#ruffles bows ribbons lace etc i think would look SO lovely on you! and with pop of green to accentuate your pretty eyes 🫶🏼 i think this mb

[ashmp3]

fashion moodboard for @kimsuyeon

[jiraisupportgroup]

Hii I'm new to jirai kei n recently I joined a group where there's a lot o jirai / landmine ppl! I was asking some questions abt how to go for the fashion part of the subculture and one of my main questions was "is there any thrift store I can go to? Can I customize some clothing to make it look jirai?" And what I got as an answer was "No. Jirai ppl only use branded clothing, you can buy it second hand but you cannot customize in any way".

Tbh I'm not in a good place economically rn and I don't have a job either, so I'm not sure what I should do. Importing clothing costs 6 times more cause of where I live.

Is it really a rule that jirai / landmine can only wear branded clothes? (Liz liza, honey wardrobe, dear my love, etc)

I know I fit in the jirai lifestyle but I wanted to fit in the fashion too T--T

Thank you for your time♡♡ asking anon cause it's for me and a frien ^^"

I would once again like to preface this (as I preface all things) with the fact that I could entirely be talking out of my ass - this is just my opinion - and I am not a spokesperson for Jirai Kei or other mentioned subcultures / fashion styles as a whole.

I wholeheartedly disagree with that but also I will caveat that with the fact that I spent most of my teenage years in menhera / goth / emo / grunge spaces and those are very DIY-heavy subcultures. I'm also super relaxed about how people choose to label themselves (to the point where I barely claim to be in any subculture because I just don't want to bother with labels so I'm probably not the best person to ask haha~)

To me personally, this feels like an argument that someone coming from Lolita would make? I kind of see a link here in the sense that the two main reasons I think people say these things about Lolita are because it is really hard to make Lolita clothing and buying lolita knock-offs is generally bad for a whole slew of reasons. Similar arguments for both subcultures I think.

Girly kei / dark girly clothing can be really hard to make or DIY. I think it is certainly very possible to do, but it might take some trial and error. Mostly because being a bit over the top is kind of the aesthetic; there are a lot of ruffles and bows and lace and ribbons and buttons and cute little accessories and cut-outs and the neckline is typically very specific with decorated collars. At its base, it is just a blouse, but it's got a LOT of aspects that go into it, and if it's "too basic" then you're not really hitting that girly kei style. The skirts too (I personally think the skirts would be a little easier to DIY but I also have experience sewing with lace / grommets & making corset ribbon designs which is mostly what stands out from them to me?) You also run into a lot of the actual hardware being specific with hearts being a really common theme for belt loops or buttons, and decorated suspenders.

I think it would be difficult to DIY girly kei or dark girly pieces but it's certainly doable. One issue is that depending on where you're getting the materials for that DIY, it might be about the same cost (or more) as just buying a blouse (although this depends on shipping cost).

The other aspect of it is the argument against fast fashion which is a little more nuanced in Jirai Kei but I see where they're coming from? I mean, to be frank, ryousangata is literally "massed produced" fashion (& to be fair the aesthetics that are labeled as “ryousangata” have varied a lot over the years - it’s not just frilly blouses & stuff that’s just kind of what it happens to be right now). It's pretty much just fast fashion. MA*RS, Liz Lisa, & DearMyLove from what I can tell are mostly produced in Japan, although they do source materials from China, like most companies do (not automatically or necessarily a bad thing imo - but I will spare you that side rant bc it’s kind of not related). I couldn't find a lot of information about their production practices? So I'm unsure about worker environments for them? Generally, the big-name brands are going to be more ethically sourced & produced than random AliExpress sellers but by how much is kind of questionable (or at least I could not find a lot of information about the production processes so I'm not sure by how much - if anyone has additional information on this I would love love love to hear).

