Clockpunk, Georgian, and Revolutionary Era Steampunk Fashion

Let me begin by saying that if the true historical “age of steam” is the only historical era from which Steampunk Fashion can be derived, then we have already undermined most, if not all previous definitions of the genre, as there is nothing fictional or even science fictional about any of it at that juncture.  Steampunk is about Victorian era views of possible futures combined with modern re-imaginings of the past, and not a fascist like strict adherence to much of anything!
On the other hand, if attire is taken from a specific era, it makes sense to denote it as such.  The time period and attire this article is about is often referred to as “Clockpunk” rather than Steampunk in reference to the centuries when clockwork gears were the highest order of science in that day, and for fashions where gears and such mechanisms are more prominent than references to the machines from the industrial age of steam.

Steampunk; however, as a term, could easily apply to the century, or even two centuries prior to the 1800s, because it is science fiction written about technology that appears a bit early for it's time, and frankly, steam engines were invented by Archemedes in Greece around 260 BC.  They just didn't have good enough metallurgy and gas law knowledge to build a sufficiently strong boiler to or pistons to make full use of it yet.  In the age of powerful iron Cannons; however, they could have very easily brought about the full power of steam as early as say, the American and/or French Revolutions, also referred to as the Georgian Era.  As such I make no apology for referring to Georgian Attire, if used in a steampunk setting and mixed with Steampunk accoutrement, as being a definite form of "Steampunk Fashion".  This is especially true when using Steampunk fictional works as the basis for it's original design and usage. 

This is all the more appropriate in light of the fact that some elements of that clothing style continued in men's formal wear and in military Uniforms, especially Naval Uniforms of High Ranking Officers well into the early years of the Victorian Era.  This is not surprising as formal Victorian Attire has been worn, in non Steampunk settings, in my own lifetime now.  I know  Victorian Tuxedos are still in use and am considering purchasing such an item for the exact purpose of subtly bringing more of myself into mainstream events such as weddings.  I actually wore a very Victorian era Union Cavalry officer’s uniform design which was standard formal dress for all officers in the US Army 1^st Cav. Division!

I also have fashion history books that show clothing very similar to what Ben Franklin and George Washington wore demonstrated as wealthy attire for Gentlemen around 1810.  As such, it is important that people recognize that styles of dress were not uniform throughout the era and certainly not in all parts of the world during that era. 

I have heard the time period prior to the Victorian era referred to as the Renaissance Era, but at least in terms of fashions, this must be broken down much further at least into several different centuries or it might be thought to include everything from 1500s forward until the Age of Enlightenment.   We specialize in Naval costumes from a variety of centuries, but when I looked up the technical terms in "History of Fashion", the time period between 1600 AD to 1900 includes first Baroque, then the age of enlightenment, and finally the "Revolutionary Period" when sympathizers with the French revolution everywhere began adopting bicorn hats, instead of tricorn, or turning their tricorn hat backwards so as to avoid being confused with the rich guys headed to the guillotine. They also changed many other clothing styles including a great increase in striped pants.

This time period, the 100 years prior to the age of Queen Victoria, is also referred to simply as the Georgian Era, in honor of the series of monarchs who were all named King George that ruled one after another during that century in England.  I often wear things often associated with the "Golden Age of Caribean Piracy" mixed with very military naval attire from that general period. I just enjoy clothing more that doesn't look similar to something I could pull off the rack at my local thrift store and put together in an older style.  Enlightenment era through Georgian/Revolutionary  Era clothing includes things like knee britches or in some time periods and areas "pantaloons (which I love for comfort, coolness in Texas, and ease to sew), which started going out of style around 1900 (though not completely for formal wear), thigh length elaborate vests, and a different style of coat.  Older styles of Kilts are also very appropriate additions to this type of wardrobe and suit the time period well. 

The point of all this, in my opinion at least, is avoid overly facist classification and to encourage and support Steampunk’s original focus on individual creativity and recycling or upcycling of things that have become devalued into something that is once again beautiful and useful once again.  In the process of this we can find that we make the same sort of re-creation and rebirth of creativity in ourselves as well!

See the full article article at

http://artofsteampunk.blogspot.com/2010/09/georgian-aka-revolutionary-era.html

Ramon Fagan, LCSW (aka “Admiral” Ramon Leon del Mar) writes articles and reviews for 5 different online Steampunk magazines as well as for his blog at http://artofsteampunk.blogspot.com        

He also writes fiction, songs, short comedic plays, and educational books and articles about world religion and cultures for other outlets.  “Admiral” Ramon is also the leader of “Kali’s Hourglass”, a nautical oriented Steampunk/Clockpunk performance art troupe, organizer for the DFW Clockpunks and Renpunks Group , co-administrator for the North Texas Steampunks Facebook Website, , and an alternate administrator for the Steampunk Illumination Society website.