CorpGoth Mid-Month Status Report: Stripes & Plaid (but no Dots)

This month's theme is all about patterns. Some people don't like wearing patterns, and some people aren't comfortable incorporating them into their wardrobes. This is why I think each of these graphical patterns -- stripes, plaids, and dots -- are good ones to start with (ok, not all at once!). A striped skirt or top mixes easily with solid garments in the same colors or even in a contrasting color. A simple plaid (like black & white) goes well with neutrals. And the same with dots, little micro-dots are practically a texture, while going gradually up in scale adds more interest.

Of course, I took a trip to Crazy Town and mixed a stripe with a plaid in this outfit. One way to make this work is to stick with the same colors, in this case, black & white. I also kept to a similar pattern scale, so they look more pulled together. Or maybe they don't -- pattern-mixing is an acquired taste. I don't do it often, because, yeah, it can look pretty nutters.

So which is your favorite, stripes, plaids, or dots? Which are you wearing? Share in the comments below.

What I'm wearing: Black & white stripe silk blouse, made by Donna | Black & white plaid skirt, H&M | Black elastic belt, NY & Company | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Red ankle boots, Aerosoles | Silver medallion earrings, random accessory store

Back to Some Pattern Mixing

Been a while since I mixed it up, so to speak. The main rules for pattern mixing (if you don't want to look like a crazy person) are usually to keep the color palette similar & watch that the scale of the patterns aren't ridiculously off.

Still, pattern mixing is both an advanced technique and an acquired taste, so you might think this outfit makes me look like a crazy person anyway. Yay or nay?

What I'm wearing:
Black & white stripe cardigan, Chadwicks | Black knit top with lace yoke, H&M | Black & white paisley print skirt with side ruffle, made by Donna | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black pointy-toe kitten-heel shoes, Aldo | Silver bat necklace, Plasticland | Silver hoop earrings, random accessory store

 

 

A Little Dotty

I forgot I had this scarf back when the Professor had a Monthly Assignment for polka dots. Oh well, just consider this one months late :)

What I'm wearing:
Black T-shirt, Target | Dark grey pinstripe vest, Newport News | Black twill skirt, MetroStyle | Black & white polka dot scarf, Express | Silver & black teardrop earrings, random accessory store | Black kitten-heel slingback pumps, Payless Shoe Source

Subtle Pattern Mixing - Stripes & Cats

I love this dress so very much, even tho' you can't see much of it in the photo. It fits like a dream, which it should, being custom-made. But also the fabric is perfect, a mystery blend with the tiniest bit of stretch. I got the fabric from a friend who was de-stashing & just giving it away. Then my friend Donna made it up into this dress so perfectly.

The grey-brown color with pinstripes picks up the off-white tone of the cats in this scarf very well. Again, not something you can probably see in the photo, so just trust me. While I do blog these outfits, I just wear them to make me happy. And the combo, all set off with a little pop of burgundy, does exactly that.

What I'm wearing:
Grey pinstripe dress, Original Sin Designs
Burgundy velveteen jacket, Kohls (with vintage jet buttons added by me)
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Black ribbon-tie pumps, Clarks
Black & white cat-print scarf, Etsy, gift from my husband
Black & gold earrings, Forever 21
Revlon "Raisin Rage" lipstick

Stripes & Plaid for One Office Day

You might have noticed fewer daily outfit posts from me lately (or maybe not -- who's paying attention?). This is because I only go into the office at my new job once or twice a week, so yeah, not much to report on the CorpGoth front. I have some thinky posts brewing, but the holidays & an annoying earache are distracting me, so that might wait until the new year. For now, how about a little pattern mixing?

What I'm wearing:
Dark grey denim jacket with belled sleeves, Newport News | Black long-sleeve knit top, Old Navy | Black & white plaid circle skirt, H&M | Black & white stripe scarf, H&M | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black kitten-heel pumps, Aldo | Gunmetal hoop earrings, random accessory store

Don't forget, next Monday & Tuesday, your CorpGoth Mid-Month Status Reports are due! The topic is holidays in the office, so show us how you might dress for an office holiday party or even how your workplace decorates for the holidays. My department is having a holiday luncheon on Monday, so expect to see what I wore, plus the lobby Christmas tree, posted that night.

