Deborah Chan
Steampunk is a unique wedding theme that allows for creativity and flexibility. If you're looking to turn a wedding dress into a steampunk costume, there are several ways to go about it. You could consider adding a coloured steampunk corset over the dress for a burlesque-inspired look, or piling on the tulle for a fairytale steampunk twist. Adding accessories like long gloves, a top hat, a choker, and a pocket watch can also help achieve the steampunk aesthetic. For a more dramatic look, you could even modify the dress by adding a black bustle at the back and black stiff netting around the shoulders. Whether you're the bride, a bridesmaid, or a guest, with some creativity and improvisation, you can transform a wedding dress into a stunning steampunk costume.
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What You'll Learn
Add a coloured corset
Adding a coloured corset is a great way to turn a wedding dress into a steampunk costume. Steampunk fashion draws inspiration from Victorian England, so consider a tight, full-skirted dress with a coloured corset on top. You can also add a black bustle at the back and black stiff netting around the shoulders for a dramatic effect.
Corsets are a staple of steampunk fashion, and adding one over a traditional wedding dress can create a burlesque-inspired look. Consider a coloured corset that contrasts with the dress to make it stand out. You can also add steampunk accessories like a pocket watch, goggles, or a top hat to complete the look.
If you want to go the extra mile, invest in some long gloves to go with your coloured corset. Chokers and lace vintage dresses are also a great addition to your steampunk costume. For a more affordable option, consider a simple lace dress in traditional white or ivory, which can be easily found and is no less romantic.
For bridesmaids, corsets and other leather elements can be incorporated into their outfits, such as shoes and boots. As for the groom, a leather jacket would fit perfectly into a steampunk suit, along with a top hat and goggles.
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Accessorise with goggles, gloves, and a top hat
To turn a wedding dress into a steampunk costume, accessorising with goggles, gloves, and a top hat is a must. These iconic accessories will instantly add an air of Victorian industrial fashion to your look.
Let's start with goggles. Goggles are a staple accessory in steampunk fashion and can be worn in a variety of ways. You can opt for the classic style of wearing them on top of your head, perched on the brim of your top hat. This look is especially striking if the goggles are attached to the hat, as some commercially available options offer. Alternatively, you can wear the goggles in the traditional way, over your eyes, for a more functional aesthetic. If you're feeling creative, you could even make your own goggles from painted fabric and gears crafted from painted cardboard.
Moving on to gloves, leather is the material of choice for steampunk fashion. Leather gloves will add an elegant and sophisticated touch to your costume. Look for gloves that extend beyond the wrist to add drama and intrigue to your outfit.
Finally, the top hat. This accessory is a hallmark of steampunk style and is typically paired with goggles, as mentioned above. Opt for a classic black or brown top hat, or go for a unique twist with a velvet option. Some top hats even come with removable goggles, offering versatility and convenience.
By incorporating these key accessories, you'll be well on your way to transforming your wedding dress into a stunning steampunk costume. Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different combinations of goggles, gloves, and top hats to find the perfect ensemble.
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Add a bustle and netting
Steampunk is a style, a lifestyle, and a philosophy that takes inspiration from 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery. The aesthetic often incorporates elements of the Victorian era, the Wild West, and Gothic fashion.
To turn a wedding dress into a steampunk costume, adding a bustle and netting is a great idea. Here's how you can do it:
Choosing the Fabric
The first step is to choose the right fabric for your bustle. Consider the colour, texture, and amount of fabric you will need. For a steampunk look, black fabric is a popular choice, and you'll likely need around 2 to 5 yards, depending on the fullness you desire.
Ruching and Measuring
Next, you'll want to measure the widest part of your hips and add about an inch to ensure a comfortable fit. Fold the fabric in half with the backside facing out. Mark the middle point, which will be the edges of your waist. Draw lines from these marks to the outside bottom edge of the fabric. Pin the fabric along each line, about half an inch away, and then do a basic running stitch, pulling the thread tight at the end. Ensure your stitches are even and large for proper draping.
