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Steampunk Ladies & Gentlemen of Leisure
Some of the most popular character types and styles seen within the Steampunk world include the poshest of ladies and gentlemen, the aristocrats and landed gentry who have no need to work for a living. For them, work is for other people. These lucky few are the Ladies and Gentlemen of Leisure. They spend their days looking splendid at the clubs and spas, and nights at all the best theatres and gala balls, promenading the latest couture from London or Paris. They love to be seen and admired. Their lives are an endlessly glittering social circuit. They are the socialites of Mayfair with a country estate in the Shires; and are town and country to the core.
Here we see typical Victorian upper-class day wear, characterised by frock coats, cravats, and typically, top hats for men; whilst the ladies wear beautiful, richly detailed long skirts with bustles, their figures sculpted by boned corsets to create a perfect hourglass look, all topped off most often with broad brimmed hats decorated with floral arrangements, ribbons, or feathers. Both male and female attire show exquisite bespoke tailoring.
The Steampunk Aristo whilst adopting the general shape and form of the conventional attire of the period will introduce interesting variations in texture and material, perhaps using an iridescent colour changing fabric for the frock coat or dress.
The Victorians loved bold deep colours, it was a sign of wealth and advantage to have fabrics in rich colourful hues. The Steampunk should not be afraid of colour but rich, deep, earthy hues and colours that reflect the natural world often work best. Express individuality by introducing anachronism. The devil is always in the detail, this is the Steampunk way.
Many Victorians admired the Regency socialite George ‘Beau’ Brummell who was the pre-eminent Dandy of his day; and Steampunk Dandies follow suit to this day, but a word to the wise. Just so you know, Brummell fell out with his great friend and sponsor, the Prince Regent, the future King George IV. As a consequence Brummell fled to France, and died shabby and insane in Caen. Being a Dandy has its risks as well as rewards.
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