Steampunk is the name of a relatively new genre of science fiction, becoming much more popular in the 1980’s and 1990’s and growing in popularity today. It is a genre that takes a great deal of influence from Victorian era England. Everything from cultural practices to clothing to architecture is very heavily influenced by the Victorian era.
The technology is especially notable in this genre, as it differs from the technology today. Steampunk Costumes There are often things like dirigibles and analog computers as opposed to airplanes and our modern computers. There is a somewhat underground enchantment with aesthetics, including fashion. While steampunk clothes often have a very Victorian flare to them, they tend to also have aspects of modern fashion. Women’s clothes in this genre often incorporate corsets and petticoats, while men’s steampunk clothes mey have a Victorian military flare.
Steampunk clothes tends to be lighter and easier to move around in for both males and females. The clothing also tends to have a slightly more rugged feel, due to the fact that most of the technology in this genre is powered by steam and coal. Therefore it is not so unusual if clothes are darker colors with the presumption that it would hide coal soot better. One may often see a steampunk outfit involving goggles and leather, goggles to keep soot from the eyes and leather to make sure the outfit lasts.