Characteristics of Steampunk

Steampunk Garments and Accessories

When we hear the word steampunk  immediately come to our minds technology and mechanical engines  based in the Victorian Era. Some people think of something as post-apocalyptic, Sc-Fi or vintage. Basically it revolves around the Industrial Revolution of the machine age. It is a society of "What If?" with a futuristic aspect combined with the steam period.  We recognise steampunk from the symbols and the particular styles used in clothes and accessories that are quite original and eccentric. 

                             

Some popular examples of steampunk clothing and accessories are the corset, military jackets, frilled and puffed skirts, ruffled shirts, lace-up boots jackets with tails and waistcoats. Regarding accessories the top hat and the goggles are a must amongst others such as  large buckled belts, gloves, pouches and more. Most colours used for this particular style are browns, grey, black, khaki, maroon and navy blue although one can wear any colour to achieve a steampunk look.

Steampunk top hat with gears

Men's look

Steampunk goggles

Steampunk requires materials such as metal and wood that make the objects look permanently rather than technology made from plastic. Common materials used in steampunk designs are brass, copper, steel,iron together with wood,antique glassbulbs, leather and glass. Antiquities inspired from the Victorian era such eye glasses and pocket watches are very popular, they also give an indication of which social class a person belongs too. Sometimes in a Sci-fi film  we see body parts such as skin, arms, bones etc  made from mechanical components. Clocks are a necessity in steampunk as they are much older than steam technology along with clocks we find gears that are important too. Without the gears the steam and clock machine can't work. Another popular symbol in steampunk is the key which is  associated with automaton robots to function. The list of materials and symbols of steampunk goes on and on. The three that I mentioned here are the most commonly used in garments and accessories. 

Man with mechanical arm 

The clock symbol represent time and the developments time brought by throughout the years that started in the Victorian era. Gears are linked with steam and clocks since they won't function without a gear. In fashion, the gear  is the most used symbol in steampunk .Last but not least the key without it an automaton would't work. In my opinion the key represents the opening lock of a new world, a new society and new inventions that came along with time. An example is the automaton which would only function with a key certain them, these can sing, write with a functional  language and voice they represent also "Fantasy vs Realism". 

Steampunk gears

Steampunk keys 

               

                 Steampunk clock with gears and Roman numbers  

These three components are used mostly in every steampunk accessory from top hats, brooches, jewellery, shoes, glasses and many more. Steampunk goggles and hats are also commonly used in an outfit. In my visual product I will be using them for the hat, maybe I won't use the three of them but set them  next to each other to create like a brooch on the hat. Regarding the shape of the hat I will be doing one inspired from the late Victorian a top hat or flower pot hat styles.

Leata Nelsonl ,2012. What is Steampunk? Here Are Some General Characteristics. [online] Available at :< http://www.streetarticles.com/fashion-style/what-is-steampunk-here-are-some-general-characteristics >

[Accessed 17 January 2014]

Jonathan Strickland,n.d. How Steampunk Works.[online] Available at :< http://people.howstuffworks.com/steampunk1.htm >

[Accessed 17 January 2014]