Fashion question time for the LJ Hivemind

[cupcake_goth]

Sooooo, I've been looking at a lot of deathrock photos and pictures from this year's WGT over on Tumblr. Which is making me crave adding deathrock-y elements into my Victorian Cupcake Goth attire. I'm already going the route of layers of shredded tights and fishnets, but now I'm contemplating going one step further.

No, not shaving the sides of my head. Can you imagine what the Stroppy One would do? Sheesh.

I have an unlined, princess-seamed black blazer, made from stretch twill, that closes in the front with buckles instead of buttons. Notched lapels, and faux corset-lacing in the back to adjust the fit. I am thinking of taking my trusty seam ripper to the back seams, the seams where the sleeves connect to the blazer, and maybe the front seams. I'd open all of those seams up, and then "sew" them back together with safety pins. Many, many safety pins. And then wear the blazer over a high-collared, ruffly striped blouse and fluffy striped skirt. With petticoats, of course.

I can picture it clearly in my head, and *I* think it would look great. But I realize that sometimes I get these ideas, and I am ... easily blinded by the "Ooooh, shiny and new!" aspect of them. This is where you people come in!

[Poll #1576905]

Comments

[marc17.livejournal.com]

If you can stand to possibly part with the jacket, better to give it a try and have it fail than always wonder what would have happened.

[sistawendy.livejournal.com]

I've seen this kind of thing done well. If you're not already using the jacket, sheesh.

[loree.livejournal.com]

If it looks too messy, you could serge the seam ends before you have at it with the safety pins. Possibly even in pink?

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

Ooh, this is a clever idea.

[bijouxdejais.livejournal.com]

I think it would look very cool indeed. But I'd also suggest considering taking the details even one step further and maybe using varying pin sizes, painting the safety pins with pink polish, or adding beads to the safety pin shaft. See where I'm going?

[marchwarden23.livejournal.com]

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Just don't undo the seams beyond repair. That way, if you do decide that you just created an epic train wreck aren't satisfied with the results, you can sew it back up to its former glory.

Make sure all the safety pins are the same size and equally spaced apart and pointing all in the same direction. *The Look*

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

Oh no, not *The Look*!

::giggles a trifle maniacally::

The seams will be unpicked, not slashed to bits. Don't worry.

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

I think you might be happier with gromets and lacing. I suspect that the safety pins will give the Stroppy One the grumpy face in the end. the rest of your look is a bit too polished to go into the grimier edges of the deathrock look. granted, as long as you aren't planning to wear it to the office until you are sure it will present the *right* image for there, do it up with safety pins. You can always add gromets to it if that does not strike the right note.

Might I also suggest, instead, doing the Ant-style band front on a fitted jacket using rows upon rows of safety pins instead of beads?

Or maybe distressed lace for trim around patches or seams?

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

I've already got one jacket that has the grommets and lacing effect. And honestly, if the safety pins don't work out on this jacket, going the grommet route will be fairly simple. :)

Hmmm, distressed lace on the seams. I wonder if that would give the Infamous BlueJay hives?

[plymouth.livejournal.com]

my experience with doing lots of safety pins on things (not as seams but along the edges) is that they would pop open and stick me. I gave up on using them.

[nina1984.livejournal.com]

i think it would look cute.

you could try the safety pins in it before you take the hems apart just to see how it would look though.

[mimi-monsterr.livejournal.com]

I think it would look good :) maybe such a thing as pink safety pins exist that you could use?

I don't wear safety pins in clothes much anymore- mainly because, when I need a safety pin, I would just take one out!

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

There are not, AFAIK, pink safety pins, but there are diaper pins with pink plastic heads.

I do not think this would give the desired effect.

I wonder if it's possible to coat safety pins in tool dip and have them stay functional?

[m-cobweb.livejournal.com]

*snerts at the diaper pin mental image* I've got a little box of jewel-toned safety pins, so it's not impossible that there pink ones somewhere.

Ooh, now I want to do something interesting with the jewel-toned ones.

[alumiere.livejournal.com]

Yes, as long as you don't dip the closure mechanism and seal it closed or make the end of the pin too big to fit through. You do not want to dip the part that actually goes through the fabric though, or else you'll need to pre-punch holes for setting.

I'd suggest experimenting with only dipping the half that doesn't pass through the fabric (ie: the lower half of the closure, the straight part it is permanently affixed to, and the circle/spring part only).

You might also want to try nail polish, spray paint, or a patina spray for metal (if they're brass this works surprisingly well, and some of them are available at michaels etc). All of those are a thinner coat which should allow you to re-color the whole pin without losing function.

[erischild.livejournal.com]

how about rings, like chain mail rings, perhaps through tiny grommet holes? you get the metal look without the surprise punctures and snags, and it'll be a little more refined.

[erischild.livejournal.com]

OH OH......or grommets and fine gauge wire for the lacing

[m-cobweb.livejournal.com]

I think your hair would look kinda awesome with the sides shaved, but I realize I'm not helping here.

Edited for removal of inadvertent Valley Girl speak.