steampunk rant
With Anachrocon happening in town this weekend I think this is an appropriate time to have such a discussion. I don't think I have discussed such things with most people terribly thoroughly except katielovespink , who understands how I feel.
A comic to get us going:
From Tor.com which I figure is as good a source as any:
"In three short words, steampunk is Victorian science fiction. Here “Victorian” is not meant to indicate a specific culture, but rather references a time period and an aesthetic: the industrialized 19th century. Historically, this period saw the development of many key aspects of the modern world (mechanized manufacturing, extensive urbanization, telecommunications, office life and mass-transit), and steampunk uses this existing technology and structure to imagine an even more advanced 19th century, often complete with Victorian-inspired wonders like steam-powered aircraft and mechanical computers."
So steampunk costumes should be based on Victorian era fashion. Steampunk costumes that are "accurate" should not include modern things like plastic buckles and zippers. I also think that steampunk fashion should follow some of the same sorts of guidelines as Victorian era fashion. For example, a reputable Victorian lady's corset would not be visible. Corsets are lingerie. After all modern reputable ladies do not go running around showing off their bras. If one's steampunk character they are dressing as is perhaps a saloon girl or courtesan I could see their being leeway with such a guideline though. So when engaging in dressing in steampunk costumes please do some historical research because being historically based is kind of the whole point of it!
About gears and goggles:
"The gear in steampunk joins related devices such as flywheels and pistons as the “power lines” of the steam age. Steam power is mechanical power and its transmission demands a network of moving parts in the same way that electrical power transmission demands wires. The gear on its own is not especially “steampunk” but when put to use in 19th century machinery it becomes a key icon of the genre."
"Goggles are often encountered in steampunk clothing and imagery, and this can create the misleading impression that they are somehow fundamental to the “steampunk look.” Certainly, goggles are associated with both science and mechanized travel, both of which are common themes in steampunk. However, this does not mean that everyone in a steampunk setting wears goggles; in fact, only people who have a reason to wear them do so, and then only while it is useful. As with scarves, driving coats, aprons and overalls, goggles are a piece of fashion that can help give life to a steampunk world when used properly and in moderation, but can rapidly border upon the ludicrous when turned into an end rather than a means."
Holy geez, thank you Tor.com! Probably my biggest problem with steampunk costumes is how so many people just seem to go about the 'herp derp, glue on some random gears, throw on some goggles, and spraypaint a Nerf gun' route. Gears should have a function! There should be a reasonable explanation for incorporating gears into a costume. If one is going to be really clever and try incorporating them in a purely decorative manner then one needs to really put thought into it. Like there was a lovely lady at Imagicon and her character was some sort of exterminator or entomologist, I cannot remember exactly but it had to do with bugs, and she had an insect shaped brooch that was made up tiny little gears and other small metal bits. Now that was clever! Otherwise a gear should be part of some sort of assemblage doing something with a purpose. And goggles! Not every sort of steampunk character should or would wear goggles. Do most modern people run around all the time wearing protective eyewear? No. Many modern people do own a pair or sunglasses, but even then those serve a different purpose than protecting eyes from things like flying debris. If one's character is something such as a pilot or a scientist, then okay I get it. But the average Victorian lady or gentleman would not have a reason to wear such.
More personal issues with the way steampunk costumes are often carried out:
Why is everyone someone like a really grand adventurer? I liken it to how the "fursonas" of so many furries are things like wolves or foxes, inherently cool animals. I would rather see costumes that take a lot more thought and creativity. Like instead of seeing the latest airship captain who thinks they're being really original I'd rather see something like a steampunk maid. How awesome would a steam powered Victorian dust buster be?
Steampunk versions of existing characters: Oh goodness. A lot of the time these just do not look well thought out/executed. And sometimes they are just messes of combined fads which makes it seems even less creative and interesting and more likely to be a mess, ex. steampunk Alice in Wonderland. Though occasionally they can really work. Like there's a guy that has a really well done steampunk Professor X costume complete with tricked out wheelchair. Though even with costumes like that once I've seen them a couple times I'm "done" with them. I want to see new and interesting things. And I doubt someone's creativity and talent if they're only a one trick pony.
So these are my issues with steampunk. I think it is an interesting concept. After all modern people still find things like Jules Verne's stories interesting. But I find the fandom (is that even the most appropriate word I could use?) as a whole frustrating. Similarly, I enjoyed the first two PS2 Kingdom Hearts games, but got so annoyed by the fandom and had to get away from it.
