I found my crush in style.. goth/steampunk/victorian??

carol3012

I've never found interest in clothes or fashion, but being 20+ forces me to look at myself and tell myself, it's time to "man up" and start looking better..for at least career's sake.

But after lurking around in the inspiration forums and clicking lots and lots of links..wow I think I found my heart actually fluttering to something I deemed too girly for my tomboy tendencies.

Here's my pinterest board for my inspiration:
http://pinterest.com/ngelicdar.....nal-board/

But even when I'm so young, trying to pull off ruffles, dresses, corsets, and crazy accessories seems a bit over the top (especially for most days when I just pick myself up and go to school). It'd probably make me look like I just walked out of a comic book convention...or Harajuku XD

Any idea how I could make it more casual, urban or just to tone it down? I was thinking maybe some statement pieces (jackets, boots, maybe accessories too) would do, but in some point it feels silly to have those paired up with plain/modern looking clothes underneath them all.

13 years ago

Inspiration

13 replies

Latest reply was from carol3012

Vildy

Veteran

When you're really young and in school is probably the easiest time to walk around in full on costume. Adding pieces to plain/modern clothing is better though because then people will see you and they won't forget to look to see who's the costume girl.

ETA: really great looking stuff!

13 years ago

Traci

Veteran

Audi does it!

http://geekthreads.blogspot.com/

She doesn't have steam punk elements in every outfit, but if you flip through you can find some inspiration for how to wear some pieces in every day outfits.

13 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

Young and in school is a great time to experiment! Perhaps you could try a few statement pieces, such as the boots. You could also work in some the bold stripes, the shape and structure of the jackets, and the luxe fabrics and laces.

13 years ago

Jyoti

(website)

Veteran

Steampunk/victorian/lolita is a bit more difficult to do without it looking like a costume than other styles, but maybe that's just because I see a lot of all-out costumes. xD

Here's some key pieces I think fit this aesthetic and you should be able to find without too much trouble. By picking up a few pieces in this style, you can try to mix it with stuff you've already got, and see how comfortable you are with the style! Plus you don't have to invest too much time or money at the onset while you're just starting to experiment. (:

JYOTI'S EASY GIRLY STEAMPUNK PIECES:

- lace patterned tights
- lace-up boots (knee-high or ankle)
- corset top
- hi-lo hem skirt
- skinny leather pants
- leather skinny belts (multiples!)
- ruffly blouse
- heeled oxford shoes
- leather jacket (with shearling or lots of buckles)
- birdcage pendant
- skeleton watch (those ones where you can see all the gears)

Try to get these items in brown-ish colours, like brown, cognac, tan and beige. Other good colours for this aesthetic are black, cream and gold, especially burnished or antique gold. Burgundy and deep forest green can work well, and are going to be popular colours this fall. Lace and leather are good materials to look for, and pinstripes are often used in this look, but can be more difficult to incorporate.

Hope this helps! I actually know way more about this than apparently I even knew, so let me know if you need anymore help. xD

13 years ago

cciele

Veteran

Love your board! I totally think you can pull it off by pairing statement pieces with "ordinary" clothes for sure. Audi is a definitely great example (also, check out her harnesses on Etsy -- great stuff, great quality, and here's an example of a blogger wearing one of the harnesses with normal clothing -- http://styleofafashionista.blo.....black.html), and our own NicoleB is great at mixing punky/gothy elements to her MOTG and work outfits.

13 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Jyoti you are a mine of information - I knew nothing about this style & you made it very clear - thanks. I agree with cciele - the first person I thought of when I saw the pins was Audi.

13 years ago

carol3012

Active Member

Thanks for the replies everyone! I really love this forum for the knowledge of its people and their kindness

I've skimmed through some of the blogs mentioned now and some of them have already given me some ideas Can't believe that these people can be sporting such outfits even when they're past what most people call the "good looking age." Gives me hope I can aspire to be at least half as great.

Jyoti: Thanks for the list, I love lists in general and I can see myself being able to get most of the things there, though because I'm only 5' and not a bony petite, I don't think I can wear some of the trends there. I'll modify some other things to adjust for my size.. And for the belts.. might have to adjust that too because I think I'm short waisted as well..

