After I looked at my size in the Ann Taylor/LOFT category the other day, I checked out the offerings people had listed under "Anthropologie"--and was completely blown away by the fabulous options there! Keep in mind, I am only looking for size 6 (or sometimes M, but that designation does not usually find the nicest pieces--junior and/or cheaper brands go by S, M, L while nicer labels generally use number sizes), so if you like something, just try searching for it under your own size. Consider my posts a sampling of what is out there--and maybe my research will help you score your own find.
So, here you go--a bounty of beautiful neo-Victorian shapes, and a decadence of delightful detail:
I love the texture along the front and edging. Feminine, but not fussy. It works so well in this bone--the color brings out the ruffle and shoulder details. This is the kind of jacket that is perfect for dress up/dress down, and would also perfectly complement other Steampunk wardrobe elements. And I can picture it with long skirts, short full skirts and knee boots, or khakis, or jeans. So much versatility.
Too bad the other photos from this seller seem to show this jacket is a little too boxy in shape--a waist-fitted silhouette is more Victorian--but I just love the creative fabric "bunting" along the front and bottom of the jacket, esp. paired with the smooth strips of trim. The color is beautiful too; if only this jacket had just a little more form I might be in love with it.
What another beautiful pairing of delicate texture and color. This olive is also so great for Steampunk--and this jacket would also look good with either long or short skirts. And I like that you could make a neo-Victorian look very simply with this jacket--the way it lays you would not need to fuss about an appropriate blouse but just wear a cami and call it a day. But the lady who wears this for a Steampunk look really would need her hair up--any hair falling past the shoulders would just detract from the jacket's elegant line.
This jacket would be nothing special if it were not for the sweet soft ruffle and how well it complements this particular shade of green.
It is hard to tell the fabric of this jacket by the photo--is that linen or very bleached lightweight denim? If the latter. . . shudder. Let's hope it is linen. This is not my favorite jacket of the bunch, but I like how casual it is; this is another jacket you could throw over jeans and a white T-shirt for instant elegance, but with the right pieces it could be Steampunk. I can't even tell exactly what color that is--gray? Light blue? That makes it hard to mentally work into a specifically Steampunk look. But if light blue, it could look terrific with coppery accessories and a rust long skirt. If gray, I would go with more chocolate brown for the bottom half, or perhaps olive. So much depends upon the sheen of the fabric and the actual color.
This is another fairly simple style of jacket, but I really like the subtle flare at the hip and the distressed ruffled piping on the lapel.
This one is the plainest of the bunch, but a great color for Steampunk, and a great practical shape for a modern Adventuress.
You would probably never put this jacket into a Steampunk post, for understandable reasons. It's pink. It's uber-feminine. It looks like eyelet, for heaven's sake. BUT, there are many reasons why someone might want to work such a piece into her Steampunk wardrobe--such as not everyone looks good in the more common Steampunk colors, like brown, black, grey, khaki, tan, copper, rust, etc. And it would get boring to only have those colors in one's closet. And there are many ways how someone could work this jacket into a Steampunk wardrobe, esp. because it is such a pretty pairing
with all those above mentioned "traditionally" Steampunk colors. Imagine it with an above-the-knee tan skirt with a ruffly bustle, and striped cream hosiery (maybe even a little distressed, to offset the good-girlie jacket), and tall, Victorian-heeled beige boots. With a cameo at the neck on a black velvet ribbon!
Also, notice the spacing of the buttons on this jacket could allow a belt to be worn over it--but it would have to be leather, and fall just right between the buttons.
This jacket is very similar in feel to the pink one--and again, it is fun to think about how it could be S'punked. (Did I just invent a word? I think I did.) With this one, if I were daring enough, I would put a black leather waist cincher underneath--the kind that goes from under the breasts to the hips, with a straight lines across the body so it would show just enough both above and below the jacket's closing. But not a tight cincher, that would pinch the waist in--we're going for a smoother front drape. With a white blouse--one that also creates a horizontal line across the body to parallel the cincher, like an embellished camisole, with a soft drape and gather of fabric over the breasts (but not poofing out). Then some kind of lacy neckpiece, and either a dark grey or chocolate brown mid-length skirt with a long ruffle at the bottom hem, and black boots. Oh, and earrings made from Victorian black jet buttons!
Another lovely yet practical design. The ruffles are not too much, and the shape is flattering. I agree with the length of skirt they paired it with in this photo, but it would be so cute with short khaki cargo shorts over striped tights too!
This one is plenty Victorian, but harder to S'punk. I would only put it with tan or beige, or
oh! a long black and white small ticking stripe with a big ruffled bustle in the back! But you would HAVE to swap out the buttons--those are hideous. Even small cream buttons would be better, but a clever girl could make the buttons best suit the other pieces she plans on wearing with it.
This one could be worn with long skirts, but is so flirty I think would look best with shorter skirts. How cute would it be with a floucy black layered skirt with a silky slip of a highly contrasting color underneath, like peacock blue or absinthe green just peeking out? And black textured tights and black heeled ankle boots? The top you would wear underneath would really depend upon the look you were going for, but you could wear a simple camisole that would not compete with accessories, or you could even put a long sleeved black and gray striped knit underneath, to bring out the
punk. This is another jacket that would be better with hair worn up--and some little Steampunk feathered fascinator.
Another short sleeved velvety red jacket--but I had to post a pic because the button detail on the back of the sleeves and on the peplum made me so happy. This is the kind of detail I love.
For a denim jacket, this is just about as Victorian as you can get. I love the ruffle detail, and the darting detail above the pockets. And the buttons are just right--a little railroad flair, and look like real brass.
And for what looks like a warm weather coat, this one has a lovely Victorian shape that would go well over just about any Steampunk outfit.
This one intrigues me too; it channels the darker side of Steampunk. Makes me think of those still, foggy London in nights and quiet footsteps behind that make a lady quicken her own. I see it with long skirts and black boots. And a plumed hat, for the one daring enough to wear one.
So adorable! And look at how the model is wearing it on the left--just make the head and neck pieces more quintessentially Steampunk, wear with appropriate black boots, and right there you have a real-world Steampunk look.
If any of you readers have a different vision for how to S'punk up any of these jackets, I would love to hear it in the comments.
