A guide to steampunk lolita

I love steampunk, I really do. Just check out our recently published web serial if you doubt my passion for the genre (also because it's a good read, if I say so myself). I have so many pretty steampunk clothes in my wardrobe that are waiting for their moment to shine in front of the camera. And, obviously, I love lolita fashion!

However, oftentimes the phrase “steampunk lolita” causes a knee-jerk reaction of “ita”. Much as I love steampunk lolita I can also see why. Steampunk can very easily go tacky in style, especially if you go the route of just adding cogs, a top hat, and some goggles. And while lolita isn’t hard to get right it does have its own set of aesthetic guidelines which, when bent or broken, can look rather...not good. So I thought that I’d share a bit of a ramble about how to do steampunk lolita well. I don’t tend to wear the style much myself, but writing this gave me a new surge of inspiration, so who knows what the future holds? Probably a steampunk lolita photoshoot or three!

An oldie but still a fave.

Photo of me by The Enthusiast.

So, how can you combine these two distinct fashions into something that ticks the boxes on both styles without disrupting the sensibilities of the other?

Keep the lolita silhouette

The number one rule of lolita is silhouette, so keeping that in place is a must. In realistic term, this means the vast majority of corsets (a big thing with female steampunks!) are a big no-no as they come down too low on the torso and throw off the shape of the skirt. If you must wear a corset, keep it to an underbust cincher style.

Steampunk prints

The easiest way to channel some steampunk into your lolita is to wear a steampunk printed main piece. However there aren't very many explicitly steampunk prints, though I have featured a few below. But similar themes, like books, trains, or boats can be suitable too. And if you want to go print-less, patterns like regimental stripes or tweeds are also good. Military style details, or specifically Victorian ones, can make even solid colours read a little more steampunk.

Avoid "stick-a-cog-on-it" steampunk

I try to be fairly neutral about things, but I am really not a fan of sticking a whole bunch of cogs on things to make it steampunk. Two or three, especially if they're on an item in a way that looks quasi-functional, or as deliberately decorative items, sure. But a whole lot of haphazard cogs? That rarely looks good, and definitely won't help you make a good steampunk lolita coord.

Draw on Victorian influences
Both steampunk and lolita draw on, amongst other things, Victorian influence so, when choosing the lolita items to coord with, keep this in mind. Choose a high-collared blouse rather than one with a big peter pan collar, for example.

Consider the colour palette

Generally, if you think steampunk, you think brown. Maybe with a bit of cream and some gold/copper/brass accents, but mostly brown. If there are colours, it's generally khaki green or dark jewel tones. Personally, I adore steampunk outfits that buck this trend and explore unusual combos, especially because the Victorians loved their colours, but for a melding of steampunk and lolita, it's probably best to keep to the more "traditional" steampunk colours.

Accessorise with care
In a sense, what makes a steampunk lolita coordinate different from just a classic coord is the choice of accessories. Throw on a (decent quality) top hat, wear a pair of goggles as a necklace, add leather gloves, or wear a harness over the top of it all. There are lots of options, from subtle things like a brass octopus necklace to a very distinctive top hat with goggles in lieu of a hatband. Just remember that normal lolita rules apply so keep things balanced, proportionate, and high quality. 

Sadly, steampunk lolita is not well-loved, so no matter how well you do it some people might call your resulting coordinate tacky or costume-y or, yes, ita. But I say screw that. Life's too short to only enjoy lolita fashion in subculture-sanctioned ways. So if you want to wear steampunk lolita, then wear steampunk lolita!

Of course, it also goes without saying but I want to say it here in particular – wear what you want! If you want to glue a bunch of cogs to a corset and wear it then go for it. Always do what makes you happy in fashion. I only advise against calling things something they are not; when lolita has such as specific aesthetic to it, if your steampunk look has a knee length frilly skirt but is otherwise not very lolita, just call it steampunk and enjoy yourself. I certainly do!