Hello everyone, and welcome back to Steampunk Saturdays. Today's outfit features a few items that I'm really excited about, and what I hope might be the last snow of the season (unless we get a white Easter like some are predicting), which arrived last weekend. We took the opportunity to shoot some photos that I've been excited about for absolutely ages and it's been a while in the planning so I hope you enjoy the results.

The outfit began after I attended the Subaquatic Steampunk Weekend where I wore a gorgeous black Victorian-style skirt that I purchased from Corsets UK. After I got back from the event I noticed that the skirt was starting to come apart at the seams, so I emailed Corsets UK's customer support. The customer service was absolutely excellent - something that I find is becoming more and more unusual - and they offered to send me out a new skirt as a replacement. As the original skirt was now sold out, I opted for this tiered brown satin number which I thought would make some pretty cool outfits. I also wasn't required to send the original skirt back, so if I can figure out a way to mend or alter it, I will be using it again for steampunk costumes in the future.



One of the things that particularly drew me to this skirt is the really cool beadwork on the waistband, which I think adds a very unique touch. It also has an interesting chain detail which looks great, but me being the clumsy person that I am, I keep getting it caught on door handles and things as I go past!

Unfortunately the skirt is quite a lot too big for me on the waist, and with no option to wear a belt due to the beading, the only way I can make it sort of fit is by wearing something a bit bulky underneath. I'm wearing the smallest size that was available (UK 8) but I'd say it fits more like a 10 if not even a 12. I can't see it on the website any more but if it does ever become available again (or if you see it for sale elsewhere), I'd definitely recommend sizing down if possible.



The next item is my really seriously cool Alchemy Gothic Aetheric Inclinometer Attache Bag from Blue Banana. I love the design with the compass, and it's made of a really sturdy canvass material with leather accents. It really adds to an Aethernaut inspired outfit, and would probably be good for an explorer style as well. The only thing I don't like is the size - it's not even big enough to fit my phone in, which makes it not particularly useful to take to events. I can fit small items such as makeup, tissues, money etc, but I will definitely need a larger bag for taking out with me.





The last item for today's post is this gorgeous pistol that I borrowed from my other half. We got it from Head Case Curios in Southsea, and it's absolutely beautiful. I'd definitely like my own at some point, especially as you can get all sorts of different ones. I'm tempted by a little handbag pistol, something I can fit in a thigh holster, or a great big blunderbuss or something.

Anyway, that's pretty much it for today. Let me know in the comments which is your favourite item from today's post and I'll see you all soon.

I love those Spring days when the sun comes out even though it's still pretty cold. It makes it feel as though nicer weather is on its way and I start looking forward to being able to wear my lighter weight dresses that don't come out during the winter. At the moment most days I'm still wrapped in a few layers (I love this oversized cardigan; it's so warm) but at least I'm able to start bringing more skirts and sheer stockings and tights into my outfits. This outfit ended up making me feel slightly librarian-esque in an Evie O'Connell kind of way, even though I don't really see that come across on the photos. I actually think the cardigan changes the whole look of it as I originally tried the outfit on without it. It was quite chilly taking the photos though so: cardigan. Although it ended up being so sunny that I am looking down in pretty much all the photos.



One thing I've been saying for ages that I must get better at doing is accessorising. I have a lot of lovely jewellery but a combination of my jewellery storage not really working for me, and laziness, means that I tend to stick to the same few items all the time and so some of my things just don't get the love they deserve. This cameo necklace is a new addition to my collection courtesy of Blue Banana and I'm definitely not letting this end up at the bottom of my jewellery box. For a start, it perfectly straddles my interests in both vintage and steampunk fashion and I will certainly be wearing it with both styles. But also, look what happens when you open it up:




How flipping cool is it that it's also a watch?! Pretty great if you ask me, and I do actually use it to tell the time when I'm wearing it so it's also super handy. I can't actually find it on the website at the moment so it's probably sold out, but you can find some other watches from Blue Banana here and if you like things a bit on the gothic side they also currently have this one which is on a necklace. If it's cameos you like, they also have this choker and a cuff, both of which are really affordable and I'm really tempted to pick them up.

Anyway, I like the nice long chain on the necklace though I have also been able to put it back through the loop to double it up so I can wear it with any outfits where the longer chain doesn't look right. I also *think* I can replace the battery when it goes, because I did once manage to get the back to pop off (though I haven't attempted to actually get the battery out).

And by the way, yes - it was very cold taking these photos! It was a beautiful sunny day but still, these were taken in February. Just in case anyone is concerned, I was indeed wearing a coat (my Hell Bunny Elvira coat to be specific -  more photos here).



Here is the final side-by-side comparison of the new version of the dress with the original. I think it came out looking pretty good, if I do say so myself! Here's to more clothes dyeing adventures in the future.