Friday Finds: Hips and Curves Steampunk Wear

When I was out at Steampunk November one of my friends spotted a woman wearing a very nice lace-trimmed peasant blouse and said "I need a shirt like that!"  She asked where the woman got it, and she said "Oh, Hips and Curves!"  And then there was a conversation about how great their underwear was.

Luckily, I'm an affiliate for Hips and Curves, which means if you buy from them after following the links from my blog, I get a commission.  So I went to find this shirt, and was really surprised how much great steampunk clothing the site has.  It's been a while since I really looked at it.  Now some of their stuff is going to be costume quality, and I don't necessarily vouch for their corsets (I believe they are of the same quality as Corset Story, and you can read my opinion of those here.)

But they also have some pretty decent pieces to add to your steampunk wardrobe.

This is the item that started this.  Hips and Curves calls it a dress, but I'd wear it as a top, personally.  Maybe with leggings.  But it looks great under a corset.  And the fabric is very flowy and gauzy, which is nice for warm weather.  Sure, maybe this is more Ren Faire or fantasy than Victorian, but we all know the fashion of steampunk is broadly inclusive.

I have a pair of striped bloomers I made that I love, and have taken to wear frequently when I want to be comfortable and cool but still dress steampunk.  These white bloomers are similar and I would recommend them to women who want to forgo long skirts and get a little more comfy in their steampunk.

Black and white stripes are classic steampunk, and you can't go wrong with a tiered ruffled petticoat skirt either.   They also have a similar skirt in black.

The purple velvet Alice Revolver jacket is really lovely, with a corseted back and frilly tails at the back.  They also have a similar look in black brocade with the Bowie Brocade Jacket.

This Cotton Tiered Petticoat is nice for it's simplicity.  You could wear it for everyday wear, alone with steampunk clothing, or as a base under other costume pieces.















That's really only a taste.  There are a lot of petticoats, accessories, and potentially cool pieces in the costume section.  It would be a good place to get some base pieces for a steampunk look, particularly if you have trouble finding things in plus size, or live somewhere that you don't have access to a festival to buy from vendors.  

Friday Finds: Casual Steampunk from ModCloth

It's been a while since I did a collection of steampunky items from Modcloth.  I'm an affiliate with them, so I get a commission on any sales.  But I also think it's cool to look for modern fashion that would work for daily wear OR a steampunk outfit.

Modcloth is having a 50% off sale on a lot of items for labor day.  Check out the sale here, even if you don't get any of these items.

First of all...guys, guys.  Look.  It's boot season again, and there's no shortage of knee-high leather boots with buckles that would work great for steampunk.  But LOOK at the corset style lacing up the back of these.  I'm totally in lust.  In fact, I'm very tempted to buy these for myself... On Vocation Time Boot in Wine

While capes may not always seem like the most practical choice, in fact they're super warm and a great addition in winter.  It's like having a wearable blanket to snuggle with.  The fact that this one is reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes is a bonus.   Pardon my French Quarter Cape

I love the all-purpose nature of this tote bag.  Purse, briefcase, convention bag, whatever.  And would fit in perfectly with a variety of steampunk personas OR modern styles.  Camp Director Tote 

Not QUITE period, but only because of the inside zipper.  But otherwise these are the perfect boots to go with a wide variety of Victorian or Steampunk outfits.  Only a few sizes left, though (which is probably good for me cause they're out of my size.) From The Same Same Cloth Boot

Who doesn't love a good military style jacket?  This has nice details in the buttons and gathered sleeve caps, but it's not too extreme for the office.  I Glam Hardly Believe It Jacket

More boots!  Chunky heels and lots of laces, but with the convenience of a zipper (I HATE lacing up tall boots).  The price is also really affordable. And how could I leave this off the list with a name like Picking Up Steampunk Boot

This is a super cute set of plastic bottles meant for airline carry-on travel.  And while they are cute for that, I'm thinking they're IDEAL as parts of a costume.  They look great for attaching to any belt, bracer, hat or whatever, plus they're plastic so you don't have to worry about breaking them.  Set the Wheels in Potion Set

This is definitely a piece that's going to look different depending on what you wear it with.  It could go from Lolita to Boho to Post-apocalyptic with the right accessories. Office-ticated Appeal Jacket 

Yes, more boots.  More CORSET LACED boots.  These are gorgeous, but also really pricey.  But hey, sometimes boots are worth it.  Genre Queen Boot

Friday Finds: Oak Tree Farms Boots

Have you guys seen the new line of Victorian inspired footwear from Oak Tree Farms?

