Steampunk and its growing following

[eloquentXI]

I've been trying to figure out a way to add cogs and gears in a functional way to my gear or costume.
I know I had an off the wall idea of somehow using the cogs and gears to tighten a corset in the back or have it in the front and the mechanisms in the front, etc.
Maybe that'll be later for me, because I know what I want from my first corset, an underbust with belts and the buckles to the side on the front, in browns, I think. Then a lacy kind of top with frills and the poofy top sleeve that is very Victorian, then cover the bottom half of my arms with bracers of the belts, and then a thick full scarf, belt straps that will connect to the corset, lots of belts and maybe a few gears here and there....I'm still trying to work things in and get those refined details that make outfits beautiful but also stick to the style of steampunk.

I spent hours last night with a group of my friends geekin' out and brainstorming and looking on the internet.

Yay for brainstorming! :]

[RenRobin]

I must say ya'll have my wheels turning in my brain too.  We will see.

[Rani Zemirah]

Meg, you're garb is sounding pretty lush, grrlie!!!  It's def got my imagination in overdrive, and I'm already pulling out those pieces of suede and seeing how they'll all fit together!  I'm not a fan of the random gears and gyros either, but the ones that have an actual function, or at least appear to, and pretty cool, and they fit with the genre, so I'll probably rattle and "clank" a bit when I walk...  (gigglesnerk)

Grov, I found a gadget that I'm sure will work with what you've got in mind... (guess I'm just psychic that way... ) but it will just have to be a surprise!  Don't worry, it's very small...  LOL 

[Grov]

Someone could easily paint up a knee-brace to look tarnished and bronze and wear it over pants.  An older one with flat strips of metal rather than the curvy ergonomic new style would probably look better.

[Taffy Saltwater]

Spats are also a simple and effective accessory.  Following is a free pattern, easily modified to make them knee length or for the fluffier limb.  I think I needed about 3/4 yd each of fashion fabric & lining & two packages of bias tape, and lots and lots of buttons.  I made a toile for future usage.

Grov, full steam ahead!

http://www.thankyoufornotbeingperky.com/spatspattern/spatsPattern2008.pdf

[Grov]

Actually I am getting some heavy canvas surplus spats.  Just gotta figure out if and what color I want to dry to make them.  Fabric paint, paint pen, dye job, whatever works.  I'm not shooting for polished courtesan.  More on the mechanic madboy side.

[Rani Zemirah]

Oh, YAY!!! Madboys are rockin'!!!  LOL  I'm leaning a bit toward that sparky side, myself.  Lookin' for an old toolbelt I can customize, maybe.  I'm thinkin' I can accessorize with a strategically placed smudge or two of grease, also...   

I've been having visions of Teaches trench he wore one day at Scarby... it had big pockets down each side of the front lining, just right for various and sundry clanks and clank parts not to mention the odd flask or two.  Oooooh... flasks, cleverly disguised as clanks...    Oh, geez...  I get more ideas every time someone posts!  ROFL  I'm going to need a week just to wear everything I want to make, at this rate... 

[eloquentXI]

Actually I am getting some heavy canvas surplus spats.  Just gotta figure out if and what color I want to dry to make them.  Fabric paint, paint pen, dye job, whatever works.  I'm not shooting for polished courtesan.  More on the mechanic madboy side.

I almost went this way, except, sexy mechanic madam of the sort, have oil stained clothes and get to lunk around a bunch of super cool tools. I'm leaning towards Skypirate Captain though, means I get to have the swishy awesomeness of the feminine side and weaponry and still look super-badass.

[Taffy Saltwater]

I haven't made any frou-frou spats, yet - hmm, maybe a project for this weekend?  Here are the ones I made earlier this year, still awaiting buttons.

Sparky: 

Badass: 

[Rani Zemirah]

Taffy, those are way too hot!  LOL  Can't wait to see what you might wear them with...

I'm wondering what the engineer on a sky-pirate ship might look like... could she get away with a skirt, do you think, or must she wear the high waisted trousers?  I'm envisioning something with a bit less frill, and just a touch of perhaps olive drab mixed with browns and creams for that whole alt-military look, but with a nice rich russet color for the under bust corset over a cream color shirtwaist.  Oh, and boots... I have an incredible pair of brown leather 14 hole hook tops that will just finish it all off!

It's all coming together... in my head, at least!  LOL

[Taffy Saltwater]

Rani, Sky pirates need pants - otherwise the crew'd be getting an eyeful every time you stepped out on deck - it's windy up there.  Im thinking a stressed skirt tucked into work pants or maybe instead of a skirt, a burlesque-y bustle in back (see etsy for some cute ideas) and a leather tool belt for the front apron part of the skirt - about 6 or 8" long.  Tuck the pants into the boots using some boot bands for the perfect blousing effect - maybe $5 including shipping on ebay.

My favorite sky pirates movie scene from Stardust:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQKrgi2PMz8

[captmarga]

Taffy, those are way too hot!  LOL  Can't wait to see what you might wear them with...

I'm wondering what the engineer on a sky-pirate ship might look like... could she get away with a skirt, do you think, or must she wear the high waisted trousers?  I'm envisioning something with a bit less frill, and just a touch of perhaps olive drab mixed with browns and creams for that whole alt-military look, but with a nice rich russet color for the under bust corset over a cream color shirtwaist.  Oh, and boots... I have an incredible pair of brown leather 14 hole hook tops that will just finish it all off!

It's all coming together... in my head, at least!  LOL

What about Kentucky Jodphurs - the ones with the flair at the thigh - http://www.monarch-garments.com/MG6697.jpg

Then add in a lace stripe at the side? 

Could still have an open skirt or side-saddle riding skirt (which is really just a wrap apron) that goes over it. 

Capt. Marga
(who is playing around with steampunk designs for daywear at Dickens on the Strand...)

[Taffy Saltwater]

Those jodhpurs are gorgeous - totally swoon worthy.  Heavens above, there certainly are some steamy people here. 

EDIT to add:  Corset D looks like it has a lot of possibilities - http://www.butterick.com/item/B5371.htm?tab=costumes&page=1
Also:  As do Gauntlets D - http://www.butterick.com/item/B5370.htm?search=5370&page=1

[Rani Zemirah]

Now if he was to come along I do believe I'd be swooning every few steps!!!  heheh  Yum-my!!!

Unfortunately, pants that are wider at the thighs just make me look far wider there than I actually am, and since I'm wider there than I'd like to be already... well, might not work for me.  LOL  I was thinking instead that I might make a nice frilly pair of bloomers, that way I give a nod to the whole grrly-lacy-froufrou style, and the skirt would be something similar to this, but a bit more period in shape.



I ran across these mens boots that I thought were just almost... edible!  Toooo sexy, and they're Kenneth Cole's, so they'd work as everyday footwear, also.  I might wear them myself if I can get them in my size, but I've already got a pair of lace-ups. .



Here's a hat I fell in love with last night... but I'm not sure if I'll be wearing a hat or a leather aviator's cap. 



Ok... I have more., but that's enough for now (now that I've given out all my ideas)...  LOL

[sealion]

Ooooh! I love that hat!
My garb it still in the "thoughts rolling around in my head" stage. lol (Gotta get the Pennsic stuff done first.) I'm trying to decide how someone raised as a proper Victorian society lady who became an explorer/time traveller would dress.