The term "steampunk" itself is believed to have originated in the late 1980s and was used to describe a particular style of science fiction literature that drew inspiration from the works of authors such as H.G. Wells and Jules Verne, as well as the industrial revolution and Victorian-era culture.
Since then, it has expanded to encompass various forms of media, including literature, art, fashion, and even music, with enthusiasts often creating their own steampunk-inspired costumes and gadgets.
Steampunk festivals are gatherings where enthusiasts of the steampunk genre come together to celebrate their love for all things Victorian-era, science fiction, and industrial revolution-inspired, and immerse themselves in a world of imagination and wonder.
These events typically feature a wide range of activities and attractions designed to immerse attendees in the fantastical world of steampunk.
All steampunk festivals have live music, ranging from musical performances to theatrical acts and street performers. These may include steampunk-themed bands, circus acts, magic shows, or interactive storytelling performances.
There will always be Tea Duelling and Teapot Racing - two very popular and quirky events that cannot be missed.
You will be able to browse vendors selling handmade steampunk-inspired merchandise including clothing, accessories, jewellery, artwork, props, and gadgets.
To come to the Isle of Wight Steampunk Festival you do not have to dress up if you don't want to. Whilst a fun thing to do, it is not compulsory.
Steampunk fashion has a period aesthetic, characterised by a blend of Victorian or Edwardian-era styles, but with elements of science fiction, industrial machinery, and adventure.
Creativity and individuality is encouraged, allowing enthusiasts to mix and match elements from different historical periods and genres to create their own unique looks.
In Victorian times, the expectation was dresses or skirts for respectable ladies, and waistcoats and trousers for gents. But in the world of steampunk, you can mix up these gender stereotypes. Men can sometimes be seen wearing corsets, and women wearing trousers.
Be inventive. Make it your own!
Search the internet for ideas, but here’s a summary of typical steampunk clothing for adults and kids.
Jackets and Coats: Long, tailored coats are common. These may feature lots of decoration such as brass buttons, epaulets, and intricate detailing.
Waistcoats: Often adorned with pocket watches, gears, or other steampunk motifs, are a staple of men's steampunk attire.
Corsets: Far from a new concept, debonair men sometimes wear a corset instead of a waistcoat, for a bold and impressive style statement.
Shirts: Ruffled or high-collared shirts, sometimes with puffy sleeves, are popular choices. They may be paired with waistcoats or worn alone.
Trousers: Often high-waisted (but don’t have to be) trousers may be tailored or accessorised with belts, buckles, or straps for a mechanical or adventurous flair.
Accessories: Accessories such as goggles, top hats, bowler hats, monocles, pocket watches, and leather gloves are often worn to complete the look. Belts, harnesses, and utility pouches may also be added for a more rugged appearance.
Dresses and Skirts: Victorian or Edwardian styles are common, often featuring bustles and intricate lace or ruffled detailing. Some may incorporate asymmetrical hemlines or layers for a more adventurous look.
Trousers: If you don’t want to wear a skirt then trousers or leggings with a steampunk twist, such as leather or lace-up detailing, can be worn.
Tops: Blouses with high necklines, lace accents, or puffed sleeves are popular choices.
Corsets: Frequently worn to achieve an hourglass silhouette and evoke the Victorian fashion aesthetic. They may be worn over dresses or paired with skirts and blouses.
Accessories: These play a significant role in women's steampunk attire. Goggles, mini top hats, fascinators, lace gloves, chokers, and ornate jewellery featuring gears, keys, or clockwork motifs are popular choices. Belts, harnesses, and holsters may also be incorporated into the ensemble for a more adventurous look.
Creating steampunk clothing for children can be a fun project! Rummage through charity shops, or ask granny and grandad.
Clothing: Start with basic Victorian-style garments like shirts, blouses, vests, and trousers for boys, and dresses or skirts for girls, although trousers on girls looks great too.
Accessorise with Gears and Cogs: Add gears, cogs, and other mechanical elements as accessories. You can sew these onto hats, vests, or even attach them to belts or bags.
Goggles: Steampunk goggles are a classic accessory. You can make these from scratch using materials like leather, brass, or even cardboard painted to look like metal.
Hats and Headpieces: Top hats, bowler hats, or aviator caps are great choices. Decorate them with goggles, gears, feathers, or small trinkets to give them a steampunk flair.
Corsets and Waistcoats: For older children or teenagers, corsets and waistcoats can add a more authentic steampunk look. These can be made from faux leather or fabric with metal accents.
Utility Belts and Pouches: Utility belts with pockets and pouches can be both practical and stylish. They can hold small trinkets or accessories and add to the overall steampunk aesthetic.
Boots and Shoes: Leather boots or shoes with buckles or gears can complete the ensemble. You can find pre-made options or customise existing footwear with steampunk elements.
Jewellery: Pocket watches, and necklaces with keys and compasses, can add a touch of adventure to an outfit. Look for antique-looking pieces in charity shops, or make your own using polymer clay or found objects.
DIY Props: Consider making simple props like toy guns, telescopes, or mini treasure chests to complement the outfit and encourage imaginative play.
Layering and Distressing: Layering different fabrics and textures can add depth to the outfit. You can also distress clothing items with tea staining or strategic rips and patches to give them a weathered, lived-in look.
