#genteel dress

For a lady of covert activities, a cleverly noosed cravat can be as deadly as a bladed fan or a well-applied crumpet. Unless you’re wearing burgundy gloves, you’ll want avoid weapons likely to produce excess blood, and the cravat promises a minimal risk of damage to one’s attire. (Blood is just near to impossible to get out of silk!)

Let us only hope your adversary is without an Anti-Garroting Cravat, which are all the rage among gentlemen targets these days. They make finishing so terribly inconvenient, and force a lady to resort to far messier alternatives.

Discover more from Finishing Fashion Weekhere.

No point in shilly-shallying about with pleasantries this evening, students, there is fashion to be discussed! 

Back by popular demand, Waistcoats & Weaponry author Gail Carriger returns to highlight more of her favorite and most useful steampunk accessories.

gailcarriger:

1. Pocket Belt

In the grand scheme of useful accessories, this is my most useful. You can buy some beautiful pocket belts around the interwebs, or you can make your own from an old pair of cargo pants (I know…more cargo pants, but they really are very good starters for steampunking).

2. Bolt Snaps

Perhaps not so notable in and of themselves, but the best solution I have found for clipping all my favorite accessories to my belt or corset are these bronze double ended bolt snaps. You can get these handy little guys in various sizes, styles, and finishes online, from a local hardware store, or from a marine supply shop. I happen to find this particular design the most useful.

3. Magnification Lens

I can’t remember where I picked up this little field lens, but I think it’s adorable. It’s just a bit of a magnifier, and it telescopes closed. I have used it to take a closer look at items in a dealer’s room, but it’s mostly just for show. I really love it because it reminds me of my former life as an archaeologist.

More from FINISHING FASHION WEEK hereandhere.

Horse-drawn carriages make way! Finishing school is back in session in one week. Preview the required reading here.