Pin-up, Von Teese Style

Like a lot of Goth girls, I love (and look up to!) the lovely Dita Von Teese. She has such a lovely, feminine style with a large dash of dark modern whimsy, and I just adore it. In particular, I really admire this toile dress of hers.

I think it's just gorgeous; I love toile prints (more on that later this week) and the print on top of the fifties-inspired dress cut is just fantastic. So when I saw this great Shrine dress at Buffalo Exchange that reminded me strongly of this dress, I of course had to get it: 

Lace Shrug-Love Culture

Shrine print dress-Buffalo Exchange

Black underbust-Punk69

Black tights-Wal-Mart

Chunky black shoes-Repeat Boutique

This is one of Shrine's ballerina dresses, which retail for around $140 according to my research. So not too bad to get such an amazing piece for almost 90% off! There are two small stains on the skirt, but...oh well. :) I love the flirtiness of the cut and the boldness of the fabric. Like Dita's sexy toile dress, it just radiates contrast in the best possible way, which I love. So on Day 2 of my pin-up week, I pay homage to one of the coolest pin-up girls around. Thanks, Dita! 

Corset-y Long-Skirt-Y Goodness, Two-For-One Edition

Sorry for my absence, I've been a busy bee lately! I didn't really have a specific theme in mind for this week, but by pure coincidence (and probably because the fall weather is finally showing its face here in Wellington and it's been chilly) my outfits yesterday and today both had a long skirt/corset in them, so I'm taking it and running:

Kimono-sleeved top-Paper Bag Princess

Red overbust corset-Punk69

Pleated chiffon skirt-Arc

Black boots-The Warehoue

Black arrow necklace-Arc

Black shrug-Paper Bag Princess

White tank top-Wal-Mart

Striped arm warmers-Artsmyths

Black corset-Punk69

Fishnet and satin skirt-Paper Bag Princess

Black boots-Ross

I've found that these make really good rainy-weather outfits-they look elegant and put together while allowing me to hide a multitude of tights and thermal leggings under them! I still can't get over the fact that May means I need to start dressing warmer-this reversed seasons thing is going to take me a while to get used to, that's for sure. And to think, when I go home (2 months and 5 days, time has flown!) I'll go from winter to dead summer...too strange. Good thing my vast wardrobe can accommodate all seasons with careful layering. :) Also, it's my Un-Birthday-6 months until the big 2-1! 

Extra, Extra, Read All About It: International Steampunk Day Is Here!

Yes, yes, it's Flag Day, blah blah blah. Pish, tosh, and likewise pooh, says I-who cares about flags when you can have STEAMPUNK?! Considering it was my "gateway drug" to Goth, and I still love it to pieces (just Goth is easier for everyday), I of course simply HAD to celebrate by giving my outfit today that extra-Victorian tinge:

 Hat-Buffalo Exchange
"Pearl" necklace-???
Black pintuck blouse-Goodwill
Newsprint corset-Punk69
Black and white striped handwarmers-Claire's
Ruffly black skirt-ARC
White mary-jane heels-Hot Topic

 You can see our cool genuine Victorian lamp in this picture, and also the top half of my kitty, Padme. I thought the lamp was thematically appropriate, and cats are always cool, hence the inclusion of this picture.

I LOOOVVE this corset. I originally saw it on GoodGoth, and wanted it so badly-but they charge $119.95 for it, which is too rich for my blood. I would visit the website and look at it longingly, then sigh and go away without ordering-so imagine my delight when I found it on Punk69, where the corsets range from $28 to $40! That, I can do-so I finally got my long-awaited newsprint corset, and figured it was ideal for a steamy outfit. Prepare to see this corset a lot, because I can already tell that it's gonna be one of my all-time favorites. Did any of you have a longed-for but too-expensive item that you were able to get for a better price elsewhere?