Comments on: Deconstructing Steampunk: Designing Your Own Costume

By: Ask Lilli: Steampunk | Frocks & Frou Frou

Ask Lilli: Steampunk | Frocks & Frou Frou — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 02:54:24 +0000

[...] more ideas? Check out My Disguises for a comprehensive guide to designing your own personal steampunk [...]

By: 5-HT

5-HT — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:34:03 +0000

I pose a question to those of you who view Steampunk as a lifestyle rather than a fashion decision. If I embrace the other aspects of the steampunk lifestyle (DIY attitude, optimism, rationalism, or anything else you feel constitutes steampunk, because based on my reading it varies widely), but I do not dress in steampunk attire, am I, or am I not, a steampunk? Also, what about if a read steampunk novels, or listen to steampunk music, without embracing the other elements, how much steampunk do you need to ‘be a Steampunk’?

By: Aubergine Velvet

Aubergine Velvet — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:42:07 +0000

I just needed to leave a note to say thank you for the article. It’s good to know that what I’ve been dabbling in and how I’ve been accessorizing for the past 25 years has a name! Apparently I’m mildly Steampunk and never knew it until now… (laughs)

By: Facets of the Steampunk Community « Airship Ambassador

Facets of the Steampunk Community « Airship Ambassador — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 05:31:47 +0000

[...] discuss this and how one considers their life to be steampunk in nature. I also came across this post from 2008 where many of the comments relate to a lifestyle, or not. This other post had several [...]

By: FaeryCandi

FaeryCandi — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:23:22 +0000

article is great, but i do believe that Steampunk is not a costume, though some may treat it that way. I myself dress regularly in steampunk lolita attire and i see that as just my normal clothes. also, as to work places where it’s acceptible to wear full goth/steampunk/lolita regalia everyday, i work at a cafe in downtown seattle…so honestly i don’t think (unless you work in an office where suits are required) not many people these days care…

also SeaNymphette WAS right to an extent. but also wrong…these things are masquerades to an extent, but they ARE also a way of life. i grew up living and breathing goth culture from my parents, and it is very much a living breathing culture. though i agree, ALL clothing no matter what is simply a way to present yourself the way you want others to see you. though that doesn’t mean people who are purists to a certain style are snobs, it just means they’re passionate about their culture.

^_^ nice article though, great history!

By: Deconstructing Steampunk: Designing Your Own Costume « Trial By Steam

Deconstructing Steampunk: Designing Your Own Costume « Trial By Steam — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 00:57:25 +0000

[...] for me to consult, the first of which that comes to mind is an article on MyDisguises.com, Deconstructing Steampunk: Designing Your Own Costume. I like how this article breaks down Steampunk fashion by first explaining the core ideas [...]

By: British Railways Toff

British Railways Toff — Mon, 31 May 2010 11:33:20 +0000

I’d just like to point out that it’s “Fire-fighter” not “Fireman”. Sorry for the pedantry, but it’s like calling a railway station, a train station. Firemen work in locomotives shovelling coal and tending the fire, not trying to put it out. Well, they have to empty it but you know what I mean. Also, I apologise for my ignorance, but why would anyone dress as a fire-fighter at halloween? aha. Certainly breaking away from convention there… though, may dress like that to put out pumpkin or lanterns that have got out of control? hehe.

By: Curiosity

Curiosity — Fri, 07 May 2010 13:34:54 +0000

How are ridiculously spray painted plastic guns ’steampunk’?

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 21:14:57 +0000

I am looking at doing a Confederate Officer-inspired Aeronaut. I’m thinking of a Cav-type officer, but aviation branch. A couple of modified pieces, some gadgeting, a baldric… this article helped a great deal.

By: Roo

Roo — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 10:28:25 +0000

Ridiculously expensive fad

By: SteamPunk § SteamPunk Supermarket Week

SteamPunk § SteamPunk Supermarket Week — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:16:16 +0000

[...] Desconstruindo o SteamPunk: Projetando sua Vestimenta [...]

By: Damion

Damion — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 20:46:12 +0000

As SeaNymphette said, all clothing is costume. Costumes serve the function of conveying ideas. Given environments will have differing tolerances for various ideas. Suit and tie is the iconic costume of the corporate world because it conveys ideas of seriousness, orderliness, and social status. Lingerie is the costume of seduction because it conveys the idea of carnal sensuality. The reason that “lifestyle” elitists among fashion subcultures dislike “Halloweeners” is largely because the elitists desire a legitimacy for their costumes and ideas that they feel is undermined by those who merely occasionally play in like costumes. A fireman does not feel that his position is threatened by someone who dresses up as a fireman for Halloween because the position of a being a fireman in society is solidly legitimized. It is the lack of widely acknowledged legitimacy [of their costumes, ideas, and identities] that causes the subcultural elitists to feel threatened by cosplayers, and due to that they feel the need to vocally differentiate themselves from those who merely occasionally play. Ultimately it is a quest for identity and legitimacy.