Steampunk Explorer

So 2010 after I finished all the stuff for the Ren Faire has turned into the year of "cool costumes from %*@^ pulled from my closet." Most of them being "clothes" and not so much "costumes" really I don't think they are worthy of being in the gallery--especially since while not purchased together the components were all store bought. For example my growing WWII civilian kit is made up of primarily vintage dresses and modern pieces with vintage cuts. Or my Cyphan "character" born out of pieces of one of my suits, a dress shirt and an old store bought corset--that apparently made quite the impression.

Anyway, here is yet another outfit in that vein. This one is going up because it required more planning from the wardrobe than the others and it was for Halloween and Steampunk events going forward.

In no particular order we have: brown suiting twill skirt patterned off of one of my 1940s skirts--and the only actual build in the entire project. A brown button down and black boots from my work wardrobe. One of my husband's black ties. Vintage leather gloves I bought a few years ago. A tweed jacket found at a vintage store (probably from the 60s or something) that is almost the same cut as the Truly Victorian 1883 riding jacket that I had planned on making--$20 and a perfect fit seemed like an excellent trade off! The hat is from The Blonde Swan purchased two or three years ago. While not seen in the picture a black under-bust corset is worn under the jacket. Add in some of my civil war jewelry and the brass civil war binoculars, bake at 350 for 20 minutes and presto, perfectly serviceable Steampunk in a pinch.

Photo taken by Mike Bollow.