Lucubration Station

The party is drawing nearer and I have made some progress.
Theres still a long way to go to complete the desired look however.

First a little background on steampunk.

Steampunk is a subgenre of fantasy and speculative fiction which came into prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. The term denotes works set in an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century, and often set in Victorian era England—but with prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy, such as fictional technological inventions like those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, or real technological developments like the computer occurring at an earlier date. Other examples of steampunk contain alternate history-style presentations of "the path not taken" of such technology as dirigibles or analog computers; these frequently are presented in an idealized light, or a presumption of functionality.
-Wikipedia

Steampunk simply embodies a time and a place. The time... the late 19th century. The place... a steam powered world, where air travel by fantastical dirigibles is as common as traveling by train or boat (or submarine). A place where national interests are vastly different than our own version of history. A place where the elegant and refined are as likely to get pulled into a grand adventure, as the workers, ruffians, and lower classes. A place where the idea of space travel is not so far fetched. A place where lost civilizations are found and lost again. A place where anything is possible, and science can be twisted to meet ones own ends. That to me is the essence of Steampunk. It can have political overtones and commentary, or it can be straight escapist fiction. Either way, if it meets these criteria. It is Steampunk.
- Joshua A. Pfeiffer a.k.a. Vernian Process

Steampunk is an eclectic world of cogs and rivets. It is airships, goggles and steam. It is romance. It is traveling on clouds and diving beneath rugged waves. It is adventure
- Aether Emporium

Steampunk is a genre of fiction set somewhere in the 1800’s during the Victorian Era. The fictional part comes in that technology has gone a bit skewed - though the exact methods vary, generally steam-powered devices that would have been impossible or unfeasible at the time are found to exist. Examples include steam-robots, flying castles, under-water bases, moon rockets, time machines etc.
- Tinker Girl Brass Goggles

Now here are some examples of others costumes I'm being inspired by and trying to replicate and build on.



These are the girls from the Steampunk themed band Abney Park Ive managed to obtain myself some Spats, Like Magdaleen on the left there. Mine are less ragged, much more tailored looking and dark brown/gold fabrics.

Ive got a corset for the bodice

I still need a big skirt/skirts. Im going to raid my mums closet and continue to keep an eye out at the opshops. Otherwise I have a burlesque ruffled pinstripe thing with a bustle at the back which would kinda work. The colour is really off though so Ill keep that as a backup idea.

So that leaves the accessories and they will really make or break the outfit.
The most important and stereotypical piece of steampunk costuming is goggles.
For example



Being a standard piece of costume and also being a subculture based heavily around D.I.Y the goggles tend to be a big part of establishing character and style. Ive found such beautiful amazing things online that I just know I cant even come close to producing. Its going to take a lot of junk/op shop hunting to find the right bits and pieces to make a good pair. Or I could buy a premade pair and alter and extend them. Either way I need to get started asap.





After the goggles I'm also keeping an eye out for a leather pilots style cap. Annoyingly the chances of coming across one of those not worth a bucketload is between buckleys and none.

Ive got gloves Ill definitely wear and a cream scarf if I got the pilots cap.

Then I really need a utility belt. I'm a time traveler so Ill need bits and pieces like watches and a raygun and other mechanical explorer type assemblage. Ive got old scouts belts and gear stored somewhere if I can dig them up that will be perfect.
Ill be using more belts and clips and things to strap myself in and gather my skirt.

That should make quite the ensemble.

Here is the roughest plan ever