(I'm slowly slogging my way through the backlog of events from the last year that I never got around to posting. Bear with me.)
One of my costume goals for 2019 was a proper 1940s ensemble for Air Raid. What I
threw together last year was cute and comfortable and not
completely inaccurate, but it also left a lot to be desired. I wanted to do something more accurate and more stylish for the second outing.
I have a few pairs of 1930s-1940s heels but they all need repairs,
so I didn't have shoes ready to go that worked well with a skirt or
dress. I also didn't have the time or inclination to make pants unless
absolutely necessary. So the plan was to shop around for pants in hopes of finding something.
Ultimately the whole look was mostly my stuff with just a few new pieces, which is always kind of gratifying. From my closet I used my go-to faux pearl necklace, black pleather low-heel oxfords, a red probably-1980s-does-1940s blouse, a vintage 1950s(ish?) black beaded cardigan, and a vintage 1950s-1960s navy blue swing coat. I added a vintage grey fur collar from the stash to the coat and also did some much-needed repairs on it. A trip to La Bomba on
Retro Row got me a pair of vintage blue wool U.S. Navy uniform pants miraculously in my size, and I got a fantastic vintage-looking brass stamping airplane off Etsy and turned it into a brooch. It got a lot of compliments and was a great low-cost jewelry piece to add to the collection. As usual, my hair was improvised with pin curls. My whole look was heavily inspired by a 1946 photo of my grandmother and great-aunt, looking absolutely fabulous in trousers and fur-collared coats.
 |
| And I'm not saying my grandfather was Indiana Jones, but... |
Unlike last year, we also stayed until the dance was over. The MPs herded everyone out of the fort and it was amazing.
Then we went to the after-party on the Queen Mary, and walking around the halls and decks in period clothing and seeing everyone else dressed to the nines was an amazing bit of time travel. The Observation Bar was completely overcrowded with suits and gowns and uniforms and the scene was right out of a wartime photo.
This all prompted a low-key photoshoot to take advantage of the atmosphere, and it was a lot of fun.
 |
| An anonymous Marine crashed our photos in the stairwell... |
 |
| But I approved! |
 |
| Off by a few decades, but of course I had to squeeze in some RMS Titanic nerdiness. |
 |
| And some spooky shenanigans. |
Stay tuned!
No comments:
Post a Comment