Okay, so I’ve been totally obsessed with the gothic steampunk aesthetic lately. It’s like, Victorian vibes meet industrial revolution, with a dark, romantic twist. I decided I had to try creating my own look, and let me tell you, it was a journey!
Diving In Headfirst
First, I spent hours just looking at pictures online. I mean, hours. I scrolled through tons of images of outfits, accessories, everything. I wanted to get a real feel for the different elements that make up the style. I quickly realized it wasn’t just about throwing gears on everything (though gears are definitely important!). There’s a real balance between the dark, romantic elements of gothic fashion and the more rugged, mechanical parts of steampunk.
The Scavenger Hunt Begins
Next, the hunt for clothes and accessories began. This was the fun, but also kind of frustrating, part. I hit up a bunch of thrift stores, hoping to find some vintage pieces that I could modify. I scored a long, black velvet skirt that was perfect – a little worn, but that just added to the look I was going for. I also found an old, slightly rusty (in a good way!) corset belt that I knew would be amazing.
- Thrift Stores: My first stop, and I found some real gems!
- Online Marketplaces: I looked at a lot of stuff, much was garbage, finally found few things that looked promising.
- Craft Stores: Perfect for finding gears, cogs, and other little bits and pieces to add to my outfit.
Getting Crafty
This is where things got really interesting. I took that skirt and added some lace trim to the bottom, to give it a bit more of that Victorian feel. Then, I started playing around with the corset belt. I cleaned it up a bit, but made sure to leave some of the rust for that aged look. I also attached some small gears and chains to it, using some jewelry pliers and jump rings (which I had to learn how to use – YouTube is your friend!).
I also found an old pair of boots that I decided to customize. I added some buckles and straps, and even managed to find some cool metal plates that I attached to the toes. It was a bit messy, and I definitely pricked my fingers a few times, but it was so worth it!
The Final Look
Finally, after much trial and error plus time, I have put it all together! It was so cool to see all the different pieces, some of which were modified. I added a simple black top with some lace detailing, and a pair of fingerless gloves. For accessories, I found an old pocket watch and a pair of goggles (a steampunk staple!).
Honestly, I’m pretty proud of how it turned out! It’s definitely a unique look, and it really captures that gothic steampunk vibe I was going for. It was a lot of work, but it was also a ton of fun, and I learned a lot along the way. It’s a work in progress and i’ll keep adding and tweaking, but it’s cool and I like it!
