And which frozen dessert are you?

I had been planning to wear the Fluffy Ostrich Feather Thing to the Technocrat's Ball Saturday night, but it was apparent by about Thursday that it was just not going to happen.  A new plan was needed.  With a dance to run Friday night I didn't actually get around to thinking about it until Saturday morning when it was time to pack for the trip, at which point I was undecided between the Usual Black Bustle Thing with steampunk accessories, the Steampixie outfit, or some variation on the Mad Hatter bit I wore back in January to the Baltimore ball.

Since this was a CVD ball (meaning that I was not in charge of anything and expected to be dancing seriously), I ruled out the Mad Hatter, 'cause the hat is just not ideal for lively polkas and such.  I didn't want to just go with one of the other two outfits because I've worn them a lot for events.  But while I was studying the peach 1904 corset I wear with the Steampixie thing, I suddenly remembered that I had a bustle underskirt and drapery piece in very similar colors.  And I even knew where they were.  Out they came, and they turned out to be a rather good color match, though a 1904 corset does not make for the greatest silhouette with a bustle.  I cackled a little over the whole scheme, since no one expects me to wear pastels other than lavender.  I wouldn't be fabulously steampunk, but at least I'd be unusual.

I decided to partially do the Corset as Outerwear thing (which I mostly do not like) since the color coordination of corset and skirts was the whole point, so I added a tuxedo-style blouse underneath.  There is no way to fit a 1904 corset (which is long and has garters) over a bustle, so I didn't even try.  Feeling that steampunk required some brown leather, I accessorized with a belt.  That turned out to be a mistake now that I see pictures -- it hid any good the corset was doing and made me look cylindrical.  The goggles were too large to balance easily on top of my head so I added a big chunk of false hair to bulk out my 'do enough to support them comfortably.

Overall, it was comfortable to dance in, though I need to take the skirt up slightly in back -- it's a little too long over this bustle.  My ruffles were also not the happiest ruffles after being tucked in a garment bag for travel.  But I was pleased with the outfit overall...at least until one of the many college students* attending the ball took one look at it and said I looked like a steampunk creamsicle.  Gah!

Given the choice between being mortified and embracing my inner frozen dessert, I chose the latter, though by ball's end I was insisting in a dignified way that I was actually more like buttered orange juice**, which at least is period, though I don't like it any better than creamsicles.

As usual, I took very few pictures, but I was very pleased by this lady's skirt and hat, entirely in the spirit of Victorian fancy dress and amusingly close to the description of a "Monte Carlo" costume I'd just been reading in a book of 1880s fancy dress costumes:

* The multitalented Zac, last seen sparkling at Arisia.

** Buttered Orange-juice:  Mix the juice of seven Seville oranges with four spoonfuls of rose-water, and add the whole to the yolks of eight, and whites of four eggs, well beaten; then strain the liquor to half a pound of sugar pounded, stir it over a gentle fire, and when it begins to thicken, put about the size of a small walnut of butter; keep it over the fire a few minutes longer; then pour it into a flat dish, and serve it to eat cold. (From A New System of Domestic Cookery, London, 1833)

Comments

[Michael A. Burstein]

Nice outfit. I can see the creamsicle color, yes, but it would never have occurred to me to call you a dessert.

[Rikibeth]

First of all, I think the idea of a steampunk creamsicle is utterly charming. But, then, I like creamsicles.

Buttered orange juice -- on analyzing the recipe, it's orange curd! Like lemon curd, but made somewhat lighter by the inclusion of the egg whites, instead of the all-yolk construction I know for lemon curd. (I use Hanne Blank's recipe.) It sounds worth making.

[Sisuile]

Yes, but they are pastels that look good on you! I can't wear that peach at all - does really bad things with the hair color.

You remind me that I really need to make a bustle for Steamposium, which I wish you were coming out for. I think you would enjoy it. Also, this is the year you get a token of appreciation for being my companion in mischief at k'zoo - are you in need of any specific jewelry pieces?

[Serge]

That photo of you reminds me that I haven't had orange sherbet in quite so time.

[Serge]

And I even knew where they were.

Shall wonders never cease?

[Serge]

I couldn't resist anymore. Today I bought a quart of Dreyer's orange cream sherbet.

[Susan de Guardiola]

Rikibeth:
When my friend Irene made it for a Regency tea, I asked suspiciously what it was and she said "a Regency creamsicle." The connection stuck in my head. Since I don't like either orange flavor or creamsicles, I haven't actually tried it.