Steampunk: what is this style and where can you find it?

Surely many have heard the word "steampunk", but not everyone can specifically answer what this concept means. Images of various mechanisms and details appear in my thoughts, as well as people in unusual clothes or with wonderful accessories. In this article, you will learn what steampunk is and where it is used.

For the first time, echoes of the genre appeared in the middle of the 20th century on the pages of books by such famous writers as Mark Twain, Albert Robida and Jules Verne. The style got its name in the late 1980s, when Kevin Jeter was looking for a general term for his science fiction works, as well as the work of several other writers. All works are united by a common theme - a world in which all technologies developed on the basis of the steam mechanisms of the 19th century.

Steampunk combines a mixture of two directions - retro and modern style. The most striking distinguishing features of this genre are the use of geometric shapes and technical spare parts in the details of the wardrobe, as well as the predominance of Victorian-style furniture and unusual materials in the interior.

Paropunk (steampunk) is divided into three directions, let's consider each in more detail.

• Alternative historical direction. The action of this world takes place in the present time, but progress is moving along a completely different path.The trend involves unusual combinations in clothes - women wear fluffy skirts and blouses, which are partially covered with a rough leather corset, as well as leather shoes. The masculine style combines the elegance of the suits of English gentlemen with the ergonomics of the uniform of ordinary workers. In both women's and men's outfits, parts of mechanisms or tools are indispensable elements. The interior design is decorated with retro technology and antique Victorian furniture.

• Fantastic style. The events of this world take place in a non-existent, fictional universe. In this genre, classic steampunk can coexist with the world of magic. The style is audacious and free - it is not limited to existing in the old days or possible mechanisms, therefore it is constrained only by the framework of the imagination. In costumes, there is no longer an emphasis on practicality, the main thing in a fantastic style is originality and brightness.

• Steampunk subgenres. The direction of paropunk does not have certain clear boundaries, which is why disputes often arise between fans of the genre about the belonging of certain elements of clothing or interior to it. People have come up with many subgenres of the style - for example, Mannerpunk, Clockpunk, and Boilerpunk. Each genre includes elements of classic steampunk, as well as distinctive details - for example, the basis of an alternative reality in klokpunk is not steam engines, but mechanisms similar to winding watches. Depending on the subgenre, the style of the costumes can vary significantly. In Mannerpunk, where the whole story is based on a complex hierarchy of aristocrats in the context of balls and dances, the outfits of women and men consist of lush dresses and vintage costumes. Boilerpunk is the exact opposite of Mannerpunk, based on simple workers who extract energy on their own with a shovel, coal and steam.

The manifestations of the genre include the redesign and stylization of household items for a steampunk - equipping objects with mechanism parts, as well as the use of materials typical of the genre, such as copper, brass, leather and stone. Style aficionados apply the steampunk theme to fashion, interiors and accessories that they alter or make on their own.

Many different books, films and cartoons have firmly entrenched the importance of elements of arts and crafts to the steampunk style. The direction is a sharp reaction of people to modern industry and environmental pollution with disposable plastic items. Supporters of the genre support the idea of ​​creating a new world by reworking the old, this is also manifested in the choice of wardrobe.

Many cool things enthusiasts find in unusual places - in second-hand shops, spontaneous markets and antique shops. Of interest to fans of steampunk are outdated and lost their original attractiveness wardrobe items, which are subsequently redesigned and improved. Creators breathe new life into things, creating new clothes from old outfits with their own hands - in this way they support the idea of ​​an alternative development for humanity.

The whimsical steampunk looks include many unusual accents and small details. Such decoration may seem outlandish and unusual for modern people, but it certainly will not leave them indifferent. If you're planning on ditching your usual style for steampunk, be prepared for a complete wardrobe refresh and long hours of handcrafting.

Let's take a closer look at what things need to be added to your look to match the steamer.

• Antique hats. Bowler hats, derby hats, little hats, hoops made of metal parts, and masks.The famous "plague doctor mask" with an elongated beak, round, glazed holes for the eyes and elements of mechanisms is one of the most striking accessories of this style.

• Outerwear in the theme of military with a high rank. An obligatory attribute of an English gentleman is a long, elegant coat. It is on such clothes that fans of alternative reality rely when they create their image.

