Inspired by the Victorian era of buttoned-up gentility and amazing new mechanical inventions, Steampunk designers seek to rekindle a sense of awe and romance in an otherwise sterile and detached digital world.
That’s a goal and a fashion sense also found in the Western lifestyle. These Steampunk designers, a New York Times article states, “assemble their own fashions, 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.” The cowboy lifestyle that Steampunk pays homage to can be epitomized by Capt. James West, a brash wise-cracking federal agent in 1869 who is as quick with his fists as he is with the Colt 1860 Army .44 strapped to his hip, as Will Smith depicts him in 1999’s Wild Wild West. West’s partner-in-crimefighting, the foppish and snarky Artemus Gordon (Kevin Kline), is more aligned with today’s Steampunk culture. A U.S. marshal with a disdain for guns and a fondness for gadgets, Gordon carries only a Colt Theur Derringer secreted in a spring-loaded belt buckle or on an elaborate contraption up the sleeve of the frilly shirts he likes to wear. The chafing relationship between West and Gordon in the movie may no longer separate cowboys from technocentrics today. Many Westerners can appreciate the desire of Steampunkers to fashion modern technology to fit Victorian sensibilities. After all, cowboys and Steampunkers both yearn for simpler and more wondrous and gentler times.
Photo Gallery
Amelia Bloomer advocated Turkish pantaloons in 1849 in her suffragette magazine The Lily to help counter the ill effects to a women’s health borne to them by the long heavy skirts and tightly-laced corsets they wore (see Currier & Ives rendition of these bloomers, in inset). Just as it was true for the bloomers then, the Boxcar bloomers by Gypsy Moon are designed for the season: silk knits for winter and silk chiffons for summer. These once-scandalous bloomers have been updated with see-through flowing anklets trimmed with lace and ribbon, and they come in a variety of colors; $198.
Eliza Hat by Steampunk Threads, featuring black roses with plumes on a wide brim; $129.95.
To step out of the sepia tones that often dominate the Steampunk look, opt for bright colors in your accessories, as shown in this necklace by Frenzy Universe with the resin covering a vintage floral damask paper and four authentic watch gears in a one-inch square brass pendant. The 21-inch chain is made up of brass wire and tangerine Czech glass cathedral beads; $34.99.
The Horace Woodman outfit is composed of a 100-percent wool frock coat in burgundy ($229.50), New Style Henderson pants ($79.95), a brown Arlington vest ($54.95) over a wing tip shirt ($59.95) and a taupe silk puff tie ($29.50) with a pearl tie tack ($3.95), accessorized by a pecan Victorian top hat ($84.95), quartz gold design pocket watch ($24.95) and a Mavericks glass handle walking stick ($36.95).
These “Ode to Buffalo Bill” leather boots by Montana Dreamwear are 25 inches tall and a limited size run. The boots pay tribute to the Wild West show impresario through silver concho embellishments with horse hair tassels, tinkling coins dangling in the back and original Yellowstone Park imagery wood burned on the leather at the top with leather threads; $625.
For those Steampunkers who are looking for a complete look, Historical Emporium may fit your needs. The Narcissa Von Trapp outfit is composed of a black Evangeline blouse ($49.95), a sapphire Annabelle skirt ($79.95) and a hoop underskirt ($48.95), accessorized by a Fascinator mini straw hat ($24.95), a black velvet Victorian choker ($19.95), plain wrist lace gloves ($9) and miniature brass inspectors lens ($5.95).
Taking a twist on the gunfighter frock coat, Old Frontier Clothing Co. designed its frock coat out of the brocade fabrics popularly seen in frontier vests. Featuring the black, brown and gold paisley brocade fabric, this frock coat is suitable for both men and women; $285.
The Patience top hat inspired by the Steampunk movement and designed by Topsy Turvy Design features accents of saddle leather, pleated brown moire ribbon, brass buttons and pheasant feathers. The six-inch tall hat comes with hat elastic and comb; $249.
– Model: Isabella Misery; by Silent Shudder Photography –
Lace Victorian choker with scarf by Steampunk Threads is made of hand dyed Venetian lace that is adjustable and comes with a matching lace cameo and an attached soft chiffon scarf; $39.
This Victorian velvet gown with hot pink velvet cuffs features a moire underskirt by Thomas Ogden ($150) and lace tatted necklace by TotusMel (various styles available). The Beaux top hat by Topsy Turvy Design comes in black (shown), burgundy or ivory velvet. The hat’s passementerie button and black raven wings is set off by pink contrasting ribbon (also available in ivory). The 8.5-inch hat comes with hat elastic and comb so you can perch it easily on your head; $269.
– Model: Beaux Deadly; by Silent Shudder Photography –
Gears and clocks are iconic Steampunk images that are used in a variety of accessories, including these tie tacks with authentic watch movements and 1.75-inch chains by Frenzy Universe. You can add a Steampunk element to your cravat by tying on one of these tie tacks, which are available in a gold or silver tone; $15.
Timeseeker plum wool pinstripe suit by Steampunk Threads. The fitted lined jacket features a flared hem, silver metal button closure, long sleeves full at the cap that matches the two panel skirt with its elastic waist. The grey lace chemisette gives off the high-collared Victorian look; $259. The flouncing Laboratory Chataleine necklace ($62) gives off just the right amount of air of an eccentric scientist tinkling with 19th-century steam technology, which was as innovative to that era as computers are to us today.
This Victorian pleated ribbon hat, dubbed the Byrone by Topsy Turvy Design, is available in your choice of burgundy (shown), black or ivory and comes with hat elastic and comb. The velvet hat features pleated moire ribbon, velvet ribbon and curled Peacock swords; $225.
– Model: Isabella Misery; by Silent Shudder Photography –
“Upcycling” is a popular part of the Steampunk aesthetic and is seen here in these walking sticks by Frenzy Universe. These are handmade from copper pipe, oak wood and vintage glass doorknobs salvaged from historic homes and buildings; $40.
Cowboys and Steampunkers Will Smith, as Capt. James West (at left), stays true to the cowboy look and places his faith in a Colt 1860 Army, while Kevin Kline, as Artemus Gordon (at right), flashes up his Victorian attire with state-of-the-art gadgets.
– Wild Wild West courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures; Fashion images courtesy Designers –
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