How to Create Your Own Beautiful Steampunk Style

Do you remember experimenting with your clothes when you first formed your own unique style?  Then you had to adhere to certain dress codes for business and various social events.  Hopefully, you can now wear whatever you want.  Even if you feel you can’t, I still think you should be free to show your true self.  If you haven’t experimented in awhile, I encourage you to start now.  Trying new things is fun, youthful and brings out aspects of yourself that you may not even know you have.  That’s when age doesn’t matter.  So with that in mind, let’s explore Steampunk style.  You can try it out a little or a lot.  Choose from it what you love and add that to your tried and true favorites.

This post explores what Steampunk is, what the elements are that make up the style and how to put them together or add them to existing outfits.  So let’s start exploring!

What is Steampunk?

Steampunk is a mix of vintage and modern style.  The “steam” portion of the steampunk style is in reference to the good old days of the first steam ships when there were long voyages and exciting explorations during the Industrial Revolution.  The “punk” portion is the modern and futuristic aspect of this fantasy style, which is derived from science fiction and was formed during the post-punk era.  The juxtaposition of these elements creates a post-apocalyptic feel and a romantic allusion to drama and revolution.

This ultimately historical and eclectic fashion includes many more influences, as well.  There could be a little bit of goth, gypsy, and mechanical or medieval themes thrown in there as well.  Urban, punk flare, or completely industrial styles may also be added.

I’ve even seen elven aspects worked into some of the outfits, such as the elvish crowns and woodland fairy attire.  In reality, there is no restriction to the types of styles that you can use in this fashion.

Imaginative and fantasy-driven, a combination of  at least two or more of these types of clothing items usually results in an outfit that is both unusual and beautiful.

It’s no wonder that this fashion movement has not only gained a cult following but the attention of the mainstream fashion world as well!

What Are the Elements of Steampunk Style?

Before I give you an outfit formula for creating your own version of an outfit with some Steampunk flair, I want to want to be sure you get familiar with what items you can use.

To dress steampunk, start by putting together a classic Victorian outfit, which can include things like a vest, corset, top hat, overcoat, or dress. Then, accessorize your outfit with things like leather straps, belts, buckles, gloves, and round glasses to make it steampunk.

Clothing that may be already in your closet or easy to find if you’re shopping for something new are:  Victorian blouses, bell bottoms in a stretchy fabric, moto boots, riding boots, striped hose, lace hose or hose with lace detailing, grommet belts, belts with pouches and straps, Victorian jewelry, perfume lockets, watch pendants, cargo pants (in lieu of combat pants).

The following top 20 Steampunk fashion essentials listed by Rebels Market Alternative Lifestyle and Fashion Blog are not necessary for you to have, but these are what serious Steampunk enthusiasts use for their full-on outfits (the things you may possibly have access to are in bold):

…..corsets, dark colors, leather/metal bracers, top hats, gears, duster coats, pocket watches, spectacles and monocles,  walking sticks, leather masks, lace, medallions, pinstripes, (faux) leather belts, goggles, tool belts, spinal heels (women’s shoes that feature a spinal cord in place of a block, stiletto or cone heel – only for those who like sky-high, high-style shoes), tall riding boots, high collars (they’re trending this year) and bustle skirts.

How Do You Create A Steampunk Outfit?

Try Beginning with a Victorian outfit and add from there —

Vests, overcoats and corset-aligned dresses make up the basis of Victoriana.  Corsets and dresses are a staple of female Victorian fashion, so adding a wide belt to your outfit is in keeping with this.  Vivid colours such as deep red, royal blue and sea green were commonly used. These colours may be used in contrast with the dark “industrial” colours of steampunk.

Then Include some Punk aesthetic in your costume —

You might enjoy adding punk styles such as dyed hair, piercings, ripped clothing and tattoos.

A Steampunk Outfit Formula:

Angie Cox at You Look Fab covered Steampunk fashion in the past, but I can no longer find it on her blog.  She recommended it for a Halloween costume.  However, I don’t believe in having to totally dress the part.  You could take any of the elements of the style and incorporate it into a basic outfit to add a little interest anytime.

Here are the basic ideas that Angie presented  in her outfit formula for creating a Steampunk look:

1. A Victorian blouse — a solid dandy and romantic frilly, flouncy and poufy  blouse in a soft fabric, or lace or a peasant blouse.
2. Bottoms — Combat pants (or cargo pants), leather leggings under a short a-line skirt, or bell bottoms in a stretch fabric.
3. Footwear — combat boots, moto boots, or riding boots.
4. Accessories — striped or lace hose, grommet belts, small round sunglasses, fingerless or leather gloves, and/or Victorian jewelry.

   

5. Or — substitute some of the items with denim, such as a jean jacket instead of a corset.
6. Other ideas — a velvet cape, black duster, key-motif jewelry, leather, velvet, destroyed skinnies, safari style.

I used Angie’s formula to create my costume for the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party I attended on National Mad Hatter’s Day, October 6th.

A Couple of Outfit Ideas:

1. Wear a black drape-front cardigan over a column of black (black top & bottom.) Add tall black platform boots.
2. Or wear a cape of any sort over a long-sleeve t-shirt & blue jeans. Add a gold cuff over the cuff of the tee.

Reminder:  Freely Create and Show Your True Self !

Mix steampunk with other elements.  You may have clothing or costume pieces that go well with the outfit you are creating.  Dress in your own signature way and just add a few touches of steampunk that you like.  Ultimately, be your true self.

This is an example of a Steampunk-style locket.  The phrase is by William Shakespeare:  “To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”

Did you enjoy this post? Was this helpful to you?  Do you think you might try any of these clothing design elements in your outfits? Do you or would you consider wearing a Steampunk-style outfit? If so, for what occasion? Please let us know your thoughts. Leave a reply below!

And There’s More!

Like this post?  You might also like to read:

• “How to Dress at the End of the World” (post-apocalyptic style)
• “How to Get Inspired by Gothic Style“
• “How to Get That Free-Spirited Gypsy Style“

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This post is linked up with “Your Own Twist Link Up #13” at Shelbee on the Edge where you might like to read what my other blogger friends are featuring.

Thank you for visiting Your True Self Blog!

Angie

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Steampunk, Style