Positive Reactions From Doing Steampunk

[Dr Fidelius]

What, the potato?

[Indefinitive]

So, I was in typical steampunk garb today to go to my chemistry class. Brown boots, black pants tucked into them, brown and white striped shirt, open to a black tank top, and a corset over top with a belt to accentuate my waist. I also had my pocket watch tucked into my corset, a choker, two necklaces, and a pair of really funky earrings.

Well, I was sitting across a young mother and the cutest kid I've ever seen on the bus. She must have been about three years old, and had the most adorable pigtails and a bow in her hair. After a moment of eying me after I sit down, she whispers something to her mother, and her mother shakes her head. Obviously, the little girl thought this was untrue, and came right out and asked, "Are you a pirate lady?"

Her mother looked mortified for a moment, and told her daughter that it wasn't a polite thing to ask. I just smiled at the girl when she looked back and nodded really fast. Her mother was already looking elsewhere, so I put my finger to my lips, like it was our little secret, and winked.

I wish I could have captured the look on her face. A child with a secret that she wants to tell the world is the cutest thing to witness.

[CorneliaCarton]

If I ever go out wearing my goggles around my neck, I usually get the odd "cool goggles!" and then questions and compliments about my outfit as a whole.
It's awesome.

[LadyAsprin]

If I ever go out wearing my goggles around my neck, I usually get the odd "cool goggles!" and then questions and compliments about my outfit as a whole.
It's awesome.

I often go out with my goggles holding my hair back and no one ever seems to comment.  I get more comments on my boots which are normally New Rocks.

[Clym Angus]

What, the potato?

In spirit yes, I made it into a salad and ate it. It has been reunited with it's creator. I and the potato....... are one. 

[Mad Maudlin]

So, I was in typical steampunk garb today to go to my chemistry class. Brown boots, black pants tucked into them, brown and white striped shirt, open to a black tank top, and a corset over top with a belt to accentuate my waist. I also had my pocket watch tucked into my corset, a choker, two necklaces, and a pair of really funky earrings.

Well, I was sitting across a young mother and the cutest kid I've ever seen on the bus. She must have been about three years old, and had the most adorable pigtails and a bow in her hair. After a moment of eying me after I sit down, she whispers something to her mother, and her mother shakes her head. Obviously, the little girl thought this was untrue, and came right out and asked, "Are you a pirate lady?"

Her mother looked mortified for a moment, and told her daughter that it wasn't a polite thing to ask. I just smiled at the girl when she looked back and nodded really fast. Her mother was already looking elsewhere, so I put my finger to my lips, like it was our little secret, and winked.

I wish I could have captured the look on her face. A child with a secret that she wants to tell the world is the cutest thing to witness.

I got something similar yesterday. Out for a bike ride, black cargo pants, gray/black/skull/star/stripy socks, Doc Maertens, off-white peasant blouse, red headscarf, black/gold/red bodice with peplum skirt and I get "MOMMY A PIRATE!!!" They're so cute.

[rhylla]

I'm always slightly surprised if i get any attention from what I'm wearing, I think I have a tendency to put an outfit on then almost forget it doesn't quite match what others are wearing! I don't feel like I'm wearing fancy dress, but then I've always dressed slightly offbeat.

Most of the people who know me don't bat an eyelid most of the time, no matter what I'm wearing. many of them do seem to like the Steampunk idea
When I'm out with my family my husband gets comments - "Is it Biggles Day or summink?!" was one of my favourites from Oxford. His (my hubby, not the commentator!) chops and beard draw a huge amount of attention anyway, let alone anything else he happens to be wearing.

Excuse the slight rambleness of this post, I'm half watching the tv, waiting for Scotland to beat England at rugby, and my attention's divided!

-Rhylla-

[RoseOak]

Excuse the slight rambleness of this post, I'm half watching the tv, waiting for Scotland to beat England at rugby, and my attention's divided! Cheesy

Tough nookies!! Scotland cheated by kicking the ball into touch just so they could finish the match on a draw. Thats just giving in in my book. Also, They sat on our Jonny!!! the swines. Leave him alone, e's only little  

[Sgt.Major Thistlewaite]

SCOTLAND FOREVER!

 

~T

[tophatdan]

CHURCH OF ENGLAND!

[Mad Maudlin]

CTHULHU FHTAGN!

[SweetestPoison]

oooh, RoseOak, the things I want to say about your Johnny... but this is a friendly forum

When my boyfriend and I were out and about in Steamgarb a few weeks ago, returning from our universities little geek-con at night, a couple of young men who looked very much like your typical slightly-better-off neds stopped us, complimented us on our outfits and then proceeded to take pictures of us "because my girlfriend has to see this!". They were really lovely. I must say this was me fully crinolined.
Similarly, I have had interested inquiries on the subway about what my dress is about, where I get it, amazement when I say I made it... I have yet to encounter any hostility whatsoever.

[Flynn MacCallister]

CTHULHU FHTAGN!

IA! IA!

