Retro Knickers from Bossa Nova
Bossa Nova is a shop I visit from time to time: if you want conservative vintage fashion it’s fantastic, but I tend to bare a little more flesh than Moire Georgette’s beautiful but modest clothing allows.
Having said that, Moire has recently released two gorgeous lingerie fat packs that you really ought to check out. The retro glam look exaggerates your curves and is pretty darn sexy: and it’s certainly a little different to most of the lingerie you’ll find.
Both looks appear to be taken from 1940s/50s period styles. Angelique is the first set I looked at, shown here in the rich chocolate colour, although there are three other tones included. The full cup bra suspends from thin shoulder straps, with a ruffled lace edge to the top of the cups. There’s an option to make the lace on the outfit a little more transparent, if you prefer. Underwiring provides firm support, with a criss-cross back feature which is rather pretty.
The waist is nipped with a girdle which runs to the undershorts with two leaf-laced panels that finish at the crotch. The short legs cut upwards to accommodate more lace panels, with single bowed suspender straps to the front. The stockings are reinforced for a darker upper, with seam running to the back of the legs to add length. The material is subtly creased throughout to mimic the lines of the body, with strong shading to the rear to give a strong sense of the restriction of the cloth.
My pinickets? Tiny seamage issues: I’ll mention them as that and then ignore them, as they are genuinely barely noticeable. But you know how I like to mention everything. Angelique is currently available in a deep pink for the bargain price of $0L. It’s a perfectly acceptable shade of pink, girls: get that one while you can.
If that didn’t make you squee with delight, Rosalia just might. The corselet is an unusual style outside of bridal lingerie these days, but it is a wonderful addition to your lingerie arsenal. The set comes again in four colours, and by mixing and matching the prim pieces you can create more of your own looks.
The strapless bodice is flecked, centred by a large flower blossom that sits between the breasts. A dusting of silver works its way down the body, with simple suspenders again holding up elegant stockings to complete the style; a trio of blossoms cover each fastening, offering another dimension. If you do strip off another layer, you’ll find a pair of very sheer lace shorties which are a nice finish.
The piece de résistance for Rosalia, however, has to be the work on the material itself. The front is strong, with light reflecting from well-placed wrinkles, but the back is an absolute delight to behold, the work to the small of the back looking extremely realistic. The butt highlights are spot on too, emphasised by the unusual prim skirting piece that sits between the legs: so you could wear this as a short set if you prefer. I love all the little accents and the interchange arrangements too (you must buy the fat pack to fully appreciate this one).
Angelique and Rosalia, both $200L per colour or fat pack for $500L
I have designs on Mika…
I while back I stumbled upon Designs by Mika - and boy was I ever happy I did! It has been said that I have a weakness for feathers, so I was absolutely over the moon to find these little gems. I’d even be prepared to say these are the absolute best headdresses I’ve found to date. I love them to -bits-. Instead of just being a bunch of feathers (however beautifully textured said feathers may be) balanced on your noggin’, Mika has taken the time to create a natty little hat to mount them on. Just look at the details! I snapped it up in red for a bargainous L$45. Yes, you did read that correctly.
It also comes in white, black and white, and black - though for an extra $L20 you can get the black version with a darling little tail piece (which I have paired here with the Mrs Diamond set from House of Nyla - which is also incredible). I really love the feather textures Mika uses in these pieces.
For those of you less inclined to strip down to next to nothing and put on a bit of a show (though it doesn’t have to be on stage you know!), Mika also has a line of animated hand fans, vintage inspired hats and various other accessories from neck scarves to cigarette holders -
all at incredibly low prices. The ‘Fran’ fedora I’m wearing here and the cigarette holder, which includes an animated ‘hold’, set me back a paltry $L35 each. She even does smile attachments. Well you do want to smile for the camera don’t you?
