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So... if you're not familiar with the genre, I recommend googling "Neo-Victorian" pictures. You'll get a good look at the style of clothing. Basically, it's Victorian-era, historical clothing with a twist-- lots of baubles and gears. Tophats are big. So are goggles and distressed NERF guns. Clocks, cogs, and steam engine-type parts. If you're looking for pop culture references, you might check out the Will Smith "Wild Wild West" film or "City of Ember" or the fantasy part of "Suckerpunch" or "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow". That style falls under the category of "steampunk".

Simplicity has followed the trend and has put out two rather awesome Steampunk patterns-- one which I'm modifying for my costume this year.

Pattern 2207 - This is pretty straight-up Victorian dress... it's not exactly historical, but it's a good starting place for someone wanting to ease into the genre.

Pattern 2172- This is the pattern I'm using for my costume... though, I have done quite a few modifications to the design... I've made the jacket less billowy, combining two of the pattern panels into one smaller piece, which removes the lace-up part to the back. (I really just wanted a streamlined jacket.) I've also added a collar instead of the frilly neck ruffle. I'm not doing the corset because it lacks sleeves, so I'm using a different pattern for that... and I may modify that as well. I'm also not doing the skirt, but rather using some brown cargo pants. I'm trying to find some boots... which I will customize spats/gaiters for....

My collar/lapel and the cap sleeves have been embroidered with some patterns found on urbanthreads.com :
Steampunk Wings
Winged Key

There are a lot of cool tutorials out there... threadbangers actually put out a brief video series on how to make some Steampunk costume elements for cheap! You can view those tutorials here:
http://www.threadbanger.com/episode/THR_20080829

Anywho... enjoy!

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Whenever I see this steampunk stuff, I can't help but think of Wild Wild West, the Will Smith movie. Is that what started all of this?? Or Back To The Future Part III, maybe?

Wild Wild West did a lot for the revival of Steampunk. Here is another good website. http://thesteampunkhome.blogspot.com/

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“Come let us meet, with charm and spell, by magic arts our fates to tell.”

Last year, a group of friends and I dressed up as a coven of witches. One of my friends dressed up as a Steampunk Witch, whom she named Coppernika. She's the one on the far right in the picture. I think she did a pretty good job. I'm not sure if you can see, but her broom has a steampack on the bottom near the brush.

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"Feast your eyes! Glut your soul on my accursed ugliness!"

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This is awesome! I love this.

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"The woods are lovely, dark and deep, and I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep. Did you hear me butterfly? Miles to go before you sleep."

how many "guys" are in that pic and why didnt they dress up as warlocks?

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http://theyard.netii.net/
"You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar but if you pull their wings off they'll eat whatever you give them!"

I am the only person in that photo who is physically male. And I didn't want to be a warlock. I wanted to be Elphaba.

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"Feast your eyes! Glut your soul on my accursed ugliness!"

ah....okay...I get it...

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http://theyard.netii.net/
"You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar but if you pull their wings off they'll eat whatever you give them!"

I was Elphaba last year. I may do that again this year, since the green skin really gets people going. I mean, I didn't have to do much else to get a strong reaction.

... Not related to my costume, but completely AWESOME....
Steampunk Gatling Gun on YouTube!!!

I did finish my costume. I've posted pics on facebook, but probably won't post photos here 'till after NaNoWriMo.... which starts today.