They're gorgeous.  I'm not being paid to promote them or anything, I just want to share the shoe porn. They have a collection of Victorian boots that range from very historically accurate to quite modern, but all of them would be ideal for steampunk.  The only downside is the price, which is not at all cheap.  But they really do look remarkably well made.

 Eleanor in teak

  Mirabelle in black

Ariana in Red

Amelia in Black Teak















Mostly I want someone out there with more money than I to go buy these because they are so pretty.

Friday Finds: Summer Steampunk Shoes

This post contains affiliate links.  If you purchase anything after clicking the links, I will receive a small commission.

I've talked about this before, but being a Texan, I have a hard time being comfortable in steampunk dress all year round.  I need summer versions of my outfits for times when it's just unbearably hot.  A big part of my comfort is shoes.  I just can't wear knee-high vinyl boots when it's 100 degrees.  So I am always looking for good summer steampunk shoes.  I found a bunch at Modcloth, but these are also just ideas of what styles to look for.

Here we have the ultimate steampunk gladiator sandal.  I love the look of BootsButNot.  The shiny buckles take them into actually steampunk territory for me.  I saw a similar style at Target a few days ago, though they didn't look this nice.  So this is a style that is apparently "in" at the moment.

One of the other things I look for in steampunk accessories is metallic color.  This is apparently another trend at the moment, so that's great for us.  I love sandals that include something around the ankle, and these are a lovely shiny gold with intricate patterning.

Shoes just rarely get cuter than this.  The Malt Shop Sweetheart shoe is available as pictured in Dusty Rose or very stylish Black and White.  These really are like the summer version of some two-tone steampunk boots I've seen.

There's just something about shoes with wraps around the ankle that make them more old-fashioned.  These more formal shoes have a dance feel to them and would work with all kinds of outfits, including fancier steampunk ones.

Speaking of ankle-wrapping, how about these flats?  They have a ballet feeling, but with a metallic sheen and delicate elegance.

Again, there's something about two-tone cuteness.  The lower heel on these makes them a little more casual while maintaining a little bit of formal.  These are a little bit Lolita to me.

The more straps and buckles something has, the more steampunk it is.  That's just science.  :)  Here's another good flat option for those like myself in danger of injury when we wear heels.












There are more shoes I could post that would work that I found just looking around Modcloth.  Mostly metallic sandals and flats in different shades.  But I think you get the idea that steampunk doesn't have to mean boots.  Hope this gave you some ideas of what to look for!

Friday Finds: Gifts for Mom or Yourself

This post is sponsored by Modcloth and contains affiliate links.

I haven't been doing my Friday Finds posts for a while.  It started to feel like work and like I was scraping the bottom of the barrel looking for things to share with y'all.  But I've got some good stuff shared up now so I'll be posting some of these for a while.

Gift-giving is always tricky.  Especially when I'm looking for my mom.  My mom is the kind of person who has most everything she wants or needs.  She doesn't collect things.  She doesn't have a lot of hobbies.  So what do you give someone like that?

One option is to really search out the quirky and unusual items that someone would like, but doesn't know exist.  Modcloth is a great place to find these kinds of things.  Here are a few items I found that I feel would make great gifts that also have a steampunk vibe.

The Open Air Enjoyment Picnic Basket is a lovely, old-fashioned way to tote everything you need for a fantastic picnic.  With spring in full swing, and summer coming, this can get a lot of use.  I also can see this being the perfect thing to take with you to any outdoor steampunk gathering and still be in period style.

Modcloth has quite a few kitchen accessories that would fit into a steampunk themed room fantastically.  This copper-toned Roll the Spice Caddy is one of them.

