By 
Sir, for me every day is Halloween.
That’s how I usually respond when someone compliments me on my Halloween attire, even though it’s not a costume but what I wear on a daily basis.
Well any time, any place, anywhere that I go
All the people seem to stop and stare
They say “why are you dressed like it’s Halloween?
You look so absurd, you look so obscene.
Well I let their teeny minds think
That they’re dealing with someone who is over the brink
And I dress this way just to keep them at bay
‘Cause Halloween is every day
It’s every day.“(Every Day Is) Halloween” by Ministry
When I was in my 20s and living in NYC, I always dressed in black, wore custom made fangs during the day and sunglasses after dark. An old-school-goth, an extraordinary Vampire who had to learn to live amongst the ordinary. Being at the centre of attention, not by choice, was what I had to live with and after a while, I got so used to it, that I stopped noticing the comments and remarks.
The experience of living the life of a 20-something Goth-girl prepared me for the life of a 30-something vintage woman who wears clothes from the 1930s and 1940s every single day. People still comment and often ask if I’m in a WWII film. I smile and politely reply, that it’s how I dress, but in my head, I scream, Sir, for me every day is Halloween. What can I say except that it’s beyond my control!
Don’t let people get under your skin and try to define you. Instead, let Oscar Wilde’s words lead you to his wisdom and repeat after me: ” Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.”
For my “It’s not a Halloween costume” look, I opted for:
- The new to me 1940s jacket with shoulder pads worthy of Joan Crawford.
- My favourite 1950s Handmacher skirt, as well as a contemporary pencil skirt from Wheels & Dollbaby.
- Wolford “Lea” tights.
- French Sole velvet slippers from the AW19/20 collection.
- The 1940s hat with a veil which I like hiding behind.
- Underneath it all, the most incredible corset I’ve ever had, Extreme Curve from Orchard Corset.
- Last but not least, the incredible “Bleeding Heart” necktie from Abbie Walsh, the queen of bespoke accessories.
Photography by the one and only Gregory Michael King!
Karen
October 9, 2019Such a stunning look – and beautiful shapes! I have loved those tights every time you have posted them! Kx
Dominique de Merteuil
October 9, 2019Karen, thank you so much for your lovely comment!
I was slightly worried that I might be repeating myself too often with the choice of my tights but…They go so well with true vintage clothes!
Dxxx
Sian
October 8, 2019I couldn’t agree more with you and Oscar Wilde. Be yourself, and it isn’t you that’s out of step or strange, it’s the rest of the world.
Dominique de Merteuil
October 8, 2019Absolutely! Always be yourself!
Dx