Steampunk Fashion

“Very Fetching, my Dear!”

If you’ve never heard that phrase before, don’t run away – even if the gentleman who made that remark is bizarrely attired. He is merely a role-playing Steampunk. And he is paying you a compliment – in a nineteenth century way. He’s saying that you, or an item of your clothing, look appealing. By now you can help noticing that his clothes, though bizarre, are finely detailed and suited to the antiquated manners of this a century gone past. Perhaps by now you are considering what how you would dress in that style? That question, my dear Watson, is certainly not elementary.

 

Ask most people what they think of Steampunk, and they will probably mention cogs and gears. However, it is not a matter of “gluing some gears on it and call it Steampunk”. The starting point of the Steampunk fashion is the aesthetics of the Victorian era. Of course, Steampunk being an alternate history movement, there is no need to slavishly adhere to historical accuracy.

In the main, expect the bell shaped curves of crinolines and bustles for the ladies. Gentlemen should don a suit, or at least a vest with trousers. However these rules may be varied for specific occasions. After all, what smart lady would wear a ballgown while building a mechanical contraption or playing en garde? She should wear breeches tailored to her figure! And what gentleman wouldn’t rather chose a labcoat and thick rubber gloves when working hard to tame the lightning? Accessories matter too. When going for a walk don’t forget your hat, and gloves, and feel free to add a walking stick or parasol!

Some say that “Steampunk is when the goths discovered the brown color.” This author must disagree (despite finding the idea smile-worthy). Sure, brown and similar colors are common: leather aprons, copper accessories, or, yes, brown or rust-colored garments are quite useful to make dirt and a some oil less conspicuous. But Steampunk can be very colorful. A flamboyant outfit is more likely to gather attention, thus bring more witnesses when you share your manifesto.

 

Let’s get down to guiding principles

• Gears are not prohibited, of course, although one will want to make them either artful style, or practical. This author’s favourite work outfit has a belt full of tools and accessories, including replacement gears.

• Goggles are very useful to protect the eyes, or to examine clues, but in not everyone needs them. Top hats: appropriate for both ladies and gentlemen, can also be replaced by any sort of hat (from straw hats to pilot helmets), as long as they complement your outfit.
• Work boots are great in a mechanical lab, but not as nice when dancing, so be sure to have more than one pair of footwear. (This author finds stiletto and spike heels inappropriate for running, but feel free to wear some; the hungry monster will have easier prey than me!)
• Armor: some wear it under their clothes, some over; many corsets are reinforced to provide protection along with support.
• Weapons are better worn hidden. You never know what will happen, but being inconspicuous is helpful, unless of course you intend to intimidate the onlookers. (Be aware they are banned from Oxbridge grounds, though.)

Newly registered avatars under 30 days old can get free Steampunk outfits at Caledon Oxbridge’s College of Avatar Customization. For some very creative outfits, trot off to the Grim Bros store and you will be dazzled but the steampunk range.

Don’t feel like being human? Be a mecha – also known as a mechanical automaton. Or be a tiny. Tinies, by default, are Steampunk, if you consider they are variants of animals created expressly to be dangerously cute. And of course, you can dress a tiny in a Steampunk outfit!

So now that you know what is going on, should you hear someone calls you ‘fetching’. No need to panic, you are being complimented the old fashion way. You know he is not a monster (well, he may be, but a nice way), she is not mad (well, she may be, but in an too-smart-for-her-own-good way), and they are not dangerous (well, they may be, but only to fools who mocked them)…

Oh well. Perhaps you’d better run, after all… but why not just join the fun?