Creating the Bustle
Now, grab the back of the skirt in the middle and fold it into a point. Sew this point to the centre of the bustle, tucking in any unfinished edges. You can sew a decorative item, like a brass button, over the stitch to hide it. Put on your bustle and skirt and use safety pins to secure the front hemline to the front of the dress, near your waist. You may also need to pin the waist to hold it up.
Adding Netting
To add netting to your steampunk costume, consider using stiff black netting around the shoulders. This will create a dramatic effect and complement the bustle. You can adjust the length of the netting to your preference, perhaps going for a knee-length front and a longer back.
Accessories
Complete your steampunk look with accessories like a corset, a fob watch, cogs, and medals. Steampunk often involves technological accessories, so feel free to add timepieces, clocks, or even flying goggles to your ensemble.
By following these steps and adding a bustle and netting, you can transform a wedding dress into a unique and eye-catching steampunk costume.
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Sew on gears and keys
To turn a wedding dress into a steampunk costume, sewing on gears and keys can be a great way to incorporate the steampunk aesthetic. This is because steampunk is often associated with the Victorian era, a period of invention, so gears, clocks, and keys are commonly used in steampunk costumes.
When choosing gears and keys to sew onto your wedding dress, consider using a variety of sizes and shapes to create visual interest. You can find gears and keys in craft stores or online, or you can cut them out of chipboard or other materials using a Cricut Maker or similar cutting machine. If you want to add some extra shine or colour, you can paint the gears and keys before sewing them on. Try using a combination of black, brown, and metallic paints to give them an old, vintage look, or use gold foil iron-on for a more glamorous effect.
When attaching the gears and keys to the dress, consider their placement carefully. Sewing them onto the skirt, bodice, or sleeves of the dress can create a striking look. You can also add gears and keys to accessories like hats, hairpieces, or belts to tie the whole costume together. If you're feeling creative, you can even design your own patterns or cut files for the gears and keys to make them truly unique.
Remember to choose a dress that complements the steampunk style. A wedding dress with a tight corset, full skirt, and lots of frills can be a great base for a steampunk costume. With some creativity and careful planning, you can transform your wedding dress into a one-of-a-kind steampunk creation.
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Create a steampunk bouquet
Steampunk is a unique style that can be challenging to find in costume stores, so you may need to get creative and make your own steampunk bouquet. Etsy has a wide selection of steampunk bouquets, but if you're feeling crafty, you can try making one yourself.
To create a steampunk bouquet, you can use a variety of materials such as iridescent glass ornaments, copper wire, leather, metal gears, and feathers. These elements come together to form a stunning and unique bouquet that embodies the steampunk aesthetic.
When designing your bouquet, consider incorporating a mix of textures and colours to make it visually appealing. You can also add some shine and sparkle with glass ornaments or rhinestones. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even include watch parts, gears, and cogs for an authentic steampunk touch.
For a more personal touch, you can make your bouquet out of paper flowers using book pages or sheet music for a literary-themed wedding. This adds a sentimental and romantic element to your bouquet, especially if you choose a book that holds special meaning for you.
Creating a steampunk bouquet requires some time and effort, but the result is a one-of-a-kind accessory that will perfectly complement your steampunk wedding dress and leave a lasting impression.
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Frequently asked questions
The steampunk style is inspired by Victorian England, with elements like corsets, full skirts, frills, leather, goggles, and pocket watches.
You can add a black bustle, black stiff netting around the shoulders, and a pomander/fob watch attached to the corset. Long gloves, a top hat, a choker, and goggles are other accessories to consider.
You can cut the dress to make it knee-length in the front and long in the back. You can also add a coloured steampunk corset over the dress for a burlesque-inspired look.
You can find reasonably priced steampunk accessories, like goggles and pocket watches, on Amazon.