Now am I saying "Go buy a bunch of fast fashion off of AliExpress because it's cheaper and no one cares"? No. (It's also honestly not much cheaper.) But the reality is that it generally is fast fashion, so it's a weird balancing game. I think one of the main reasons people say "only buy Liz Lisa / MA*RS / DearMyLove" is because they want to avoid fast fashion as much as possible while participating in a fashion with a LOT of fast fashion sellers, and since it can be difficult to find production information they go for the big names because they're easier to trust in that aspect. (I also have fallen into this trap & have sworn my life to DearMyLove because they're the only big-name brand that is even slightly 6-foot-tall-bitch friendly T-T)

All of that being said, if you want to attach some bows and lace to a frilly blouse and call it girly kei I am absolutely not going to stop you (or honestly even judge you, but again that's just me). The shipping costs are part of the reason why I say the clothes are secondary to the jirai kei subculture especially as a foreigner because once you consider that the clothing is significantly more expensive and difficult to obtain in foreign circles it becomes directly contradictory to some of the reasons why those same clothes are so popular in the Japanese subculture: I don't think the cultural context of the fashion translates over to foreign markets (economically or socially, but I'll spare you that entire rant lol).

ALSO! Jirai Kei Subcul is awesome and has a much more obtainable aesthetic for foreign markets. It leans more into punk and you can use a lot of different pieces for it that are more easily obtainable, so I highly recommend looking into it. It might be a good medium for being able to feel fully like you belong, but not breaking the bank for an outfit.

[ylizam]

how about "when I say forever it's the goddamn truth" for a title?

a Four Weddings and a Funeral AU! Featuring Bernie Wolfe in the Hugh Grant role and Serena Campbell in the Andie MacDowell role! in which Bernie meets Serena at Ric’s latest wedding, falls in love, they sleep together, Serena goes back to the US (where she’s been based since she went on that lecture tour after her mother died) and Bernie goes back to Holby. they meet again at another wedding, but Serena’s with Leah and Bernie doesn’t know what to do. (my initial thought was Robbie, but I’d rather try to write Leah as a person–insomuch as she can be as much in a Bernie POV piece–and anyway it would bother Bernie more if Serena was with this young woman because what the fuck Jac told Bernie Serena was a) into power and b) into men, and sure she slept with Bernie but still). Bernie and Serena sleep together again. But Serena and Leah are getting married, and Bernie ends up conflicted and more in love with Serena but also more resigned to just being mates (because at the end of the day, she wants Serena to be happy). But then they meet up in Holby, and she goes dress shopping with Serena, and suddenly she’s trying–she’s going for it, she is, only Serena doesn’t choose her. Just then, Serena doesn’t choose her. And then Serena gets married. Bernie watches the woman she loves marry someone far too young and far too not Bernie and it’s awful enough (although Serena’s beautiful, and smiling, and her dress really is perfect, and Bernie could watch her forever). And then Arthur dies.

One minute he’s there, happy, and the next he’s dead. The funeral is painful. Morven’s a wreck. (In this universe, Bernie has been mentoring Morven, kind of like the hints of it we got in canon but More So–I mean, Serena hasn’t been at Holby, Morven is such a good, Bernie ends up involved. Everyone cries.)

But life goes on! Bernie and Alex get back together! Life is short, Serena’s married, and Bernie doesn’t not love Alex even if she doesn’t love her quite as much as she loves Serena (not that she’s going to admit this of course). But then Serena shows up at her wedding, all separated from Leah, and it’s just. Bernie doesn’t know what to do! What should she do?!? And Charlotte’s the one who is like “sorry, Mum, but you’re in love with someone else, I can’t watch you do this again oh my god.” (P.S. now I would like deaf!Charlotte, please and thank you.) and Bernie realizes that she can’t marry Alex, and Alex takes it as well as possible (which is to say no one punches anyone in this story because honestly I’d just rather not) and it’s pretty awful but it’s for the best. and then Bernie and her friends and family go back to hers to regroup, and she’s nursing her (emotional) wounds when Serena shows up to make sure she’s okay. and Bernie follows Serena out into the pouring rain and they promise forever and snog and the metaphorical music soars, etc. etc. oh and yes of course Bernie wears a white button down shirt that gets soaking wet the end.

an excerpt (putting a cut in because this all got long):

“Not too much?” Serena asks. She steps out in a ridiculously big dress: all ruffles and bows and things Bernie doesn’t know the name of, pink and frothy and clearly played for a laugh (Bernie suspects it’s for her benefit; suspects Serena noticed Bernie’s face go blank when they’d enter the bridal salon). Serena twirls: playful and smiling and an eternal flirt.

“You look gorgeous,” Bernie says. Blurts. Unable to stop herself, useless (as usual, Wolfe) in the presence of a beautiful woman. Even one in a frankly hideous dress.

