Steampunk Style – Overview
Alright, time to take a trip down memory lane, the Victorian-era England between 1837 and 1901, to be precise.
Let’s take a look around ourselves, shall we? We see people dressed in bowler hats and petticoats. You look down the street and you see a factory being constructed. You redirect your gaze to the river and you see a lovely steam-powered boat sailing away into the sunset (or sunrise). In fact, if you observe some of the local townspeople long enough, you might even spot good ol’ Sherlock Holmes!
If you’ve seen movies like The Golden Compass or played video games like Bioshock, you might be able to instantly identify with Steampunk aesthetics. But anyway, back to our story for now:
After our brief stay in Victorian-era England, we return to the present day. But wait, what’s this? You brought a slice of that Victorian-era back with you. So what if, in the present day, there was still steam power instead of electricity? Plastic wasn’t even a thing? People dressed in fancy outfits, flaunting waistcoats and elegant pocket watches everywhere they go?
Understanding the Steampunk Style
The world we ventured into just now is a fairly accurate depiction of the steampunk movement.
The unique and fascinating Steampunk style kicked off in the 1970s as a form of literature. More accurately, it was seen as a sub-genre of science fiction. So, if we relate to science fiction today in terms of fashion, we would probably visualise something similar to what one of the actors from Star Trek or Star Wars might sport as outfits.
When it comes to Steampunk, however, the authors envisaged a world where Victorian-era fashion embraced technology, but with a modern twist. For instance, your typical steampunk character might look like they stepped right off the movie set of a Victorian England-based film, but while still looking like they are an inhabitant of the modern world you and I live in. They would still have to rely on computers or some form of “smart” device to get around or find their way although their car might be driven by cogs, gears, and steam only. Captain James West, anyone? Sherlock Holmes, perhaps?
This is where the beauty of Steampunk really shines and captivates the heart and mind – the authors of steampunk were endlessly inspired by Victorian writers. You’ve likely heard of Oscar Wilde and Charlotte Bronte, as well as their esteemed works such as The Picture of Dorian Gray and Jane Eyre – they were, in fact, two infamous authors who deeply inspired steampunk writers.
Not only that, but they also drew from Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to further shape the steampunk movement. So, as it stands, a large part of steampunk was inspired by the “dime novels” of the 19th century, even though such books were primarily focused on adventure, travel, romance, and the like.
As one might imagine, steampunk has been steadily gaining popularity since the 1970s, and today, it’s so much more than just literature. You’ll find steampunk in everything from TV shows, video games, and movies, to fashion, art, and music.
Many steampunk fans see the movement as a worldview because the steampunk style philosophy combines the best of modern creativity and self-dependency with Victorian-era optimism and positivity.
The general public familiar with steampunk – without even knowing it!
We believe that the term “steampunk” is used rather obscurely today even though this style or genre along with its unique aesthetic is something most of the general public is already familiar with through various works.
For example, Jules Verne’s illustrious novels are something that can almost be categorised as ‘steampunk’ – if you revisit 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, you’ll be fascinated by the fact that the “Nautilus” was actually a futuristic and highly advanced submarine built in the classical 1867-1868 era. But we don’t often see it for what it is because this type of French literature was authored in the 19th century – and so, it was classed as “science fiction novel” and not “steampunk.”
The classic TV show, Wild Wild West, created and produced by Michael Garrison, which aired between 1965 and 1969, followed the adventures of two secret agents who travel the Far West in the 1870s, relying on their trusty anachronistic inventions to fend off villains. The modern 1999 film of the same name, starring Will Smith, is no different.
The Sherlock Holmes movies are perhaps one of the most well-known examples of steampunk. The Robert Downey Jr. movies follow the adventures and escapades of the world renowned detective against the back drop of an alternate British Empire, chock full of retrofuturistic gadgets and mysticism.
The 2013 video game, Bioshock Infinite, is a great example of steampunk style, and represents the genre quite brilliantly. The game’s story transports players back to 1912 where they pursue their objectives in an anachronistic floating city. Steam powered machinery, steampunk outfits, automaton, dirigible, airship, etc. it’s all there!
We know what steampunk is – Now what?
You can’t help but admire steampunk aesthetics – a healthy concoction of industrial elegance and mechanics, ornamentation, patterns, and materials made popular during the 19th and early 20th centuries which played host to the Second Industrial Revolution.
Steampunk in Fashion
Apart from the top hats, frilly skirts, corsets, goggles, and waistcoats, steampunk fashion evolved from Victorian attire to mechanical-clad adventures, to even clockwork goth ensembles. There’s so much you can experiment with, including a clockwork gauntlet holding your smartwatch to help you track your daily steps, or a traditional Victorian dress and blouse featuring a cameo pin.
Steampunk in Music and Performance
Art galleries, books, films, music albums, and even theatre – steampunk style has been featured everywhere, with performances like Steam Powered Giraffe or “The Ballad of Mona Lisa” paying homage to the steampunk revolution.
Steampunk in Art and Design
Ever heard of a steampunk café or clockwork computer cases? Or, perhaps, kinetic sculptures, indie animations, and giant marionettes? Every medium today, as we know it, has been inspired by steampunk, including artwork.
Closing thoughts
Now then, let’s pull ourselves out of the time machine which has finally docked back into station. We hope you were entertained by this little detour we took to delve into the world of steampunk.
Let’s keep with the spirit of steampunk by enjoying great TV shows, movies, art, and clothes that have helped keep us entertained and occupied for years – without us even realising it, in some cases!