Style Me Steampunk: The Traveling Minister

I love steampunk fashion & accessories–in fact, I love these 2 things so much that I cannot relegate them solely to cons, shows, or Halloween. “Style me Steampunk” is a series of blog posts on how to infuse your everyday wardrobe with a steampunk flair. From dressy to casual, office appropriate attire to outfits you can wear when you paint the town red–I will offer up ideas for outfits that will hopefully inspire some of you to dip into your closet and get creative! Two weeks ago I officiated my cousin Becca's wedding. As per the groom's request, I wore a steampunk outfit for the occasion. (You can read more about their handmade wedding here and here.)  What I love about this look is that it's steampunk, feminine, and formal without being costumey or over the top.

To recreate this look, you'll need:

• Black top hat (accessories optional, mine is adorned with vintage pale pink feathers and a filigree pin my mom & I found in Paris)
• Black tuxedo waistcoat (I purchased mine from ModCloth but there are also tons of fabulous Etsy sellers who make waistcoats and tuxedo jackets in Victorian/Circus styles and cuts. You can also make your own using this Simplicity Pattern too!)
• Tulle & Lace Dress (I had to find a dress that complimented the wedding's colors as well as the rest of the bridal party. I found this dress at Target--and it's on sale now. I added black lace trim around the hem underneath the tulle and also to the bodice of the dress to dress it up. I recreated the bodice shape from a design I saw on a Victorian evening gown at the Victoria & Albert Museum ages ago.)
• White Lace Gloves (thrifted)
• Black stockings
• Plain black Mary Janes (which I then ornamented with steampunk black satin  bow shoe clips which I made myself)
• Steampunk Jewelry & Accessories (I chose dainty gearrings, an heirloom cut glass necklace, and one of my rhinestone & gear bracelets.)

I had a blast creating this look--especially since it was for such a festive, happy occasion. I'm so lucky I have a family that celebrates my eclectic steampunk fashion sense! Have fun creating this look for yourself!

The Beauty of Collaboration

This weekend my jewelry & accessories were used in a steampunk fashion shoot & workshop for photographers. Here is a selection of stunning photographs taken by the very talented Chuck Coleman, of CCI Agency and Steamers World,  to whom I owe a tremendous Thank You. Chuck captured photos that seem as if they were plucked from one of the many fictional worlds that inspire me! I can't wait to see how Chuck's artistry grows and hope that this will be the start of many more collaborations! Pictured above is the Frankly Scarlet Top Hat, Skeleton Umbrella, Golden Gear Cameo Necklace, and Spring Earrings! Pictured above is the Pocketwatch Bow Tie (a favorite of mine!) and a Royal Steampunk Medallion. Is this chap dashing?

Pictured above is the Time Conductor's Top Hat, Steampunk Princess Braclet, Royal Crest Medal, Spring Earrings, and a Steampunk Bicycle Gear Necklace. Strong, beautiful, and not to be trifled with!

Pictured above is the Steampunk Highlander Hat, Compass Slave-Bracelet, Royal Steampunk Crest Medal, Simply Steampunk Gear Bracelet, and a Royal Steampunk Medallion.

Time for tea? Why I don't mind if I do! Pictured above is the Airship Propeller Necklace, Tim-Traveler's wrist watch, Steampunk Medal, Keyhole Gear Lariat, and the Tick-Tock Bow Tie! Does he look like an Earl Gray to you? (Pardon the pun! It was too delicious to resist!)

This dapper dame is wearing the Aunte Mame Bowler (my mom's favorite) and a pair of dangly gearrings! Isn't she fabulous?!

And last, well for now--I will be posting these pictures and more on my gallery page, is this wonderful photo! Pictured on the gentlemen are two Royal Crest Steampunk Medals and a Royal Steampunk Medallion. On the lovely lady, is the Golden Gear Cameo Necklace, Compass Bracelet, Gearrings, Time Conductor's Top Hat, and of coarse, the skeleton umbrella!

Thanks again to Chuck Coleman, to all of the fabulous models, and to all of the other artists who collaborated to make this shoot possible! Now, off to make more steampunk treasures!

