Going into a new century is a lot of work. You have the new technology, the new social order, fashion changes. Then there is the music, and it’s never going to be as good as it used to be. Sort of, well after all, where would we be without the new iPhone? It’s always interesting to see different movements and thier takes on utopia, from the Arts & Crafts movement of the last century, well, to the Arts & Crafts movement to this one (it’s different, I swear). The Bauhaus strived for form and function, the Hippies strived for peace on Earth and the return to nature, and well, the Steampunks, they strive to mix technology and romance.
At first glance, I thought this subculture was just another creepy goth thing. Ok, I may be bitter, because in High School I liked the music, and I thought the aesthetic was cool, but my sunny disposition totally ruined the overall package. The Steampunk movement is not dark and gloomy but optimistic and quirky. Inspired by Jules Verne and City of Lost Children, they’ve created an unreal aesthetic that is neither past nor present, it’s part Victorian with present day technology. Honestly, I rather like the Steampunk take on fashion, the bold stripes, lace, and goggles, sepia photographs and quirky corsets. Darling hats wrapped in barbed wire flowers, and pretty necklaces. I
Image: M.Veen
Items from top left:
Necklace: Opulent Oddities
Bolero & Bustle: Dreadnought Designs
Leather Apron: Dreadnought Designs
Party Dress: Louise Black
(The Spats have been removed from the original post)
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I simply must have those spats!
Such great finds! Ditto on the spats, those are gorgeous (and affordable-I’m amazed)!
I think I have elements of steampunk and didn’t even know it!
I love this aesthetic.
Luv
Poochie
The first time I heard of Steampunk was on Etsy. I felt really old because I was thinking “what’s this steampunk thing all these people are talking about?!”
But now I see it all over the place, and I kind of think of it as a more fashionable, romantic, futuristic semi-goth type thing. Nice picks too by the way…
Susie, get the spats!!!
I went to a New Year’s Party where a guest said that Steampunk would be the It thing this year, and I agreed. I also like that there’s room to decide what you want to take — you can be the elegant lady, or you can be the scrappy tomboy engineer with knee high boots and suspenders, and they both still fit the aesthetic.
And those spats are amazing!!
I have a couple posts about Steampunk from way back; it’s really a remarkable movement. The aesthetics are wonderful and all, but there is a great environmental ideal and DIY attitude that shouldn’t be overlooked as well.
I love the steampunk movement! And I had the same issue with goth in highschool. I apparently looked too happy to scare anyone.
I just blogged about this pretty extensively May 30 and had some of the same picks! Blogging synergy is the strangest thing…
haha poochie, i thought the same thing…
you know i’ve never heard of steampunk until this year, and my college mates, who i almost went into business with (had i stayed in london) run a print shop on this theme, i’ve always liked it, i just didn’t know it h ad a name.
violetwired… yeah…sometimes the blog synergy seems like a hive conciseness… but there we go, scifi again!
ijust read you post! lovely!
I had never heard of it until now. And I love it. It reminds me of Meatcake by Dame Darcy.
I’ve never heard about Steampunk before. But I like learning about different subcultures, so thanks for sharing.
I’ve loved the steampunk aesthetic ever since I first read China Mieville’s work (and Diamond Age before that), though I’m usually more of a mod girl. Can you be Edwardian mod? Anyway, I’ve been eyeing up those spats - and many other lovely pairs listed in Les Frivolties shop - since I first read about them last month. I’ve wanted covered-front black shoes too, so I just bought the spats and now I don’t have to decide between heels or flats!
i am so intrigued by this whole steampunk movement! i love how it takes the best of the old while not really rejecting new technologies. such an interesting aesthetic!
I heart the bolero and bustle.
hussssh.
ah fuck it anyway, cat’s been outta the bag for a while now.
in which case, well posted.
I know I am going to sound like everyone else, but I adore the aesthetic of the steam punk movement. I too was a goth in high school, even though I was told I smiled too much. Apparently I was very scary though, perhaps that was because of the smile.
That black dress by Lousie Black made my heart stop. I’m feeling like Poe over cocktails now.
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