[RoseOak]

oooh, RoseOak, the things I want to say about your Johnny... but this is a friendly forum

  They've left him out of Saturdays match, that I know.

[Vagabond GentleMan]

Today, I was sitting on the Subway Train reading a book, and as a young lady was leaving the train, she slipped me a little note on a scrap of looseleaf paper.

I was kind of thinking "Oh, ok,  that's prolly her number delivered in a sort of high-school way...flattering, but not interested"

But I opened up the little slip and it only read:

"Dig your outfit!  You really brightened up my day!"

And I thought:  A compliment without an agenda!  That's so much better!  How lovely!
And it brightened my day as well!

[ectopunk]

We had some positive comments on our visit to Kew Gardens

Mssr. Zenith, I believe I've bumped into you a time or two at Moorcock's Miscellany if I am not mistaken.  You are the one with the little violin, what?

[aldebaran]

I went out in one of my SP outfits today, just for fun. The compliments came in thick and fast! Lots of people (mostly men) told me I looked good. It was amazing!

[Kayt]

A friend and I went to the Four Winds Renaissance Faire in Texas dressed in steampunk garb yesterday. A bunch of people recognized it as steampunk and said it was awesome. One guy talked about the steampunk community with my friend for a while (he said he's a member here, but I don't recall his username). Even the blacksmith knew about and liked it. It was fun.

[SweetestPoison]

I went iceskating with friends in my crinoline... all positive reactions, especially from all the kids at the rink. And a Chinese student in town followed us around with his camera for a while

[MechanicalMouse]

I've actually found my Top Hat renders me invisible.
Which can be a bit disquieting.

People that do see me tend to ask if its some kind of fashion statement.

I think I need to make some small info cards. 

[theairman]

Has anyone ever had the famous "Japanese tourists stop to take picture of foreign traditional clothes" scenraio, my father had it when wearing a morning coat and top hat. They thought he was Prince Charles I think!

[Clym Angus]

Tourists yes, (mainly Germans). Not so much for the sake of understanding. More (i Believe) for the sake of "I was on holiday and you would not BELIEVE the things I saw!"

[Mr Bellows]

Positive reactions...I don't know, but worth mentioning anyway.
Returning just after dark from "Lady Elsies Birthday Bash" detailed with in the depths of Geographical through the despotic pit that is central Birmingham I was stared at by just about everyone & as if that was not enough two Bakvissies coming out of a newsagents wearing the usual "too-tight, too short, too many useless frills" type clothing proceeded to follow me for a number of yards screeching at each other about the weirdo in front....My crime ? wearing a great coat, bowler hat & goggles.

oops sorry, "Bakvissie is from here"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_South_African_slang_words
 

[Clym Angus]

Positive reactions...I don't know, but worth mentioning anyway.
Returning just after dark from "Lady Elsies Birthday Bash" detailed with in the depths of Geographical through the despotic pit that is central Birmingham I was stared at by just about everyone & as if that was not enough two Bakvissies coming out of a newsagents wearing the usual "too-tight, too short, too many useless frills" type clothing proceeded to follow me for a number of yards screeching at each other about the weirdo in front....My crime ? wearing a great coat, bowler hat & goggles.

oops sorry, "Bakvissie is from here"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_South_African_slang_words
 

Navel lint with a mouth, they are nothing more. Benefits +1 their highest aspiration.

[Captain Shipton Bellinger]

On the other hand...

White Mischief's Great Exhibition ended at 5am on Sunday morning and my first train from Euston was 8:15am, so I had to use the tube and wait around for quite a time whilst fully steamed.

On crossing Euston station concourse to check from which platform my train left, I couldn't help but notice a group of young chaps in their early twenties who, from the pointing and staring, had obviously noticed me.

No platform information posted yet, so I decided to go outside for a cigarette. While passing the group of chaps once more there was more visual tracking and sotto voce conversation amongst themselves.

While outside I was approached by one of the youngsters, wearing a great big grin. Rather than the half-expected "what the f@#% are you supposed to be then?" I was pleasantly surprised when the conversation went something along the lines of...

Chap: "To pass the time my friends and I have been 'weirdo watching' - and there have been some real weirdoes. When we saw you we couldn't believe our eyes. You have the most unusual and noticeable oufit we've seen, but you don't look as if you're wearing a costume. Do you normally dress like this, and what is the style?"

Me: "Yes, I often dress like this, although normally not quite so ostentatiously; and it's Steampunk."

Chap: "Steampunk? What's that?"

Me: "Neo-Victorian romance, adventure and Mad Science!"

Chap (laughing delightedly): "Well, you've got it spot on then!"

I spent the next few minutes trying to explain steampunk and eventually left to find my train in remarkably good spirits.

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Footnote: One of the reasons we moved back to the Midlands from North London was that we had some unpleasant experiences with London street-scum. My wife therefore asked me to at least remove my goggles while travelling in London, so as to make myself less of a 'target'. I declined, as I refuse to think like a victim - it means the scum have already won.