Tag Archives: hat

Define: “Steampunk”…

24 Jun

SteampunkCartoon“Steampunk is…a joyous fantasy of the past, allowing us to revel in a nostalgia for what never was. It is a literary playground for adventure, spectacle, drama, escapism and exploration. But most of all it is fun!” ― George Mann

From the Oxford dictionary:
steampunk
Pronunciation: /ˈstēmˌpəNGk/
1.1 A style of design and fashion that combines historical elements with anachronistic technological features inspired by science fiction:
the essence of steampunk is homage to vintage fashion with a modern, sassy twist.

I don’t think without a proper dictionary definition, the steampunk style could be understood. Even with the definition? It’s hard to process. Anyone directly in the alternative world of fashion and design may get it. But many on the outside looking in may be baffled. I tend to think of it like this: take a Harry Potter style, give it a punk edge with some designer style and you are on your way to a steampunk look.

Steampunk is definitely not front and center in the glamour & fashion world. In fact, it’s a little underground which makes it that much more eclectic and romantic. It is definitely built around the individual and each look is unique. No one goes into Macy’s and asks for the steampunk section of the store. But that doesn’t mean you can get a look there either.

As my fire-spinning evolves, so does my look. I find myself looking at things that I like, with an edgy flair, and a mystical aura. Do I still love my Manolos? Hell yeah. But you might find them next to a pair of worn black suede combat boots with wired taffeta laces. What can I say? Style is about individuality. That’s why I love this industry.

So you want to look at some steampunk inspired items? I happen to like these items when I’ve got the S-punk urge:

Makeup: Because steampunk is a genre which embraces individuality, no makeup look is right or wrong. There are a few things that can give your look more of an edge than a general look.
**Dark lips are always a plus. Heavy outlined lips, true red lip colors or black matte lipsticks or glosses are a nice look.
**Stenciled designs such as gears, feathers and scrolls around the eye/temple area is cool. You can also find temporary tattoos to give you this look. Enhance them with black or metallic liner for an extra pop.
**Dark gold or copper eyeshadow is a MUST! And the more sparkle and glitter, the better. Add a touch of glittery black liner for a deep look. A touch of the shadow in the middle of your bottom lip looks awesome too.
Sassy Likes: Eye Kandy Cosmetics Eye Kandy Glitter in Taffy (Copper Penny), $7.50; Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in “Outlaw”, $20.00 – Sephora

Clothes: Take a mixture of the Victorian era romance, elements from the Industrial Revolution from the 1800’s and a hint of the post-apocalyptic era and you may have an idea of what the general steampunk look is like. The key is individualism–wear what you feel comfortable in and feel it represents the style that reflects you. Key pieces to look for are long, flowing dresses, regal jackets and bodices, ruffled and/or lacy tops, unleveled hemmed skirts and more. I advise people to look at what other steampunk lovers wear and see what jumps out at them. Remember to try before you buy. What is good for some may not be good for you. Looking at styles presently in your closet may give you an idea of what types of s’punk clothes might interest you… if any! It may not be for you, but if it is, there are lots of places to shop. Start with your local thrift and consignment shops. You’d be surprised what treasures you may find there. You can even find a base and embellish it the way you want. If you are looking for something specific, there are several online stores that offer options such as SteampunkEmporium.com, pyramidcollection.com or my favorite rebelsmarket.com
Sassy Likes: Rebel’s Market Black Corset & Buckles Halter Top, $32.40; Belladonna Corset, $44.95 – goodgoth.com

 

Accessories: Your steampunk look most likely will never be ordinary but accessories can help take it to another level. These items can fall into categories that range from head to toe. They include hats, boots, jewelry and everything in between. When it comes to jewelry, the key thing to look for is bronze. Not necessarily the metal but the color! Necklaces and bracelets with old keys, buckles and chains are a perfect add-on. Chokers made of lace, velvet or leather accented with gems, gears, keys and locks are a pretty pick as well. Boots are a popular choice for footwear. All boot heights including knee high lace up, mid-calf with buckles or low Mary Janes are always popular. When it comes to shoes, dark colors of lace, velvet or leather look fab. And those cute mini hats are always cool if you can pull them off!
Sassy Likes: Necklaces from @Fishscalecreations on Etsy; UGG “Simmens” leather boots, $169.95 – Nordstrom; Steampunk Velvet Top Hat, $19.95 -yandy.com; Black leather metal studded fingerless gloves, $22.00 – rebelsmarket.com

