What to wear--this occasion has never come up...

[soteltie]

I'll be helping to prepare for and oversee a sweet 16 party for the daughter of a dear friend. The theme is "Gothic Tea Party." We'll be serving things like red-velvet Vampire Bite cupcakes, tea sandwiches, and scones with blood orange marmalade

Comments

[cvirtue]

Is this sort of a degenerate Victorian-oid theme, or more modern?

[soteltie]

Victorian-oid is a good name for it!

Random thoughts on little things gothy

[cvirtue]

Got any cheap black lace yardage? You could drape it over your head.
Blood-red fingernails and lipstick.
Heavy silver jewelry?

Re: Random thoughts on little things gothy

[soteltie]

Ooh, I've got red lipstick. I like the lace idea!

[dreda]

If you pile your hair up, you could put some nifty black hairsticks in it, maybe with some dangly things like jet beads. Or black and red sort of earrings?

(I would totally go with the jeans - that's smart.)

[soteltie]

Ooh, I have hairsticks! And maybe dangly black earrings. Thanks for the ideas!

[msmemory]

If you're going with the vampirey theme, a red neck-ribbon? Little lacy gloves?

[soteltie]

Great suggestions!

[soteltie]

I think I might have 2 skirts, if they fit: black cordaroy or black cotton knit, but both may be too casual. (I almost fit into them last spring...) One is mid-calf, I think the other is longer.

I have plain black leather dressy flats that I wear them on state occasions because I can't wear heels anymore. Since I'll be on my feet most of the day, though, shoes I wear with jeans would give me more ankle support. Hmmm.

[albreda]

You are worried about skirts being too casual, so you'll wear jeans? I'd wear a long skirt, and your comfy shoes. All of the other ideas folks had rock. Maybe steampunk it a little, with some leather, too?

Sounds fun!

[soteltie]

I didn't claim to be logical :-)
The jeans are dressier, in my mind. They are low-rise, boot cut. I'm pretty sure I don't have anything leather, but maybe T has something in his closet that I can borrow...

[cimeara]

I heartily endorse that site. They're a division of Recollections, which does general 19th-20th century historical costuming: http://www.recollections.biz/

I bought a silk Victorian ensemble from them (skirt and bodice) that was on sale for only $169, way below the time and effort and materials for making it myself. They'd run out of the color I'd chose and immediately emailed me to ask whether another color (not on sale) would do and gave it to me at the sale price. They also have a place on the order form where you can ask for different sizes for top & bottom in ensembles, AND they go up to my size and beyond in each, AND they included a large swatch of the fabric in the order so I can make a hat/purse, AND a gift certificate for $15 off my next order. Do allow enough time though, they make to order and not off the shelf.

But really, I love them. :-)

[soteltie]

I probably won't buy anything new for this shindig, but what fun stuff!

[soteltie]

Oh, my!