Steampunk clothing

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Fashion is a core part of the steampunk movement. Steampunk clothing is often inspired by the industrial revolution and combined with mock-Victorian fashion to create clothing that’s full of nods to the upper class (top hats, silk dresses, waistcoats) and then pokes fun at the whole system by adding a punky, working class twist (goggles, work boots). We love to add a little steampunk fashion to our everyday attire, or dress up fully for steampunk conventions or parties, or just the hell of it! Here’s our list of steampunk essentials, and what really makes them ‘tick’!

Punk Rave Mens Vest Waistcoat Black Gothic Visual Kei Steampunk Aristocrat
BLESSUME Gothic Victorian Tailcoat Steampunk VTG Coat Jacket Halloween Cosplay Costume (XL, Wine Red)
Idopy Men`s Rock Steampunk Lace Up PU Leather Pants Slim Fit Trousers, Black, 32
EUDOLAH Women's Gothic Steampunk Steel Boned Corset Dress Skirt Set Costume (UK 14-16 (2XL), Black)
Bslingerie® Gothic Punk Steel Boned Faux Leather Underbust Waist Cincher Corset (L - UK 12-14, Classic Brown)
Punk Rave Mens Vest Waistcoat Black Gothic Visual Kei Steampunk Aristocrat
BLESSUME Gothic Victorian Tailcoat Steampunk VTG Coat Jacket Halloween Cosplay Costume (XL, Wine Red)
Idopy Men`s Rock Steampunk Lace Up PU Leather Pants Slim Fit Trousers, Black, 32
EUDOLAH Women's Gothic Steampunk Steel Boned Corset Dress Skirt Set Costume (UK 14-16 (2XL), Black)
Bslingerie® Gothic Punk Steel Boned Faux Leather Underbust Waist Cincher Corset (L - UK 12-14, Classic Brown)
Price not available
£35.99
Price not available
£32.99
Price not available
Punk Rave Mens Vest Waistcoat Black Gothic Visual Kei Steampunk Aristocrat
Punk Rave Mens Vest Waistcoat Black Gothic Visual Kei Steampunk Aristocrat
Price not available
BLESSUME Gothic Victorian Tailcoat Steampunk VTG Coat Jacket Halloween Cosplay Costume (XL, Wine Red)
BLESSUME Gothic Victorian Tailcoat Steampunk VTG Coat Jacket Halloween Cosplay Costume (XL, Wine Red)
£35.99
Idopy Men`s Rock Steampunk Lace Up PU Leather Pants Slim Fit Trousers, Black, 32
Idopy Men`s Rock Steampunk Lace Up PU Leather Pants Slim Fit Trousers, Black, 32
Price not available
EUDOLAH Women's Gothic Steampunk Steel Boned Corset Dress Skirt Set Costume (UK 14-16 (2XL), Black)
EUDOLAH Women's Gothic Steampunk Steel Boned Corset Dress Skirt Set Costume (UK 14-16 (2XL), Black)
£32.99
Bslingerie® Gothic Punk Steel Boned Faux Leather Underbust Waist Cincher Corset (L - UK 12-14, Classic Brown)
Bslingerie® Gothic Punk Steel Boned Faux Leather Underbust Waist Cincher Corset (L - UK 12-14, Classic Brown)
Price not available

Steampunk Clothing – Unisex

Let’s start with the unisex stuff:

Firstly, a classic: goggles!

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Goggles really pay homage to steampunk’s industrial roots and are so deeply associated with the movement that a good pair is enough to turn most ordinary outfits into a steampunk look. We like this pair because they’re so extra: somehow, the designer has managed to put glasses, a telescope and a compass on these in a way that’s exactly the right amount of cluttered. 

Next, the utility belt

Clockwork Utility Belt

Another big part of steampunk culture is the inventions. From airships to telescopes to things that look like guns but actually aren’t, there’s no end to fun little creations. Utility belts are a great place to store any of these, or the tools to make them. Plus, you could slip your phone/wallet/car keys in the utility belt without it looking too strange. This belt works with trousers (more on them later) and has a garter-style attachment with lots of buckles and clips. 

Steampunk Clothing for Men

Moving onto men’s clothing. 

