I spotted an interesting post on a costuming blog I frequent. Lo and behold it had a fashion plate from the 1880s that had a telegraph themed evening dress that looked oh so steamy. Do take a look at the blog post and see the plate, I'm sure it will inspire.

festiveattyre.blogspot.com/2011/05/next-on-agenda.html

For those of you who may have missed it, Letters of Note has posted what may be the first use of the term "steampunk". The Hunter S. Thompson fan in me would have really liked "gonzo-historical" too.


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Hi all,

I just thought I'd post a link to my latest post in the Steam Wench's salon, which lists a few resource books (most easy to find online and relatively inexpensive) for costumers, makers, and the generally Victorian-curious.  A couple of reproduction catalogues (a fascinating browse - it's amazing what Victorian department stores sold), a ( Read more... )

I'm writing my honors thesis on Westerners in China and the debate on feminism and identity as seen through fashion.  I'm working on a section on footbinding, and it constantly gets compared to the practice of wearing corsets in the West.  I was wondering if someone here had a timeline of the development of the corset (looking at around 1850-1920 ( Read more... )

'Ello 'ello my fellow steampunkians.  I've been on a bit of a steampunk kick (can you really ever not be on one?)  And while I simply adore steampunk and all it entails, being a poor college student makes it slightly more difficult to indulge in the fashion as much as I would like to.  (Along with other things)

But, the whole point of this post, is ( Read more... )

While looking for something else, I stumbled on this lovely website that sells vintage clothing - the price tags are not for the faint of heart, be warned.

This particular page will be of interest:

www.contentmentfarm.com/Items/1890s_gates_family_wedding_dress_VC2245.php

Click on the photo for a very detailed slide show of this lovely blue wedding ( Read more... )

http://www.ranksmercantile.com/product_info.php?cPath=14&products_id=177
thought i'd share it

While straightening library stacks in the reference section this morning, I came across an interesting encyclopedia type book: Hanson, Jillian. FEARLESS WOMEN: Athletes, Explorers, Other Competitors. New York: Raintree, 2000 ( Read more... )

The television program "The Worst Jobs in History" hosted by Tony Robinson is a wonderful insight into some of the grittiest parts of various historical periods, and the show's episode on the Victorian era is no exception. In addition to being extremely informative and good fun, it may well be of use to those of you interested in portraying a the ( Read more... )

This website, offering a history and timeline of the diverse props of science fiction with media cites,  may be a useful resource for those of you wishing to keep the diesel out of your steam--or simply to ascertain what science-fiction tropes might be on a period character's memetic radar:  http://www.technovelgy.com/