Serena stills. Cheeks flushed to match the ribbon at her décolletage, her hand moving to her ever-present pendant, the one Bernie’s mouth can still feel. Serena licks her lips, and Bernie’s mouth feels that too. She quirks an eyebrow, and Bernie stops herself from dropping to her knees in supplication.

“The dress, on the other hand,” Bernie says, smile breaking free, “Looks like this cake my ex-husband bought for Charlie’s sixteenth birthday. Just looking at it caused cavities.”

Serena laughs. Hand to her chest, and an over-exaggerated projection of relief. “Oh, thank god,” she says, and darts back into the changing area. “I was trying to work out how to broach the idea of mid-afternoon vision tests.”

She comes out far too soon (not soon enough) in something less ridiculous, something more deadly. Tight and form-fitting and black (even Bernie knows that’s not traditionally bridal, but Serena could make it work); there’s a slit that goes all the way up Serena’s thigh, and she turns the fabric over, revealing leopard print on the inside.

Bernie swallows. “Uh,” she says.

“And leopard print heels, of course,” Serena adds.

Bernie’s entire face and chest go hot. “Of course,” she says. Bernie blinks back the image of the two of them together, Serena in killer black and Bernie in a well-tailored suit, hand in hand as they promise forever. “And, uh, anyone would be proud to be seen at your side, myself included. I’m just–”

“Maybe for the honeymoon?” Serena suggests. “Would save me having to resuscitate the vicar when they suffer a spontaneous cardiac arrest.”

“It is always terrible inconvenient when a wedding’s interrupted by a traumatic incident,” Serena agrees. “Although I don’t know why you think you’ll be doing the saving: my surgical skills are quite up to scratch, I’ll have you know, and I’ll be closer to the vicar.” A wink, and she goes to change into something else.

Bernie laughs. “Let’s be honest,” she says, in her best attempt at a peace-offering, “If it’s a cardiac event, we’ll both be fighting Jac Naylor off as she comes flying in from the back of the church.”

“True enough,” Serena says. Her voice is muffled, and Bernie tries not to picture her in just her bra and pants, tries not to remember the curve of her hips and the way they fit Bernie’s hands just right.

This time she approaches Bernie almost cautiously. This dress is–it’s simple, really, no frills or bows or lace, nothing that screams bride or wedding, but it’s perfect. Bernie feels that down to her bones.

“Too much?” Serena asks.

Serena’’s smiling, wide and practically glowing, and Bernie can’t stop staring. Her tongue feels glued to the roof of her mouth, and she can’t make sense of any of the the emotions sparking along her synapses. She can’t talk. She hopes she isn’t drooling or otherwise making a fool of herself.

“Not enough, then?”

There’s something in Serena’s tone, the way she asks, that makes Bernie think there is more to it than a question about fashion. Which is good, since it really isn’t Bernie’s realm of expertise. She just knows that blue looks lovely against Serena’s skin, the flare of the skirt shows off those gorgeous legs, and the neckline just low enough to draw attention without risking the lives of any innocent vicars.

“Just right,” Bernie says, and, strong enough that hopefully Serena will believe her, “Perfect.”

[send me a made-up fic title]

[ladiesofsteampunk-blog]

Steampunk Costumes Suggestions

The brief interpretation of Steampunk is: Victorian sci-fi.

A a little longer interpretation is: just what the globe would certainly have resembled if the technical revolution had arrived a little earlier.

We have steam-powered machines and robots, Victorian culture and adventurers and explorers, both male and female. Think "Wild, Wild West", think "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen", think "Time Machine" and think Jules Verne.

There is a small but strong Steampunk culture growing in the Western world, and more and more are interested in it. Nevertheless, the Victorian times were intriguing, that was when females were females and also males were males, yet this moment you obtain all that yet females are permitted to be independent and also productive and also put on trousers and also you obtain all the convenience of modern-day innovation, just with the Victorian period looks.

If you would love to trying out this subculture, you could begin sluggish by dressing up as a Steampunk woman or gentleman this Halloween. If you like the experience, you can broaden to Steampunk fairs as well as conventions, then start using Steampunk attires at unique occasions and also weekend breaks, and also ultimately use them on a daily basis. It actually isn't really also ridiculous to put on Steampunk at the office.

