Steampunk Accesories...

Yesterday I went to this really cool open air fall festival here in Atlanta. I met some really awesome people and was having a blast. Somehow the topic of Steampunk came up.

I am a big fan of Gothic, Punk and Cosplay-inspired couture. But I really fell in love with the whole Steampunk aesthethic when I was doing research for one of my design projects in fashion school.

Here is the definition of Steampunk Fashion:
"Steampunk fashion" has no set guidelines, but tends to synthesize modern styles as filtered through the Victorian era. This may include gowns, corsets, petticoats and bustles; gentlemen's suits with vests, coats and spats; or even military-inspired garments. Often, steampunk outfits will be accented with a mixture of technological and period accessories: timepieces, parasols, goggles and ray guns. Even modern accessories like cell phones or music players can be found in steampunk outfits, after being modified to give them the appearance of Victorian-made objects. Aspects of steampunk fashion have been anticipated by mainstream high fashion, the Lolita fashion and aristocrat styles, neo-Victorianism, and the romantic goth subculture.


And here are a couple of photos of steampunk looks:





Personally I love the aesthetic. But like all alternative culture aesthetics it is difficult to wear on an everyday basis once one has left accepting open-minded environments such as the fashion industry (up to a point) or college.

I think that one of the joys of fashion is injecting your look with your personality and expressing yourself creatively through your clothes and accessories.

One of the best ways of marrying both worlds is to add a "teaspoon" of counterculture or trend to a more mainstream look.

And the easiest way to do this is through the "judicious use " (I love quoting Tim Gunn) of accessories.

I discovered an amazing shoe brand that makes absolutely delicious Neo-Victorian shoes called KronKron. Here are some of the stunning examples:




I am so in love... plus the heels are actually reasonable!

They can be found at http://kronbykronkron.com/


Another recent Steampunk-ish discovery was Tallulah B. Jewelry...

Her stuff is amazing. I had the chance to meet the designer yesterday at the festival and I instantly fell in love with her risque yet ladylike necklaces, earrings, corsage bracelets, sweater clips, cocktail rings...

She has these lovely creations made of turn-of-the-century vintage finds and elements including watch casings. I swooned when I found her peepshow necklaces with "sexy" antique burlesque photos inserted into antique watch casings.

Here are some examples:




You can buy her lovely creations on her website http://www.talulahb.com/ or her Etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5450841


Or how about adding this delicious handbag from Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26595982&ref=sr_gallery_20&&ga_search_query=Steampunk+handbag&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=4&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title) to a jeans, t-shirt and vest look?



This time of the year Gothic Victorian romanticism just feels so right...