Stripey Madness

I was thinking about some of my favorite wardrobe pieces, & this skirt & this cardigan came to mind. Both stripey, both beloved. So why not try them together? Particularly for summer, they're a breezy blend of light colors & dynamic movement. The buckles on these shoes even add to the stripey effect.

This is easily the most wild I've gone with pattern mixing. Am I making your eyes bleed? Or do you think this is good, wacky fun? Let me know what you think, good or bad!

What I'm wearing:
Black & white stripe skirt, Black House White Market | Black cardigan, Target | Black & pink cardigan, Macy's | Black buckled wedges, Kohl's | Black, silver, & crystal choker, random accessory store | Black & white striped bead earrings, Kohl's

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?

Cute or Crazy?

This is perhaps the most pattern-mixing I've tried. Does it work or is it too much? I rather like it but I understand that the idea isn't for everyone. I think this is an effective shot at giving pattern-mixing a gothic flair, what with the damask *and* pinstripes *and* polka-dots, all in black, white, and grey. I'm open to opinions!

What I'm wearing:
Black & white damask-print knit top, Spiegel | Grey pinstripe vest, Newport News | Black crochet trumpet skirt, Coldwater Creek | Black & white polka-dot scarf, Express | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black & grey pumps, Target | Black & white African bead earrings, made by me | Urban Decay "Gash" lipstick

Do you mix patterns in your outfits?

 

 

How I Find Comfort at Night & Seek Joy in My Step by Day

I finally got my act together in time to participate in Le Professeur Gothique's Monthly Homework Assignment, & December's is about comfort & joy. As she explains: "My assignment for you this month is to feature the ways that you, my darlings, take a well-needed TIME OUT. How do you unwind? What gets you through the holidays and exams? A bubble bath? Running five miles? A steaming bowl of chicken soup? Also, what kind of comfort clothes/accessories do you go to during this time of high stress? Do you have a favorite Woobie (sweater, scarf, blanket, etc.)? Please feature whatever it is that helps you feel well-needed COMFORT AND JOY during the season of "gimme gimme" and cranky shoppers at the mall. How do you infuse your life with the true meaning of the season -- peace, rest and reflection."

First, the comfort with a backstory ... I don't get too stressed out by the winter holiday season. I have tried & true systems for doing what needs to be done. My family & I have stripped down Xmas to what we love best -- a few gatherings to see all the people we care about (who are within about an hour's drive of each other), some good food (but nothing fancy or complicated), & a few handmade &/or charity gifts.

But what *does* stress me out is sleep! I have been an insomniac since childhood. Getting to sleep is often difficult, but sometimes sleeping thru the night is the problem. No matter what, when I don't get a full 8 to 9 hours of sleep, I am one CrankyTrystan the next day. I'm also no good at napping (when you have trouble falling asleep, napping is pointless), so I can't "catch up" on sleep in the afternoon.

Solitaire with Hampton Court Palace
in the background

Finding things that soothe my brain into sleep-mode has been a lifelong quest. One thing that always helps is having the radio on as I'm trying to fall asleep. I particularly love listening to NPR, my local station KQED, for the news & intelligent talk shows about science or the arts or local issues. It's calming & relaxing. I not only listen to the radio live, I download NPR show podcasts to my iPod, & this year I bought a new alarm clock with an iPod dock so I can listen to recorded shows (the ones I miss while I'm at work :-). Next, I'm considering getting one of these soft fleece sleep headphone headbands so I can easily listen to podcasts when I wake up in the middle of the night.

An more recent addition (or maybe, addiction!) has been playing Solitaire on my iPad. Tapping out a half-dozen games is mindless but not totally mindless, just distracting enough to tease my brain away from the hamster-wheel of thoughts that can keep me awake for hours. Combine this with NPR, & I may be fast asleep in a half hour! Weird, but true.

Toulouse on the couch, trying to avoid the camera

For the ultimate comfort, especially in the evening, I gotta turn to my kitties. OK, my husband is great, but the keetons are the super-cozy! Specifically, our boycat, the tabby Toulouse.  We've had our girlcat Melusine, a Maine Coon mix, longer, but she's a cranky old lady (heh, like me), & let's face it, she likes to cuddle with my husband most. While Tully is my baby boy & cuddles with his momma. Awwwwwww. Pity he's not a very photogenic cat -- he shies away whenever I try to take a pic.

