Thrift Steampunk: What To Find and Where
Now that I have destroyed about three-quarters of most steampunks’ wardrobes let’s replenish them – and on a budget too. At most conventions, if you can’t find me at the fashion show, you can find me in a panel giving a talk either about steampunk fashion or wardrobe on a budget.
Our first stop will be the thrift store. At a thrift store you look for the basic things that can be worn with other more specialized things and a lot of these things can also double for everyday work .
I suggest the fallowing:
~Pants: Dress pants, not jeans. I really like stripes. There is a way to put stripes on solid color pants for those who cannot sew and I will follow up with that link.
~Shirts : Usually a button up shirt, you can take the collar off and make it a band collar. You will find a lot in tans and browns. There is a difference between an 80’s grandma shirt and a Victorian style shirt. Pay attention to texture, structure, and fiber content. Polyester is a no-no, cotton has more structure to it. Look for a shirt that has darts and tucks and a waistline.
~Skirts : So many opinions. The easiest to use and hardest to find are long full or A-line skirts. Be careful of prom dress skirts. They have a habit of looking cheap and not working for less formal wear. You can make really great Dieselpunk outfits with pencil skirts.
~Suspenders: Men, listen up, this will save you a lot of time especially in the summer. Get button suspenders, get a nice shirt and take off the collar to make it a band collar and put some buttons on a pair of pants [the right way to put on suspender buttons: on the back seam sew buttons 1 ½ inches on either side of the seam. Sew through all layers of fabric. In the front, find the front belt loops, sew buttons 1 ½ inch on each side of the loops and tada suspender buttons.] Bam, insta- outfit.
~Belts: leather, military, – so many options, it really depends on the style of your outfit.
Now this next part are just things to look for and it is totally ok if you want to make these things or custom order or buy on line but sometimes you can find these things as a thrift store.
~Hats (sometimes) Really just page boy hats
~Boots (sometimes) Often in odd sizes.
~Coats (sometimes)
~Vests (sometimes) Look for colorful shiny fabrics with a high stance (neckline.)
~Fabrics (such as curtains for bustles)
You are also looking at a good time to shop at places like TJ Maxx, Kohl’s, Target, AJ Wright, Marshals, etc. because a lot of fall fashion has become very military and Victorian based.
Some people don’t believe me, so here I have compiled some of the clothes I have found at Savers. This is only one shopping trip and a couple of things I could not find anyone to fit. These examples show no styling and were taken with a smart phone.
Image 1: A sweet pink ruffle shirt and a relatively high stance vest.
Image 2: A nice red ruffle shirt just switch out the buttons and it is perfect.
Image 3: With some modifications this military inspired jacket will make a great basis for a military uniform.
Image 4: A nice powder blue shirt and an awesome Aviator inspired olive colored jacket.
Image 5: It looks much better in better in person. This brown jacket has a nice little rushing along the edge, an excellent accent.
Image 6: Do I need to tell you what we are looking at here? Cute military-esque short jacket… sorry ladies – I bought this one!
Image 7: This pair of striped pants with a nice vest or corset… sigh, I love these pants…Oh and an essential white ruffle shirt.
Image 8: Another pair of cute pants… can you tell I love striped pants? She is also sporting a cute ruffle short jacket.
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Ladies and Gentlemen, I need your help. Joann’s is having a contest for National Sewing Month, and there are lots of prizes. The money would really help my business. I don’t know what to choose. I am setting up a special folder for costumes made with Joann’s material on my Redfield account. I like all of my designs but what I think is really cool Joann’s might not. Please HELP by voting here: https://www.facebook.com/
