[Picture Post]: As requested... Meet Jaimi Le Femme
The inspiration for this outfit is kinda PUNNY but you have to be on the right filter to read it!
Anyways, my search began with Google (looking for vintage pictures) and ending at a rather Devine find at a thrift store. I say Devine b/c how often do you find a Japanese designer ball gown that has PERFECT Victorian aesthetic with more modern clan lines?! I mean really! And to make it an even better find I had already envisioned "Red, White, and Blue" as being my inspirational color scheme and here is this navy dress screaming try me on even though I am a 10 and you wear a 14/16. I WILL FIT, trust me! I tried it on, showed chocolate_goo and got her opinion, and took into account this little old lady gasped and exclaimed "that looks divine on you my Dear"... and I bought it at full price ($16) instead of waiting until the next day when it would be 50% off (I didn't know if it would still be there after all.) Then I took it home and let my evil mind decide how I was going to "make it mine" in the timeline I had. It seemed that every craft store that I hit that day I found a single piece of inspiration. By far the tweaking and creation of the hat cost more than the dress. However I love the end result so much I might just wear it to the military ball coming up! LOL!
Now I did this project on a pot of coffee and 48 hours start to finish, including the dealibits and the hat. The umbrella already existed from another steamy outfit I did last month but it happened to be perfect for my needs. I stuck to my color scheme in a richer way by using navy, burgundy, and a brassy cream… with the brassy color being only a small bit: umbrella, kerchief, and beautiful buttery boots (which I bought on the way to the party so they are not pictured here.) The necklace and earrings I had already, the "pocket watch" (which is actually a compass) was designed by inaurolillium and all of the other dealibits I made by hand using various found items and a whole lot of craft bonding agent. The whole look I love and while there are some minor adjustments in the works (fray-check on the slit I made in the skirt to turn it into a "coat" and the burgundy shimmer fabric lining I sewed in) I am not sure how much more that I want to do to this particular outfit. I do need to decide if I like the underskirt I pulled out of my closet to be "street legal" on the way to the CSPC (for future family friendly events... because Yes this design was meant to show off the fancy underthings)... or if I want to make an underskirt with some other fabric? I also need to decide if I want to fashion some sort of bustle for the back. Personally I kind of like the simplicity of the clothing itself allowing the accessories to have their spot light. However more than 3 people inquired if I had taken off my bustle so it caused me to pause and wonder if that is something I should consider adding?
Oh and if you are wondering what was under the "street legal making underskirt" that made me put it on in the first place? Well you will have to wait until I get copies of the pictures that the event photographer took to see. I will say that it involved Victorian inspired burgundy striped satin bra and panties set and garter attachments (Target ya’ll) and fishnets. I do need to get my ass to sock dreams to buy stocking for this outfit that have thick lace tops with vertical stripes. I have a pair but the lace at the top is not “plush friendly” and makes my legs look horrid. (I am proud of myself for “rolling with the punches on this discovery and not beating myself up for poor body image.)
Boots- Women's Xhilaration® Kamaria Ankle Boots - Tan $26.99 @ Target.com or $29.99 in store (buy online at full price and get another pair of shoes for 1/2 off)
Bra & Panties with garter straps- Gilligan & O'Malley® Push Up Bra/Boyshort Collection $19.99 a piece in store (cheaper online)
Pictured is the collection on the left and the actual color I bought on the right.
Anyways, I am proud of this particular outfit and I can’t wait to strut my femme self at SteamCon! Oh and the wig I wore (yes I have short hair) doesn’t do the outfit justice but it was a good compromise. I found this website that specializes in Victorian wigs for costuming and rebelprivateer thinks I should order one. I don’t know since it would have to be “rush order” at this point and the price may be prohibitive. I was considering the “Jesse” or “Innocence” in color #130. (http://thegypsysneedle.com/wigs.htm)
Anyways, the hat was my first attempt at hat making. I cheated and used a dolls hat as the base, covered it in fabric, and then started adding the pieces that called to me to use. I began sewing all of the pieces on but by the 8th or 9th time I stuck the leather needle through my finger I decided that craft bond would work just as good! LOL! I had a lot of fun and I might just try making a hat from scratch in the future. I can see my son wearing a gray wool top hat, with the seam to the side, accented in buttons like a pair of gaiters. And then use the same fabric to make him gators. So perhaps I may do that next?
Anyways, the risqué pictures will come as soon as I get them. For now enjoy the ones that we did at home.
Loves-
Jaimi Le Femme
PS-
I played with new makeup that would last longer and stay more vibrant. I just love how my makeup turned out and the pictures does NOT do it justice b/c I had an all over shimmer that just does not show. I also couldn't get the damn lashes on right, by myself so I skipped that fancy exaggerated lips, beauty mark, and long lush lashes that I originally intended! Perhaps for the Steampunk Exhibition Ball in Dec when my Drag friend can "paint my face" so to speak?! I really want a femme fatale look to my makeup… almost gothic Lolita.