Ok, I don't get tired of cool octopus items.  And I ADORE this Pacific Pairing Pillow.  The colors are fantastic.  Only a few left in stock, though, so hurry!















Finally, I found the Most Steampunk Item EVER.  Guys.  Guys. We need this.  We ALL need this attached to our belts.  It's a collapsable shot glass with an octopus on it.  The next time a steampunk offers you something from a flask (cause you know we do that), you will have your own hygenic shot glass right there!  Seriously, I need this so badly.   The Wherever You Arm shot glass!












So your mom may or may not be into steampunk and octopuses.  But if you need a Mother's Day gift, seriously try browsing though Modcloth's Home and Gifts section, because I found something perfect for my mom for less than $20.

 

Friday Finds: Steampunk is the New New Age?

It's catalog season again, and a long-familiar catalog arrived at my door the other day: The Pyramid Collection.  This was my favorite catalog when I was a teen, because it was one of the few sources for Pagan and Wiccan books and items I had.  So I was a little surprised to discover with this latest catalog that there are a BUNCH of steampunk clothing items.   And some of them are really nice looking.

So it's been a while, but I'm resurrecting Friday Finds to share them with you.  I don't get any commission for this and I can't make any statement of how these items might be in person or quality.  But hey, check it out.

The Reversible Button Jacket is a nice style for costume or every day, but my favorite part is that it's reversible.  (And two of my favorite colors.)

The Pleated Ruffle Jacket is one I'd be lusting after if I still worked an office job.  I like that it's both modern and old-fashioned at the same time.

I AM madly in lust with these Wildwalker Boots, though.  I think I know what I want for Christmas.  (Please don't clear them out before I can get a pair.) I've seen similar styles before, but not for such a reasonable price.  They have both men's and women's boots, too.

Friday Finds: Random Tutorials

I haven't been keeping up with Friday Finds because, for one, I've been too busy with other stuff to spend much time surfing for cool steampunk things.  And also because when I do find stuff it doesn't fit into nice categories for making a nice thematic post.  So I'm giving up on themes and just going to throw stuff at y'all when I feel like it.

My jaw dropped open when this Steamer Trunk Refrigerator appeared on my FB feed.  This wasn't even intentionally steampunk, but DAMN, it's gorgeous.  I want to do this to my ugly white fridge so much, but now I'm afraid it would just up and die as soon as it was gorgeous.  She explains her process here.

How to make a Victorian or Steampunk Flounced Petticoat.

A really great, in depth tutorial of making either a traditional underwear petticoat or a steampunk adjustable version.

Steampunk on a Thrift Store Budget  - A Guide to thrifting for steampunk with some good points.  I think things are a bit more open if you are willing/able to modify items, but this is definitely food for thought.

How to Build Your Own Junk Light

A neat guide to putting together lamps from old junk, including how to completely wire it.













That's it for today!  I hope everyone has a fantastic Halloween and weekend.  It will doubtless be better than mine since I've had to cancel my plans in order to stay in bed with my back.

Friday Finds: Steampunk Doc Martens

So, I'm a 90s girl and yes, I love my Docs.  I bought my first pair of purple 8-holes in 1996 in London, and wore them until there was almost no sole at all left.  Since then I've owned several more pair, including shoes and heeled boots.  I finally got my husband addicted to them as well and now it's all he wears.  I recently surfed over to the official site and started browsing and was excited to see several styles I thought were great for steampunk.  Unlike some of the other things I post, I get no commission on these, I'm not an affiliate, I just love them.

Women's Triumph 1914  (Also in black and red)

 Clemency in Copper

Clarissa - I'm not sure if I like this or not...

Aggy Boot

Josefa  (I might be in lust with this one to replace the cheap brown boots I wear now.)

Lauren

Beckett

Harrie  (There are shoe versions of this...and they're on SALE.)

Jocelyn - One of my friends fell in love with this one.  Can't blame her.  Plus, sale!