French Black Swirl by Reasonable Desires
Whether you’re one of Second Life’s burley girls or just want to bring a little of the old razzle-dazzle to the comfort of your own home, you could do a lot worse than Reasonable Desires‘ French Black Swirl Showgirl. As far as visual impact goes, this little number has it in bucketloads - and at just $L199 you definitely get a lot of bang for your buck (if you’ll pardon the phrase!). In fact, the people who have seen me in this outfit have often responded with just a single word: Wow!
While the shop stocks a range of Vegas inspired costumes (including the elements range and a black lacy number), French Black Swirl has a certain vintage charm that makes it without doubt my favourite of the shops’ range.
For your money you get a headpiece, two back pieces, bodysuit, stockings, gloves, tiny gems to wear on the thighs, choker and arm cuffs. Be forewarned - the jewelery blings, though this is easily removed with the help of a ’scrubber’ script.
The texture work is, on the whole, good, with no screamingly obvious seams. It does get a little fuzzy in places, but you wouldn’t notice unless you zoomed right in. And thanks to its simple black and white theme, the outfit is ripe for tinting. I tested it, and it works very well. In fact some of the other girls I work with have used the prim attachments for the same outfit, tinted them and teamed them up with different lingerie sets - giving you even more mileage.
As ever with an outfit like this, there are a few alpha issues - but these are barely noticeable when in motion.
The set is no copy, so be careful if you decide to adjust any of the prims. Personally I chose to move the back piece from its original attachment point (spine) to the pelvis, as I felt it moved more naturally when dancing this way.
Ivalde meets Chapeau Tres Mignon
Megg Demina creates some wonderful things, and her latest has had plenty of people reaching for their purses, and indeed bloggers tapping at their keyboards. This delightful 1920s style headpiece was a nightmare to find hair for – well, everything in my inventory had too much bouff at the front, so a quick trip to Calla was in order – but once you have the perfect ‘do, you’ll be delighted with the results.
Cameos mounted in gold and fixed with dark ribbons sit high on either side of the head, connected with double strands of rounded beads. Wide chains fall from scrolled accents, finished with a single sphere. The tied bows have flexed lengths that hang to the side of the face, moving easily as you do.
This happens to go very well with a number of dresses from Ivalde, my favourite of which is ‘Henny’, shown here in black and gold. The sleeveless style has a high neck and keyhole opening to the front, featuring a mass of intricate beadwork that creates the collar and feeds into the material of the dress to make up a large portion of the design.
The skirt is open-fronted with system underlayer, which works for an interesting effect: be warned that the pretty beadwork will stretch when you flex your legs a little too much, but even with the imposed design limitations, I still found this worked rather well. Lozenges of colour fan from the belt and downward in an unusual pattern that I don’t believe you will find anywhere else. The pencil skirt is slightly scalloped and skims the knee, while the prim layer encircles the legs in a series of rigid pleats. It has a very slight transparency to it and moves well.
I really love this dress, but did note that the side seams were ever so slightly out under the arms: you really won’t notice unless you’re being as pernickety as I am when I’m in review mode (you ought to know by now!). The dress is unusual and despite it being a period piece, I certainly wouldn’t hesitate to wear it out. It’s available in four colours, including the gold/black, so if you want one of your very own, then you need to visit Ivalde sharpish, and stop by at Chapeau Tres Mignon shortly after in order to claim your matching headpiece. If you don’t usually stock shorter dos, I can definitely recommend Calla as your final destination.
Someone remind me, what’s the French for ‘Squee’..?
1920s Antique Headress, $300L – Chapeau Tres Mignon
Henny (Gold), $350L - Ivalde
Lichen Hair (Dark Mahogany), $200L per colour pack - Calla
Pink Diamonds from Spirit
I’d wear this outfit just to tweak Tom Cruise, but that’s me. You should wear it because it’s fun. If you’re a fan of costumes, burlesque, the Moulin Rouge movie or Nicole Kidman (hence the Tom Cruise reference, his ex looked fantastic in this), pop over to Spirit City and take a look at Pink Diamonds. Designer SavannahAnn McMillan has recreated one of the outfits Nicole wore in the film, from the diamond-studded pink corset and ostrich boa train to the swinging beads of rhinestones at the waist. This is my first exposure to SPIRIT and so far I like what I see.
