Clothing Question

[ladysprite]

It has come to my realization recently that I don't have any dress-up-and-go-out-dancing clothes. I have work clothes, and nice clothes, and costuming, but with the exception of perhaps one skirt and a shiny metal top, I don't have anything appropriate to wear for flailing around the dance floor at the local goth club/dance night/what-have-you. I used to have a few outfits, but most of them either don't fit anymore or are worn out from over-wearing.

The problem is, I have no idea of where to go about finding such things. I think there's a Hot Topic not too far from here, but I'm really not into the whole 'corsets and plaid micro-mini-skirts' look - I just don't have the figure for corsets, and that look is a bit overused anyway.

So, any suggestions about where I might be able to find dance-y outfits that fall outside that particular narrow niche that seems to have conquered the entire goth market? Locals, is there *anywhere* around Boston that I might try, and/or anyone willing to go shopping with me and keep me from collapsing in a puddle of pity, self-hatred and body image disorder in the dressing room? Non-locals, any decent online shopping you can point me to?

Comments

[arachne8x.livejournal.com]

Hootenanny and Hubba Hubba are your best bets (Harvard and Central respectively). I would go with you.

[ladysprite.livejournal.com]

Huh. Last time I went to Hootenanny, they were catering to the breakfast-cereal and sock-monkey T-shirt crowd, and according to Hubba-Hubba's web page they do corsets, leather, and vinyl clothing. Not exactly my cup of tea - like I said, I just don't have the figure for that sort of thing.

I think I probably just need to accept the fact that the current trend in dance-getup just isn't suited for me, and give it up.

[arachne8x.livejournal.com]

They have other stuff too. Keri's stripey outfit that she wore Friday at NOLA was from Hubba Hubba. It was not corsety at all. Hootenanny has plenty of stuff you just have to know which section of the store to look.

[tpau]

i would love to be in on such a trip as well

[z-gryphon.livejournal.com]

I have no advice to offer on the dress-up front, I just want to note that I initially misread the subject line as "Cloning Question".

[tpau]

i'll go with you. we survived wedding-dres shsopping, it can't be any mroe traumatic then that :)

[ladysprite.livejournal.com]

When we went wedding-dress shopping, I had at least an iota of self-esteem and unshakeable proof that at least one person in the world found me even vaguely attractive. Not so much right now.

The more I think about this, the more I think the whole thing is a bad idea.....

[tpau]

:( sadness... i think it'd be fun, in a moeny-spendy sort of way, but definitely up to you...

[ladysprite.livejournal.com]

If I found something decent, it would be fun. But the more I think about it, the more I realize I'm not likely to. And speaking from a purely pragmatic point of view, I'm in a bad enough place right now that the last thing I need is to have body-shape problems hammered home like that.

Maybe some other time when I'm feeling confident. Of course, then there's the chicken-and-the-egg problem - if I don't dress like I'm asking for it, I'm never going to get the confidence that positive feedback brings.

*sigh* Is it time for me to be reincarnated as a manatee yet?

[tpau]

but then sailors will think you are an evil mermaid :)

[ladysprite.livejournal.com]

New day; deep breath.

Never make any kind of decisions when overtired, underfed, and coming off of three days of nightmares about family emotional trauma. Apologies for last night's whining.....

[tpau]

'sok. whining totally allowed. god knows i need to hav esome of my own at some point

[z-gryphon.livejournal.com]

... but it's LiveJournal. That's what it's for. :)

[jadasc.livejournal.com]

The one reasonable suggestion I have is Fool's Mansion in Salem, which has a decent amount of gothyish stuff.

[flowing-dancer.livejournal.com]

I will ask some friends of mine what's online. Generally what size are you? Diferent places stop at different sizes. It's an interesting question, and one I need to be asking as well.

Have you looked at Newport-news.com? Not exactly goth-y, but some of it might work. I get their catalogs because I buy shoes there, and have pondered some other things from there.

You can go to lrosedesigns.com and have something made, it's primarily for performance danceware, but for the prices are not bad and it's custom-made.

What kinds of styles are you looking for? I know one of my friends recently went to get stuff, and I'd like to get some things as well. I've posted in my journal about this, I'll try to let you know what responses I get.

What have you found online? I don't know Boston, so I am more likely to order online.

Let's see what we can find!

[ladysprite.livejournal.com]

What size? Hmm.... it depends, but generally between a 2-4, occasionally as high as a 6.

I've looked at Newport News, but most of their stuff isn't quite my style.

I've got hideous legs and no bosom to speak of, so I tend to avoid short skirts and corset-style tops - I guess in a perfect world, I'd want slinky, backless outfits. The strappier, the better. Longish skirts, though I'm OK with slits.

So far, I have found less than nothing online - though if I do find anything, I'll absolutely let you know! Good luck searching yourself!

[flowing-dancer.livejournal.com]

2-4, maybe as high as 6. Ok. I am doing better to be down to 14 now.

Take a look at lrosedesigns.com, see what you think. I will let you know what else I find.

What styles do you tend to like? What makes you think your legs are hideous? Are there pictures you can point to somewhere of things you do like, so I can get a better idea? Do you prefer pants to skirts?

