Opinions on "Steampunk" fashion

[TheDroog]

Anyone have opinions on Steampunk fashion?

I've know of steampunk as a genre of science fiction and Japanese anime, but I never heard about it as a fashion movement until today's NY Times article.

It's "an adventurous pastiche of neo-Victorian, Edwardian and military style accented with sometimes crudely mechanized accouterments like brass goggles and wings made from pulleys, harnesses and clockwork pendants, to say nothing of the odd ray gun dangling at the hip. Steampunk style is corseted, built on a scaffolding of bustles, crinolines and parasols and high-arced sleeves not unlike those favored by the movement's designer idols: Nicolas Ghesquiere of Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen and, yes, even Ralph Lauren."

It sounds weird, but the picture of the James Gang in the NYTimes article looks eccentric in a good way.

Has anyone actually seen people wearing this? Do you think it can influence mainstream fashion in any way? Thoughts, opinions?

 

[CunningSmeagol]

I think it's an unfortunate hijacking of an otherwise interesting concept. Who needs goggles and mechanized accoutrements when wearing a 3-piece tweed suit with an ipod is anachronism enough?

 

[JoeWoah]

I think it's kind of neat. I've seen it on people, mainly at places like Otacon in Baltimore. It's gaining momentum as being a "geek" is becoming less of a thing to hide and what constitutes Steampunk is expanding.

My watch movement cufflinks are supposedly Steampunk (because it has exposed gears I guess), so it seems I'm in it.

 

[CunningSmeagol]

Steampunk as applied to clothes is trying way too hard. Most of the things that many of us wear easily qualify.

 

[JoeWoah]

Originally Posted by RunningBeagle

Steampunk as applied to clothes is trying way too hard. Most of the things that many of us wear easily qualify.

Oh yeah, for the most part, I think that's the point. It's like wearing a costume.

Some of the things we wear would qualify, but I think I need to articulate to all passers-by that I'm the guy from the Avengers today.

 

[winston]

I had no idea that 'steampunk' existed, either as a fashion concept or as a word, but I had often envisioned 'alternate history'-style outfits influenced by Jules Verne/H. G. Wells imagery. Personally I would reverse the aesthetic to be modern with antique accents, rather than the overtly period and costumey look in some of the photos I've (just) seen. (the guys in the NYT photo look like they've got busy in a Civil War movie wardrobe - I can barely see the concept in the outfits)
I think some items from recent Lanvin collections have been close to what I have envisioned. The Lanvin sneakers with the copper toe immediately struck me as being along these lines, with the contrasting toe resembling some sort of brass hardware. On the whole the sneaker is poorly executed, though.

 

[HORNS]

It appears very Jules Verne-like.

I assume that the "steam" from steam punk comes from the period from which the clothes derive? I've always found that period interesting - where the highest technologies were mechanical.

 

[JLibourel]

I've been aware of the "steampunk" movement for some time. To my mind, they are just another subset of costume enthusiasts. Certainly nobody I'd look to for sartorial inspiration, anymore than I would look to the SASS crowd, SCA, the Sherlock Holmes Society, the Count Dracula Society, Renaissance Faire buffs et hoc genus omne. I don't begrudge anyone their harmless pleasures, but costuming is not one that appeals to me in the least.

 

[acidboy]

Too costumey, imo. I doubt this movement will gain, ahem, steam.

 

[paper clip]

Reminds me of "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen". Costume, IMHO - but looks like fun! Would make for an interesting night out.

 

[JoeWoah]

Originally Posted by paper clip

Reminds me of "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen". Costume, IMHO - but looks like fun! Would make for an interesting night out.

That is a Steampunk movie throughout. Stuff like Van Helsing, Hell Boy, etc... Gizmodo.com is claiming Iron Man is too.

Gizmodo is a good place to catch-up on the whole steampunk thing.

Yes, that is a Steampunk computer... or "computational machine"

http://gizmodo.com/search/steampunk watch

 

[winston]

Originally Posted by JoeWoah

That is a Steampunk movie throughout. Stuff like Van Helsing, Hell Boy, etc... Gizmodo.com is claiming Iron Man is too.


Sky Captain too.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0346156/

 

[designprofessor]

interesting...I think I'll begin posting on SF via some of those old pneumatic tubes.

 

[DocHolliday]

Originally Posted by JoeWoah

Some of the things we wear would qualify, but I think I need to articulate to all passers-by that I'm the guy from the Avengers today.

Huh? Guy from the Avengers? I don't follow.

 

[HORNS]

"Wild, Wild West", the television show and the movie, would be steampunk - for those of you looking for inspiration.