steampunk rant

[twinklebat]

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:

Comments

[puzzleoflight]

I actually completely disagree with you regarding "anachronism" in steampunk fashion, but I'm pretty sure you already knew that. Now, I do think most costumes need some basis in Victoriana to be appropriately steampunk, but I think without some form of anachronism all you're doing is Victorian reenactment. So those exposed corsets? Wear-em.

I'm also a fan of putting the "punk" in steampunk, so I love when people throw together outfits that use things like exposed zippers, strategic tears and combat boots. The point of steampunk isn't to look like you'd belong in the Victorian era, the point is to look like you'd belong in a Victorian era by way of a bizarre semi-post-apocalyptic dystopia where things like manners occasionally fall by the wayside.

Otherwise, you're not steampunk, you're a historical costumer, and those are two very different things.

But keep in mind that I've been part of the subculture (and yes, as someone else pointed out, it is a subculture, not just a style of costuming) since 2007. We're very much a, "Hey, whatever works for you," kind of crowd and we've all got our aesthetic preferences. No two people are going to agree on the best way to do anything.

As for me, I'm going to reprise my steampunk Peter Pan group from last year at this year's Dragon*Con, and I'll also be Cinderella in a group of steampunk Disney princesses. Why? Because I like the aesthetic, the idea of the costumes excites me and, most of all, it's fun!

And fun's why we do it, isn't it?

[twinklebat]

I just can't get things that I think are too modern with steampunk. I've always understood it to be move "advanced Victorian" than a combination of modern and Victorian. I can't wrap my head around it any other way. The way you've put things sounds kind of too Mad Max-ish for the way I see things.

I will say I think your experience with understanding historical clothing is probably part of what gives you good aesthetic ideas when applying yourself to things like steampunk.

Hahah, and I don't think I could have fun with steampunk. That why I don't do it!