[ladysprite.livejournal.com]

*blink* I'm so sorry; I thought i had replied to this.

The stuff at lrosedesigns is really pretty - thank you for the pointer!

As for styles, I tend to like long skirts, more flowy than full, preferably without crinolines, preferably ankle length. I have very thick, heavy thighs for someone my size, and a few scars and scrapes on my knees and shins, so I try to hide my legs when I can....

[flowing-dancer.livejournal.com]

I just got our costumes that I ordered from lrosedesigns. BEAUTIFUL!!!! Call them, tell them what you like. I got matching costumes for my daughter (age 6) and myself, custom made, and they are gorgeous! We will wear the costumes in the Thanksgiving Day Parade and in an upcoming hafla. :-)

[hermitgeecko.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid I don't know where to shop in the Boston area -- I used to do Charlotte Russe in Chapel Hill for clubwear, since they were doing flowy sleeves and lace-up fronts for me at the time, but they're not really gothy. Actually, my two most recent club clothing purchases (a tight red top and slinky black pants) were from a Dress Barn.

[griffinick.livejournal.com]

Believe it or not, I actually found a really great goth-y skirt (below knees, certainly not short) at H&M. They have had some cool tops that if I were built more like you (i.e. not a big chest that doesn't fit into most normal-sized shirts), I'd be thrilled about. Just a suggestion, since I'm not in the Boston area and don't know all the good stores there...though when it was still alive and kicking, I used to love Gypsy Moon for goth stuff.

[dreda.livejournal.com]

You might try Teddy's Shoes in Central Square - most of the clothing they have is for the ballroom and competitive dance crowd, so swoopy skirts and drapey things and backless whathaveyou and lots of black and sparkly and often velvet.

Also, cool shoes. The only drawback is that they're open ridiculously short hours.

[meranthi.livejournal.com]

Garment District?? They general have a wide variety of Stuff (tm). Oona's in Harvard was good for a while, but it's been *years* since I've been there.

qarylla suggests Gallery Serpentine online. They do some stuff other than corsets.

[qarylla.livejournal.com]

Companies I like that also do custom work include:
http://www.azacdesign.com (check out their ready to wear stuff)
There is also: http://www.goodgoth.com/dresses.htm

Good Goth has pretty good service, and has a dress or two that would be stunning on you.

[ladysprite.livejournal.com]

Ooh - some of the stuff at Good Goth looks pretty! Thanks for the heads-up.... :)

[new-man.livejournal.com]

1) Do not go shopping with female friends. It will end badly for both of you.

2) You do have a figure for a corset, it just needs to be the right kind. Whether you want to wear a corset is up to you.

3) I can take you shopping. I'm the world's best personal shopper. I have references.

[ladysprite.livejournal.com]

Hm. Okay, perhaps I should rephrase what I said.

My figure tends to be more easily flattered by other styles, and I'd rather focus on playing up what I like than trying to fit into a style that I, personally, find less flattering?

And, since I've found that you have become at least part of my compass for 'is this truly self-honesty or am I being a self-indulgent wallower,' I think I would very much like to go shopping with you. Plus, you know how to find cool stuff. :)

[new-man.livejournal.com]

Done and done. Yeah, I'm big on the tough love. And also an excellent finder of Cool Things.

Plus, my schedule is flexible, so we can go some weekday, rather than dealing with weekend crowds.

How pressing a need is this? After Thanksgiving weekend/early December work for you?

[ladysprite.livejournal.com]

The need is not too pressing; I'm mostly looking ahead to things like Arisia and Intercon - but if I start looking now, I'll be better off than if I wait until January.

I'll check out my schedule, and see what I can figure out.

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

I wish I could give you big reassuring hugs.

Dear, you are lovely. I've found you attractive from the first time we met on the dance floor. You have a nicely shaped body, and I appreciate it.

I just have no useful suggestions for shopping in the Boston area.

[bess.livejournal.com]

THere's a little shop in Chelmsford that might have something along those lines -- I'd be happy to go with you. I believe it's called Marcus and Leslie or something like that. You should come out and play!

[pixel.livejournal.com]

Bedlam in Providence tends to have an eclectic selection of stuff. Since they are a tiny shop, prices are a bit high, but generally not insane, and the guy running it is great.

This is the place I've been meaning to take you to for a long while. If you want we can try and arrange a trip in the not too distant future. I have the entire last week of November off work if that makes it easier.

[pixel.livejournal.com]

Addendum:

In case it wasn't clear, I would be delighted by a chance to take you there. Both because it is a cool place and more people should shop there. And because getting to help you find fun clothes would be lots of fun for me as well.

[ladysprite.livejournal.com]

I would love to go shopping with you, as soon as I find time in the schedule!

Any chance you'll be able to make it to our housewarming, by the way? I do miss seeing you....

[pixel.livejournal.com]

The 8th right? I have that date saved on my calendar so I know I can make it.

Let me know when shopping works for you. I may or may not be able to this coming week. Big limiting factor is that my Subaru goes bye-bye this friday, and I won't have good long-distance wheels until I find/but/register another car.

[warinbear.livejournal.com]

What, the chainmail doesn't fit anymore? <g>

(Seriously, though, I know it's entirely the wrong season for outfits made of metal.)