Moar Blabbing about Steampunk Sex Worker Things

I will confess, dressing as a steampunk prostitute gives me a thrill because (a) con work has always felt like prostitution anyway (so has writing, so do with that what you will) and (b) omg, if I'm interviewed anywhere, my mom will totally freak (So I read your little article. WHY WERE YOU DRESSED AS A PROSTITUTE? Couldn't you be a LADY?) and I'm giggling just thinking about it.

I got some help on steamfashion, but it ran the usual community gammit of completely contridicting themselves and they divided neatly down the usual line of reconstruction verses neo-victoria. Some good ideas though. I found it endearing that there was a general vibe of, you're a LADY of the night, not a prostitute dear! I agree, poor people do have pride and poor does not equal dirty. If I had a seamstress persona, for sure. I'd want an air of respectability. But srsly? If I'm dodging Jack all the time and living on the streets and trying not to be killed by my Johns, I think my priorities are probably a bit different than making sure my clothes are freshly pressed. Like oh hey, there's some stale bread in that dumpster, nom! Also if I look like a regular Victorian lady (albeit a bit run down), (a) boooooooooooooring (b) I don't think the average modern congoer/steampunk is going to think, oh! Prostitute! There comes a point where I have to make sure it still "reads" the way it's supposed to read and (c) that's acting like there's not a metric ton of chicks dressed like this running around various conventions and uh, they're there, I've seen 'em.

So the question really is how to distinguish myself from a regularly scantily clad steampunk chick who may feel she's an explorer/spy/ponyprincessfirefighter and a prostitution whore (as my people in NJ say). People are excited about the idea of working class steampunk which I dig and amazon_syren is thinking to join me as a sister in arms up North which is v. cool.

So far, I now have decided my chatelaine which modern ladies have picked up and Victorian ladies used a bit too though it was a little outmoded. I figure anything I have, I stole or got used somewhere.

I will be making a ribbon style chatelaine most likely. I have a batrillion ribbons and it's cheap. Cheap is my goal because I feel like it's sort of weird to go out and spend a metric ton of money to look like a street walker. Cheap + chatelaine are not two tastes that usually go together so I had to do a lot of hunting and pecking for it.

Ribbon Bodkin - Looks like lockpicks to me which I was super excited about.

Peacock scissors - Stabby

(Not Actually Sharp)Razor Blade - Stabby

Magnifying glass - For seeing

For my gaiters (which will have mismatched "stolen" buttons from sailors and minor nobility), a fake Switchblade (moar stabby)

I will sew a few little repair patches on my bustle and perhaps destress it some as well as conspicuously resew rips in a different colored thread. I will likely wear stockings because it will be cold.

I'm going to go with transfiguration and see about getting one of these tops, ideally in black.

I will of course wear too much rouge, v. red lipstick, hair somewhat messy but sexy (possibly with extensions, likely with knitting needles for more stabby), and maybe a tiny black heart on my face. We'll see.

My utility belt is what's causing me problems currently. I'm trying to decide if I should make one or buy one. I have stuff that will need carrying as well as more props. Any thoughts on this? I haven't found a cheap one I liked. If I make one, it will likely be out of felt but I'm not sure about the shape and everything . . .

This looks promising, thoughts?

Currently, items for the utility belt include:
aphrodisiacs, poison, etc. vials
powder puff
blush
lipstick
mirror
jane's army flyers
business cards, possibly my glasses, camera, pills, cereal bar, etc.

Other ideas?