Kilt as part of Steampunk costume

[Styckbow]

I have worn a kilt as part of a steam punk outfit many times in fact I bought a goth style kilt just for that purpose, with which I wore with a cream shirt, Victorian style maroon waistcoat, long tails style western jacket, antique shoulder hoster (with toy pistol of course) maroon silk scarve, top hat with goggles, antique pocket watch and chain, black boots and a replica of a CSA saber. Was my outfit correct or even historically accurate? Hell no but it was a fun day out on the town with my wife (who was also dressed steampunk) where tons of people asked for pictures with us and we won the costume contest. So wear what you like, have fun with it and remember there are very few rules when it comes to steampunk.

[imbrius]

Side View

Front View

Closeup of the "gear" cap badge that my lovely wife made for me.

[mohughes5150]

I'm photographing an Steampunk-themed event in June of this year. I would like to get in on the fun by putting together a Steampunk-style costume. My immediate thought was a set of spongebag trousers would be ideal but those are hard to find. So I was wondering if I could put together a reasonable Steampunk costume whilst still remaining respectful of the kilt and the heritage it represents.

My idea was to wear black Oxfords, probably some brighter hose (Mustard or Denim), darker flashes, my kilt, a plain black day sporran (perhaps with an aged-finish decorative gear-gadget affixed to the flap or front with removable, leather-safe adhesive, a charcoal waistcoat, pocket watch with gear fob, and gingham shirt. I might or might not wear a tie (if I do, I'd probably complement or match the flashes). I also have a steampunk-looking double-glass loupe that clips on to my eyeglass frames (that I actually use in my mundane life for soldering and component assembly).

Thoughts? Mine are that it should be no less respectful than any other fantasy costume but I could be totally off-base here.

I have worn may a kilt with Steampunk. There is a local store that the shop owner designs Steampunk spectacles etc. He designed some "goggles" for me to wear as a headpiece. I change up the other stuff. I usually wear late Victorian boots with the kilt. I found a few on eBay and the local swap meets over the years. Outside of my kilts, I am only in the total investment around $300USD. The goggles were the largest part of that expense. I didn't feel I offended anyone for how I wore my kilt. I wear them for fun "dress up," when I am not in the mood for pants, hiking(so much better than shorts) and pretty much any time I feel like it. The vast majority of the time I am not dressed in formal or even semi-formal.

[Steve Ashton]

Yes, Richard we know what Victorian kilt wear was like.
But historical re-creation is not the point of Steampunk.

The concept is - What if Steam was still the predominate power source and the manufacturing and design were still rooted in the trappings of the early industrial revolution.

Its fun and fanciful. The dream and myth of the promise of the gilded age without the reality of child labor and economic depression and super-rich vs super poor.