The Men's offerings look pretty boring in comparison.  There are a few metallics, but they're mostly conservative.  Now I just need to win the lottery so I can buy ALL THE DOCS.

Friday Finds: The Bundle of Extraordinary Steampunk

Today I have a great offer for your from one of my favorite new indie authors.  Get a bunch of steampunk novels for one "set-your-own" price!  I know I'm looking forward to checking out all the books in this bundle.

The Bundle of Extraordinary Steampunk

GET IT HERE

Story Bundle is like Price Line for Books where you choose your own price! It's a great way for readers to discover new authors in a genre they already love. This steampunk story bundle was curated by Susan Kaye Quinn (author of Third Daughter, a steampunk fantasy romance), and she explains what steampunk is all about below.  Hop over to see how you set-your-own-price on these story bundles and scoop it up for yourself (bundle lasts a limited time only)!

The Bundle of Extraordinary Steampunk

Curated by Susan Kaye Quinn

The most common question I get about steampunk books is, “What is steampunk?”

The easy answer is that steampunk stories are set in the 19^th century Victorian era when steam-driven technology was primary, corsets were tight, and tea was a formal affair. But that’s like saying science fiction is about spaceships… when the genre is much broader, deeper, and more amazing than that. (And yes, steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction.)

With a thriving real-life steampunk culture that is very do-it-yourself in inventing characters, costumes, and gadgets, the real answer is that steampunk can be virtually anything you want it to be. It’s this tremendous devotion to creativity that actually drew me in to writing steampunk in the first place (along with the gorgeous costumes!). In this steampunk bundle, we have an east-Indian fantasy romance, a Asian-flavored pirate love story, a Shakespearean retelling, two stories set in a common world with a floating island, a young adult adventure about a lightning invention, and a story that uses Arcane Science in the modern world. These stories are perfect examples of the truly rich diversity of steampunk stories… while each also portrays a world where steam technology shifts the ground under their character’s feet.

We think of the Victorian era as being somewhat repressed, but it really was a time of tremendous change: class divisions, and the aristocracy it supported, were being challenged by the everyday men and women who were bringing about amazing technological advances. Science was on the rise! And the beautiful costuming and formal traditions of the past were coming into conflict with those first hints of the modern world. Steampunk stories in general resonate with readers not just because of their fun, escapist fantasy—a flight into the past when things were simpler, adventures were fought with sword and gun, and social strictures brought some order to the world—but because the upheaval wrought by technological change still resonates with our real lives today.

What is steampunk? It’s a story like any other story: a chance to escape the world for a few hours, to live in the wilderness of an author’s imagination, to adventure, to fall in love, to die for one’s friends. It’s classic storytelling in a visually rich, emotionally gripping era that still resonates with us today. Plus you get to rollick about in corsets and top hats, inventing gadgets and saving the world from the villains who turn that fantastic steam technology to their own dastardly purposes.

Strap on your goggles and prepare for the ride!

-- Susan Kaye Quinn

The Bundle of Extraordinary Steampunk

CLICK HERE TO GET IT

StoryBundle was created to give a platform for independent authors to showcase their work, and a source of quality titles for thirsty readers. StoryBundle works with authors to create bundles of ebooks that can be purchased by readers at their desired price. Before starting StoryBundle, Founder Jason Chen covered technology and software as an editor for Gizmodo.com and Lifehacker.com.

For more information, visit our website at storybundle.com, Tweet us at @storybundle, Like us on Facebook, and Plus us on Google Plus. For press inquiries, please email press@storybundle.com.

-- Susan Kaye Quinn

The Bundle of Extraordinary Steampunk

CLICK HERE TO GET IT

StoryBundle was created to give a platform for independent authors to showcase their work, and a source of quality titles for thirsty readers. StoryBundle works with authors to create bundles of ebooks that can be purchased by readers at their desired price. Before starting StoryBundle, Founder Jason Chen covered technology and software as an editor for Gizmodo.com and Lifehacker.com.

For more information, visit our website at storybundle.com, Tweet us at @storybundle, Like us on Facebook, and Plus us on Google Plus. For press inquiries, please email press@storybundle.com.