A comic to get us going:
From Tor.com which I figure is as good a source as any:
"In three short words, steampunk is Victorian science fiction. Here “Victorian” is not meant to indicate a specific culture, but rather references a time period and an aesthetic: the industrialized 19th century. Historically, this period saw the development of many key aspects of the modern world (mechanized manufacturing, extensive urbanization, telecommunications, office life and mass-transit), and steampunk uses this existing technology and structure to imagine an even more advanced 19th century, often complete with Victorian-inspired wonders like steam-powered aircraft and mechanical computers."
So steampunk costumes should be based on Victorian era fashion. Steampunk costumes that are "accurate" should not include modern things like plastic buckles and zippers. I also think that steampunk fashion should follow some of the same sorts of guidelines as Victorian era fashion. For example, a reputable Victorian lady's corset would not be visible. Corsets are lingerie. After all modern reputable ladies do not go running around showing off their bras. If one's steampunk character they are dressing as is perhaps a saloon girl or courtesan I could see their being leeway with such a guideline though. So when engaging in dressing in steampunk costumes please do some historical research because being historically based is kind of the whole point of it!
About gears and goggles:
"The gear in steampunk joins related devices such as flywheels and pistons as the “power lines” of the steam age. Steam power is mechanical power and its transmission demands a network of moving parts in the same way that electrical power transmission demands wires. The gear on its own is not especially “steampunk” but when put to use in 19th century machinery it becomes a key icon of the genre."
"Goggles are often encountered in steampunk clothing and imagery, and this can create the misleading impression that they are somehow fundamental to the “steampunk look.” Certainly, goggles are associated with both science and mechanized travel, both of which are common themes in steampunk. However, this does not mean that everyone in a steampunk setting wears goggles; in fact, only people who have a reason to wear them do so, and then only while it is useful. As with scarves, driving coats, aprons and overalls, goggles are a piece of fashion that can help give life to a steampunk world when used properly and in moderation, but can rapidly border upon the ludicrous when turned into an end rather than a means."
Holy geez, thank you Tor.com! Probably my biggest problem with steampunk costumes is how so many people just seem to go about the 'herp derp, glue on some random gears, throw on some goggles, and spraypaint a Nerf gun' route. Gears should have a function! There should be a reasonable explanation for incorporating gears into a costume. If one is going to be really clever and try incorporating them in a purely decorative manner then one needs to really put thought into it. Like there was a lovely lady at Imagicon and her character was some sort of exterminator or entomologist, I cannot remember exactly but it had to do with bugs, and she had an insect shaped brooch that was made up tiny little gears and other small metal bits. Now that was clever! Otherwise a gear should be part of some sort of assemblage doing something with a purpose. And goggles! Not every sort of steampunk character should or would wear goggles. Do most modern people run around all the time wearing protective eyewear? No. Many modern people do own a pair or sunglasses, but even then those serve a different purpose than protecting eyes from things like flying debris. If one's character is something such as a pilot or a scientist, then okay I get it. But the average Victorian lady or gentleman would not have a reason to wear such.
More personal issues with the way steampunk costumes are often carried out:
Why is everyone someone like a really grand adventurer? I liken it to how the "fursonas" of so many furries are things like wolves or foxes, inherently cool animals. I would rather see costumes that take a lot more thought and creativity. Like instead of seeing the latest airship captain who thinks they're being really original I'd rather see something like a steampunk maid. How awesome would a steam powered Victorian dust buster be?
Steampunk versions of existing characters: Oh goodness. A lot of the time these just do not look well thought out/executed. And sometimes they are just messes of combined fads which makes it seems even less creative and interesting and more likely to be a mess, ex. steampunk Alice in Wonderland. Though occasionally they can really work. Like there's a guy that has a really well done steampunk Professor X costume complete with tricked out wheelchair. Though even with costumes like that once I've seen them a couple times I'm "done" with them. I want to see new and interesting things. And I doubt someone's creativity and talent if they're only a one trick pony.
So these are my issues with steampunk. I think it is an interesting concept. After all modern people still find things like Jules Verne's stories interesting. But I find the fandom (is that even the most appropriate word I could use?) as a whole frustrating. Similarly, I enjoyed the first two PS2 Kingdom Hearts games, but got so annoyed by the fandom and had to get away from it.