new to steampunk

[Master Sinton]

Hi, as you can tell from the title I am new to relatively new to steampunk and have some questions and thought I should also take the opportunity to introduce myself.

Without really thinking about it I have always had an affinity for things of a Victorian nature from waistcoats to pocket watches and then I found this wonderful site.

Anyway my question is about the availability of clothing in Australia particularly in Victoria as I am trying to get together my first steampunk  outfit. What I am looking for is formal wear to wear at my year 12 formal in a few months. I should be able to get someone to help me make a waistcoat if it comes to that. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Master Alasdair Sinton

[Prof. George of Chaos]

Well now...I have just come from a thread where I reccomended a place to get bowler hats in what appears from your email address to be your home city, and the top hats there are also to be gaped at.
If Melbourne is your home port there is also a hattery below Flinders Street Station (wonderful building that it is) with it's entrance to the right of the stairs.
They can very likely point you at more places than I, but meanwhile I can tell you of a gentleman's emporium I once visited with glass doors and brass handles in the posh shopping part of town a short tramride away (I remember many boutiques and restaraunts, but unfortunately not a name. My appologies, I may ask my mother, who I was travelling with.), and of course the markets. Many a modern pocketwatch is to be had at several of the stalls, and for a certain fee a tophat can easily be found also, from a most obliging stallholder.
More generally however I reccomend that op-shops be your first port of call-strike that, second. If Victoriana's your thing I would venture to point you towards a gorgeous little writing shop down Degraves Street. Venetian glass, sealingwax and fountain pens *sigh...* I so look forward to my next trip...-Regardless! Op-shops are a rather richer avenue than you might guess, I for example got my first and finest waistcoat from one back in my hometown for an ill fated Adam's Family fanplay I wrote in primaryschool, and later a scrumptiously snazzy (though I say it myself) and well-fitting swallowtail coat from the same. They're quite the repository for artefacts from fashion past.

Aha! In addition I have just remembered! I know not if it's the same where you are, but cameo jewellery seems to have gone back into production! A little solder or tiny self tapping screws and a pin, or cufflink attatchments or sewing and what say you to some cameo cufflinks or coat decorations?

[Master Sinton]

Thank you for the tips Professor, regarding the milliners at Flinders Street Station I have been meaning to go there for quite sometime but never have seen to get around to it.

[TinkPee]

Well it appear you are from Melbourne so my advice will not help you very much, but maybe others.

If in Sydney a good place too look for hats is the Strand hat shop in the Strand Arcade on Pitt Street. They have a nice selection of hats and a small selection of canes. While your in the Strand there are also a number of antique shops although they can be pricey.

A fabulous place to find some rare Victorian treasure would be the Sydney Vintage Clothing, Jewellery and Textiles Show which is held twice a year. I found some beautiful pieces at the last show in April. You can get some great deals and also find out the history behind the items, as generally the stall holder will know a detailed history on each piece. Oh and if you go on the last day you can pick up some great deals at the end of the day. As the stall holders are from all around NSW and are generally happy not to lug everything back home with them.

I wish you luck in your task and sincerely hope you find something suitable for your formal.

Miss Tink

[Master Sinton]

Thanks Miss Tink, now I have another reason to go up to Sydney.