Row

If punk is a little extreme for you ladies but still want to stand out from the crowd, see if the individuality of the steampunk genre is your cup of tea (or poison). If you would like to know more about the why’s, who’s and what’s, check out the links below to give you more information. And as always…. keep me posted on your finds, looks, styles and so on. I’d love to see and share!!

www.steamfashion.livejournal.com: This link gives you a LOT of information. What steampunk is, your individual style, plus it’s history. A great start.

www.pennlive.com: If you want to master a steampunk look or costume, this is a great tool. I love how it talks about the recycling aspect of the look. It doesn’t have to be new, especially since the theme is Victorian based anyways.

thesteampunkempire.com: I love the fact that this is a discussion group that addresses questions you might have. The contributors are people just like you and me that need answers too!

Enjoy and be Steamsavvy, Sassinistas!!
Stopwatch Fierce

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Bad Hair? To Hat With It!

26 Mar


Okay, tell me if this scenario sounds familiar to you at all:

You get up for the day. You give yourself just the right amount of time to shower, dress, put on makeup, do hair and be out of the house with time to spare. But as you grab your towel for the shower, you remember you have to make a call. Should just take a minute. One minute turns to five, which tuns to ten which turns into getting dressed while still on the phone because you know if you don’t start getting ready now, you’ll never make it. You push a brush across your teeth, spitting in between sentences. Finally, you hang up, put on the bare necessities of makeup, grab a body spritz, walk through a quick shower of it, and head for the door, already a few minutes too late. You give yourself a quick look in the mirror and almost faint at the sight.

….. oh that hair. Ugh.

Have no fear, the hats are here. About a year ago, I discovered I didn’t really look like a frog under a mushroom like my mother always told me I did when I wore a hate growing up. I look pretty decent in a hat. And since I’ve embraced that fact, I love wearing them. They are the perfect accessory to the somewhat “blah” outfit, when a neutral ensemble needs a pop of color, or… like today… when the hair has no hope and the more you can hide of it, the better!

There are lots of different styles of hats out there: floppy hats, fedoras, bucket hats, berets, cadet hats, cowboy hats, and my absolute favorite… the newsboy hat. Not every hat style looks good on every person. I look fun and flirty in a newsboy or cadet hat. I look like a doofus in a floppy hat or a fedora. A lot has to do with the shape of your face, your height, your body shape and the style of your hair. If wearing a hat is an accessory you’d like to add to your fashion ensemble, I suggest you take some time (and a friend!) and go to a large department store like Macy’s or JC Penney’s and try a bunch on to see what you and your friend think look the best.

I find I have the best luck at TJ Maxx & Marshalls when I want a new hat. They always have a great selection in all different styles, sizes and colors. It’s where I got my very first hat… a black/white checkered cap… and I always browse when I’m at their stores to see if anything new has come in that jazzes my interest. In total, I currently own seven hats: two black, one black and white, one tan, one purple, one ivory and one grey & silver. My grey/silver and tan hats are my fave. In fact, the tan is the one I grabbed today when my hair was just not publicly presentable. It is very stylish, a tad sassy, and fits awesome. Perfect for a windy day like today was too.

Even though you are going to pretty much hide most of your head with the hat, make sure you give your hair a good brushing first, getting out all the snarls. If you have a lot of static electricity, spray your hands with a good glossing spray (Like my favorite, Garnier Fructis Style Brilliantine Shine Glossing Spray) and calm down the frizzies. Make sure your bangs hang respectably if you have any, and give your whole head a QUICK, LIGHT spray with hairspray. Finally, grab your hat, look in a mirror and put it on, making sure all looks good. There ya go! Not only did you just up your fashion level a star or two but you also saved your less-than-perfect hair AND saved yourself from being late for your appointment.

Take advantage of this awesome fashion accessory. Check out the large stores online and do some research on what you might think will grab you. Keep in mind the entire outfit, including shoes, jewelry and colors…. then go hat crazy!!

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