The shirt is a white cotton poet shirt, with a deep yoke and full sleeves; I bought it from the International Male catalog. Over it is a black Frederick's of Hollywood Jacquard Dream "corset" (I put corset in quotes because it isn't a true corset--the boning is plastic). Black panne velvet tights, and black over-knee "fencing" boots from How Kewl make up the bottom half of the outfit. The sash is a vintage fringed '50s stole.

The coat is actually a coatdress, deep purple crushed velvet, from the Pyramid Collection catalog. The hat is a black felt "cavalier" hat bought from Display and Costume Supply, a terrific costume store in Seattle; it came with a white feather, I added the purple one and the white lace band. The choker consists of a black velvet ribbon with a silver and glass button cover, and I have baroque silver earrings with amethysts and pearls. Gloves are vintage; walking stick courtesy of the Bombay Company (you can see this elsewhere).

The makeup is all purples: Bourjois, Garden Botanika and L'Oreal eyeshadows, and a mix of L'Oreal and Urban Decay lipstick. The idea was to get a deep, smoky, rich look that complemented the coat.

This costume--pulled together out of my closet--has gotten more compliments than any other.