Yesterday's tomorrow

When Halloween costumes are on the brain, I find myself exploring some interesting subcultures. But aside from the myriad offerings of everything from Harajuku to grunge to goth-loli fashion, I can't help coming back to steampunk.

Steampunk is hard to put into words. The concept first grew out of the speculative fiction of the 1800's by authors such as Jules Verne and H.G. Wells - authors who wrote fantastical stories about adventurers who traveled the world in primitive submarines, steam-powered airships, and other unheard-of technologies. Today, the steampunk attitude is one that celebrates the mad scientist and the daring explorer.

Steampunk is about mechanical, intuitive technology - it runs on steam, with gears and levers and pressure gauges. Nothing needs to be plugged in. There are no circuit boards. It's complex, but simple enough for non-engineers to understand. It is novel and graceful, a fusion of technology and timeless beauty.

That's the steam side of steampunk, while the punk side is more closely related to fashion. Steampunk fashion often looks somewhat Victorian, but it incorporates funky details. We're seeing a lot of the tail end of steampunk influence on fashion trends from last season with waistcoats, newsboy hats, and corset-inspired tops. There's a wonderful focus on natural fabrics and materials, like leather and brass. This winter's fashion trends evoke an opulence harkening back to the steamy age of the late 1800s.

The influence of steampunk can be seen in films such as "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen," "The Prestige," "The Golden Compass," and most recently, "Hellboy 2." Fans of the FOX cult show "Firefly" will also recognize many steampunk elements.

A lot of steampunk is merely an issue of taste. The sleek look of modern technology must be popular, or it wouldn't sell. But for me, steampunk goes deeper than how things look. As the world feels more and more like a machine, the little human touches of artisanship become more and more valuable.

We have yet to see whether the steampunk trend has reached its peak or if it will grow in the next few years. I, for one, won't be donning a top hat or acquiring a monocle anytime soon. But in the meantime, if you're at a loss for a Halloween costume, a clever ensemble a la Steamgoth might be just the thing...

-Anna