Gothwerk - Steampunk crap at Party City!!!

[SolarCenturion]

Because we're all just Devil worshipers, aren't we?

Who kept Atlantis off the map? We Did!

[J. Wilhelm]

Because we're all just Devil worshipers, aren't we?

Who kept Atlantis off the map? We Did!

Ha, ha, ha!  Yeah!  I do admit some steampunks get some weird moments in public (read the "how do you deal with hecklers" thread).

As far as worshiping, the more scientific Steampunks prefer Our Lady of Conductivity: http://silvergrey.deviantart.com/art/Our-Lady-of-Conductivity-78372418

[Xenos]

Because we're all just Devil worshipers, aren't we?

Who kept Atlantis off the map? We Did!

I'm with Lordi on that one:  "The devil is a loser and he's my b*tch!"

[theological rant]And besides, all these "hardcore" satanists that like to wear upsidedown crosses?  heheh... Take a look at one of the Pope's Thrones sometime: 

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

  It's the Petrine Cross (Peter's Cross), because St. Peter, like Christ, died by crucifixion.  Only his was inverted, since he was not worthy to die in the same manner as his Saviour![/theological rant]

Spoiler: A note on my Belief, for those that care (click to show/hide)

And before people ask, no, I'm not Catholic, I'm actually Lutherine-esq, but really not much of anything, just belive that Christ died for my sins.

[elShoggotho]

Someone coined the term "steamjunk" for plastic crap in steampunk shapes. I second that notion.

[SolarCenturion]

Yes, well I was being facetious.

And I can't believe no one picked up on my Simpsons reference.

[Xenos]

Yes, well I was being facetious.

And I can't believe no one picked up on my Simpsons reference.

Sorry, text has a funny way of not properly getting the point across...

And I've no TV, so yeah...  *Whoosh* right over my head!

[rovingjack]

Yes, well I was being facetious.

And I can't believe no one picked up on my Simpsons reference.

Maybe we got it but didn't want to perpetuate your spreading the stone cutters secrets around like that. Best to let it seem to go unnoticed.

I wouldn't be too offended. Many retailers don't seem to know there is a difference between Goth and Emo either.

For those who haven't seen it yet, here are some more top quality wares for your delight!

http://www.bluebanana.com/section.php/890/1/steampunk/a7c9ef4faa01e47aefe3eec68f1899ae

Hey the first coat on there is passably decent, they have a few nice hats and the jewlers loupes peice. a couple of the blouses are okay but really need to be customised, otherwise they don't really say steampunk so much as retro-anachronistic. That stuff at least lends itself to disassbly and modifying to suit the needs of somebody intrested in it.

[Argus Fairbrass]

correct me if I'm wrong- there's a much greater separation between someone wearing a British military uniform and a leather-bound Goth with black lips than there is between the Goth and a black-clad Emo (or Emette?  Cheesy)

Indeed Sir!

Let's play a little game

Here are three pics, each found during a brief search under a seperate heading.

Goth, Emo and you guessed it Steampunk.

Match the picture to the heading (remember these are their labels, not mine)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Someone coined the term "steamjunk" for plastic crap in steampunk shapes. I second that notion.

And I third it. (It wasn't particularly the clothes I was referring to, though I think they are a little pricey)

Filled with attire for every and any occasion, from jackets to goggles, necklaces to skirts, Blue Banana has all you will ever need. As if this wasn’t enough, all of our products have been made affordable so you don’t have to worry about spending too much of your hard earned cash.

£42.50 what a bargain, I'll take one in each colour.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Welding-Goggles-Flip-Up-Lenses-SSP6/dp/B000RA12TQ

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

http://www.jewellersequipment.co.uk/eyeglasses.html#glasses

I tried to read the blurb, but I started to feel quite nauseous. Although this part was comforting

Best of all, every single item has been worn, tried and tested by our team of professional experts.

Boy what a relief, I sure did feel better after that!

Okay I'll stop now.  

[OswaldBastable]

Someone coined the term "steamjunk" for plastic crap in steampunk shapes. I second that notion.

thirded

[Dr Fidelius]

correct me if I'm wrong- there's a much greater separation between someone wearing a British military uniform and a leather-bound Goth with black lips than there is between the Goth and a black-clad Emo (or Emette?  Cheesy)

Indeed Sir!

Let's play a little game

Here are three pics, each found during a brief search under a seperate heading.

Goth, Emo and you guessed it Steampunk.

Match the picture to the heading (remember these are their labels, not mine)

Can't tell them apart from photos.  (And I respectfully question your methodology -- just because a given photo is labelled "goth," "emo," or "steampunk" is no indication that the labeller has the fashion taxonomy correct.)

