For the Edwardian Ball, we found ourselves needing instruction on how to make a spat, so we searched, and searched, and searched for instructions that seemed … inspiring.  We were about to give up when we found something that matched our desires perfectly.  An instructional video titled: How-To Make Spats (Spat vid here).  The production quality on this video how-to blew us away and we became instant fans of ThreadBanger.Com

We anticipate that you will the find the below video about how to make dreadfalls useful and engaging.  Do note that it is of a vintage which is no longer being produced.  The two dynamic hosts have since moved on for reasons unknown but the site, and especially the forums, continue to generate valuable content.

It gives a good idea of what’s possible though.  Check it out and tell us if you want more resources like it!

During a brainstorming session with Mairin in which we sketched some rough concepts for her upcoming fashion line (stay tuned for more on this exciting development), I sketched out a character wearing the Edwardian Ball outfit I hoped to create.  (See sketch at right of this paragraph.)  This character was partly inspired by a tremendously engaging, sinister, Victorian era, browser-based role-playing game: Echo Bazaar which I’ve sincerely enjoyed becoming lost in these past couple months.

A month or so later when I was running out of time to actually manifest the outfit, I gave up on trying to design a thigh-high spat out of belts similar to these ones and instead banged out the brocade spats, vest, and cravat over the course of three days/nights.

These spats (see below) are a variation of a vintage East German issued gaiter. I’m growing to like using imitation leather because it’s durable, cheap, and can look amazing as is the case with the woven, grid texture on the black part of these spats.

The spats were riveted together with my new hand-press which I am finding to be faster than sewing in many ways. Note the recycled leather belts on the bottom.

Regarding the vest ornament (above), it was definitely inspired by my fashion-designer friend Tammi Wright’s application of chained stones in her Infinity:Now design line.  My outfit may not have been as outlandish as a good number of the other outfits at the ball, but this center-stone ended up inspiring quite a few compliments and adding credence to my character’s jewel thief mystique.

I also wore the outfit a couple weeks later during a vampire pub crawl in Reno.  It was perfect for that affair!

At the bottom of this post is the couture creation I am most proud of and the last component of my outfit I will be discussing: my patchwork leather gauntlet.  It’s the first true custom fit item I have created and was fun to puzzle together a piece at a time from upcycled suede jackets.  Thanks to Jeff Carloni aka Inferno for these photos!

Morgan (pictured at left with her companion Don in Raven Production’s exquisite photo booth) sports a grand ensemble which takes liberties with historic inspirations creating a scandalously elegant visage of courtly juxtaposed with exotic.  Don meanwhile, would probably have fit right in at a club full of tofts and rakes during the brief era that followed the dawn of the 20th century with his more historically accurate portrayal of an Edwardian gentleman.

Before going on to Mairin and Dusty’s outfits, it must be noted that certain considerations need to be given adequate attention when selecting an outfit for such an affair.  One thing we all failed to account for was how bloody hot the ballroom would get once it was jammed full of hot blooded revelers!

Dusty and Mairin (pictured at right) hand made the more eye catching portions of their characters’ wardrobes.  Both hail from the shadowy, less law-abiding, but certainly still noble corners of Edwardian London.

Mairin’s is a celebration of the patchwork past revised to sensational effect.  Though the color scheme was significantly inspired by the Wandlung mini-hat which tops it all (and which Mairin herself chose and supplied the fabrics for), the hand-made from a Victorian pattern corset, associated over-blouse, and bustle-less skirt sprang from a need for the underworld’s ball-worthiest finery.  She was thankful for the sleeveless top and mostly airy bottoms but was still a bit overly warm.  At least the caged bunny hanging at her side didn’t complain.

Dusty was fortunate enough to purchase his brocade pants and a dress shirt with a collar that could be ironed to give the classic “winged” look from Reno thrift stores.  The remainder of his outfit (which will be gone over in detail in the next post) consists of modified thrift scores and his first ever made from scratch leather gauntlet and spats.

While we would love to lay claim to titles of best dressed in attendance, this was fortunately not the case at all.  In fact, we all had to admit at some point or another that we were probably dressed up and rocking as much flare as the average attendee.  There were certainly many dressed more fabulously than we.

In our opinion, it is more about having a costume that suits and enhances your particular personae for that evening.  We found that for us, if what you are wearing helps you to be the character you want to be then it is likely the subtle details only you and those intimate to you will fully appreciate that your mind will subconsciously orbit as the brighter stars of the evening pass.

Guest author and fellow Faux Fur Freedom Front Fighter Jordan Miller is the sole-proprietor of Red Dirt Fashions,  one of the most radically re-inventive fashion labels we’ve had the pleasure to discover.  Now, heeeeerrrre’s Jordan!

