Making steampunk work for you
It was only a matter of time before steampunk began creeping into mainstream fashion, bringing that creepy, old timey feel to looks you can
actually wear in public. What's steampunk, you ask? Well, imagine you're living in Victorian times fantasizing about what the future will be like. It's part Little House On The Prairie, part Goth, part Industrial Age. Think of elaborate gadgetry that involves clock wheels and compasses, or brass antique snake jewelry, or Wild Wild West costumes combined with futuristic steam-powered bicycles with those huge wheels in the front. Got it? Great!
Personally, I think steampunk's kinda dumb. It reminds me of Renaissance Festival. No offense to people who love Renaissance Festival, or people who love steampunk, for that matter. I just don't get into the whole fantasy dress-up, pretend-you're-living-in-the-past extreme. I also don't like Civil War re-enactments. I mean, if you do, that's cool. I guess.
But I do appreciate a quirky subgenre's influence on real-life, functional fashion th
at you can wear to work without looking like a weirdo. So I'm in full approval of some of these cool pieces I'm seeing on sites like Etsy and in retail stores. I'm talking about these Deena + Ozzy foldover boots from Urban Outfitters (right) for $68. Or some of the super-cheap, antique-inspired jewelry from Forever 21.
Or this adorable navy blue trench coat (below) rom ModCloth for $79.99. The front is cool with it's double tortoiseshell buttons, but look at the back! Bows and ruffles!
Anyway, you don't have to go whole hog with the aviation goggles and Victorian corsets and whips and chains to enjoy ye olde steampunk fashion. And if you're still confused about what exactly constitutes "steampunk," don't worry. Just go with what looks cute - from the past, present or future.
Deal Diva Emily
Photos: Urbanoutfitters.com, Modcloth.com, buysteampunk.com, friedpost.com.
Loading...
Katie Sanders foolishly spurned pretty dresses and shoes as a child, tossing new clothes over her shoulder at birthday parties with a totally rude "no, thank you." Her drab days of monocolor outfits are over now, and she certainly knows better than to turn down free stuff. Her wardrobe mixes classic with quirk. Think blazers with statement necklaces, and lots of patterned ballet flats. She can be reached at 850) 224-7263 or 
Kameel Stanley has never encountered a thrift store she didn’t like. Her mother taught her that the true value of clothes isn’t how much they cost, but how many outfits one can create from them. Having grown up in Michigan, she was delighted to learn upon moving to Florida that she almost never needed to wear socks or boots again. There’s a lot of turnover in her closet, and she’s obsessed with dresses, necklaces and wedge heels. She can be reached at (727) 893-8643 or 
A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or 
From camo pants and construction boots to sundresses, sweaters and sling backs, Keyonna Summers knows how to make all of it rock -- at rock bottom prices. A Detroit native, Keyonna delves into her urban roots to find fashion pairings that give a nod to street fashion while maintaining the class of the modern, professional woman. She believes in searching for affordable clothes that look expensive and can easily be dressed up or down. You won't find plaid shirts or fleece jackets in her closet; the only hiking Keyonna does is to the bargain basement. She can be reached at (727) 445-4153 or 
0
Comments