Have to talk with them to see which ones are depressed, which are depressing, and which are barking mad.

[Rt Hon Septabarius Cogge]

My Chemical Romance really ought to wear their boots over their trousers ...

They're the Emos. As for the other two. Hmmm. Difficult to say. Neither are what I'd call steampunk, on the other hand, no self-respecting goth I know would wear something as ... ugh ... as the chap on his own is wearing, so I'm going to say he's the one that is labelled steampunk* 

*Adding the cautionary note that I also don't know any steampunk who'd wear it either, but presumably people are still getting to grips with the steampunk tag.

No, to hell with it, steampunk are the boy and girl at the top, because he's wearing a hat.

Oh, I don't know ...

[Capt. Dirigible]

It would appear the term 'steamjunk' is already in use


A search for it brings up the following images..both of which I feel capture the spirit of proper steampunk

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Dammit I can't get this link to work..

[Argus Fairbrass]

Wow that pic rules! I haven't seen it before. Adding to my collection if you don't mind.

The search words I typed in were separately Gothic, Emo and Steam punk followed by the words Military Jacket. By all means Google em.

My observation was that retailers, such as the one mentioned above, tend to attach any labels they can think of to their wares in order to attract the attention of the people they perceive may want to buy them.

For sale brass goggles, Steam punk, Goth, Larp, Emo, Cosplay, Wombat, Monkey Butler etc

We've all seen it so I don't know why that seemed to cause some confusion. But that's what I meant by not knowing the diff between Goths and Emos. They don't care is more the point. As long as one or the other of us weirdy types buys em that's fine.

I’d also like to say that some of these clothes look quite pretty. Not my style so much (I don’t look so good in miniskirts these days, could mod one of course)
But I’m afraid my perception of the people selling them, is not!

I would still suggest that, if you can't make them yourself (no judgement from me on that, I can't either, and just how integral the core ethics of Maker Culture are to Steampunk is another ongoing debate) you would be better off giving your money to one of the more talented makers or designers who are actually a part of the culture, ie do have a clue and perhaps more importantly actually give a s**t

I beleive there may be a few on this very forum lol

And when I read promotional stuff like

This attire could set the mark for the next big style boom. So for the latest in Steampunk clothing, browse through this incredible range without a second thought.

(Note the last part)

And suspecting that this collection is, for the most part, targeted at people who are slightly newer to the concept, ideas and influences behind Steam Punk (the subject of another ongoing debate, and long may it be so)

I really can't help but translate it as actually meaning, something along the lines of -

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

By wearing our clothes you can instantly fast track yourself onboard the latest style trend bandwagon!
Despite the fact that it's been happening for a while, were going to pretend it's been about 10 minutes and that we were the first to discover it, because we need you to believe that we're really underground and on the pulse and so hip it hurts.
This all helps us to perpetuate the  long running and ongoing delusion that, by acquiring this style or that style (we really don't care which flavour you choose as long as you buy it from us) listening to this band or that band, wearing these labels etc. You are deviating from the norm, bucking the system, rejecting the main stream and being in some way rebellious, cool, hip etc. This will certainly inspire the admiration and acceptance of your chosen peer group and relieve some of that nasty pressure. The truth is of course that we are now the mainstream and you’ve been playing right into our hands for ages.
Although it kind of seems like the core DIY ethic associated with this particular style trend may (somewhat inconveniently) be diametrically opposed to the rather lazy dumb ass sheep herd mentality, normally associated with the mindless consumption of the mass produced, characterless bollox that we ourselves (and all the other retailers of our ilk) have been getting away with punting out for years.
We're not going to worry too much about that because, as long as you remain blissfully unaware of the fact that we don't have a clue what it's all about either, we keep making money and therefore in reality don't ever have to give a flying f***k
Besides which, with any luck the aforementioned ethics (if indeed they truly exist at all) will almost certainly soon be buried and forgotten under a massive wave of bandwagon jumping style clones that we will profit from creating. We've certainly done it before! No more will anyone be forced into the horrifying dilemma of having to think twice about anything and thus all will be gravy once again.

So buckle up everyone
You know you can trust us to tell you exactly how to be an individual

After all…. we’re experts!  
Grab your Gogs and man your Airship (how Drole) The last one to Clone er we mean Steam Punk's a loser!

Tallyho!

