The world of the 19th century was vast, full of intrigue and adventure; so, too, were the clothes that typify the era. Whether you don suspenders and welding goggles or a top hat and monocle, steampunk outfits embody an age of never-ending possibility, unlimited human potential, and brass. Lots of shiny, shiny brass.
When designing your outfit, dear reader, the possibilities are endless! It was once said that the sun never set on the English Empire; the immense reach of the crown came to include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India. Likewise, different areas of England at the time had different trends in terms of fashion. But who said England and its colonies were the only nations touched by Victorian influences? Steampunk costumes can be based on Japanese, Russian, even American clothing of the time. In fact, the American Civil War is a popular sub-genre of Neo-Victorian style, as is safari gear for African excursions! While Victorian London is generally agreed upon as the capital of steampunk, don't be afraid to get adventurous!
Regardless of where your Neo-Victorian alter-ego hails from, there are some universal conventions of steampunk fashion. While I vehemently agree that rules were made to be broken, fundamentals are the building blocks of fun, and it is important to understand the staples that define "steampunk" aesthetics.
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1. Traditional Victorian Apparel
It goes without saying that the trends of the period are of the utmost importance when designing a steampunk costume. For my own costumes, I often refer to this website to ensure historical authenticity. These materials can usually be found at local clothing stores or thrift shops, or ordered directly from the Internet. Top hats or bowler hats, vests, cravats and pocket watches are essential for upstanding gentlemen, while corsets, long skirts and wide-brimmed hats are the norm for ladies. Lower-echelon individuals of the period were generally dressed in suspenders or overalls, with a collared shirt and a cabbie hat for men, and plain long skirts for women. However, modern steampunk has incidentally developed somewhat of a "gender-bending" quality, so ladies in top hats and suspenders are not only allowed but encouraged!
2. Brass and Shiny Bits
As the Industrial Age was notorious for its many technological advances, so too is steampunk notorious for its contraptions... more often than not contracted of copper or brass. It is not uncommon to see antique jetpacks, clockwork and gears, or even steam powered prosthetic limbs used in steampunk costumes. Understandably, these aren't the kind of things you can simply go to the store and pick up, so this is where the "do it yourself" spirit of steampunk comes into play. While some may find this aspect unappealing, I implore the technologically inclined to enhance their outfit with an original invention! The sky is the limit... quite literally!
3. Goggles
Nothing says "adventure time" quite like a pair of goggles; whether aviator or welding, goggles and eyepieces of any kind are quite frankly essential to the Neo-Victorian look. Regardless of profession or caste, goggles are acceptable and oftentimes a fashionable choice! Likewise, glacier glasses and jeweler's lenses are stylish alternatives, and one can never go wrong with a monocle! Finding a good pair of goggles is a matter of looking for them. From my own personal experience, the Internet is a wise place to begin searching, but anime conventions and specialty shops sometimes carry them.
With these guidelines in place, the rest of the costume is dependent upon the creator's creativity and imagination! Creating fun and stylish steampunk outfits can be a rewarding hobby for the whole family!
Again, I thank you, the reader, for perusing my humble blog, and encourage you to subscribe, as well as leave a comment! For more information on steampunk costume design, Threadbanger has created a handy instructional video sure to quench your thirst for knowledge.
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