Monday, October 11, 2010

R.I.P. steampunk

Seriously. You know the trend is dead when Halloween Express has a line of Steampunk-themed costumes and accessories.

This has got to be my favorite.



Let's see... You're Steampunk Spock dressed as Dracula at a goth rave! Right?

I know it's not any more ridiculous that the generic-Goth wigs they sell in those places, or all the slut-bunny costumes that get pushed on women. But it kind of highlights the problem with "Steampunk" as a subculture, namely: you can't extrapolate from steam-age technology or aesthetics if you don't start there in the first place. (We won't even talk about Victorian ethics!)

Frankly, a pair of Steampunk goggles mass-produced in plastic may be the definition of irony. If you want a pair of goggles, go buy a repurposed vintage pair from some artist on Etsy.

Better yet, hit the antique malls and make 'em yourself.

5 comments:

AJ Milne said...

Let's see... You're Steampunk Spock dressed as Dracula at a goth rave! Right?

(Cackles...)

There is really nothing in the world that cannot be ruined by cheesy, injection-moulded plastic.

Holly said...

yea, verily.

Shirley, surely said...

Somewhat, no, *very*, disheartening for those of us who do it "right." Holly, f'r instance, in her Victorian creations, or me, in my yarn-y creations. Machine-spun ackrylic has taken the place, largely, of the stuff that handmakers create, largely to our deficit. It's incumbent on us to help folks understand what/how we're making our things, and why we don't just "get it at Walmart."

Miranda Mayer said...

OMG, that is HILARIOUS. I am SO sick of Steampunk and Dieselpunk and every other kind of punk. Most of my costuming friends are dressing up as Nazis (the ladies are wearing uniform coats with only lacy underwear, stockings and garters) and thinking themselves most innovative and awesome. Ugh... it's moronic.

Holly said...

I hate to say it, but *I'm* starting to flinch every time I see the word "Steampunk." Which is bad, because I'm about to start shopping a Weird West/Gothic Western novel--which will probably be marketed as steampunk.

Sigh.