• Plaid blazers. Of all the materials, checkered fabrics best emphasize the idea of ​​steampunk - the creation of the new from the old.

• Shirts and blouses. The fashions of the fictional world do not include T-shirts and sweaters, which is why all women and men wear shirts.

• Pants and skirts. Steampunk fans need to give up jeans popular in the modern world - they make the image too frivolous and deny the idea of ​​an alternative reality. It is better for men to give preference to classic trousers in dark shades, and women - to multi-layer short skirts.

• Underwear. To match the direction of the Victorian era, girls need to think through their image to the smallest detail, right down to their underwear. Mandatory attributes of a female steampunk wardrobe are corsets and garters.

• Leather shoes with metal details. Chunky boots made of thick leather with lacing are best suited to the genre, but neat, strict shoes will look appropriate.

• Accessories. The most common steampunk accessory is aviator goggles. Such a wardrobe detail adorns the head of both a sophisticated girl in a fluffy skirt and a brutal worker in semi-formal clothes. Glasses are also worn over the cylinders - then the image will look even more interesting. Steampunk accessories also include locks with keys, tools, gears and other parts of mechanisms.

We suggest taking a closer look at the female and male variations of the steampunk style.

The creation of a stylish female image in the steampunk genre begins with the choice of a headdress. For girls, the assortment of accessories is quite large - from small tablets with flowers and a veil to tall cylinders with metal elements. To highlight the genre, the hats are adorned with gears, feathers, lace, or aviator glasses. A stylish headdress will not only become a spectacular decoration for a costume, but also protect you from bad weather.

Women's alternate reality blouses should match Victorian outfits in style. The products are created in a close-fitting cut with puffy sleeves and a deep neckline. The blouse should be made from natural materials and have a natural shade. Shirts of light, pastel colors, decorated with ruffles, lace or frill are best suited to the steampunk style.

An attribute without which it is difficult to imagine the image of a girl from an alternative reality is a corset with lacing or belts. A detail of the wardrobe does not need to be hidden under clothes - it will beautifully emphasize femininity and elegance if worn over a blouse.

Authentic steampunk bottom is a fluffy skirt made of several layers, decorated with lace. But this is not the only option for the look, you can also choose a long dark skirt or striped trousers. The main condition for choosing clothes is that it should have a pastel or, conversely, a dark shade, for example, blue, brown, black or dark yellow.

The choice of footwear must be very demanding, because it must match the image. Leather boots with stable low heels and decorated with lacing or straps are the most suitable option.It can also be simple leather or suede flat-soled boots - the main thing is that they fit into the color scheme of the outfit.

The image is completed with numerous small details - nuts, bolts, gears, wrenches and other items. Representatives of the fair sex can make jewelry from such material - earrings, pendants, rings and brooches. Also, girls need to apply makeup - dark shadows, bright lipstick and light powder will perfectly emphasize the image.

When creating a men's outfit in the steampunk direction, you need to start with the choice of fabric - the material should be muted, dark in color. Strong, practical canvases in gray, brown and black are best suited. The use of matter in a cage and an expressionless strip is allowed.

The costume of a Victorian aristocrat became the basis for the creation of a male image in the steampunk genre. A loose shirt in a light shade with a bow-tie collar, comfortable trousers with pleats or a tight fit, an elegant vest and an elongated military-style coat - all this makes up the wardrobe of the representative of the stronger sex from an alternative reality. As in the case of women, the image of men is necessarily complemented by a stylized headdress - a derby hat or top hat.

Another option for a stylized men's outfit is a short rough leather jacket with a fur collar, loose trousers and a pilot's hat with permanent glasses. Suitable shoes for steampunkers are classic shoes or Grinders style boots, adorned with mechanism details.

Accessories for a man's image are practically the same as for women. - these are individual parts of mechanisms, tools, chains or pocket watches.

To complete the look, you need to get a must-have for steampunk fans - goggles. You can choose from goggles or work welding goggles, decorated with elements of mechanisms. A theatrical weapon - a sword, dagger or revolver - will also be a good addition to the image.

Steampunk jewelry and accessories that complement the outfit are made in retro and ethnic style. Products combine aristocratic severity and harmony, connecting the Victorian era and modernity. Let's consider in more detail the options for accessories for creating an image in the steampunk genre.

