Steampunk Friday

 I have always loved the steampunk look. It's growing more and more popular here in Australia and I started to feel like I'd be able to get away with wearing it without looking like I've come straight from a dress up party (though I guess that could be my default look?). I've been adding a few items to my wardrobe and thought it was time to start bringing them out.

I kept it basic for work, so not to scare the locals.

I got both the skirt and the top from Corset Story. They sell both branded wear and their own brand of clothes and both of these pieces are their own brand. The skirt looked amazing on the website and I tossed up for several weeks before buying it. It's stupidly expensive and there is no size guide on the site for their own branded stuff so I was left guessing what size to get. In the end, I guessed right and it fits, but I'm glad I got the skirt as part of a deal (buy 2 get 1 free) as there is no way on earth it is worth the amount they're asking for it. It's very thin cotton (almost see through) and although it's made well enough and has pull ties built in so you can adjust the front length, it's just not the sort of quality you'd expect when laying down that sort of cash (for those of who who haven't clicked the link, the standard price is $105AUD). They sell several other sorts of skirts, in a similar price range and after getting this skirt, I wouldn't even consider buying one of the others.

The top is much better value and comes with a detachable collar so you can dress it up or down. I chose to forgo the collar as it's bloody hot! Not exactly the best thing for a Perth summer! The top also doesn't come with a size guide but at least it gives you an estimate of what AU size is the equivalent. I'm wearing the 3XL (an Aussie 18) and the skirt is an XL (which fits fine around my waist but I wouldn't be able to wear it low on the hips which means you would hardly ever see the button detailing).

I have several under bust corsets and I can't wait to wear them with this outfit to give it a definite steampunk flare.

We went out after work and I wore a dress that I also got as part of the same 3 for 2 deal. The AU site doesn't seem to stock the dress anymore by the UK version of the site does. It's a Darkstar short layered dress and photos just don't do it justice. The layers are just gorgeous and it's so detailed.

I thought I'd pull out the first pair of 'alternative' shoes that I ever bought. They're the Demonia Dynamites and they're not only comfy and short gal's best friend, but they have that awesome star shaped hole through the sole that adds to the fun.