Anyways, my search began with Google (looking for vintage pictures) and ending at a rather Devine find at a thrift store. I say Devine b/c how often do you find a Japanese designer ball gown that has PERFECT Victorian aesthetic with more modern clan lines?! I mean really! And to make it an even better find I had already envisioned "Red, White, and Blue" as being my inspirational color scheme and here is this navy dress screaming try me on even though I am a 10 and you wear a 14/16. I WILL FIT, trust me! I tried it on, showed chocolate_goo and got her opinion, and took into account this little old lady gasped and exclaimed "that looks divine on you my Dear"... and I bought it at full price ($16) instead of waiting until the next day when it would be 50% off (I didn't know if it would still be there after all.) Then I took it home and let my evil mind decide how I was going to "make it mine" in the timeline I had. It seemed that every craft store that I hit that day I found a single piece of inspiration. By far the tweaking and creation of the hat cost more than the dress. However I love the end result so much I might just wear it to the military ball coming up! LOL!
Now I did this project on a pot of coffee and 48 hours start to finish, including the dealibits and the hat. The umbrella already existed from another steamy outfit I did last month but it happened to be perfect for my needs. I stuck to my color scheme in a richer way by using navy, burgundy, and a brassy cream… with the brassy color being only a small bit: umbrella, kerchief, and beautiful buttery boots (which I bought on the way to the party so they are not pictured here.) The necklace and earrings I had already, the "pocket watch" (which is actually a compass) was designed by inaurolillium and all of the other dealibits I made by hand using various found items and a whole lot of craft bonding agent. The whole look I love and while there are some minor adjustments in the works (fray-check on the slit I made in the skirt to turn it into a "coat" and the burgundy shimmer fabric lining I sewed in) I am not sure how much more that I want to do to this particular outfit. I do need to decide if I like the underskirt I pulled out of my closet to be "street legal" on the way to the CSPC (for future family friendly events... because Yes this design was meant to show off the fancy underthings)... or if I want to make an underskirt with some other fabric? I also need to decide if I want to fashion some sort of bustle for the back. Personally I kind of like the simplicity of the clothing itself allowing the accessories to have their spot light. However more than 3 people inquired if I had taken off my bustle so it caused me to pause and wonder if that is something I should consider adding?
Oh and if you are wondering what was under the "street legal making underskirt" that made me put it on in the first place? Well you will have to wait until I get copies of the pictures that the event photographer took to see. I will say that it involved Victorian inspired burgundy striped satin bra and panties set and garter attachments (Target ya’ll) and fishnets. I do need to get my ass to sock dreams to buy stocking for this outfit that have thick lace tops with vertical stripes. I have a pair but the lace at the top is not “plush friendly” and makes my legs look horrid. (I am proud of myself for “rolling with the punches on this discovery and not beating myself up for poor body image.)
Boots- Women's Xhilaration® Kamaria Ankle Boots - Tan $26.99 @ Target.com or $29.99 in store (buy online at full price and get another pair of shoes for 1/2 off)
Bra & Panties with garter straps- Gilligan & O'Malley® Push Up Bra/Boyshort Collection $19.99 a piece in store (cheaper online)
Pictured is the collection on the left and the actual color I bought on the right.
Anyways, I am proud of this particular outfit and I can’t wait to strut my femme self at SteamCon! Oh and the wig I wore (yes I have short hair) doesn’t do the outfit justice but it was a good compromise. I found this website that specializes in Victorian wigs for costuming and rebelprivateer thinks I should order one. I don’t know since it would have to be “rush order” at this point and the price may be prohibitive. I was considering the “Jesse” or “Innocence” in color #130. (http://thegypsysneedle.com/wigs.htm)
Anyways, the hat was my first attempt at hat making. I cheated and used a dolls hat as the base, covered it in fabric, and then started adding the pieces that called to me to use. I began sewing all of the pieces on but by the 8th or 9th time I stuck the leather needle through my finger I decided that craft bond would work just as good! LOL! I had a lot of fun and I might just try making a hat from scratch in the future. I can see my son wearing a gray wool top hat, with the seam to the side, accented in buttons like a pair of gaiters. And then use the same fabric to make him gators. So perhaps I may do that next?
Anyways, the risqué pictures will come as soon as I get them. For now enjoy the ones that we did at home.
Loves-
Jaimi Le Femme
PS-
I played with new makeup that would last longer and stay more vibrant. I just love how my makeup turned out and the pictures does NOT do it justice b/c I had an all over shimmer that just does not show. I also couldn't get the damn lashes on right, by myself so I skipped that fancy exaggerated lips, beauty mark, and long lush lashes that I originally intended! Perhaps for the Steampunk Exhibition Ball in Dec when my Drag friend can "paint my face" so to speak?! I really want a femme fatale look to my makeup… almost gothic Lolita.