(just my opinion of course, and may be subject to revision)

[OswaldBastable]

By wearing our clothes you can instantly fast track yourself onboard the latest style trend bandwagon!
Despite the fact that it's been happening for a while, were going to pretend it's been about 10 minutes and that we were the first to discover it, because we need you to believe that we're really underground and on the pulse and so hip it hurts.
This all helps us to perpetuate the  long running and ongoing delusion that, by acquiring this style or that style (we really don't care which flavour you choose as long as you buy it from us) listening to this band or that band, wearing these labels etc. You are deviating from the norm, bucking the system, rejecting the main stream and being in some way rebellious, cool, hip etc. This will certainly inspire the admiration and acceptance of your chosen peer group and relieve some of that nasty pressure. The truth is of course that we are now the mainstream and you’ve been playing right into our hands for ages.
Although it kind of seems like the core DIY ethic associated with this particular style trend may (somewhat inconveniently) be diametrically opposed to the rather lazy dumb ass sheep herd mentality, normally associated with the mindless consumption of the mass produced, characterless bollox that we ourselves (and all the other retailers of our ilk) have been getting away with punting out for years.
We're not going to worry too much about that because, as long as you remain blissfully unaware of the fact that we don't have a clue what it's all about either, we keep making money and therefore in reality don't ever have to give a flying f***k
Besides which, with any luck the aforementioned ethics (if indeed they truly exist at all) will almost certainly soon be buried and forgotten under a massive wave of bandwagon jumping style clones that we will profit from creating. We've certainly done it before! No more will anyone be forced into the horrifying dilemma of having to think twice about anything and thus all will be gravy once again.

So buckle up everyone
You know you can trust us to tell you exactly how to be an individual

After all…. we’re experts!  
Grab your Gogs and man your Airship (how Drole) The last one to Clone er we mean Steam Punk's a loser!

Tallyho!

Well said, You should have that as your signature or some such 

[Andi]

This is a future halloween costume waiting to happen.

http://www.bluebanana.com/product.php/98333/890/lip-service-steampunk-style-newsprint-skirt--cream-black-/7d8b2474f2d688c97de20935a2dca105

What's black and white and red all over?   I would paint myself red and go as a bad joke, if only they delivered to the US.  Alas, it is not to be.

I think that skirt is brilliant.

[Argus Fairbrass]

Not to worry mate. I'm sure Hot Topic will be selling them soon enough 

[Andi]

Hey, good point.  All is not lost.  I already owe Hot Topic a thank you for pulling my daughter out of her Spice Girls haze. 

[Xenos]

Not to worry mate. I'm sure Hot Topic will be selling them soon enough 

Hey, good point.  All is not lost.  I already owe Hot Topic a thank you for pulling my daughter out of her Spice Girls haze. 

Ah, but do you REALLY want to spend money at a place that is owned by A&F?  Yes, Hot Topic used to be THE PLACE for the antiestablishmeblah blah blah crowed (of which I consider myself a strong member), but now it's more of a place for psudogoths and preps. but since it's buyout back just before my senior year, I feel like Dracula walking into St. Peter's Basillica on a bright sunshiney day...

that was funnier in my head than it looks onscreen

[Andi]

I had no idea they'd been purchased by A&F.  That's hilarious and oddly appropriate.  Hot Topic, to me, has always been what would happen if Disney decided to make a themepark called "Gothland."  Which is to say, I loved their cheap Cheshire Cat crap. 

[Dr Fidelius]

I've long known that the different stores at an average American mall were all owned by the same companies.  In the old days, a large store would have a Men's department, a Young Men's department, a Women's department, a Shoe department, etc.

Now those "departments" are all under different names and spread out all along the concourse in the mall.  But they are all the same store.

As for Hot Topic in particular, my daughters like to shop there since they can often find fun stuff cheap.  But they both recognize that you can't buy rebellion at the mall.

[Argus Fairbrass]

my daughters like to shop there since they can often find fun stuff cheap.  But they both recognize that you can't buy rebellion at the mall.

Although I was also being sarcastic about Hot Topic, Hearing that Sir, has made my night!

Thank you (really)

and Goodnight.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

[Kelley]

Where did this "A&F owns Hot Topic" come from ?

Hot Topic is a publicly traded company, and so is A&F - although A&F does operate several other brands that do not include HT.


Does A&F own a significant amount of HT stock ?  Where did this information come from ?  Seems more likely to me that if the two are connected at all, it would be a third party investor.

[Andi]

My googlefu tells me you are correct; they do not appear to be owned by A&F.

[Clym Angus]

Those costumes are appalling!! They're just run of the mill crap Halloween costumes with added (cheap crap)goggles. I mean, seriously..'Steampunk Witch'!!??? WTF?

Speaking from some authority, I married a steampunk witch and quite frankly she has never looked like that. If she did my eye would probably start bleeding. Still, it has all the makings of a brassgoggles challenge;

Make one of these outfits look good!

[Dr. Roger]

Abomination!

Dr. Roger