Steampunk style in clothes, glasses for women, men. What is it, how to make art with your own hands

Create an unusual themed image for a photo shoot or going to a concert or exhibition. By changing the usual style of clothing, steampunk allows you to move into the futuristic world of a fantastic work.

Steampunk fashion

The heart of the steampunk style is an alternative universe of mechanical and steam technology from the 19th century. It is characterized by the urban aesthetics of 1890-1910, a combination of futurism and the Victorian era. Cityscapes with dark smoky streets, steam engines, modernized airships, primitive mechanical robots are the main elements of the style.

The appearance of the characters in the books is a fusion dandy, a lady of the late 19th century, a mad scientist, an adventure traveler. The literary basis of the style can be called the works of J. Verne, H. Wells. Contemporary authors are Sterling, Jones and others.

From a literary genre, steampunk has turned into a full-fledged subculture with its own fashion, visual art, literature, and music.

Features of the fashion trend

Steampunk is a style of clothing that harmoniously combines the traditions of the Victorian era with futuristic and industrial accessories.

The main features of steampunk as a fashionable trend:

• stylization at the end of the 19th century;
• an abundance of unusual accessories;
• contrasting textures - leather-lace, metal-silk or velvet.

The basic things for a steampunk wardrobe will be:

1. Corsets. They can be part of a dress or an independent element of the image; an imitation of a corset is also used. Usually made of leather or thick velvet, decorated with lacing, metal fittings.
2. Skirts. They can be of various lengths. Stylization for the era of the British Queen Victoria is required - assemblies, flounces, lacing, lace or satin trim.
3. Dresses. They should also copy the Victorian style - a fitted bodice and a loose layered skirt with a characteristic decor, imitation of a bustle.
4. Vests. Both in classic dandy style and leather with futuristic trim.
5. Jackets, imitating a tailcoat or frock coat.
6. Shirts with a closed neckline for girls. They can be decorated with flounces, lacing, lace, gathers. The sleeves are often voluminous.
7. Hats - basic accessory. They can be small "pills" or cylinders with a veil and large ones, stylized as bowlers or top hats. Must be decorated with either lace or mechanical elements, wires.
8. Accessories... The steampunk look is not complete without a large number of them. It can be leather bracelets with rivets or spikes borrowed from metalworkers, and a variety of mechanical decor authentic for the subculture (gears, clock mechanisms, wires, etc.).
9. Gloves. They also complement the image, making it either more feminine or, on the contrary, more aggressive. It can be leather rallies (more often worn by men), and high leather, velvet, satin gloves. Decor in the form of metal fittings or lacing, lace is also required.
10. Goggles, gaiters, chain pocket watch - what distinguishes the steampunk image from other subcultures.

Types of flow

Steampunk as a subculture and a fashion trend associated with it has several trends:

1. Classic (Victorian). The images are less shocking, based on imitation of costumes of the late 19th century or the use of their individual elements. This trend is reflected in the collections of famous fashion houses (2012 men's collection "Prada").
2. Technological. Assumes rigid shapes and rough silhouettes. Abundant decoration using leather, metal fittings. The images are similar to the costumes of the pioneers. For men, this is expressed in long, semi-fitted raincoats, coats made of leather or thick wool, wide-brimmed hats or top hats. Women's looks are based on the use of tight corsets, short layered, puffy skirts.
3. Fantasy. Unlimited flight of fantasy, daring, carnival looks based on the use of accessories. Unusual corsets-vests, abundantly decorated with gears, elements of mechanisms, metal fittings in the industrial style, are acceptable.

If we talk about steampunk as a literary direction, then there are:

1. Diesel punk. The action is carried over to a later time, the beginning of the 20th century, or even to the alternative future of the victorious steam technologies.
2. Fantasy. Describes non-existent worlds, reminiscent of England in the late 19th century, in which magic coexists with technology.
3. Historical. The plot is based on a real story brought into the world of steampunk.

Classic Victorian Clothing

Steampunk is a style of clothing using wardrobe items stylized for the Victorian era. Outfits in the classic direction of this style are suitable for theme parties or events, cosplay contests.

The basis of the female image is a long dress with puffy sleeves, an intricate skirt, a soft corset or a sewn-in bodice.

The hem can be asymmetrical: at the back to the floor, and at the front to the knee or slightly higher. Usually dense fabrics are used - velvet, crimplen, but lighter fabrics are also acceptable - satin, satin.

Decor elements used:

• ruffles, flounces;
• assemblies, lacing;
• double skirts, several petticoats;
• imitation of a bustle (the skirt at the back below the waist is raised with a half-crinoline);
• wide belts made of leather or dense fabric with metal complex buckles, belts or rivets;
• corsets are not rigid in shape and material, emphasizing female forms.
• accessories - ladies' hats with a veil, top hats, jewelry stylized as Victorian times made of silver or copper;
• lace trim, fabric flowers, pearls.

Fantastic steampunk

For steampunk, fantasy images are also characteristic, as if copying the heroes of science fiction works from a parallel universe. There are no clear rules and boundaries for their creation, anything that makes the outfit unreal is acceptable.

