Steampunk... ish

I'm not planning to attend a Halloween party this year, but if I were, I'd come up with a steampunk-ish costume. I can't say I'm a fan, but I find the visual elements of the subculture very interesting and inspiring. What's not to love? The subtle muted color palette, the layering, the textures, both the historical and fantasy influences, the whimsical detailed accessories stimulate imagination and make me want to incorporate at least some of these elements into my everyday style. I first heard of steampunk subculture only a few months back when a friend told Justin and I about a festival in Port Townsend which we consider visiting next year. 

I realized that steampunk style brings me back to my childhood. As a teenager, I enjoyed Jules Verne's novels and movies based on them - "Дети капитана Гранта", or in English translation In Search of the Castaways, being my favorite when I was 14. I remember that I finished reading this thick novel, 600 pages or so, in just three days/nights (probably, on my Summer break) which was not typical for me - I read a lot, but I never was a fast reader. I think I had a little crush on Capt. John Mangles played by Oleg Shtefanko in one of two Russian adaptations of the book. (By the way, this Ukrainian Soviet actor later immigrated to the US, and I even saw him in a couple of Hollywood movies, including one of my favorite shows, Frasier.) Oh and Jacques Paganel played by the wonderful Estonian actor Lembit Ulfsak I think charmed all of us viewers! 

Both my Dad and my brother loved Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, which is a second part of the trilogy Verne started with the novel mentioned above. I don't think I read that one though. But of course as kids Andrei and I just adored the Australian cartoon series based on Verne's novel Around the World in Eighty Days. We'd leave all our kids' stuff, which was always plenty, games and all, you know, and watched every episode when the cartoon was on TV. Good times.

"Do you have a plan, Mr. Fix?"

"Do I have a plan? Of course, Mr. Fix! I always have a plan!"  

  

But back to now. I think both my new jacket by Ashley Stewart (I only wore it for the second time on the day we took these pictures), bought of course on a good sale, and my new boots have a good adventurous steampunk spirit, and if I wanted to kick it up a notch, I'd add some funky steampunk jewelry (plenty available on the web) to my imaginary costume, and probably dust off Justin's leather aviator hat and goggles...

At one of a few air shows I visited with Justin who at some point wanted to become a pilot himself and actually learned to fly. Adventurous clothing has been a part of my style since I was a teen. I remember having pants very similar to these when I was 14. They were custom made for me from my own idea.

Ohio, 2006

The rest of the photos are from Seahurst park in Burien (near SeaTac airport) which was recently remodeled. Justin and I are both quite impressed with the project. The beach was restored, and  access to it is much easier now. I think there is also a new building for the Marine Technology Center, a rain garden, small locks for salmon as well as new restrooms and a kid's playground. I also like it when government posts updates on construction/restoration projects like this one on their web sites, you can see the process practically step by step here. 

So, that's my take on steampunk and a possible Halloween costume. What's yours? 

Does steampunk as a style interest you? 

If you were going to a Halloween party this year, what costume would you wear?

Ruffle-edged Jacket - Ashley Stewart web site (still on sale in various sizes)

Dress - Old Navy (old)

Boots - Born via Zappos

Mixed metal earrings - Chico's

Purse and pouch - Guatemala made, found at antique mall

Scarf - Walmart