And also..sorry for being new (I'm a tomboy, I don't do fashion speak very well yet ._.) what are high-low hem skirts..?

13 years ago

Jyoti

(website)

Veteran

No problemo! A hi-lo skirt is one that is shorter in the front and longer in the back, like the ones below:

http://brokeandbeautiful.com/w.....24x691.png

As for belts, I'm fairly short-waisted as well, and I think it just requires some adjusting! I think a cool way would be to wear about 3 belts slung over your hips-- it would be so steampunk. xD

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Check out our own Rae for some steampunk inspiration, too, and also Mrs. Eccentric, who doesn't do steampunk, exactly, but who incorporates some Victorian elements into her look.

13 years ago

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

Carol, i'm admiring all the great advice you've gotten on this thread - Jyoti - woot! i agree with everybody's advice here, it's all very wise.

oh Suz, you are a sweetie i was reading along nodding my head when i see you've mentioned me! heehee, i don't do anything 'exactly'

Carol i've found that the idea of accumulating a base of classics (both casual and more professional) to 'season' with more eccentric pieces works out very well in real life. The beauty of this is that if you pay attention to your colors, scale, and silhouettes then you can really mix and match to create a whole spectrum of looks. So you can dress completely classic OR wear a 'classics with steampunk accessories' look OR do victorian corset + steampunk jacket and accessories + faded jeans + lace up boots OR do an all-gothic-lolita-stravaganza out of the same closet.

It's funny how you talk about being a tomboy, as i love to balance out frilly victoriana with rugged utilitarian pieces (cargo pants, denim jackets, work boots, bomber jackets). Your tomboy side should have lots of fun with steampunk style (and i'm drooling over your pin board!). As Jyoti points out, you don't want to go overboard with your budget when you're starting out with a particular style. But you can find really unique pieces at etsy (as you know) as well as at the vendor booths at steampunk type fairs. It also tends to be the case that you can 'get away' more with wearing eccentric accessories rather than clothing - it looks less costumey and more approachable to most people. So don't forget to look at the 'extras'!

Trystan of CorpGoth is a great blogger you should check out. She's over 40 and works in the corporate world (albeit in Silicon Valley) and still flys her goth flag.

http://corpgoth.blogspot.com/

Hope this helps! Have fun and be sure to keep us in the loop!! steph

13 years ago

jayne

Veteran

welcome to the forum....glad to see a young person, and a tomboy, in the forum. I have been a tomboy all my life too so getting interested in fashion young is a great start for you.

My daughter, 13, has really decided to fly her own flag now after a long period of just wanting to fit in. I have encouraged her to enjoy her youth and experiment with clothes now before she grows up and has to deal with dress codes and work. I know the others have said the same here,, go ahead and experiement and dare to be different. (my daughter chose to emulate pink and has died her hair nearly white and cropped the sides to nothing, leaving it long in middle, it is wild)

enjoy!

13 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I love your inspiration, and I think Audi is a good start on this style for sure. Fun!

13 years ago

carol3012

Active Member

Thanks for the all the advice again Will start browsing through the blogs some more amongst other things. And I'll keep in mind to keep you guys updated Maybe post pictures of myself sometime in the future if I can muster up the confidence to do so XD

I'll be mindful about the budget issue; I'll probably attempt to go for the best bang for your buck options..which means most likely the accessories first..and then some. I think it's something I'll like enough to stick to, but finding the balance between something "costume-y" and "real life" is something I have to find for myself, and that means to be careful about where I put my money.. If I can't wear it all the time, it's not going to be of much use for me after all.

I live in NYC but I have no idea if they hold vintage/steampunk-esque fairs here. I've seen my fair share of antiques and things too but they often looked more like costume jewelry than something I wanted to invest money into.. (like those watches on bangles with gothic/steampunk themes..hoo boy..). I'll do some more research on it though

And if anyone else wants to chime in, feel free I'd love to have some more information Thanks so much to everyone though so far!

13 years ago

Category