Thursday, August 18

Torturously alluring

I have been meaning to continue my "Steampunk Style" series for a long time now--focusing posts on steampunk delights for the hair, for the guys, for kids and babies, and even for dining rooms and boudoirs--but as I comb through etsy looking for the best bits to share, I can't help but be diverted by my favorite feminine Steampunk fashion accessory: the corset.

Which, at least on etsy, are typically gorgeous.


Which instantly make a woman--any woman--look more elegant, sexy, interesting and playful.


Which explains why any woman would buy and/or wear one, considering how completely impractical and, let's face it, distinctly uncomfortable they are as articles of clothing.



I mean, c'mon--can you see a mom like me lifting her toddler in any of these, or bending over to help a child tie her shoelaces. . . ?  

Which makes me wonder if Kate Beckinsale had two corsets, which she alternated wearing during the filming of Van Helsing; one to strut in. . .


. . . and one with more "give" to wear during her swashbuckling action scenes.  Because if she really was doing all that running and dodging and sword-swinging in the steel-boned real deal, she is either a wee bit masochistic or demonstrates a dedication to her art that leaves me in awe.

Typically, the steampunk women who put on a corset have nothing more strenuous planned than lifting their parasols or adjusting their goggles--their full intention is simply to stroll around and be marveled at in all their full feminine fabulousness.



Or maybe to roll around and be marveled at. . .


Gothic black corset by labellefairy

But beyond cosplay and foreplay, it seems as if corsets have also become popular for wedding ensembles--a PERFECT use for them, since all a bride wants to do on her wedding day is stand around looking unique and ravishing.  (I wonder if any of them consider the symbolism of taking on such a restricting, self-crushing manifestation of femininity during the ceremony ushering them into matrimony. . . mmmm, probably not.)


Oh, those dresses are fantastic.  Maybe someday when Dear Husband and I celebrate some major wedding anniversary we can have some kind of renewing of the vows ceremony. . . Steampunk style (you better believe DH would be all for it--he's waiting for an excuse to gear-up as much as I).





Especially for a wedding, a corset can be steampunk or not, depending upon the fabric, the colors, and what else the bride is wearing; in fact, neither of these two examples are steampunk to me, just beautiful corsets that would naturally translate to steampunk if they were worn with the right accessories.

Look at the copper shimmer on this corset--so, so pretty, and would be lovely for a formal event, and subtly steampunk all on its own:




On the other hand, some corsets scream Steampunk:



I don't usually go for the macabre Steampunk, but this one manages to be elegant and shows a sense of humor (although I say those ribs look way more comfortable than they would really be in a corset).



Ooooh, I like the pinstriped version of that one even more!




Adorable juxtaposition of straight-laced (ha!) and playful.




Corsets--the painfully playful side of Steampunk.  If I ever have the need for jaw-dropping fantasy clothing--you know, like when I am nominated for an Oscar for that screenplay I am writing,* or when Minnie Zephie's latest line of haute couture children's clothing takes the runway in Milan**--you better believe I'm building my ensemble around a corset. 



*no, really, I am. Or I was before kiddos took over my life ; )

**I have excellent taste and am brimming with ideas.  Now I just need to learn to sew

2 comments:

  1. Corsets are actually not uncomfortable if they're made properly. The difference between off-the-rack and custom made can make a huge difference for some people. (Though I have had poorly made custom ones.)

    Just making sure the ribcage is large enough is where a lot of the breathing and comfort issues develop.

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  2. Min Self, thanks for being the first person to comment here at my Steampunk blog! I am sure you are right about the increased comfort of custom-fit corsets, BUT they are still what they are, and since I am a natural sloucher, I just know I would really enjoy wearing one. . . for about 15 minutes. And would hate sitting in one. (The steel-boned variety, that is.) And I have this thing about bending at the waist too, that I just can't seem to kick. . . ; ) Really, if I ever have a need to stand and look ravishing for a few hours, I know I will gravitate towards a corset look. But until then, I'll just enjoy their beauty and not be much inclined to wear one.

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