When real things happen to imaginary people

And where are the knock-offs, I ask you?



Pave Punk Princess Spike Bracelet on eBay (and I think they meant pavé), for a mere $329.

I'm not going to even try and be blasé here: I think that's pretty damn cute. Rhinestone spiked bracelet! Eeeee! But THREE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-NINE DOLLARS for it? Oh no, not even.

(I can't find a picture of them now, but I've seen stud earrings that match the bracelet, and those are also ridiculously cute, but insanely pricey.)

So, high-end "fashion" knock-offs of punk/deathrock stuff. I'm not surprised, I just want to know where I can find cone spikes set with rhinestones so I can make my OWN accessories.

- Even with the 80s and 90s revivals happening right now in the mainstream stores, I bet we won't see a resurgence of the princess-seamed, full-skirted dresses that were easily available in the early 90s. Dammit. I still have a couple of the ones that were made from the heavy-weight, good-quality crushed stretch velvet, and I don't think I will ever get rid of them. (They're good around the house dresses, for one thing.)

- I don't usually link to Jezebel, but they have a post on the sartorial challenges of being large-breasted. (clicky-link!) There is some good information in there (Go get fitted for bras! Tailoring is your friend!), but mostly I'm just amused by finding out that fashion magazines are declaring ""Big bosoms are the new must-have accessory" for fall, says fashion-crank Liz Jones" Does this mean that the fashion industry will make clothing to flatter and fit larger bosoms? Ha. If you believe that, I have several bridges I would like to sell you.

cass404 and I went to the HIM concert. Bombastic metal for the win! We both liked one of the opening bands (Dommin); enough so that I purchased their CD from the merch booth. (Even tho' I couldn't shake the feeling that they were a metal version of Low Shoulder.) (There will be, what, three of you who get that joke?)

Part of the entertainment (for me, at least) in going to shows like that one is to people and outfit watch. A word of advice, folks: Acid-wash stretch denim is NO ONE's friend. No, pairing it with knee-high stiletto boots, a skin-tight tank top, and aggressive blond highlights does not improve things. AT ALL. Learn from the horrors of the late 80s, okay?

There was one very ... friendly young lady (who I suspect was indulging in recreational chemicals) who saw me, clapped her hands, threw herself at me for a hug, said "I LOVE you!", patted my skirts, and then stumbled off. She made no mention of Gothic Charm School, so I think it was just a case of really liking my outfit.

HIM played at least two of the songs I really really wanted to hear ("Join Me In Death" and "Wicked Game"); alas, they did not play "Poison Girl" or "Vampire Heart". But still, the show was all sorts of fun, and I'm glad we went.

Stiletto-heeled, open-toed gladiator boots + dark denim leggings + blue plaid "peasant" top with ruching at hips and shoulders = not a good look on anyone. ANYONE.

Also, since you didn't look like the sort of person who would go all Manic Panic with their hair, I can only assume that you had intended those highlights to be blond, not an apricot/peach color.

As one final comment, you probably should work on your subtle double-take. As in, try to make it subtle, instead of the full-on head-snap-around with the big eyes. That's kind of hard to miss.

Today I walked out of my building (to go to the building across the street that has the good Mexican food in their cafeteria), and was greeted by the sound of ... bagpipes. The really surreal part? Wondering if the bagpipes were being played by a guy I once worked with who kept his set of bagpipes in his office.

Bagpipes.

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Dear Female Co-Worker I saw in the cafeteria,

Yes yes, my wardrobe is very confusing to you. However, I am as equally confused as to why you thought that a denim micro micro-mini (with a ragged, "distressed" hem), a white almost-but-not-quite sheer sleeveless blouse, and black patent 4" spike-heeled sandals are appropriate to wear to work. Even at a place with no dress code.

(Seriously, what she was wearing would be fine if she was going out clubbing and looking to hook up. I dunno, maybe I'm being unreasonable. But damn that was a short skirt. With raggedy strings hanging from the hem.)

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EDITED TO ADD: Oh dear. According to some mainstream fashion magazines, grunge is coming back as part of the 90s nostalgia wave. No. No, thank you very much.