For a little joy, I wore these fabulous black & pink shoes today. I always feel happier wearing pink, & these shoes specifically put a spring in my step, remembering when & where I bought them, plus knowing how fantastic they look (seriously, every time I wear them, *someone* compliments them!). I can peek down at my feet throughout the day for a pick-me-up.

What I'm wearing:
Black knit dress, Target | Grey & white waterfall hoodie cardigan, Forever 21 | Pink & black stripe scarf, Express | Grey herringbone tights, Calvin Klein | Black & pink pumps, Irregular Choice, bought in London on my 40th birthday | Large silver filigree earrings, random accessory store | Grey flower hair pin, random accessory store

Hidden Bat Week - Stripes, Dots, & a Bat Pin

Inspired by Kasmira of What I Wore2Day's Hidden Owl Week -- where she wore some piece of owl jewelry or owl accessory somewhere in her outfits each day -- I decided to try Hidden Bat Week. Like Kasmira & her owls, I have a lot of little accessories with bat motifs. Many goths do, of course, but I don't tend to wear my bats in obviously gothy ways. They're hidden.

What I'm wearing:
Grey pinstripe jacket, Target, gift from Lisa | Black long-sleeve T-shirt, Old Navy | Black knit skirt, Target | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black lace-up, spool-heel boots, Target | Black & white polka dot scarf, Old Navy | Black art-deco bat pin, gift from a friend | Black rhinestone hoop earrings, random accessory store | Black & gunmetal cocktail ring, Icing | Chanel Vamp lipstick

 

Blogoversary Reflections

Last week was the one-year anniversary of starting this blog, specifically when I started posting outfit photos (as there were a couple test posts). Alas, I was traveling in Spain at the time, so I had auto-scheduled posts & didn't have any outfits for sharing. I do plan to write up something about my travel wardrobe later on tho'.

Today's outfit is something I probably wouldn't have worn before I started blogging. Sure, I'd have bought & worn the individual pieces (& I had some of them a year ago), but this exact combination is definitely inspired by what I've seen in the fashion blogosphere.

Pattern-mixing is still a novelty to me -- I'll only do subtle mixes like this pinstripe with a bold abstract because anything more looks like the wearer got dressed in the dark to my eye. And I think that extreme pattern-mixing in an outfit makes one less likely to be taken seriously in the workplace, even in super-casual Silicon Valley. Playing it safe with classic goth all-black is a better bet for sealing a deal, running a class, or acing an interview, I believe.

Little things like wearing a belt over a sweater is something I learned from fashion blogs too (especially the now-shuttered Academic Chic). I just wouldn't have thought of doing that before. Belting in general is something I was a bit mystified by for ages -- I'd buy belts & they'd hang forlornly in my closet. Now I have about 5 of them that I wear pretty regularly, if not all that creatively. I do love how a belt accentuates my waist, giving definition to the smallest part of me, showing off my curves elegantly, & generally providing more & better shape. Wide elastic belts are my favorite, but this skinny studded belt is a winner too.

"Statement" necklaces like this one are another thing picked up from fashion blogs. I used to wear a lot of little charms on long, skinny chains. Those are pretty & sentimental, but they get lost in an outfit. Fashion blogs taught me to see an outfit as a whole -- literally, take a picture & see myself from head to toe. Tiny little charm necklaces don't show up. Bold, chunky necklaces can give balance & symmetry (which I'm a huge fan of -- it's right up there with matchy-matchy!), and statement necklaces define the neck & help frame the face along with my hair. Particularly when you have solid black hair, a heavy necklace creates a visual frame around a pale(ish) face, which I find pleasing & also emphasizes the goth look in a new way.

What I'm wearing:
Pink print cardigan, Chadwicks
Dark grey pinstripe dress, made by Donna
Black tights, unknown brand
Black pumps with silver buckle, Kenneth Cole Reaction
Black studded belt, Macy's
Black beaded waterfall bib necklace, Torrid
Black rhinestone hoop earrings, random accessory store
Black cocktail ring, Icing
Burgundy lipstick, Sephora

I'm glad I started reading fashion blogs, & I'm very glad I started my own blog. It's been an educational & entertaining venture! I've virtually met some lovely people too, & I thank all of you for your wonderful comments, even if I don't always have time to respond. I do read them all & am very grateful.