Some basic factors

What ever before you opt to use, keep in mind that it needs to remain in maintaining with the Victorian age aesthetic appeals. This is not a concern of time traveling, however regarding attempting to produce a credible illusion of what the world could have been during the late 19th century. Don't wear clothes with a clear label, sign or brand. It is a good idea to create a role. "The adventurer", "the inventor", "the explorer", "the aristocrat", "the engineer" and "the aviator" are all suitable roles for a Steampunk character. "Mad researcher" as well as "Villain" are likewise great options. Brown (think sepia) is a popular color, but the Victorians used all colors with pleasure. Mauveine, a synthetic dye based on aniline, was invented during the Victorian era and was popular. As a matter of fact, the a lot more sober as well as "all-natural" color design of plant dyes was considered boring and dull. Cephalopods as well as arthropods are extremely Steampunkish intentions, both as fabric print and decoration. Goggles and a pocket watch are nearly vital devices for a Steampunk clothing. You could change the absence of these using cogwheels, equipments and also clasps to enhance your garments. All sort of gizmos are proper, yet they must be made to show up Victorian. It is simple to painting modern-day gizmos, so they resemble timber or steel, and also adhesive brass information on them, yet if you do not have the DIY skills, you can keep your gadgets in leather cases. Brass instruments, like compasses, telescopes, field glasses and also gauging tools are additionally really ideal. A revolver or gun is an usual Steampunk device, as well as you can transform any type of toy store gun into a Steampunk weapon with paint as well as brass details. Adding some cables as well as coils includes in the impact. It is not essential. Whether you put on a weapon or otherwise, device belts, holsters and other such points are extremely beneficial in assisting to produce the preferred perception. Use a hat. The famous Steampunk headwear is the stovepipe hat, normally decorated with the safety glasses, but an aviator's cap or helmet is also typical. You could likewise utilize a paperboy cap. Various other devices, for both males and females, are handwear covers, headscarfs and shawls. Don't forget the handkerchief. Spats are very Steampunkish, and you can even use leather gaiters or bracers with misshapen bands. Usage numerous belts on top of each various other. Formed and also extremely tinted socks are great for both genders, but try to choose stripes, diamonds, checkers, or an ornamental pattern. Don't use socks with anime personalities, charming rabbits or such. Any kind of armed forces products, like armed forces jackets as well as medals are extremely appropriate, for both genders. I expect the huge metal buttons as well as passementerie (trimming made utilizing cords as well as braids etc.) belong to this group. Things that make you consider design are remarkable, like natural leather aprons and also device belts. Always remember the correct undergarments. Ladies and also females need to be putting on bloomers or pettipants and also petticoats with their skirts as well as a sleeveless chemisette, with or without buttons, as well as young boys as well as guys ought to use an one-piece.

Guy

Victorian guys constantly put on trousers, yet for Steampunk Costumes a kilt is a wonderful selection. The Victorian pants have high waistline and also instead slim or straight legs.

You could utilize any type of kind of tee shirt, as long as it has long sleeves as well as sober coloring. You could utilize sleeve owners, bracers or roll the sleeves up, however do not utilize brief sleeves.

It is proper to utilize a vest, however if you do not utilize one, you must have dental braces. You could make the vest of some extravagant material, like brocade or jacquard, as well as add a matching cravat. There are several ways to tie a cravat, and you can use a wide tie or a scarf in stead of a cravat, what ever fits your character.

A jacket is fine, but you can also use a military jacket, duster or trench coat. If you use a trench coat, choose an easy one with refined pattern or no pattern whatsoever in the lining, or one with no lining. Western style trench coat or riding duster is good.

You can use most footwears with shoelaces, yet oxfords or boots (with or without shoelaces) are best. Canvas footwears could be made use of, yet not tennis shoes.

It prevails to make use of hats when sprucing up in Steampunk equipment, as well as in addition to the previously mentioned top hat as well as leather safety helmet, you can select a bowler or a fedora. It is a smart idea to embellish this hat with something, preferably constructed from brass, like a number of equipment wheels or a breastpin, yet this is not essential.

In the Victorian times both sexes made use of precious jewelry. Appropriate products for guys are the previously mentioned watch, signet rings, cravat pins and also cuff web links, if one uses a t-shirt with sleeves unrolled, as well as a cravat or tie. It is acceptable for guys to use one earring, however it would then be a metal ring, as well as not a jeweled stud. If you wish to wear a wrist watch, choose a simple design and mechanical, analog watch, and wear it on a leather strap. Brooches, especially medals, are good. You can likewise use a bow in a buttonhole, or a boutonni re.