Girls can use multi-layered lace or tulle skirts of different lengths: floor-length, above the knee, mini, along with rigid leather corsets. The latter should be richly decorated with belts or metal fittings. A corset can be an independent wardrobe item, or worn over a shirt or top. An elongated loose vest in a man's cut can complement the look.

Looks using men's clothing will look beneficial. These can be ties, stylized at the end of the 19th century, frock coats or tailcoats, men's cut trousers. They can be supplemented with all the same leather corsets or wide leather or fabric belts.

Shoes tend to be rough in the fantasy steampunk look - on a platform or high thick heels. It can be decorated with lacing or metal buckles or fittings.

Accessories play the main role in creating an unusual look.

There should be a lot of them:

• hats;
• cylinders;
• rally gloves or high;
• unusual jewelry made of copper or scarlet silver.

The more elaborate they are, the more authentic the image will turn out.

Technical imagery

Technical imagery is most typical for steampunk. The whole essence of the subculture is manifested in them. Often the outfit is complemented by complex accessories - imitation of elements of steam engines. It can be prosthetic gloves or boots resembling a prosthesis, metal pendants and pendants resembling complex mechanisms.

Goggles can be decorated with metal elements or the glasses in them can be replaced with gears or cogwheels. All these sophisticated accessories set a futuristic tone to the image, so they are combined with clothes made of dense, coarse fabrics.

Girls can collect an image from:

• shirts, trousers, corset;
• shirts, trousers, tailcoat;
• a cropped Victorian skirt, shirt (top), corset or leather vest.

Dresses for a technical stimpunk image only remind of the era of the late 19th century. Their skirts are getting shorter, but still intricate and layered. Tops, gloves, rough shoes complete the outfit.

Steampunk in everyday life

Steampunk is a style of clothing that, in its pure form, is difficult to fit into an everyday wardrobe. But style elements can be used in everyday looks. If we turn to fashion shows and how fashion designers borrow elements of steampunk, then you can collect a casual look close to the dandy style.

For example, a trouser two-piece (trousers, vest) imitating the cut of the Victorian era can be complemented with a classic shirt in white, beige, brown colors. Leather bracelets or a tie, stylized towards the end of the 19th century, will help to give the image more pronounced features of the steampunk style.

Another option is based on the casual style - straight trousers, a corset belt, a classic shirt (black, beige, brown), a vest. The image will be complemented by boots made of leather without heels, jewelry made of leather or metal.

Backpacks made of worn brown leather or artificially aged leather can also be used as an accessory. Shoes can be either flat or with a thick medium heel.

Features of men's and women's steampunk wardrobe

Features of women's steampunk wardrobe:

1. Corsets. They can be made of leather, velvet, softly fitting figures or have a more rigid shape. Lacing can be both decorative and perform its direct function - to tighten the figure.
2. Shirts and blouses. They can also be of a classic style and can be used to create masculine looks. But most often these are more feminine options with puffy sleeves, ruffles on the bodice, and imitation of a frill. The cuffs of these shirts are decorated with lace or faux pearls. If the shirts hide the neckline, then the blouses can reveal it and the shoulders, giving the image sexuality and piquancy.
3. Gathered layered skirts, stylized under the reign of Queen Victoria of England. They can be of different lengths and in the floor and mini, up to the knee.
   4. Dresses that also imitate the fashion of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Steampunk men's wardrobe is most often based on the image of the London dandy.

Classic shirts, ties of the era, scarves, fitted vests, jackets imitating a tailcoat. Less strict options are also possible. These are images with long, fitted coats and raincoats, tight trousers, unusual leather vests, rough informal shoes. These kits are reminiscent of a traveler, adventurer, or tech-obsessed scientist, not a prim aristocrat.

List of necessary

Color solution

Steampunk involves the use of muted, rather dark colors in clothing, typical of the Victorian era. This is due to the fact that the style focuses on accessories, and muted tones make the image harmonious and whole.

Typical color solutions:

• noble shades of brown;
• the black;
• bordeaux, marsala;
• Navy blue;
• white;
• beige;
• graphite gray;
• dark green;
• muted brick red.

Basic colors can be complemented by finishing of calm olive, dull red, calm copper-gold.

Fabrics are used in plain colors, vertical narrow or thick stripes are acceptable, usually for trousers or shirts.

For casual sweatshirts, T-shirts, you can use thematic prints (gears, mechanical elements).

How to combine clothes to get a harmonious look?

You can create a harmonious steampunk image by following the following rules:

1. Will clearly define the direction of style to make it easier to assemble the kit.
2. General color scheme. There should be no bright and contrasting color elements.
3. Accessories should be stylistically uniform. Gloves with an abundance of metal fittings will not go well with a vintage hat decorated with feathers and ribbons.
4. Short skirts can be combined with tops or blouses with open shoulders, corsets. High boots and rough platform shoes will look advantageous.
5. A masculine look can be assembled from tight trousers, high boots without a heel, a shirt or a blouse with wide sleeves. An unusual leather vest or corset will complement the look.
6. Victorian dresses and skirts work well with non-rigid bodices.

