steampunk rant

[twinklebat]

With Anachrocon happening in town this weekend I think this is an appropriate time to have such a discussion. I don't think I have discussed such things with most people terribly thoroughly except katielovespink , who understands how I feel.

A comic to get us going:

Comments

[katielovespink]

As you know, I feel the same way you do, but nevertheless, I have to keep reminding myself: steampunk isn't always costuming. It's become more of a subculture. It's the grown-up goth. I wouldn't hold a gothic Lolita to perfect Victorianwear accuracy, so I can't hold a steampunker to those standards either. Until we learn to accept this, their lackluster attempts at original costuming will eternally make us facepalm or rage.

As for the one-trick pony thing, I think some people stick to wearing their one costume OVER and OVER and OVER again because they can't afford to commission a new one (you know who I'm talking about), or they're like Cliff and after making one steampunk costume, they're good and don't really feel any desire to make another one.

[twinklebat]

Oh, but lolitas have very strict rules! Your skirt should be so long, your petticoat should be shaped a certain way, you should dress in these sorts of colors depending on what sort of lolita you are(sweet, country, etc), etc. Just because lolis aren't sticklers for historical accuracy doesn't mean they don't have lots of rules. And lolis aren't supposed be Victorian characters, just inspired by them.

Edit: I'd actually appreciate it if most steampunk costumers could follow guidelines as well as decent lolis do.

And if someone only has one costume I'd at least appreciate it if they tried to mix it up a bit (like try wearing a different shirt of boots with it) or at least not, I don't know if this is the right way to say it but publicize it so much(?). Like to me wearing it to lots of events is different than like, wearing it to lots of photo shoots.

[astillar]

Oh, thank you soo much for saying this! I totally agree with you on the whole matter of "function". Your costume should follow some sort of concept, not just look like you rolled on the floor of a watchmaker's shop. That really ruins it for me. The over-abundance of pointless steampunk costuming has really turned me off. I've got an original idea for an steampunk archaeologist that I really like, but I've become so hyper-sensitized to crappy steampunk that I'm very wary of attempting my own costume.
*sigh* This is supposed to be your rant, not mine. Ha ha ha.
Anyways, I hope you have fun at the con! (and don't see any crappy steampunk!)

[twinklebat]

Hahah, rant away! Cause I totally understand. Your reluctance is kind of why I'm finding other ways to experiment with Victorian inspired clothing, since aesthetically that's a time period I really like. So while I can't get into regular lolita either I'm starting to experiment with kodona.

I think going to the con will be an interesting experience. I am hoping to see some well done costumes.

[puzzleoflight]

I actually completely disagree with you regarding "anachronism" in steampunk fashion, but I'm pretty sure you already knew that. Now, I do think most costumes need some basis in Victoriana to be appropriately steampunk, but I think without some form of anachronism all you're doing is Victorian reenactment. So those exposed corsets? Wear-em.

I'm also a fan of putting the "punk" in steampunk, so I love when people throw together outfits that use things like exposed zippers, strategic tears and combat boots. The point of steampunk isn't to look like you'd belong in the Victorian era, the point is to look like you'd belong in a Victorian era by way of a bizarre semi-post-apocalyptic dystopia where things like manners occasionally fall by the wayside

[twinklebat]

I just can't get things that I think are too modern with steampunk. I've always understood it to be move "advanced Victorian" than a combination of modern and Victorian. I can't wrap my head around it any other way. The way you've put things sounds kind of too Mad Max-ish for the way I see things.

I will say I think your experience with understanding historical clothing is probably part of what gives you good aesthetic ideas when applying yourself to things like steampunk.

Hahah, and I don't think I could have fun with steampunk. That why I don't do it!

[archivedjournal]

I completely agree with this post, yet sadly don't have the time to make a longer, thought-out comment about it. XD

I will say that I do love Hark! A Vagrant! comments. They are awesome.

[twinklebat]

Lol, well add more later if you feel like it!

I thought you would like the chicken comic there too. ~_^

[archivedjournal]

awe yeah gurl

you want dis.

[vaga42bond]

I theorize that this is all an effect of the "It's popular, now it sucks" syndrome, in which once it drifts away from original hardcore group, it gets the mixed benifit of mass appeal. (More socially acceptable, but damn, some of the people in it are now...)

Although I feel funny, since I am doing a "sTeamFortress, 1860" thing. But no goggles. (They do nothing.)

[twinklebat]

I think it could be more interesting if everyone just really tried to apply themselves to their outfits/costumes. It's like everyone has seen a bajillion Sailor Moon costumes right? So if you(the hypothetical cosplayer) cosplay Sailor Moon and you don't want to get overlooked and lumped in with the crazy moonie fandom then you have to do a really good job on your costume. So if you really put in the effort then people will appreciate it and take notice of your impeccably styled wig and clean and accurate costume...But a lot of people don't put enough research and work into their aesthetic so we end up with too many sloppy and/or boring steampunk costumes.

Yay for no unnecessary goggles!

[vaga42bond]

Or they could go really bad to be memorable. (Sailor Bubba anyone?) Then again, Sailor Bubba was done that way on purpose, so it could be a case of purposely bad. (A "Springtime For Hitler" example.)

4th standing from the left:
http://www.teamfortress.com/loosecanon/05.html
I need a pocketwatch and a mustache for the look.

(And yes, that is Abraham Lincoln as the Pyro.)