You can express yourself quite freely with your hairstyle. Almost anything is feasible, the common brief and also nicely brushed Victorian hair is great, spiked hair is fairly ALRIGHT and also if you like, have actually dreadlocks with included natural leather bands and also tubes.

Females

There is one piece of clothing that is a must for a Steampunk outfit for women, and that is the corset. You can also use a wide belt or a waist cincher.

A bustle will certainly additionally aid to develop the impression of times previous.

It is great to make use of some males's garments things, like army jacket or pants, but you need to "girl it up". Use a bustle with your trousers, or use bloomers as trousers. (For Steampunk the bloomers can be of any kind of size.) Put on a hitched skirt over the trousers.

You can wear an authentic Victorian dress, or a reproduction, but these are not really comfy and also sensible. One of the ideas behind Steampunk is experience, as well as Victorian ladies utilized to use a little shorter and simpler skirt for these events.

For Steampunk the skirt can be as short as above the knee, just as long as it has volume in the form of ruffles, rouches, pleats, drapes, hitches and gatherings. You can also use lace, ribbons, tassels and fringes to add to the quantity in the skirt as well as bustle.

Your shirts, vests, coats as well as layers must be fitted.

Female's hats are a a lot more elaborate thing than men's hats. You could also use a fascinator, which is something between a hair accessory and a hat.

You can add a parasol to almost any outfit.

If you use a handbag, choose something dainty, soft and round, like reticules and bag bags, or something elaborately beaded or stitched. Tapestry handbags as well as carpetbags are a great selection also.

As footwears most tied boots function great, so does tied shoes as well as common boots. Your shoes can be of any type of color, however beware with the heel. You ought to have shoes with a heel, as well as the heel ought to be either tapered or Louis heel.

Ladies must be using dangling jewelries, but not too long, nor too big. Victorian women used rings and bracelets, sometimes in excess. You can also wear a ribbon in a buttonhole, and flowers; corsage, nosegay or posy, are very great as devices for ladies.

The hairdo is rather complimentary for ladies as well, however it is valued, that you have a long hair, either braided, in corkscrew curls or an updo.

Boys

Whether you choose a classic seafarer outfit or trousers with dental braces and a t-shirt, possibly add a sweater or pullover, you have to remember two things. The pants' legs were short, simply covering the knee, and also children also put on long socks.

I would place kids in pantyhose, both kids as well as women, however some kids discover this as well girly as well as therefore uneasy, as well as they should not be required to use tights. It might help to persuade the child to wear such uncomfortable and inconvenient pieces of clothing if you tell him that this is the origin of Christmas stockings, and the higher the equipping, the even more area there is for presents.

I would certainly choose laced boots for boys, but make sure that the shoes have different heel which the sole is made from one product. It truly isn't really simple to find footwears for children' Steampunk clothing. You can also take a pair of regular leather "party shoes" and give the kid spats to "disguise" the modern-day information, or make use of straightforward canvas footwears that coincide shade as the child's stockings. Do not make use of tennis shoes.

Women.

Ladies are generally less complicated to encourage to put on uncommon apparel compared to children, yet also below you should take into consideration the youngster's individuality.

Also when it was uncommon that a Victorian lady would certainly use trousers, it is fairly appropriate for a Steampunk lady to do so.

A Victorian lady's outfit is generally one-piece, and also you could pick the early Victorian dress with fitted bodice and wide skirt that falls from the midsection, or the late Victorian gown that is straight as well as has a belt on the hips. A basic straw sailor or beret appropriates for both designs, but a huge hat with designs should not be utilized however with the late Victorian or Edwardian gown.

Usage either black, white, or candy striped stockings.

You could select ballerinas, band footwears, tied footwears or boots, tied or buttoned, however do not select footwears with too thick sole. Stay away from metallic shoes and shoes with figures or glitter, or much decor.

Currently your entire family members is spruced up for a Steampunk journey. Enjoy!

Ketutar is a witch and also an author, curious about lots of points.

You could make use of sleeve owners, bracers or roll the sleeves up, yet do not make use of brief sleeves.

It is suitable to utilize a vest, however if you don't utilize one, you ought to have braces. In the Victorian times both genders utilized fashion jewelry. Utilize a bustle with your trousers, or utilize bloomers as trousers. Victorian females made use of rings and also arm bands, occasionally in unwanted.