A stylized leather backpack will perfectly complement the image of a person from an alternative reality, but it is important to consider some details when choosing. When picking up a backpack, immediately cross out all the options with zippers - such a detail will make the image frivolous and frivolous. Matching fasteners - belts, magnets, carabiners, ties and snaps.

The shade of the product can be black, dark brown or light brown - against such a background copper gears look great. Style means comfort and ergonomics, so the more pockets the better. Rivets, contrasting machine stitches and combinations of leather of different shades are encouraged.

Every little detail in a steampunk outfit has to match the style, even if you walk into the supermarket for groceries and have to pay for them at the checkout. Ladies' purse, matched to the backpack and decorated with eyelets and studs, will perfectly complete the look of a girl from the Victorian era. A suitable clasp is a spinner, button or magnet.

A men's wallet is that detail of the image in which you can express the maximum of style, in contrast to the rest of the details of the outfit. It can be decorated with stylized scorched designs, mechanism details, various fasteners and additional pockets.Also, the genre is perfectly emphasized by the figures of animals made of copper or brass, attached to the front of the wallet.

The requirements for the bag are the same as for the backpack - no zippers, only magnets, carabiners, straps and snaps. Suitable colors for leather products are black, brown, orange. The accessory can be made in the form of a case with leather straps and a comfortable handle or in the form of a bag with a flap.

The presence of a backpack does not prevent the steampunk fan from adding a bag to his image, sometimes not even one. There is a huge assortment of products in different sizes, and many of them can be attached to a belt.

The materials used to create paropunk jewelry are leather, mechanism parts and processed metal. On a leather basis, bracelets are made with various decorative elements - lacing, rivets, inscriptions and chains. It can be one wide bracelet or many delicate adornments connected by one clasp.

Another exquisite option is an all-metal product assembled from gears, levers, valves and other parts. Such jewelry looks aristocratic and expensive, especially if it is decorated with a faceted stone.

You can stylize as steampunk any thing that you want to complement your image. The main rule is that the decoration should be made of leather and metal parts or figures. Let's take a look at a few common options.

• Brooch. This piece of jewelry can complement both female and male looks. Graceful figurines of animals, flowers or simply openwork metal brooches will perfectly emphasize the image of a lady. In a men's suit, brooches are most often found on vests - one side of the fastener is fastened to the clothes near the pocket, and the other part is hidden in the breast pocket. The connecting chains of the two parts of the brooch will sag neatly and add aristocracy to the look.

• Smartphone. In the modern world, it is simply impossible to imagine life without a smartphone, so you can stylize it too. It is enough to put on a suitable cover on the phone or glue a few gears to the old one, and the accessory is ready.

• Barrette. The feminine look is easily complemented by hairpins, hairpins and invisible hairpins, decorated with metal details and chains.

• Mask. The assortment of the stylized accessory is very large - carnival masks, plague doctor masks, respirators and even helmets with round glazed eye slits.

Steampunk relies on steampunk gears and engines, which is why these parts form the basis of the interior redesign. The house is decorated with various machine parts - gears, valves, chains, levers, bolts and pendulums. Another important part of the genre is travel, so cars and attributes of the Victorian era should be present in the room - airships, steam locomotives, suitcases, maps and globes.

All furniture and appliances in the house can also be stylized by adding Victorian elements to it. When decorating, choose rough materials such as brass, bronze or cast iron. Raw brick or stone-styled tiles will also well emphasize the style.

When creating a steampunk atmosphere, do not forget about the choice of color and lighting. The interior should be dominated by dark shades: brown, copper, gold, black, dark blue, emerald and wine. Lighting must be made as muted as possible so that an atmosphere of mystery is felt.

The world of alternative reality does not limit fans to certain frameworks, so the style manifests itself in any area of ​​life - from fashion to household items and kitchen utensils. People often need to give a gift to their loved ones, and a steampunk item is a great option. A stylized mug, cup holder, bottle or glasses are suitable for a gift.

Handicraft lovers can easily create stylized kitchen utensils on their own, you just need to choose the right decorations. The glass mug encased in metal already looks stylized and authentic. Among the products in the steampunk style, there are the most unexpected things - caskets, lighters, photo frames, watches and lamps.

The culture of alternative reality also touched music - there are many groups in the world that position themselves as "steampunk", despite the fact that such a style of music does not exist.