13
Sep
As proclaimed by admin in Miscellany. 5 Comments
Dearest Well Attired Regattans (and those darling devotees of style who wish to be so),
Allow me to introduce our very own Choklit Chanteuse of Adornments for Tarts repute, and divine songstress of Baby Seal Club, whose authority on exquisite dress is beyond compare.
The muse speaketh…
As our most-favoured local faire The Great Handcar Regatta approaches, your Choklit has been besieged by faire-goers wishing for advice on proper Regatta attire. So I’ve compiled a brief guide to how to outfit oneself for this most auspicious occasion.
Steampunk has a thousand definitions and a spectrum of devotees from purists to novices ~ but in my humble opinion, the very joy of the steampunk genre is the fantasy and flexibility of it. So I present this guide only as a playful suggestion, ideas for the curious, and not as any sort of definitive tome. Onwards!
Inspiration and Character
When starting from the ground on a costume, I would advise choosing a character ~ not that one need play that role all the day, but it can help keep one focused. Are you a mad tinkerer? A street urchin? A vaudevillian vamp? A dandy aristocrat? An intrepid explorer? A soiled dove? Last year’s Regatta played host to a fine cast of characters.
The basics for any steamy costume are historically inspired, from the Victorian or Edwardian period. Look up costuming resources online for images ~ the Costumer’s Manifesto, Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild, and Truly Victorian are good starting points. The good news is that the basics are rather simple – long full skirts and blouses for the ladies, dress shirts, vests and high-waisted pants for men. Natural fibres like cotton, wool, linen, and leather are ideal, and many steampunks tend towards earthy, natural colors – browns, khakis, creams – but bright colors can also be used to great effect.
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20
Aug
As proclaimed by Erasmus P. Kitty in Kindred Hackers. No Comments
As our kind readers may have no doubt guessed by now, we at the Handcar Regatta headquarters are overjoyed with today’s impetus toward tinkering and the genius of recycling, DIY (Do-It-Yourself) ethos, and mastery of the Tool.
The notion of “no user-servicable parts inside” is a kind of insult and a call to arms against bland commercial proprietary-ness and to sally forth unhindered to take back our world for better with customization, reuse, fun, and IMPROVEMENT!
These and many other reasons of glorious liberation and ingenuity are why we love the esteemed Instructables so fervently.
Where else can one find step-by-step instructions on such divers matters of import as:
Brilliant! Keep those fabulous and inspiring projects flowing and make a change for the better in your world!
1
Jul
As proclaimed by Erasmus P. Kitty in Miscellany. No Comments
Some may note that decades have passed lamentably beyond the venerable codes of dress and decorum so commonly observed in my worthy day. …Ah, yes. Just thinking of that one bewitching eve in gracious company of the ravishing Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna of Russia hardly precludes an episode of tearful remembrance. …Un moment, s’il vous plaît, my hanky…
Ahem! Why, today, “SCANDALOUS” is scarcely a word to describe the loathsome sight of manifold human portions drooping between moth-eaten layers of threadbare physique-conditioning vestments or, excuse the crassness, “sweats”, as they say nowadays.
Regardless, I am most pleased to announce that the distinguished GBACG (Greater Bay Area Costume Guild) has obligingly affixed our humble Handcar Regatta event to their highly respected “Community Calendar for Costume Enthusiasts”. Welcome well-attired members of GBACG!
So, I say to the Santa Rosa and surrounding environs with fine folks who wish to adorn The Great Handcar Regatta: “Bedizened Citizens in Costume Festoonery ENCOURAGED Most Perfervidly!”
Your most humble of servants ever,
Dr. Erasmus P. Kitty
Inspiration and Character
WHEN
