My darling Gentle Reader, here are some bits of fashion I included in the new Delightfully Deadly book, Defy or Defend. I’m posting them ahead of time so you can look out for them and because I don’t consider fashion a spoiler, not even in a makeover story. First, this meme went around a long […]
Apr292020
Fashion in Defy or Defend (Special Extra Delightfully Deadly Series)
Apr32020
My Biggest Gripes with Austen Movies (Miss Gail Recommends)
Generally speaking, Gentle Reader, when times are tough I watch Austen movies. I know, I know, but we all have our visual comfort food. I don’t like to be negative here on the blog, but I figure taking sublime umbrage in a Jane Austen movie adaptation ranks pretty low on the totem poll of putting […]
Jan32020
Dear Lord Akeldama: The Vampire Answers 9 Fashion Questions
Happy New Year, my darling Gentle Reader. In fact, happy new decade! With that in mind how about something from the man who has been through many many decades himself? Why yes indeed, it’s our own favorite vampire dandy! And he is ready to solve all your fashion dilemmas… Welcome Lord Akeldama… take it away! […]
Nov222019
10 Tips on Writing Victorian Garb from Gail Carriger (Important for Authors)
10 Facts Gail Wishes Other Authors Knew About Writing Upper Class Victorian Clothes 1. Gown = Bodice + Skirt Ball Gown 1900-1905 The Metropolitan Museum of Art Most gowns and dresses were in two or more parts: the top (or bodice) the bottom (or skirt/overskirt/underskirt+overskirt) The two were sewn (yes on the wearer), tied, or […]
Oct182019
How to Thrift for Victorian & Steampunk Outfits (Miss Carriger Recommends)
Dear Gentle Reader, This is not for the faint of heart. This is an older blog post I did on Retro Rack, that I’ve consolidated and moved here. It contains basic guidelines on how to cobble together a pseudo victorian or steampunk outfit via thrift stores. I originally wrote this post many years ago for […]
Sep182019
Victorian Silhouette & Fashion Explained for Readers, Fellow Authors, & Dilettantes from Gail Carriger (Special Extras)
My dear Gentle Reader, I am so very immersed in the Victorian Era it often doesn’t occur to me to actually explain fashion (or fashion terms). So here is is the massive explanation of pretty things I talk about in the Parasolverse, that you might not know… Ivy and her hat, REM’s character sketch “The […]
Jul222019
Why Dress Characters in Victorian Sportswear? (Claw & Courtship Custard Protocol Special Extra)
I love me some Victorian sportswear, Gentle Reader. In How To Marry A Werewolf, Faith the main character (an upstart American girl) is a proponent of the great freedom and joy in the bicycle suit. In Reticence, new character Arsenic wears all manner of sportswear from a golfing costume to a bicycling suit as well. […]
Jul192019
Spot the Outfit in the Book? Clothing Featured in How to Marry a Werewolf: 1890s Hats, Dresses, and Men in Uniform (Claw & Courtship Special Extras)
Want to play a rousing game of spot that outfit in How to Marry a Werewolf, Fashionable Reader? I feature a number of fashionable items from the historical record in this one. It was fun for me to research and to write. On Faith… Walking suit, American, circa 1890-95. Wool, silk taffeta. Mint Museum 1890 […]
Jul172019
Boater Hats of the 1890s – Fashionable Research Behind How to Marry a Werewolf (Claw & Courtship Special Extra)
I love a boater hat (also called spinners), Fashionable Reader. One of the joys of writing in the 1890s (my Custard Protocol and Claw & Courtship series) is the fact that I can finally start to include this fashion item! Obviously this started as a gentleman’s hat. Source With the advent of women on bicycles, […]
Jul122019
Dressing Percy & Quesnel for the Custard Protocol Books ~ Victorian Fashion for Men 1890s (Special Extra)
With Reticence coming out soon, and it being Percy’s book, I thought I might do a bit on men’s fashion for a change, Fashionable Reader. Here’s a quote from Reticence on the subject of Percy’s appearance… “The others looked interested, surprised, and resigned according to their natures. Except Percy, who looked like none of those […]
Jul82019
Dressing Primrose From the Corset Up: For Balls, Sports, and the Bedroom by Gail Carriger (Custard Protocol Special Extras)
So, Fashionable Reader, I have concocted a pictorial guide to possible outfits that a young lady of Prim’s rank might wear during this time period. The images run with what she would need to put on, in order. Ready? Here we go… On the bottom half: 1. 1890 The Metropolitan Museum of Art 2. 1890s Stockings […]
Jun172019
Beautiful Dresses for Rue & Prim in the Custard Protocol Books, from Harper’s Bazaar 1891 (Special Extras)
I have this lovely Harper’s Bazaar from 1891, Fashionable Reader, given to me by a lovely fan. I finally got around to scanning some of the images. Here are a few for you, the kind of things Rue & Prim might wear in the Custard Protocol series. “We are told that several ladies have actually […]