Broken record

It's been quite obvious that I've been struggling with this blog, lately. That is largely due to struggling with changing styles in my wardrobe. I wrote a little bit about it on Tumblr and, while I love the idea of looking different from one day to the next, it's not always possible on a tight budget. At least, not in the way I envision it.

So, I suppose because I don't know how I want to dress, exactly, I'm not sure what to blog about, either. Of course, I also don't have the drive to photograph everything the way that I used to and I think that's playing a huge part in my lack of blogging.

Lately I've been feeling comfortable in outfits such as the one above - buttoned up blouses, skater skirts and boots - but last month I was all about mod. 

This chop and changing is partly because I just love so many different styles, but also because I guess I'm experimenting, again, trying to find out what I like.

I'm probably sounding like a broken record, now, with all of my 'I'm not sure what to do with my blog' or 'I'm not sure what this means for my blog' but I still haven't figured it out. It did, at least, give me a title.

After reading some great posts from other vintage bloggers (such as these two from Solanah of Vixen Vintage and this one from Janey of Atomic Redhead) I've wanted to write my own, but can't seem to find the words, just yet.

I've gone through a few different styles in my life, and I think this is just one of those natural things where my interests and tastes have shifted subtly and it's reflected in what I want to wear. But, again, it leaves me at a standstill with this blog, considering its history and how it started. I don't want to move to a new blog but maybe I could give it a visual makeover, as a start.

I also started a Pinterest board for anything that's inspiring me (visually/sartorially) at any given time, in hopes that some kind of pattern(s) will emerge. At the least, I think it will show how my interests can change from week to week but often cycle around.

This post is very disjointed and I apologise for that. I'm still struggling with blogging and still hoping I'll come out the other side with a clearer vision for this blog. Until then, perhaps it will be a document of my experimenting and journey to a new style?

You're standing on my neck

On the second day of Oz Comic Con my true love sent to me...wait, sorry, wrong time of year. As I was saying, my second costume for Oz Comic Con was Daria, the much beloved sarcastic cartoon teen of my generation. And my friend, Kate, who was the Bat-Ma'am to my Robin, dressed up as Jane with me.

My costume (and Kate's) was mostly put together from pieces found at op-shops and the like. The only effort I really had to put in, was to alter the jacket. It was taken in, the sleeves taken up and a new collar attached to look more like Daria's jacket.

Someone asked Kate how she got her hair so perfect and her reply was 'this is just how my hair always is'. Ha.

La la la la la...

As you can see, I'm not used to wearing glasses in photos and so there is a lot of reflection in the lenses. Oops.

The best part was, my friend and I spent most of the day sitting around making snarky comments and we weren't even trying to be in character. Are we really just Daria and Jane? We do love pizza and being sarcastic.

Say, do any of you guys know how to Madison?

Remember how I mentioned how good the current Australian production of The Rocky Horror Show is? Well, I saw it a second time the Saturday after I saw it with Miss Fairchild (also the Saturday of Oz Comic Con, so that was an exhausting day). The second time around, I went for a Brad Majors inspired outfit.

Forgive the mirror shot but it's the only one I got of me in my glasses (which I do need for things like the cinema or the theatre) - you can also see my ring which is not dissimilar to Brad's (seen below). I'll admit, that detail was entirely unintentional! Just a funny little coincidence (an accident!), though I did think the ring was very 'Rocky Horror'.

Oh, Brad!

A full length shot to show off the tights and shoes I wore. Of course, I had to wear my platforms to Rocky Horror!

As a sidenote, the actor playing Brad in the current production is a little bit cute. Ha. Oh, heck, the entire cast is gorgeous. (And talented).

And just so you can see my suspender skirt properly. I actually bought this for a potential future costume, but it's a cute skirt so it's currently just in my non-costume wardrobe.

Oh, gosh, writing this post makes me want to go again. Sigh. (I know, I'm a greedy little thing, aren't I? Twice just isn't enough with a production this good!)

Have you ever retired a human by mistake?

At Oz Comic Con, last weekend, I finally got to do a costume I've been wanting to do for a couple of years, now: Rachael from Blade Runner.

Sean Young as Rachael in Blade Runner, 1982

I kept putting the costume off as I couldn't find the exact fabric I needed, but, when I realised I probably never would, I just decided to find something similar enough and go for it. Finding good images of Rachael's costume was also difficult and the film itself is very dark. But I managed to make something that looked similar (after studying the images I could find for far too long).

The hair was a little bit of a challenge as it's been ages since I've attempted victory rolls, but it still took less than half an hour. The faux bangs were super easy, though. And I just did a very simple roll at the back.

This is the pattern that I used - the skirt was made exactly as it is in the pattern, but the jacket had to be modified. I took away the ruffles and extended the straight panels and added a collar from another pattern. I also drafted some pockets from looking at Rachael's costume and sewed them into the side seams (with help from mum along the way, when I needed guidance). Rachael's costume also has diamonds sewn on to the left arm and left side of the jacket, but I forgot to get a photo to show you all.

Another thing I really wanted to do with this costume was to try to recreate some of the polaroids from Sean Young's website. It was tricky, though, because I have a different camera - I could never take a photo of myself at arm's distance with this camera - and the film isn't so great these days (though I very much appreciate that I can get film for my polaroid camera). But I did my best! If you want to see Sean Young's own polaroids, go here.

I wish I'd moved those darn picture hooks! So distracting.

As you can see, my camera doesn't like closer shots. Ha. This is my best 'unimpressed Sean Young' face.

'Do you like our owl?'

I took a couple of shots with my Instax too (the owl one is also Instax) - it takes a much clearer shot than my Polaroid.

I'm not sure if anyone at Oz Comic Con got my costume - I got one smile/nod, hopefully in recognition, but it's the first time not one single person has said anything about my costume. My friends loved it and, luckily, so did the people I shared the photo with online, but it was still a tiny bit disheartening. I'm really proud of this costume, though, and next time I wear it my friend said she'll come as Pris with me! It might be a while before that happens but, when it does, there will be more photos.

Whew. Sorry for the text heavy post! There is still one more Comic Con post to come, so keep a look out for it.

When Miss Fairchild came to stay

As I mentioned in my last post, last week Miss Fairchild came to stay with me. And we had a grand old time! The main purpose of her visit was to go see The Rocky Horror Show, and the photos below are of what we wore when we went to see it. 

Firstly, it is a brilliant production. Honestly, some of the cast sound better than some of the earlier cast recordings I've heard (or, at least, just as good). If you have the chance to see it, do go. Adelaide was even lucky enough to have Richard O'Brien as The Narrator!!! I was practically in tears but I won't bore you all with my effusive rambling so, on to the photos.

I thought black and white was appropriate for a Rocky Horror production. And Miss Fairchild was looking fabulous in red.

My iPhone didn't really like the low light...

I decided to take some polaroids - what's the point in having film in the camera if I never use it? Miss Fairchild took this one of me and caught me with my eyes closed. I really like this shot, though.

Together! Awww. I like this photo of us.

And I'm pretty proud of the composition of this one - I usually end up with very lopsided polaroids.

I didn't really get any other photos, even though we went to one of my favourite places to eat (Two Bit Villains) and to see the Dark Heart Biennal at AGSA - we were both exhausted from all the fun, and forgot about photos. Oops.

Also, sorry for the sparse text - hopefully the photos speak for themselves!