Bandannas… Sure, we only have the threat of finding ourselves in a dust storm about a week out of the year, but for that week, bandannas are an absolute must. Not only do they make you look much more fabulous, but they have functionality as well. And for those of us who maintain style notoriety the remaining 358 days a year, a bandanna can be an asset to any ensemble. Even though we do not wake up everyday with the fear of finding ourselves face first with an infamous playa white out, the rest of the year, a bandanna can double as a handkerchief, a napkin, or even a bib for those messy eaters—just remember to wash it regularly (with a fourth a cup of vinegar in the washer to keep colors their brightest)!

Arm Warmers… Anyone who does not wear faux fur for moral implications has felt the consequences from the cold desert night more than others. And even though there are bulky alternatives, for us fashionistas, enduring Mother Nature’s bite is the bitter but more fabulous alternative. My solution for this problem has always been to layer multiple arm warmers underneath my sweaters. This way, one still looks cute and petite in their sexy playa wear, and can endure the pain of below freezing temperatures in style.

Suspenders…. Have you ever found yourself waist deep in a pair of pants that were a size or two too big and could not find a belt anywhere? Burning Man 2009, the morning after we arrived, whilst sizing up my luggage, I realized that I left my only belt at home. A devastating blow for anyone who thinks the pants-below-your-ass look was overdone by the 90’s. However, fate was on my side because I still had my suspenders. Fabulous fashion functionality came to my rescue because, once again, I found the perfect blend of style and utility.

Hobo gloves… For someone who has poor circulation, I have always found that a major concern of mine while out and about is my core temperature. So, as mom always insists, gloves are a must for the winter climate. However, whilst embarking on adventures of the social manner, gloves do not fare well. Encompassed in a thick layer of fabric, while although warm, can become troublesome for fingers when someone has activities to partake upon. So, my solution has always been to cut the fingers off for a stylish and functional hobo glove. Although they are not quite as warm as their uncut cousin, they are way more reasonable since they do not entail constant removal anytime one is doing something that requires nimble fingers

Henry, my fake plastic turtle on wheels… He might not seem like an actually fashion accessory, but I can count the number of mornings that my outfit was completed with his cheerful smile as I drug him along behind me. He is perfect for those saucy mornings after a night full of partying when synapses are not firing rapidly, for he is a great conversation starter. And you can talk about a fake plastic turtle on wheels for a good amount of time with very little work from your cerebral cortex—a must have item for hangovers!

Jordan will soon be relocating to attend the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising.  Click the Follow Along links to the right to be kept up to date on her latest fashion revelations.

It is with great pleasure that we welcome back our favorite co-author of 2009, Mairin the beautiful artist and owner of Kareli Kairos.  Not only does Mairin have a reputation for being one of the most creative fashionistas in our local tribe, she also generously gives of herself in helping others with their couture projects and experiments.

<- Braided Gauntlets/Arm Warmers – I started making these in 2009, in every color I could find, and they are a great way to add edge to anything.  They play with negative space in an interesting way; there is something very sexy about skin that shows in patches.   They are tribal and geometric at the same time.  They can also be worn layered over solid arm warmers, making them super-versatile.

Faerie-Headdress -> This is probably my favorite thing I made last year.   I created it on top of a commercial “fairy hat” base, and added two pairs of small costume wings, flowers, beads, lights, etc.  I created different clip-on accessories for it that allowed me to wear it for several occasions, including it’s incarnation as the Poinsettia Faerie’s crown for the Santa Crawl.  It is dramatic, different, and reminds me of Art Nouveau illustrations.  A headdress makes one feel theatrical in a transformative way that is liberating and very fun.

<- My hair – This might be a bit of a stretch as an accessory but I got two really incredible, colorful haircuts in 2009 that rocked my world.  Having hair that looks amazing is great, even if the rest of one’s ensemble is less than awesome, the hair is there, ever vigilant in expressing your style sensibility.  I also dress up to my hair on days when I am not very inspired; having pink and black stripey hair encourages me to commit to the rest of my look with the same vigor as my hair.

Feather Eyelashes -> Feather eyelashes created quite an impact for me 2009.  They come in a wide range of colors, and instantly make one look “made-up,” even if one isn’t wearing any other make-up at all.   Drawing attention to the eye is the major reason for wearing make-up to begin with, and boy do these do the trick.  One’s eyes will be noticed. They are whimsical and otherworldly; every blink becomes the wing-beat of an exotic bird.

