Dec 04 2008
Costuming: Steampunk Infiltrates Cons Everywhere
If you’ve attended a sci-fi or fantasy convention lately, then you’ve probably come across some attendees dressed in steampunk costumes. Or perhaps, you’ve never even heard of steampunk and have no idea what I’m talking about. That’s okay, you aren’t alone. I had never heard of it myself until a few years ago. The steampunk concept is, essentially, an alternate history, which operates under the idea that steam (not electricity) is the main source of power, and the Victorian style of dress is all the rage. It is that combination of Victorian clothing and brass/steam powered accessories that have come to define the steampunk look. And what a look it is!
Although I have not personally delved into a lot of the actual fiction from this genre (I have seen the anime Last Exile at least), I have to admit that the style is just fantastic and inspiring. In fact, my boyfriend and I will be working on our own steampunk costumes for Dragon*con 2009. Of course, we could never hope to look as wicked cool as this guy, but he does set the bar kind of high, doesn’t he?
Vincent Mycroft Dantes, Esq., Captain of the H.M.S. Amaranth
(photo by Eurobeat King)
We’re still working out the basics of our own costumes, but we’ve found some great vendors on eBay and at the conventions we’ve attended. Our best find so far, I think, was actually in some Colonial Williamsburg stores. Some of the colonial costume pieces they have for sale can easily double for Victorian, including a wicked cool pair of sunglasses I’ll be using for my costume. Sadly, neither of us sews, so we’ll be forced to purchase all of our costume pieces. It also means the cost of the costumes may be pretty high.
As my boyfriend and I start to piece together our costumes, I’ll be sure to post pictures and a list of vendors we used. We definitely want to give credit to the wonderful craftsmanship that goes into these pieces!
Do you have a steampunk costume (or do you make them)? Post a link to your photo gallery and/or website in the comments!
Great ideas–very well written. This advice is officially approved by The Costumer.
~The Costumer
http://thecostumer.today.com
Last Exile! Yay! Curiously enough I found out about Steampunk independently of watching LE. XD All I thought at that time was, “Flying airships and steam muskets! COOL!”
Good luck with the costuming.
Those’re awesome hats on that site, by the way.
Yeah, I totally fell in love with Last Exile before I knew it was part of such an amazing genre.
The above photo and more can be found here: http://VladislausDantes.deviantart.com/