Not exactly steampunk, but there is loads of inspiration here. I could see a lot of these elements being incorporated into a spectacular steampunk outfit. Go to his website for even more amazingness. 

Have you ever wondered what FIFTY SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS worth of jacket looks like?

Well, I didn't either until now, but here it is:

Now here is a useful resource for steampunks - I am of the belief that to be steampunk you really ought to start with a victorian influence.. and this is a treasure-trove for those looking for inspiration..

The Victorian Image Collection.

I especially enjoyed looking at the Victorian Costumes section.. seeing various historical eras re-imagined with the Victorian Eye results in some really interesting stuff:



From their "About Us" page:

The Collection

The Victorian Image Collection consists of over 200,000 cartes de visite, cabinet cards and large format photographs from the Victorian era and has been built up over many years.

The majority of the photographs are portraits taken in the studio and, occasionally, outdoors and they provide a UNIQUE RESOURCE – they are not available anywhere else.

The images illustrate a fascinating view of Victorian life and fashion – people in their best clothes, their working clothes, their uniforms, their traditional clothes, clothes for specific events in life and clothes designed for a wide range of leisure activities. With the clothes are all sorts of interesting accessories used for fashion, work or pleasure. Also included are wonderful images of ladies hairstyles and magnificent moustaches and beards of the gentlemen from a bygone era. All categorised for easy retrieval.

Some of the images in the collection were originally made for sale to the general public and therefore are not unique but are, nevertheless, rarely available for reproduction. These include photographs of famous people and of topographical views which, incidentally, pre-date picture postcards by up to 40 years.

Many of the more interesting images have been made available on this website so that they can be enjoyed and appreciated by a wider audience and, also, to help defray to cost of maintaining the archive.


Research

We are always interested in co-operating on projects of all sorts either on a paid basis or a voluntary basis as appropriate. Payment will depend on the nature of the project and whether it is commercial, low profit making or non-profit making. You can find further information here: Research Services.


Family History Research

We also have a sister site which is designed specifically for family history researchers. It is packed with information on Victorian photographers, their customers, their studios, their addresses and the dates that they were in business. The site is particularly helpful for people trying to DATE their family photographs – something which helps them to discover who the photograph is of. You can find the site at www.cartedevisite.co.uk

If you ever find yourself with a little spare time, and want to see a series of eye-bogglingly inspirational steampunk goodies.. here's a couple of flickr groups you really ought to check out.

Steampunk Gear:


The Etsy Steam Team feed is also great, but could be dangerous for your wallet..

I share something steamy, sexy and pretty...


Find more photos like this on ENVY


Waistcoats and sock suspenders and androgenes .. be still, my beating heart!

You know you've hit the mainstream when...

Not only does the New York times do a story about steampunks.. now it's bleeding into other areas of the paper as well.

This article talks about Victorian influences on this season's menswear. The photo pictorial is full of gorgeous stuff.. while the price tags would be beyond the grasp of most there's plenty of inspiration to be had.

A couple of glimpses:

Here's a designer from Belgradfe that's worth keeping an eye on, for inspiration if nothing more..

A lot of these outfits are very, very over the top, but I think they have a really interesting neovictorian (or perhaps neotudor) air about them.

Have a look and let me know what you think in the comments:

Living with a couple of hot steamy men, I feel I'm qualified to call them when I see them.. here's some good looking gentlemen that have caught my eye recently..

Here's renowed rapscallion Tom Forde - he's a fashion designer with his own menswear line, and it shows:


Go forth and Be Steamy!

I recently got a tricycle. It's a stupid amount of fun to ride, and it's opened up a whole world of accessories I have never given a moment's thought to before. One of these is the need for saftey clothing.

I am not doing any night riding, but if I were.. I would NOT want to wear some hideous orange garment, just to ensure I didn't get wiped out.

There must be other options, I thought - and sure enough, there are..

One option is this neat idea.. definitely a less-ugly option for reflective clothing you might want if you're riding a bike or whatever :)



The clever clucks over at "Lost Value" are selling lace made from reflective thread.

From their website: http://www.lostvalues...

Available in a variety of colours, Reflective Lace can be sewn into clothing or simply worn, as an elegant high visibility accessory.

For the fashion conscious cyclist who wants to be seen as well as noticed.

Available in lengths of 120cm or as a set of 2 ruffled elastic rings to be worn directly over socks, gloves, hair, etc.








They've managed to weave it into wool as well, and they're making hats & scarves:

These came up on my blog feeds today, and whooah boy, I WANT!!

Plaid? Bustle? Lovely detailing? YES PLEASE!




Of course, they don't make them in my size (16-18) and I don't think the high waist would work for me, but I'm sure I could make something "inspired by" them that would suit me nicely.

Their website with the full collection is here: http://www.pinareris....

Some other things of theirs I really liked too:

I really love the way they have put a layer of plaid under the bustle frill here - it makes it flirty and fun but still modest enough for a professional setting.