Pay attention to the details

Steampunk is a style of clothing that does not tolerate casual attention to detail. The main addition to the costume is a hat and gloves.

Depending on the direction the suit belongs to, gloves can be:

1. Short leather mitts with lacing and metal fittings. Suitable for technical looks.
2. High or short velvet and satin gloves decorated with lace or flowers, artificial pearl beads with the addition of small metal details. Complement the look in the Victorian style.
3. Gloves made of leather up to the elbow or meek, richly decorated with buckles, imitation lacing, mechanical elements are characteristic of the fantasy direction.

The styles of the hats also let your imagination run wild. These can be small ladies' hats attached to the crown, decorated with feathers, lace flowers. Full-size top hats and bowlers, decorated with laces, rivets, imitation mechanisms, are worn by both girls and men.

Wide coarse belts with bandoliers or richly decorated with buckles and straps, metal fittings will complement the image of a steampunk lady. A more harmonious and close to the Victorian era costume will turn out if you use vintage fans and umbrellas.

Make-up and hairstyle are important details of the steampunk look. Retro wavy styling or tall imitating hairstyles from the late 19th century are most common. But the technological image can be complemented by hair, braided in braids, decorated with fabric roses.

Makeup is done in muted tones, textures are matte and calm. Shades of shadows should be in harmony with the color of the suit, and lips can be either a delicate nude shade or a rich dark red or burgundy. You can add light makeup and bodypainting by painting gears or other style-specific elements on your face.

Steampunk shoes

Steampunk style allows you to show imagination when choosing shoes.

The following design options are acceptable:

1. Victorian styling. Shoes, low shoes for men, copying the fashion of the late 19th century. Lace-up shoes and boots for women. The heel can be either low or medium.
2. Informal, outwardly heavy footwear from famous brands. It can be high boots with laces or rough shoes for men. For girls, shoes can be either on a platform or a high stable heel, or stiletto heels or without a heel. High boots and boots and shoes are also acceptable. Shoes should be decorated with laces, buckles and other metal fittings.
3. Steampunk-inspired footwear - gears, imitation of gears. For girls, it can be shoes with an unusual stiletto heel made of metal or shoes with a steady heel, decorated in a steampunk style.

Steampunk glasses and accessories

Accessories are very important when creating a steampunk look. Basic accessory - glasses. They are more often worn on the head or hat, less often on the neck. It can be like sunglasses (round, aviators) in an unusual frame. Lenses can be colored - dark blue, green, orange or yellow. Often glass is decorated with mechanical elements or replaced completely.

Glasses with a reclining metal grille are considered a special chic. Goggles are equally popular. They refer to the late 19th early 20th centuries in the era of the technical revolution. Since they are rarely worn in front of our eyes, the lenses are painted in them, or a drawing is made on them. The elastic bands on which the glasses are attached can be decorated with small screws and gears.

By themselves, lenses without an elastic band can serve as an adornment for hats, top hats or bags. Steampunk bags and backpacks are usually leather with frayed and visible signs of aging... Depending on the direction of the style, the image can be decorated with mechanical elements or lace, ribbons, artificial pearls, fabric flowers.

Jewelry options can be different:

• vintage medallions, earrings, cameos, necklaces referring to Victorian England;
• a whimsical combination of mechanical elements and vintage shapes. Dials, lenses, chains, gears are used;
• fantastic insects made of gears and screws.

A fake weapon can also act as an accessory.

It can be vintage rifles and pistols, supplemented with steampunk elements and futuristic weapons of the world of victorious steam and mechanical technologies.

Art ideas for creating unique accessories with your own hands with a photo

To make one of the most popular style accessories - goggles, you will need:

• protective welding goggles;
• paint - silver, copper, gold (optional);
• brushes, cotton pads, paper;
• super glue or hot melt glue;
• decorative elements.

Points must be selected with the possibility of their maximum analysis. It is desirable that the upper part, elastic bands are removed, lenses removed. If the latter cannot be removed, they will need to be sealed. The paint should be matte. In some stores you can find coatings that imitate aged copper or gold.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. It is necessary to prepare the workplace, to disassemble the glasses as much as possible.
2. Cover the parts with silver paint in several layers, the latter will need to be applied with a cotton pad or paper, creating an uneven coating.
3. Let the paint dry.
4. Then apply bronze or gold paint, also imitating signs of aging with a cotton swab or paper.
5. When the paint is dry, you need to collect the glasses and you can start decorating.

Parts from broken mechanical watches or small screws or chains can be used as decorations.

If necessary, decorative elements will need to be painted to give them an aged look. You can use old jewelry or elements reminiscent of the Victorian era.

For a while, steampunk allows you to travel to an alternative universe or feel like a hero of a fantastic work. The style is gaining more and more popularity, so it is easy to order clothes, shoes and accessories to create an image on the Internet.

Article design: Oksana Grivina

Steampunk clothing video

Fabulous Steampunk Dress Ideas:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20qMWCkTfq0