Casual Tuesdays

I don't know why, but I think Tuesdays deserve to be extra-casual. Mondays start off the work week, so they require a proper dress-up, dive in, let's show 'em how it's done sort of outfit. Besides, I have meetings on Mondays, and that requires something that looks good.

But by Tuesday, the reality of the week has sunk in, and that tiny bit of bravado about "I'm going to get it all done!" has worn off. I'm staring the giant to-do list in the face, and it ain't pretty. This calls for comfy clothes.

What I'm wearing:
Black & grey stripey tunic with sequin epaulets, Macy's | Black knit skirt, Target | Black bat-print leggings, Target | Chain & ribbon belt, eBay | Black ankle boots, Aldo | Silver chunky bead choker, Target | Silver hoop earrings, random accessory store

In about 10 days, I'm leaving for Spain. This weekend, I'm performing at a Renaissance faire with a new group (tho' made of people who I've known for ages). In between all of this, I have two major medical tests that may help with my ongoing chronic condition. Right after I return from Spain, I'm running a major volunteer event.

It's a little bit busy around here, mostly in good ways, but still. You can see the desire for comfy clothes!

Stripey Long Weekend

My husband & I made the (American) 4th of July holiday an extra-long weekend by taking a road trip through Northern California & Oregon. We left last Wednesday & drove to Mt. Shasta -- the tallest mountain in California -- where we stayed at a delightful bed & breakfast for a night.

Then we drove farther north, stopping briefly in Ashland, home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (no time to see a show, but hopefully another time!).

Our final destination was Gold Beach, Oregon, along the stunning Pacific Ocean. We stayed in a faux Arts & Crafts style motel, very comfy, & enjoyed a fantastic ocean view.

Ostensibly, the reason we went was for a big Society for Creative Anachronism event in the area, though we only attended for a day & a half. Still, that was fun, & we hung out with friends, ate great food, my husband played music, & we did some shopping.

The long, one-day drive back took us along the coast & also through Redwoods National Park. Superb views! All in all, it was a nice, relaxing little trip.

What I wore last Thursday:
Black knit dress, Target
Black & white stripey cardigan, Chadwicks
Black & white stripey leggings, American Apparel
Black & white polka-dot scarf, Old Navy
Black & white stripey socks, unknown brand
Black T-strap flats, Aldo
Silver disk earrings, random accessory store
Black leather purse, Jessica Simpson

Want to see a few shots of mountains & ocean, plus my husband playing crumhorn? Check out my pix on Flickr.

For those Americans who had a holiday weekend, how did you spend it?

Stripes Week: Gotta Have Some Purple

I love purple & conveniently enough, it's my company's color too. And, as the 19th, I've been at this company for 10 years, so it's seems appropriate to get some purple in with the stripes this week.

What I'm wearing:
Black long-sleeve knit top, Target
Grey pinstripe denim vest, Newport News
Black cotton tiered skirt, unknown brand, thrifted
Rubine & black stripey tights, We Love Colors
Black round-toe, spool-heel pumps, Target
Purple & black stripey knit scarf w/polka dots on reverse side, local artsy meditation store
Purple dangly earrings painted with bats, local artist
Purple lipstick, Sephora

Two days of multi-stripes, wow. Will the madness end? Probably not until this week does!

More about Stripes Week here.

Stripes Week: A Subdued Start

Grey, drizzly Monday called for grey stripes. That's how I roll! (Oh & I realized far, far too late that this outfit is almost an exact repeat of one I wore early on in the blog. Clearly, I liked it :-)

What I'm wearing:
Black & grey striped sweater, Target
Grey corduroy skirt, Newport News
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Red ankle boots, Aerosoles
Black & white stripey scarf, Forever 21
Black & white stripey ball earrings, Kohl's
Red flower hair pin, Icing
Raisin Rage lipstick, Revlon

Looking through my wardrobe & cataloging my stripey garments, I realized most of them are sweaters, especially cardigans. This could be because I have something of a sweater addiction (clearly, part of me was meant to live in foggy London, not [usually] sunny California, or I'm just addicted to NorCal's too-short fall & spring).