Style Me Steampunk: Shopkeeper's Daughter

I love steampunk fashion & accessories–in fact, I love these 2 things so much that I cannot relegate them solely to cons, shows, or Halloween. “Style me Steampunk” is a series of blog posts on how to infuse your everyday wardrobe with a steampunk flair. From dressy to casual, office appropriate attire to outfits you can wear when you paint the town red–I will offer up ideas for outfits that will hopefully inspire some of you to dip into your closet and get creative! Style me Steampunk: The Shopkeeper's Daughter

A while back I created a look called the Steampunk Ballerina--the Shopkeeper's Daughter is very similar in that it involves wearing a full tulle skirt. This look is a lot fancier and is a great outfit for dress-up occasions.  To recreate this look here's what you'll need:

• Tulle Skirt (there are a number of clothing companies that have similar style skirts right now. They are en vogue right now) I purchased mine from Shabby Apple's Fete de Fleurs collection. Right now they have a number of cute colors to choose from--white, pale pink, and blue (as seen above).
• Vest (that complements the color of your skirt) Mine's thrifted--my very favorite kind of clothing!
• Blouse (preferably with decorative or fancy sleeves) Choose a neutral color that will go well with both your vest & shirt
• Fabric Flower (for your lapel) I made mine following a DIY I found on Pinterest
• Poetic License Floral Tapestry Boots (love, love, love these boots) I wrote an earlier post about how to incorporate these boots into your look.
• Steampunk Jewelry (made mine! Check out my Etsy shop for bling of your own)
• Vintage or Antique flowers (to adorn your luscious locks) I fastened mine with bobby pins.Have fun rummaging through your closet my fellow steampunk fashionistas!

Broken Eyelash Dream, A Royal Steampunk Wedding Fashion Collection!

Few people know how much of a wedding geek I can be but I'm finally ready to admit it--I nerd out over weddings, well handmade weddings mostly.  I love the attention to detail and most importantly the attention to the happy couple's story. It's no surprise that I've been asked to be a maid of honor (twice now!), and a bridesmaid (I won't admit how many times but I might give Katherine Heigel's character in 27 Dresses a run for her money). When Marry Me Indie approached me about putting together a collection for their indie, handmade wedding show I was certainly up for the challenge (and I certainly wanted the chance to upcycle all of those bridesmaids' dresses hanging in the back of my closet). I transformed each dress into a simply steampunk creation--both tasteful and elegant. I can't wait to share how I did it in a few DIYs to come later this month (so stay tuned)!

I had so much fun transforming each of the dresses, thrifting for vintage tuxes, and the piece de resistance came from my mom who found (at an estate) the most exquisite wedding dress I have ever seen. It is an off-the-shoulder dress made of gauzy white handmade lace with a long flowing train. It was sold with white ballet shoes (still with a penny for good luck taped into the inner sole)!

Accessorizing was easy--I was inspired by vintage rhinestone pieces, gleaming brass gears, and these embroidered Royal crests & patches. I had so much fun ruffling through antique photographs of Victorian weddings and ogling all of the dresses, floral arrangements & nosegays.

When June 1st finally arrived I could hardly contain my excitement! Everything had fallen into place  and sure there were a couple of hiccups but the show was a complete success (much like a wedding day I expect). I couldn't have done it without the encouragement of Christine & Renee; the help of all of my wonderful models--Melissa, Joe, Michael, Karen, Caroline, Ryan, Mitch, and especially Alicia (who was such a hauntingly beautiful bride--she looked as if she had stepped out of a shroud of ghostly invisibility to corporeal form to remind us of a bygone era); the help of Sherri, who filmed the fashion show for me; and last, but not least, my collaborator and co-designer, my mom (The Salvage Steamstress).

So for those of you who couldn't make it--here's a video of the show. Hope you enjoy it!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxc_DW1VsJg]

Steampunk Wedding Fashion Show!

I am excited to announce that I will be creating a steampunk wedding fashion show for Tulsa's first indie wedding show--Marry Me Indie! Mark June 1st on your calendar! There will be 30 vendors, a fashion show, a surprise (wish I could tell you it's so good!), and grab bags! I have been so inspired and already created a number of pieces. I'll be fashioning looks for a Royal Steampunk Wedding--think pearls, lace, gears & soft golden brass, and vintage rhinestones and you're only halfway there! Here's a sneak peek at what I've been making for you ladies...

And don't think I forgot you gents--I'll have more steampunked bow ties and accessories in lieu of your more traditional menswear pieces--cufflinks, tie clips, and boutonnieres! Here's a little preview...I really love these boutinneres! They're made with brass construction co. tags, pins, bits of blue ribbon, gray pearls, and the piece de resistance--vintage cigar labels! Here are a few more things I have in store for you gents--

Check out the Marry Me Indie website for updates & more details! Can't wait for June 1st!

Style Me Steampunk, Simple Romance

I love steampunk fashion & accessories–in fact, I love these 2 things so much that I cannot relegate them solely to cons, shows, or Halloween. “Style me Steampunk” is a series of blog posts on how to infuse your everyday wardrobe with a steampunk flair. From dressy to casual, office appropriate attire to outfits you can wear when you paint the town red–I will offer up ideas for outfits that will hopefully inspire some of you to dip into your closet and get creative! Style No. 3: Simple Romance

My mom bought me these lovely tapestry Victorian style high heeled boots for Christmas and it's been challenging trying to place them with the right outfit. Most of us steampunkers have fantastic shoes; however, with other statement steampunk wear the overall look is too costume-y for everyday dress. My advice to you, when you just feel like wearing your steampunk style footwear (or really any other statement piece you own & would love to wear more) is this--let that piece be your only statement. The rest of your outfit should compliment it and also be understated. Basically, keep it simple.

