Quick Conversion

One thing I've noticed since I've been walking to work is that I'm wearing pants a lot more often, I think because they feel less fussy -- there's no slip to deal with, or a skirt that's clinging to my tights, or blowing in the wind, or whatever. There have been a couple of times where I've changed my entire outfit once I got to work, but that involves a lot more hauling of stuff than I'm willing to do most days (especially since I often also walk home and thus have to haul everything for 6 miles). So my goal is generally to build an outfit where I can wear it mostly in its finished state, and change or add one or two things once I get to the office. Don't worry, I'm still looking for ways to make my skirt and dress-based outfits easy to wear for the walks, and I'll happily share any new tricks I hit upon.

This is an example of just the sort of quick-conversion outfit I'm after. I wore my Bastien short boots for the walk, and carried the tall boots as well as the white cardigan in my backpack. Then when I got to work it was quick and easy to convert the outfit for the work day.

Next week I'll be traveling to Germany and France on business (I know, I know -- what a sacrifice, right?), so I'm definitely going to be putting some of these new tactics to work for my travel outfits. In fact I think a couple of the pieces in this outfit will be making the trip with me. I'm going first to Dusseldorf and Strasbourg, and then spending the weekend in Paris before coming home. Dusseldorf and Strasbourg are for work, but the Paris weekend is all mine. Gond thing I haven't started my Christmas shopping yet!

Tunic: All Saints
Knit pants: Club Monaco
Cardigan: 12th Street Cynthia Vincent
Boots: Modern Vintage
Necklace: Wendy Brandes

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Quick Conversion

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Separated at Birth

Oh, the perfect harmony that exists between this ruffle-trimmed t-shirt and this tank dress! Behold, the way the straps of the dress neatly disappear beneath the ruffles, as if the two pieces were actually one! Marvel at the way the soft gray of the t-shirt so perfectly frames the beautiful detailing of the cream-colored dress! Yes, these two pieces were meant to go together, ladies and gentlemen. Truly they were twins, separated at birth.

Counteracting the gloriousness of finding the perfect shirt to wear with this dress is the sad, sad fact that this beloved pair of tights is on its last legs (no pun intended). They've got a hole in the foot, they're getting threadbare, and they're starting to pill. Soon they'll have to go in the bin, and I'm loathe to part with them because I haven't found an acceptable replacement yet. I've searched high and low to no avail. I figure I can get maybe one or two more wears out of them tops, and then from here on out I'm just screwed. Perhaps I'll need to run off and join the circus, or at least move to a warm enough climate that I don't need tights at all.

For my friends in Seattle though, I have some good news. This gorgeous upcycled, vintage slip-turned-into-a-skirt is from one of your local designers, the delightful Gunlis. More of her gorgeous creations can be had at several boutiques around town; I found this skirt a few weeks ago at the Fremont Fair during my trip to Seattle, where I was fortunate enough to chat with Gunlis and buy not only this skirt but a couple of pairs of pettipants and a camisole as well. The skirt is trimmed with pleated tulle and accented with a satin flower and black feather. It doesn't replace the failing tights, but certainly it's the perfect flourish to punctuate the shirt/dress combo.

Shirt: H&M
Dress: Lady Language
Tights: Noa Noa
Skirt: Glam Garb by Gunlis
Socks: Sock Dreams
Shoes: John Fluevog

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Corset Top

I hope all my friends in the US had a wonderful 4th of July weekend. If you'd like to see a little of what I was up to, take a peek in the Etsy shop. Some more of Mark's amazing creations will be posted soon; he's been very busy as well, and has crafted some real masterpieces.

I originally bought this top specifically to wear underneath my Dark Garden corset, but since I have yet to wear the corset (which I don't even have a good excuse for), the top has hung in the closet unworn as well. It wasn't until I pulled it out to use for modeling some of Mark's belts for the shop that I was inspired to wear it to work. Putting it over this ecru dress seemed like a perfect way to downplay all the lace and make it more office-appropriate. The skirt added just the right amount of length to the hemline, while I offset all the girlieness of the lace and pink by adding plenty of skulls.

Top: Dark Garden
Dress: Lady Language
Skull scarf: Duke et Duchess
Belt: Audra Jean
Skirt: Lemon Twist
Socks: Sock Dreams
Boots: Bata
Skull bracelet: Betsy Johnson

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Corset Top

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Harness

This beautiful harness belt is one that Mark created recently for the Etsy shop. As soon as I tried it on I proclaimed that whomever tried to buy it would have to pry it from my cold, dead hands, until Mark assured me that he could simply make another one. Determined not to be foiled, I figured I'd better wear it straight away, just in case. Having secured my copy, I can assure you that this belt is in fact for sale, and you need not fear for your safety should you decide to order it.

The buckles on this belt are the same sort used in making halters for horses. By pairing the belt with the denim dress and boots, I played on the equestrian angle rather than taking this in a bondage-y direction, which might be crossing the line even in my anything-goes work environment. The belt is a deep chocolate brown, which pairs nicely with my well-worn riding boots. As a side note, the belt can also be made in black leather, with either nickel or antique brass hardware, and sized to order.

Ecru dress: Lady Language
Denim dress: thrifted
Pendant: Ice.com
Belt: Audra Jean
Boots: Bata

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Contrast

Searching back through my archives to find my original Memento Mori post yesterday reminded me that it has been awhile since I've worn this adorable dress. Since we had another day of nice hot weather, it just so happened to be the perfect time to pull it out again, and coincidentally it was also a great way to make use of the new waistcoat I bought last week in an effort to add some more steampunk elements to my wardrobe.

The dress is super soft and comfy, but because it's pretty much see-through it necessitates a layer underneath, in this case a lace-trimmed cami and a black skirt. This proved advantageous for tod`y's outfit, since the black layer added some striking contrast and outlined the top and bottom of the dress, which I thought looked better than the off-white fabric right next to my pale skin. My aversion to tanning really limits my ability to wear white, which is why I often layer my white and off-white pieces with another contrasting layer.

Waistcoat: Heathen
Dress: Lady Language
Skirt: From my sister
Shoes: John Fluevog

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Contrast

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