Silver medallion earrings, random accessory store | Gunmetal cocktail ring, gift from Kendra | Chanel "Vamp" lipstick

What's your favorite TV show this year? Are there any celebs you particularly follow or admire?

New Shoes Always Help

Had a crappy week for assorted reasons, including (but not the greatest of which was) receiving an online order where not one of the three items fit properly. I've never had that happen!

But the next day, three pairs of shoes arrived & the two wacky pairs of shoes in fun colors fit great & the one plain pair of black flats was a bad fit. So huzzah for wacky shoes & forget the sensible ones! Yesterday, I wore one of those fun pairs.

What I'm wearing:
Dark grey denim blazer with belled sleeves, Newport News | Black sheath dress, Target | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Burgundy cut-out pumps, Soffit (via ShoeMetro.com) | Black & silver chunky bead necklace, Target | Silver filigree earrings, Target | Silver & garnet poison ring, eBay

Do you shop online for clothes & shoes much? How successful are you -- do you have to send things back?

Cool Links

A few things I've found in my online wanderings recently...

Subtle Goth TV launched recently & already has five episodes online. This video series is an offshoot of the home decor & fashion blog, The Morbid Fashion. I particularly love that both these projects are aimed at "grown-up goths," showing that you don't have to be into wacky club-kid fashion & loud music to still express your essential gothiness. I may have to add "SubtleGoth" to my moniker along with "CorpGoth" from now on ;-)

Edward Penfield cover for
Harper's Magazine, May 1887

Speaking of grown-up goths, Stripy Tights & Dark Delights has a fascinating post about a Grandma Goth in Denver, Colorado, U.S. This senior citizen has been goth all her life, long before Bauhaus and Siouxie Sioux were around, again, proving it's not just about the music, it's a whole outlook on life.

On another topic, Sal of Already Pretty has a very useful post about managing pets & their hair when you're a stylish woman. It's not just lint rollers, try a Filth Sheet! Seriously, we cover everything upholstered with similar throw blankets & remove them when guests arrive. Read the comments for more great tips (acting like Mr. Rodgers is another one I do).

The Dashing Eccentric has an excellent take on how comfort equals style. One of my pet peeves is when people think only baggy jeans & T-shirts are comfortable. Not so! Elegant, attractive clothes in beautiful fabrics can be perfectly comfortable too.

Wardrobe Oxygen has a thoughtful post on when it's not worth trying to make it work -- that is, when to admit that a piece of clothing just doesn't work on you & in your wardrobe. I'm sure we've all bought something that seemed great in the dressing room, but then was too fussy or weird in real life.

And here's a fun one: Lyndar the Merciless has a cool-looking idea for glitter-tipped nails in the style of a French manicure. Doesn't hurt that her example uses black nail polish with gold glitter (OK, we'd use silver glitter, but still).

Nothing Special Tuesdays

Took the bus. Clocked in time at the office. Put in time on the treadmill at the gym. Went home. It's just another Tuesday at CorpGoth Central. Ho-hum.

What I'm wearing:
Black knit military-style jacket, Macy's | Black long-sleeve knit top, Old Navy | Grey corduroy skirt, Newport News | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Pink & black stripe flats, DSW | Pink & black stripe knit scarf, Express | Pink filigree medallion earrings, Etsy