For instance, my boots have an intricate floral pattern so I avoided patterns elsewhere on my clothing. I chose a pale pink dress paired with a charcoal gray knit sweater. (And because I like my outfits a little funky, I wore some brown argyle tights to pick up the brown hue of my boots' soles).

Accessories are always a must! I wore very simple and dainty jewelry--a pair of washer & pearl earrings and a single cog necklace on fine chain. With statement pieces, avoid wearing statement jewelry as it may make you look costume-y.

I like to call this overall look "Simple Romance" because I feel feminine, dainty, and simply elegant.

To Re-Create this Look:

• Victorian Style Boots (Mine were made by a fabulous shoe company called Poetic License; the style is "Lady Victoria")
• Chiffon pink dress (I purchased mine from H&M years ago)
• Gray sweater (purchased from Converse, and they are currently on sale)
• Tights (to match your boots)
• Simple steampunk jewelry (which you can purchase from my Etsy shop)

This look would be perfect for Valentine's Day which is just around the corner!

Style me Steampunk

I love steampunk fashion & accessories–in fact, I love these 2 things so much that I cannot relegate them solely to cons, shows, or Halloween. “Style me Steampunk” is a series of blog posts on how to infuse your everyday wardrobe with a steampunk flair. From dressy to casual, office appropriate attire to outfits you can wear when you paint the town red–I will offer up ideas for outfits that will hopefully inspire some of you to dip into your closet and get creative! Style me Steampunk: The Steampunk Ballerina

This is one of my favorite outfits--it's comfortable and easy to move around in while also not sacrificing style or a theatrical flair.  I call this look the steampunk ballerina because, to me, it resembles much of the dress that Victorian ballerinas donned on stage.

Victorian Ballerinas wore longer skirts than our modern day ballerinas (hitting roughly the shins, as depicted above) in addition they also wore corsets (or corset-resembling tops).

To re-create this look, you'll need:

• Fossil Black Tulle Skirt (there are a number of clothing companies that have similar style skirts right now. They are en vogue this Winter)
• Ballet flats (I particularly love ballet flats that have ankle straps or are a fusion of ballet flats and mary janes)

• Corset t-shirt (I purchased mine from CarouselInk on Etsy--here's a link to the t-shirt. Side note on the t-shirt: it runs true to size and will not shrink when you wash it.)
• Steampunk Jewelry (made mine! Check out my Etsy shop for bling of your own)

Costume Option: If you wanted to turn this look into a costume for a con or a party it's simple. Put on some elbow length gloves (preferably matching the color of your skirt & flats) and artfully weave flowers in your hair. Maybe even grab a fan for flirty good measure or like Marie Taglioni, you too can be a fairy with some cheap pantyhose wings (spruce 'em up and draw gears & cogs on them and then glue rhinestones over your drawn lines)!

You can't see it because it's covered by my other hand but when I entered The Girlie Show in OKC they marked my hand with an "X"--it perfectly matched the color of my cuff. I had a beautiful golden X and was serendipitously styled that day!  Have fun creating this look, wear it fiercely!

Style me Steampunk

I love steampunk fashion & accessories--in fact, I love these 2 things so much that I cannot relegate them solely to cons, shows, or Halloween. "Style me Steampunk" is a new series of blog posts that I'll be writing on how to infuse your everyday wardrobe with a steampunk flair. From dressy to casual, office appropriate attire to outfits you can wear when you paint the town red--I will offer up ideas for outfits that will hopefully inspire some of you to dip into your closet and get creative!

Style me Steampunk: Comfy & Casual, the Adventurer's Ensemble

• Hiking pants, rolled up to accentuate the boots
• Mossimo Supply Co. Wool Ankle Boots
• Black Converse vest
• Grey T-Shirt

This outfit alone would not be steampunk were it not for the accessories. Choose your accessories thoughtfully. The outfit I am wearing is ready for adventure. Accenting this aspect of the clothing, and further creating my outfit's character--the adventurer, I wore a black leather compass bracelet, simple black button & washer earrings, and a time traveler's necklace (on black chain).

Matching your accessories and jewelry (each of my pieces were either all black or had an element of black in them) to an article of clothing (in this case, the black Converse vest) can help make your outfit more cohesive.

Not all steampunk outfits have to be over-the-top, as this casual, comfortable (and travel friendly might I add) look proves.