The set includes the very elaborate costume, which includes several adjustable prim pieces, including the train and shaking and shimmering beads. You also get some very nice bling; dangling diamond earrings, and single prim diamond-studded wrist cuffs also inspired by the movie. (Matching shoes are included too!). The corset and panties’ satin finish shines nicely, and the intricate lacing on the back of the corset is good. The detail on the lace stockings is stunning. All that for only L$400 and you get to look like Nicole Kidman ! Sold.
No.9 Nylons
Criollo Forcella has a thing for vintage nylons and stockings and we’re lucky to reap the benefit. Her shop, No.9 Nylons, sells hosiery: stockings, pantyhose and fishnets, and even some lingerie. Her details are great and prices are reasonable, with a package of seamed stockings and separate garter belt starting at L$39.
In the pic to the left is one of only a few ensembles N0.9 offers. It is the Comtesse in Champagne, which is L$ 169 and includes 3 styles of garter belt, panties, bra, little ruffle prim skirt, and gloves. The stockings are separate. The pair in the picture are the special vintage edition in cream, which is L$ 129 but includes a 1950s style 8 strap garter belt. With the seam and reinforced toe and heel, it really is a trip back to days before pantyhose. A similar vintage pair of stockings is only L$59 if you want the look without the detail.
This is another of the No.9 lingerie sets, Corsage Noir, for just L$139. The stockings, again separate, are Shiny Dark and go for L$59.
In my real life I avoid pantyhose like the plague and I might dig through the closet for stockings once a year, but my Second Life self loves the look and getting them on and off with just a click is much better than RL, so No.9 Nylons has a fan here. Most of the shop is given over to hosiery with package deals available on nearly everything. Run yourself over to get some hose that will never run.
Indyra Originals
I discovered today that glamorous vintage fashion can be just as sexy as the more daring and modern styles. When I was snooping around Indyra Originals, I became quite fixated on ‘Mina’.
Initially my concern with the outfit was that the majority of it is no copy/no mod, which can be a bit of a nightmare when you have so many prim parts. However, creator Indyra Seigo does do custom fits and includes a notecard in the pack which explains the free sevice, so it’s not as bad as you might first think.
This is an opulent costume with many pieces. It took a little while for me to fit
everything, but it was well worth the effort. The black and white creates a striking effect, especially with the contrasting stripes that run through the design. The bustle is particularly spectacular and fun to wear, the volume on the hips mirrored with prim puff sleeves at the shoulders. The top hat gives you extra height and presence (if you needed any) with a flowing bow-scarf to the rear, and while it’s not too obvious in these shots, there is a pretty cameo lace choker to give your neck some coverage.
The shirt layer is a long-sleeved lace top which works well even without the striped jacket. The patterning may seem a little flat close-up but I was quite happy with: any issues with seams are avoided as there is no wrapping of the lines from chest to back. You can wear the long skirt or alternatively a velveteen mini to show off the stockings. I would have preferred the leg ruffles to mirror the net on the hat, but I’m guessing it wasn’t done at the time for a lady to wear nothing but her socks and headgear.
Mina is very feminine and flattering. This is something very different for me, evocative in a way I wouldn’t have expected, but I can certainly say it was a pleasant surprise.
Mina: $1500L (Shoes not included!)
Mya from Ivalde
One of the things I love best about Ivalde is that you can take a trip in time just by visiting the store. This classic burlesque outfit, for example, could put me on stage in Paris or in Deadwood. With many prim attachments and several choices in stockings and panties, you’ll have a great time wearing this, especially if you’re wearing it under that vintage gown you also bought. Mya, by Ivalde, I believe it was L$350.
