score! pt 3

(really, almost finished...!)

I'm smitten with this waistcoat. I had to make a deal with the shop as it was missing one of the brass buttons at the waist. I received a discount but it is non-returnable; to which, I have no problem with as I finally have a waistcoat that has enough room in the armholes. The armholes being a frequent issue for me with store-bought garments. A size up was too big in the chest, a size down was too small in the waist for the waistcoat to button.

Somewhat masculine while cut for a female form, excellent. Cotton fabric with grosgrain ribbon and brass button trim and fastenings. The lining is a synthetic fabric. The pockets are just large enough for a pocketwatch. Superb.



Some of the details of the lower front:



Details of the upper half:



Waistcoat back:



Some of the nice little finds from the men's section of H&M:

Bracelets - in reclaimed leather and pewter hardware.



Stud-belt - in deep red-brown leather with brass hardware.



Black knitted armwarmers of mostly synthetic with about 20% wool.



Black viscose scarf that is about two metres long and close to a metre wide.

score! pt 2

Continuing on the finds and acquisitions from H&M...

Several cotton voile blouses, each one under £10, not bad considering that a) cotton clothing is usually hideously expensive here in Britain; b) finding cotton voile blouses in something other than white or cream or beige.

I did purchase two in white slightly different in cut to these shown below. The white blouses' necklines actually button at the collar rather than the plunging necklines of the coloured blouses. Otherwise, they're essentially the same. Also I acquired one in black that is in the same cut as the blue and olive blouses. All of the blouses allow the sleeves to be rolled up and secured with the button and tab at the bicep.







The black linen trousers:



Some waistband details:




The black linen trousers are quite long and did come with a belt, I forgot to show it with said belt and I also forgot to take a photo of the details in the back. The trousers do have side pockets and two rear pockets with button closures.

The blouses and trousers could be used for the steampunk/gaslight fantasy costume. However, they were purchased with the intention of me using them for Topping at Parties.

One might say these clothes are a little masculine, and yet, they're still feminine without the girlie-nonsense. As a genderqueer, I like the mixing of female and male elements; I especially favour clothes that have elements that do not heavily fall in either gender.

score!

About two weeks ago, I went to H&M, it's starting to become something of a favourite of mine. Partly because of some of the clothes they carry. I do look in both the men's and women's sections, as the men's section often has more interesting items for costuming than the women's section.

Fashion must be dictating a quasi-military style this spring because I found two jackets that will do quite nicely for steampunk/gaslight fantasy... or when I'm Topping at the Party.

The black jacket's 'brass' buttons are actually plastic. If I can find suitable brass buttons to replace these with, I will. The zip does appear to be brass. The jacket is mostly cotton (95%+) and some elastane, it does have a little bit of stretch. It has tiny front-side pockets and padded shoulders... one of which came a bit loose when I laundered it. Seems I'll be doing a lot of little sewings in the near future.



The back view:



The second is a gray jacket with actual metal buttons (already slightly corroded for the 'distressed' look that appears to have taken over fashion for the past few years) and instead of button holes, has fabric strip loops. 100% cotton, the fabric is not as thick as the jacket above and has a softer handle to it. I folded the sleeves up as they're just a tiny bit too long.



Closer detail of the frogs:





One of the positives about this particular jacket is that the epaulettes can be unbuttoned and perhaps little 'rank insignia' could be installed.


Some of the bottom front detail.



The back view:

costume, the clamshell purse

For my costuming, I always need a belt pouch, because pockets... just never seem to do... or the garment is one that does not lend itself to pockets larger than a £2 coin.

I have had this little leather clamshell purse for probably a decade now. I bought it when we were in Austria, either in Tyrol or Innsbruck. Can't remember how much I paid for it, but it was before the Euro currency launched.

Thankfully, I picked a teal green rather than black. Go me.

The pewter flower on the strap is an edelweiss.

The front:



The back:



Inner views and size reference:





I know these last two are somewhat blurry, but trying to get things in good light while holding it open just didn't go quite as well as I'd perceived. Still, they give one an idea of the size and how it looks inside.

It's pretty much just large enough to act as a coin purse, holding cash notes and perhaps a traditional house key. Car keys won't fit, neither will credit cards.