Steam punk evolves from retrofuturistic underground to fashion

Any discussion of the Steampunk, in my opinion one of the most beautiful underground aesthetics must establish the bases of Steampunk. This artistic movement was born in the 80s as a subgenre of Cyberpunk, and was first mainly a literary genre in which the nihilistic and pulp fiction stories of cyberpunk begin to be set in the age of steam, specifically in the Victorian era.

Steampunk thus created a retrofuturistic subgenre where the wildest creations in technology, including modern technology such as the computer, are retrofitted to the coal era of and are suitable to this technology. In this way, the Steampunk world reimagines a myriad of devices and machines, including automatic steam engine, where a baroque and neo-gothic eighteenth century aesthetic are mixed with a lot of tin , copper, iron, steam and  valves to reflect a world which is both lost and yet to be found.

Over time, film, especially animation, catches on to the genre, turning out such gems as work of Japanese director’s Hayao Miyazaki film adaptation of the novel by Diana Wynne Jones,” Howl’s Moving Castle” or the work of Katsuhiro Ōtomo With the passing of time, these Victorian aesthetic elements, like valves, regulators, copper pipes, gears, rivets, tin and iron have been  taken by fans of the genre into homes and closets: first spontaneously, as all underground movements,  and more and more thanks to independent designers.

What factors shape the Steampunk sartorial aesthetic? Basically, we’re talking about a style that mixes vintage elements with modern, as if steam technology and Victorian garb had continued to evolve, and become \”retro-futuristic.\” To achieve this aesthetic, some elements that are fundamental, for example with regards to women\’s clothing,  include corsets, vintage dresses, pants or bloomers worn with cyberpunk pirate stockings,  and gaiters, spats or leather shoes or boots with a decided Victorian flavour. There are also some indispensable accessories for both men and women. Metallic hues like gold, copper, brown land, sienna, cream and vanilla are all popular, in accord with the Edwardian love of brass and leather.  You can also use colours and patterns characteristic of Victorian fashion, like green, purple, blue, black and white. Aviator glasses or welder’s goggles seem to spring up a lot, and pocket watches are a defining accessory, as are gears as decoration, and sometimes even weapons from straight from pulp fiction or real equipment which is supposed to operate with steam and mechanical limbs!

This movement goes hand in hand with music, one representative band is Abney Park is strongly recommending them, especially to visit their website… it is so sweet! Nearly as sweet as Berlin! Where you can enjoy the best sites with the Steampunk spirit and aesthetic, rent apartments in Berlin, get out of your typical rut and enjoy a trip! 

Tags: fashion, retrofuturism, Steampunk, Underground