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A lot of steampunk hats are fedoras, which gets a little repetitive after a while. This is a top hat, which is much more Victorian/Industrial and is much easier to associate with some kind of Dickensian conman. The leather strings at the back could coordinate nicely with a corset if you’re going to a convention as a couple and want to match, and the note decoration is great if you want to develop a musical character to cosplay as.

Punk Rave Mens Vest Waistcoat Black Gothic Visual Kei Steampunk Aristocrat
  • New Mens Fitted Waistcoat By Punk Rave
  • Black, 60% Cotton 40% Polyester
  • Perfect Attire For Steampunks And Goths
  • Custom Patterned Fabric
  • Genuine Punk Rave Merchandise

Who says women should have all the good options for chest pieces! Waistcoats again call back to Victorian fashion and can really improve an outfit. Try to find one that fits nicely and has some other steampunk elements, like buckles or clips, and enjoy! This waistcoat has a unique asymmetrical shape, a splash of colour and fits nicely to the wearer’s body. It’s also got great little details that make it interesting as well as eye-catching.

BLESSUME Gothic Victorian Tailcoat Steampunk VTG Coat Jacket Halloween Cosplay Costume (XL, Wine Red)
  • Include: 1pc Renaissance Victorian Tailcoat.
  • Material: Polyester, PU Leather. Garment Care: Hand Wash in cold water separately.
  • Buckles, Buttons, Single breasted, Vampire Tailcoat, Medieval Tailcoat Tuxedo Suit Gothic Blazer, Gothic Tuxedo.
  • Men's Steampunk Gothic Tailcoat Vampire Costume. Good Choice for Halloween, Comic Con, Cosplay Shows, Party, Reenactment Event, Steampunk party/event,etc.
  • Please take the size table in the photo as reference when choosing the size!

Obviously, no outfit is complete without a jacket. These are great for outdoor gatherings in colder months, but more importantly it’s another layer of decoration. Make sure you find a jacket that works well with the rest of your ensemble, and look at the colour combinations. Also, if you’ve got a decorative waistcoat you might consider a plainer jacket to highlight it and avoid overwhelming the outfit; alternatively, a flashy jacket can liven up an otherwise less-steampunk look.

steampunk fashion men

Try this jacket: it’s nicely tailored to emphasise the wearer’s shape and has circus-inspired tailcoats for a gothic ringmaster feel. It’s available in different colours so you can match it to other items or deliberately clash them for a more chaotic, eclectic look. Finally, there’s all the buckles and buttons that you’d expect from a steampunk jacket and reminds one of the industrial influences found throughout. 

Idopy Men`s Rock Steampunk Lace Up PU Leather Pants Slim Fit Trousers, Black, 32
  • Material - high quality faux leather, Little elastic
  • Slim fit, it is tighter then regular pants. Please choose 1-2 size up and check the size chart
  • Gothic, punk style with side lace-up. perfect for party, stage performance, dance, nightclub, DJ, Halloween
  • Color: black, Gender: men, Length: long
  • Really cool pants with decent detail

Steampunk trousers can usually be split into two categories: leather pants with a more overtly kinky feel for bad boys and rockers, and pinstripe cotton for fallen gentlefolk. Which you end up with is entirely based on your own preferences. Either can be great. 

These trousers are definitely in the former category. With a Keith Richards-eque vibe you could probably get a job as an extra in both Pirates of the Carribean or Carnival Row in these. They’ve got fun lace-up inserts and enough elastic to keep them movable. They’re also suitable for vegans!

Steampunk Clothing for Women

Let’s switch to women’s clothing: 

Sale
EUDOLAH Women's Gothic Steampunk Steel Boned Corset Dress Skirt Set Costume (UK 14-16 (2XL), Black)
  • Vintage brocade lace corset dress perfect to show your the entire waist.
  • Made of quality lace and stain, features plastic boned and ribbon ties up, shape your waist successfully.
  • Great for party, wedding, clubwear, costume, Halloween dress and fashion corset.
  • Unique styles of floral lace bustier tops which bring you a stunning body curve.
  • Luxury floral black lace high low layered skirt, sexy and charming.

Steampunk dresses are often sold as two separate pieces, as the top is usually a corset and therefore has to be properly fitted. They’ll very clearly match and be worn as one dress, usually with a tight bodice and looser skirt. This is often nice and comfortable, although do make sure that the lace doesn’t chafe! 

