What is Steampunk Fashion?

Steampunk’s true definition is a point of constant debate. Its roots laying in a Victorian/ Edwardian industrial aesthetic with a ‘do it yourself’ ethos. It is one of eclectic design and influence, flexible and adaptable. Perhaps this is why so many are adopting it as their own?

Space Helmet by 'Herr Doctor'

The genre shouts out for those who take part to be creative, to become artisans. This ethos manifests itself whole heartedly in its fashion, as eclectic as the genre, so are the clothes. Body modification in the forms of tattoos and piercings, the creation of hand made goggles, belt buckles and jewellery, to produce items from found, 2nd hand or reclaimed objects that will become more than a sum of their parts. Victoriana and the Edwardian are blended with a non exclusive mix of Goth, Cyber and Punk. Not limited to the wear of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, the combination of Cyber hair pieces, gas masks and bondage clothing reflect it’s whimsical and some times edgy, rebellious nature. Aside from this a more fanciful and less everyday approach comes from the Cosplay community, focusing on costume rather than fashion with individuals developing personas alongside their outfits. Of note Abney Park’s sky pirate stage personas bridge the gap between what could be considered fashion over to costume, dressing in home made outfits of worn fabrics, leather and salvaged militaria. Apart from a very general anachronistic aesthetic there are no true rules to follow, in this it is closely related to Punk, that any outfit or costume remains to be as individual as an individuals own interpretation.

Goggles by Joffum

Costume gives identity, an outward expression of ones own self. The creation of Steampunk outfits has proven to be one of the most readily and easily accessible means of expressing affiliation with the genre.

AE posed the following question to several of those who choose to dress and create outfits in the style; do you see Steampunk costuming purely escapist, separate from fashion? Herr Döktor (moderator of Brass Goggles forum) questions back; ‘Does one 'deliberately' set out to dress differently from the perceived norm, or is the 'Steampunk' innate? As a for instance, wearing a Russian pattern greatcoat because it's really warm in the winter, AND it being incredibly stylish make it 'Steampunk fashion'. Where as putting it on because you're an Air Pirate in your mind make it 'Costume'? Is it not possible to be both at once?’ Kato adds, ‘As long as you're having fun dressing up, I don't think it matters. whether you wear Steampunk attire every day or only save it for ComiCon. My designs are made to be worn every day'. Danny of Outland Armour thinks that there are differences but with overlap,.‘Steampunk fashion accessories include modifications of everyday items that people actually use: cell phones, iPods, etc... while costuming includes non functional props that are simply for show. However, the clothing that my crew and I wear under our gear at conventions is all part of our regular attire'.

Some would argue that Steampunk can be seen as cliché, even a pastiche of itself or as Herr Doktor puts it; the 'stick some cogs and rivets on it and it's suddenly STEAMPUNK!' idea:' He continues," I have to say, that most of the Steampunk costume/outfits I've seen in the flesh do not suffer from the sort of cliché that would suggest, personally the more obvious conceits of the style, such as goggles, cogs, rivets etc. are pretty unavoidable, but ,if done well, and with enough style, I don't think that there's anything wrong with them. 

　

The need or want to create items arises for differing reasons. For Herr Döktor it was the Victorian British Empire and 'a deep desire to find an escapist route from reality'. For Kato '... clothes to wear. Clothes that I'd wanted to see in stores for years' and Danny’s single greatest motivator was the video game, Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura. ‘The technological discipline in the game allows you to combine and create weapons, armour, gadgetry, and dozens of other items from nearly every random object found in the game.

Steampunk Fashion Flickr Pool Slideshow

Etsy stores

Steamy Stitches at Live Journal

Steampunk Fashion at Live Journal