I've recently bought quite a few stripey scarves. I have a couple almost-identical striped silk blouses. I have only two striped jackets -- one very fancy, one super casual. I have loads of stripey Ts, both short & long sleeved. But I have absolutely no striped bottom wear nor dresses! I used to have a pinstriped trousers, but they don't fit anymore, & I know I have owned pinstriped skirts in the past (prob. several sizes ago or perhaps some unfortunate poor cut or shape). I do, of course, have a fair number of stripey tights, as every good goth gal does.

Bits of these will make appearances this week. Not sure which yet!

More about Stripes Week here.

Pink & Mixy

Look at me, mixing patterns again! Crazy, no? But only a little bit, so it's not like I'm really onboard with that little trend (I still think that mixing patterns often looks like someone got dressed in the dark ;-). But when it comes to pink, more is better, imnsho.

What I'm wearing:
Pink print cardigan, Chadwicks
Black corduroy skirt, H&M
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Black & pink pumps, Irregular Choice (closeups here)
Pink & black stripey jersey scarf, Express
Black & pink Victorian-esque earrings, random accessory store
Large black vintage-esque ring, Icing

First Time Mixing Patterns

Maybe it's the gothic aesthetic, maybe it's that I'm a closet preppy-traditionalist, maybe I'm an old fuddy-duddy, but I've never mixed patterned garments in one outfit before. At least not on purpose or while sober / awake. I know it's very trendy among the fashion blogosphere, & Miss Vinyl Ahoy even wrote a detailed tutorial on how to mix patterns judiciously.

But most of the time, those outfits look, to me, like someone forgot to take their meds. I just don't get it. Too much going on at one time! Remember, goths have trouble wearing more than one color + black. A big floral print mixed with plaid & micro-checks or something is going to be freaky for this goth gal.

And yet, when I had the top half of today's outfit on & reached for the black skirt I'd planned to wear with it, I suddenly paused at the spiderweb-print skirt. Hmm... pinstripe top, solid vest, with spiderwebs? Would it work or would I look like a bad accident? I tried it, looked in the mirror, & didn't throw up. In fact, when I went for accessories, necklaces didn't want to go with the neckline of this vest & I remembered the new scarf I bought. With polka dots. Omg, what has happened to me???

What I'm wearing today:
Black & grey pinstripe knit top, Old Navy
Black vest, bought from a friend
Black & white spiderweb-print skirt, made by me (first worn here)
Black & white polka-dot scarf, Old Navy
Black tights, unknown brand
Black lace-up spool-heel boots, Target
Large silver filigree earrings, Target
Giant black roses ring, Icing
Silver-grey flower hair pin, Icing

Unfortunately, the stripes in the top don't show up much in these photos, but I swear it looks like there's more print going on in real life.

Have you mixed patterns in an outfit? What do you think about the idea?

O'Dark-Thirty & a Shout Out

First, welcome to everyone visiting via Gothic Charm School & thank you to the Lady of the Manners for mentioning my blog! She is a fabulous friend from way back, & I'm thrilled that she linked to me here. I look forward to feedback from all my fellow & aspiring CorpGoths.

Today, I had to get up at the crack of, no, before dawn because my carpool driver had an early meeting. Ugh. So taking these pix was more difficult than usual -- the sun had just come up, & it was shadowy on the porch. The camera's flash kept wanting to go off (which washed out my face), but no-flash didn't look great either. And before coffee, I wasn't up to fiddling with the camera controls.

What I'm wearing today:
Black & grey striped sweater, Target
Grey corduroy skirt, Newport News
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Black stretch faux-leather boots, JC Penny
Black & white stripey scarf, Forever 21
Black & gold round giganto earrings, Forever 21
Red-brown lipstick, Lorac

I can't take photos after work because the sun has already gone down (this may change next spring, of course). Inside my house is too dark at any hour, thanks to both my Gothic Martha Stewart-ness & being a lifelong migraineur. For now, it's early in the morning (the blogging bits happen in the evening tho').

My carpool usually leaves at 8 a.m., & I hustle to get dressed & take pix in an hour before that. I don't get coffee until I'm at the office (we're lucky in that we have free, barista-made espresso drinks). If I'm in a breakfasty mood, I grab oatmeal or a custom-made omelet at the office cafeteria too & eat that while checking the morning's email.

So, workers of the world, what time do you get up & go to the office?