Steampunk fashion often incorporates a wide range of colours, although it tends to lean towards earthy tones and metallic accents. While the stereotypical image of steampunk may feature a lot of brown, brass, and copper, modern interpretations of the genre embrace a broader colour palette.
As an alternative to brown, black can be used as a base colour or for accent pieces in steampunk outfits.
Metallic tones like brass, copper, and gold are frequently used to add a sense of industrial elegance to steampunk outfits. If dressing in black, the metallic tends to lean towards silver and pewter.
Rich colours like navy blue, burgundy, teal, purple, and plum add a touch of luxury and sophistication to steampunk attire, especially when paired with gold or brass accents.
Ultimately, the colour palette you choose for your steampunk clothing will depend on your personal style preferences and the overall aesthetic you're aiming to achieve. Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations to create a look that's uniquely yours!
So, what did the Victorian's do for us? Where did the greatest Steampunk inspirations stem from?
The Victorian era, spanning roughly 1837 to 1901, was a time of significant innovation and technological advancement. Here are a few examples of the many inventions and innovations that we take for granted today:
Steam Engine: While the steam engine predates the Victorian era, it was during this time that it saw widespread use and refinement, powering everything from trains to factories and revolutionising transportation and industry.
Telegraph: Invented by Samuel Morse in the 1830s, the telegraph enabled near-instantaneous communication over long distances, transforming the way information was transmitted.
Telephone: Patented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876, the telephone allowed for voice communication over long distances, further revolutionising communication technology.
Electric Light Bulb: Thomas Edison is often credited with inventing the practical incandescent light bulb in 1879, although there were other inventors working on similar technologies around the same time.
Photography: The development of photography progressed significantly during the Victorian era, with pioneers such as Louis Daguerre and William Henry Fox Talbot contributing to the invention of various photographic processes.
Sewing Machine: Patented by Elias Howe in 1846 and later improved upon by Isaac Singer, the sewing machine revolutionised textile production and made clothing more affordable and accessible.
Refrigeration: The development of mechanical refrigeration in the mid-1800s, with inventions like the vapour-compression refrigeration cycle, allowed for the preservation of food over extended periods, leading to improvements in public health and nutrition.
Typewriter: The first commercially successful typewriter, invented by Christopher Latham Sholes in 1868, facilitated faster and more legible writing, particularly for business and administrative purposes.
Railways: While railways were already in existence before the Victorian era, their expansion and development during this time were crucial for the industrial and economic growth of many nations.
Bicycle: The bicycle underwent significant development during the Victorian era, with innovations such as the chain drive and pneumatic tires making it a more practical and efficient mode of transportation.
The writings of two Victorian authors, Jules Verne and HG Wells, have been hugely inspirational to the world of Steampunk.
This French novelist is often regarded as one of THE pioneers of science fiction. His novels often featured futuristic technology and fantastical inventions that were ahead of their time. His vision of submarines, airships, and other innovative machinery aligns closely with the aesthetic and themes of steampunk.
"Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" (1870) follows the adventures of Captain Nemo and his submarine, the Nautilus, as they explore the depths of the ocean. It's a captivating story filled with underwater wonders, huge and exotic sea creatures, and themes of exploration, technology, and environmentalism.
"Journey to the Center of the Earth" (1864) depicts a professor and his companions who embark on a daring expedition to the Earth's core, encountering prehistoric creatures and geological marvels along the way. It's a thrilling adventure that captures the imagination with its depiction of a hidden world beneath our feet.
"Around the World in Eighty Days" (1873) tells the story of Phileas Fogg, a wealthy Englishman who makes a bet that he can circumnavigate the globe in just eighty days. Fogg's journey takes him across continents and oceans, offering a fascinating glimpse into different cultures and landscapes.
"From the Earth to the Moon" (1865) is about members of the Baltimore Gun Club who set off on an extraordinary mission to launch a projectile to the moon. Verne's depiction of space travel was remarkably prescient, anticipating many aspects of real-life space exploration that would occur decades later.
Verne's works are characterised by their attention to scientific detail, imaginative speculation, and sense of adventure. He had a knack for envisioning future technologies and exploring the possibilities of human exploration and discovery. Through his novels, Verne not only entertained readers but also inspired them to dream of worlds beyond their own.
If you don’t fancy reading old books, many have been turned into iconic films. Some are made in more modern times and will give you a flavour of steampunk’s inspiration.
This futuristic sci-fi novelist was another prolific writer and is often considered one of the founding figures of science fiction literature. While his works do not fit neatly into the steampunk genre, they share thematic and aesthetic elements that have influenced steampunk fiction.
Wells' novels, such as "The Time Machine" (1895), "The War of the Worlds" (1898), and "The Invisible Man" (1897), explore futuristic technology, alternate realities, and the consequences of scientific advancement. Like Jules Verne, Wells was a visionary writer who anticipated many scientific and technological developments of the 20th century.
While Wells' stories often feature more advanced technology than traditional steampunk settings, they share a similar fascination with Victorian-era aesthetics, speculative inventions, and themes of industrialisation and social change.
Additionally, Wells' works frequently delve into the darker aspects of scientific progress and the potential dangers of unchecked ambition—a theme that resonates with many steampunk narratives.
In essence, while H.G. Wells' novels may not fit squarely within the steampunk genre, they have undoubtedly contributed to its development and inspired subsequent generations of writers and creators. His imaginative storytelling, exploration of scientific concepts, and critique of society continue to influence speculative fiction, including steampunk, to this day.
