Steampunk is a term you’ve probably stumbled across in your internet travels the past few years. But what is steampunk, really? If you were too shy to ask your friends what it’s all about, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered.

What is steampunk?

Steampunk is a subculture encompassing fashion, music, literature, movies, DIY model-making, and gaming. Taking inspiration from a retrofuturistic mashup between a Victorian aesthetic and cyberpunk, it entered mainstream pop culture in the late 2000s.

Steampunk fashion

Costuming is an integral part of steampunk, ranging from “just stick a bunch of clockwork stuff on a top hat” (a cruel but not entirely unfair stereotype) to intricate redesigns of traditional Victorian fashions. The most basic definition of a steampunk outfit is something that is inspired by Victoriana but isn’t a direct replica. Popular themes include goggles, top hats, lace, corsets, and modified armor.

Steampunk fashion was born from a mashup of goth, DIY cosplay, renfair-style historical reenactment, and burlesque styles. At a steampunk event today, you’ll see anything from functional clockwork wings to a Victorian remix of Princess Leia. Steampunk costumes are among the most complex and imaginative you’ll see at fan conventions, but the central tenets are still easy to recognize: Victorian-inspired silhouettes, leather, buckles, faux-vintage armor, retrofuturistic weapons, and…