Welcome to the world of Steampunk! For those of you who live in this world, no explanation is necessary. If you are looking for prescription steampunk glasses or cosplay goggles then we offer a great selection. We have the genres and sub genres for you. The best way to explain Steampunk is to take you on a journey of imagination where a person living today, uses science fiction weapons of tomorrow while dressed in actual as well as variations of the Victorian Era theme.
The popularity of Steampunk could be linked to the fact that it is as individual as you are. No matter what your views are of the Steampunk movement there is a place for you as unique as you are. Anyone, of all ages can participate in their own way, altering the style to self expression crossing from one sub-genre to another ad lib.
No two costumes, themes, or presentations are the same. There are no rules as long as you stick to the basic identifiers of the Steampunk world which are reminiscent of the late 19th and early 20th century. Inspired by Science Fiction, that Steam and not electricity was the driving technological achievement of the time and set in the Victorian Era, it draws its inspiration from the culture of the time but also modern day and even the future. If you can imagine it, then it can be Steampunk.
The world of Steampunk encompasses many sub-cultures and period designs. Examples of such are the worlds of Gothic fiction, Piratepunk, Elfpunk, Vikingpunk, Burlesque, Time Traveling, Burning Man, and Airship explorer. These are self explanatory and easy enough to imagine the definition of each.
A few not so obvious sub-cultures are:
Dieselpunk (inspired by jet engines and turbines from the 1920’s -1950’s.)
Cyberpunk (the new future where high technology contrasts with the lawlessness and poverty cause anarchy in the streets of the urban slums.)
Atompunk ( post cyber punk dedicated to the psychological and social aspects of the atomic technology age.)
Biopunk (using springs and flywheels for energy, biopunk deals with the aspects of genetic engineering and biological weapons.)
Bronzepunk (Inspired by the Bronze Age, a literary, cinema and art genre.)
Clockpunk ( Focused around the Renaissance era where technology uses springs and flywheels for energy.) There is also Anachropunk, Crusadepunk, Cyberprep, Decopunk, Mythpunk, and Nowpunk.
While some fans are weekend cosplay enthusiasts, others have adopted the entire lifestyle designing and decorating their homes, automobiles, furniture and even tree houses while living full time in the culture and subculture associated with and under the umbrella of Steampunk. There are countless articles and journals on the subject as well as films, music, clubs, festivals, fairs, major conventions such as comic con, role play groups and cosplay gatherings in every state of the US as well as almost every corner of Europe. With its ever increasing popularity it isn’t likely that the world of Steampunk and all of its sub genres will disappear, swept away as just a fad. With ever increasing momentum this world is here to stay. With all its goggles, gadgets and gears, the Steampunk culture is full Steam ahead!