This dress has a very clear gothic look: between the lace and the dark colour it’s sexy and alluring. The shorter part of the skirt would lend itself to garters with guns or knives (not real ones!) and the longer part moves nicely or can be gathered up dramatically. 

Bslingerie® Gothic Punk Steel Boned Faux Leather Underbust Waist Cincher Corset (L - UK 12-14, Classic Brown)
  • Steel-Boned Underbust Corset
  • Corset comes with a Matching Thong
  • Size S - XXL
  • Color: Classic Brown (Heavy Duty), Black, Brown and Red
  • BSLINGERIE is registered in the member states of EU, which includes United Kingdom, France and Germany. It is protected by Civil and criminal law in EU, please do not attempt to infringe our right otherwise legal action will be taken.

If you’d prefer to buy different dress parts separately for an unconventional look (even for Steampunk!) try looking specifically at corsets. Corsets are gorgeous, otherworldly and epitomise steampunk more than most other items. Some come with chains, buttons and buckles to give a clockwork impression over the top; others add colour to outfits and enhance the overall impression. The above corset has lacing at the back and sides for a better fit and a nod to other ‘lace up’ clothing that’s enduringly popular in steampunk fashion. It’s an underbust corset so it’ll be great for people who aren’t used to them and it will pair nicely with a soft blouse. 

You’ll need some shoes to finish your steampunk look off. The women’s shoes are often a hard return to the industrial side of steampunk, so many are based on Doc Marten style work boots. Some come up the calf a little higher, and some have heels (which, with your corset, will make your posture gorgeous) but they’re usually durable, sturdy and much less detailed than other steampunk clothes. These boots have laces so you can change them to coordinate with the rest of your outfit or leave them as simple as you like.

Qbuds Adjustable Ruffle High Low Gothic Skirt Plus Size Long Vintage Fishtail Steampunk Corset Skirt Long Dress for Women (GothicBrown, M)
  • Comfortable Material:High low skirt Adopt high quality Chiffon ,Comfortable and keeps you feel cool to the touch.
  • Colorful Design: 3 colors to choose, and each color is so Especially.A variety of colors can make your more Unique and make your own Style.
  • Ruffles Design: The design of the fold, personality is not messy.Single skater skirt Short front and rear Long, your legs look taller and thinner.
  • NOTE: Please check your measurements to make sure the item fits before ordering.Dress.
  • This Victoria Steampunk skirts are perfect match with steampunk corsets and accessories; Suitable for steampunk-themed party, gothic costume, christmas, cyberpunk or pirate outfit

Steampunk skirts are often a lot of fun, especially if you like something with a lot of material that really swishes. Consider which shirt/corset will work best with what you choose and if there are any leg accessories you’d like to highlight.

lincoln steampunk festival

The skirts are often high at the front and low at the back, which jokes slightly about the Victorian element of steampunk: there’s no way they would have gone for this, and it adds an element of scandal and fun to the look. This skirt is great: it combines some muted colours and the pinstripes which are both steampunk staples; there’s interesting details around the waist and it can either be hitched, hitched on one side or unhitched completely depending on your preference. 

Belle Poque Women's Steampunk Victorian Blouse Top Retro Vintage Bare Shoulder Short Sleeve Lace Ruffle 100% Cotton - Red - S
  • Steampunk Women's Gothic Lace Corset
  • Features: wide straps; lace opening and zipper at the front; laces at the back; plastic toes; durable polyurethane leather fabric; matte thong included.
  • Friendship suggests that you choose a small size, most customers say that these clothes are bigger.
  • OCCASION: This sexy corset is best worn with white shoulder top and jeans; great for pirate themes, Halloween, renaissance parties, cosplay, lingerie, costume or leisure clothing.
  • Note: Please check our size chart and order a size, thank you in advance.

Steampunk corsets are great and a lot of fun, but they’re not for everyone. If you’re down for a challenge, try putting together an outfit without one! A blouse of any shape can look great, and if you tuck it into a high waisted pair of leather trousers it can bring a pirate-like feel to a steampunk look. This blouse is very boho and could work as part of a steampunk outfit or just alone. It’s gently fitted and shouldn’t get hot or uncomfortable, and comes in a range of colours to coordinate with whatever you’d like it to. 

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