Fur Crop Jacket – Sometimes it gets cold, and one wants to stay warm, yet not cover up one’s whole outfit (or lack of one).  The best solution I’ve found is the fur crop jacket.  Having one’s arms and shoulders covered in super-warm fur goes a long way to keep the whole body warm, even if the rest of it is scantily clad.  Also the cut of a crop jacket makes one’s shoulders look bigger, which makes one’s waist look smaller (generally figure-flattering),  and in a football player sort of way, makes me feel like a bad-ass.  There’s something about a crop-jacket that says, “Don’t mess with me.”

Our sincere thanks to everyone who wrote in so far with their top 5.  Rest assured we will be bringing this popular and interactive series back at the end of this year!

Please welcome Miko, our guest author for this post on her favorite fashion accessories of 2009.  We personally witnessed Miko’s year-long initiation into the “costume cult” and are all impressed by her unique, playful style which emphasizes sexiness, comfort, and mobility among other things.

1. Brown Lacey Leggings-These footless leggings were a holiday gift, but quickly made it onto the all-star accessory list. Great for all your brown outfits, excellent when you get tired of wearing fishnets, and superb with the perfect booty shorts and item number two on my list, the Shag boots.

2. Sanuk Shag Boots-Termed “not-boots” due to their uber comfortable, sandal footbed, this footwear excels both indoors and out. The only disadvantage is when shoe removal becomes a necessity in wintertime and you find you prefer these beastly boots to your house slippers.

3. Demonia Platform Boots-Funky enough for every costume, comfortable enough to trek from the deep playa to center camp and beyond! These boots were a major footwear staple for me in 2009. I commonly paired these with leggings, stockings, or most commonly as seen here in this photo, with skater socks.

4. Bustle-Whether you’re circus bound or ready for tea, what better accessory than the bustle. My homemade version incorporated two unworn items: a petticoat and a white skirt. I pleated the white skirt to highlight the button accents, and then attached both to a belt for easy removal, if needed. New for 2010 will be additional ruffling with a multi-layered, black, satin and lace skirt.

5. Feather Earrings-Great for those of us who just can’t have striped or colored hair extensions all the time. Feathers can be matched to individual hair length and coloring, or made extremely long and bold to really stand out and demand attention. If they get wet, feathers can be straightened on a low heat setting with a basic hair straightener or steamed. Make friends with the manager of the fly fishing department at your local sportsman’s emporium to find the most extravagant feather supplies.

Awesome post Miko!  We look forward to seeing what you adorn your beautiful self with in 2010 …

El Top Hat Gigante’ was THE crowd-pleasingest item of 2009.  By sewing a full sheet of thick black construction paper to an already popular gold-grommet accented felt hat, a new scale of cranial accessorizing was unleashed on the party populous.  From parades to stages to fire art installations, this prop eclipsed all that came near with it’s sheer ridiculousity.

Adding a touch of couture class was the tubular crinoline adorned bow-tie (which can be seen in the same picture).  A basic black strap-on bow-tie augmented by two 10″ lengths of black tubular crin w/iridescent green accent threads spiraling around.  It added squiggliness, color, and interactivity to any outfit.

While more utilitarian in application, the black leg warmers with brass snaps used as arm warmers are a tremendously fashionable way to increase the warmth of whatever funky ensemble fails to cover the hands, forearms, and elbows adequately.  Since the arrival of an exceptionally cold winter season, these have been in heavy rotation complementing all manner of get-ups.  The great antique color of the snaps and longitudinal ribbing create a splendid if subtle effect and they can even handle a bit of open flame which is a huge plus!

A handmade birthday gift from a friend is always wonderful.  One that has been made so over the top that you are the only one who can rock it is transcendentally awesome.  Such is the case with this macrame’ “necklace” that rapidly became a 2009 Burning Man Schwag-Rig.  Somehow, everything fits on it … in a tangled bank sort of way.  And it does have everything.  The key to home, a Pi-Stone, popcorn, even a glass bauble with a magic mushroom in it among other assorted bits of gifted love.

Finally, we have the accessory that can turn any pair of boots into epic couture footwear while simultaneously bridging the gap created by too short pant legs (see pic at bottom of post).  They’re a little bit steampunk, a lot of post-apocalyptic militaria, and all sorts of vintage hotness.  These East German Gaiters from the 1950s have had their leather bits antiqued/distressed and a few metal accents have been added to create a potent effect.  We were lucky to find the brass medallions on a vintage coin type belt.  All they need now is a healthy dusting of Playa!

We’re already salivating over all the goodies we have in the works for 2010.  It will be interesting to see where they stand by the end of the year!  What pieces are you getting excited about?

Participate! This is Vol. 1 and if you’d like to see a Vol. 2, please email us with pictures and words honoring your favorite accessories from this last year so we can put them into a blog post!  Our Email address is to the right under the follow along links