STEAMPUNK FAQ
(companion link for Captain Pyewacket Presents: The Crimefighters' Ball, 22 July 2011)
"What is Steampunk?"
Think of it as steam-and-clockwork-powered science fiction. The look and the music borrow heavily from fashion of the Victorian Era- WWII (mid 1800's-1940's). I'll let Wikipedia cover the finer points... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steampunk
"What does it look like?"
A Google Image search for "steampunk fashion" will give you a lot of good images to work from. You can get more specific by searching for "steampunk men's fashion" or "top hats" etc.
Movies to put you in the mood:
Hellboy
Moulin Rouge
The Wild Wild West
Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Golden Compass
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
Anything featuring Sherlock Holmes
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
"What's the Music Like?"
You might hear stuff like this.....
Squirrel Nut Zippers
Professor Elemental
The Scarring Party
Abney Park
Unextrordinary Gentlemen
Clockwork Cabaret (podcast)
"BUT I'VE GOT NOTHING TO WEAR!"
Outfits can be cobbled together from items you already have or fairly cheaply from thrift store finds. Steampunk fashion has found its way into mainstream stores - even Target, Kohls - even Roses. You can find hats, shoes, boots, blouses, shirts, skirts, vests and military cut coats in many local retail stores.
Some useful do-it-yourself tips will turn up in a Google search for "DIY steampunk fashion"
Here are some decent local thrift shops:
PTA Thrift Shops - Chapel Hill, NC and Carrboro, NC
Time After Time Vintage Thrift Shop - Chapel Hill, NC
Surplus Sid's - Carrboro, NC
For those with cash and time for shipping:
Kambriel - Concord, NC
Retroscope Fashions - Las Vegas, NV
Clockwork Couture - Los Angeles, CA
Fan Plus Friend - China (quite good, actually, on quality, price and service)
And some nifty bits and bobs can be found locally:
Davenport & Winkleperry - Pittsboro, NC
Joei Reed Hats - Durham, NC
Kelly Farrow's Fine Threads - Raleigh, NC
My Funky Camelot - Raleigh, NC
STEAMPUNK NETWORKS IN NORTH CAROLINA
NC Steampunk Society (Facebook)
Steampunk NC (Livejournal)
Clockwork Cabaret (Livejournal)
Clockwork Cabaret (Facebook)
Greensboro Steampunk (Livejournal)