Steampunk Style for Halloween Inspiration

With Fall just around the corner, two other events will be here before you know it: Halloween and Thanksgiving. Today I'm collaborating with two other bloggers to bring you The Big Three Before the Tree - Inspirations and ideas to inspire your Fall decor, Halloween parties and Thanksgiving tablescapes. I'll be linking up with Julie of Simply Savvy who will be focused on Fall Decor + Trends and Kate of Dabble in Chic who will be focused on Thanksgiving Tablescapes  + recipes. I will focus on: Halloween - Steampunk style (plus a few other inspirations towards the end!) So grab a cup of coffee (or glass of wine) and get comfy...

 

Cool Steampunk cat :)

First of all, just what is steampunk? Steampunk is more than an aesthetic tendency - It's the longing for the past that never was. From what I've read on Steampunk, it is a style taking place back in the Victorian Era and it also includes a merge of an industrial vibe as well. Other versions of Steampunk are also known as Victorian Fiction, Clockpunk and Dieselpunk. While researching the Steampunk style, I came across a very detailed & informative blog written by Gail Carriger. Gail does an excellent job of explaining the movement. You can learn more about Steampunk by going to The World of Steampunk: Goggles, Gaiters, and Glory. Gail even reviews what key pieces you need to thrift for this style - a great way to save money on your Halloween costume + still look fabulous!  What other time of year can you dress in costume and explore? Explore here...

STEAMPUNK STYLE BOARD

Textiles for clothing were rich layers of glen plaids and pinstripes for the men while ruffles, full skirts, corsets and lace-up details could be found for women.  

With the tendency these days to shop for vintage finds and thrift, looking into Steampunk style can be a creative alternative to your Halloween inspiration for settings, parties, decor and costumes. Some of the pieces, you may already have in your collections. Steampunk style also includes gadgets and details such as vintage keys, spectacles, pocket watches, all types of timepieces, typewrites, and typewriter keys. Some of the gadgets and details can be easily found today at vintage markets (such as Sweet Salvage here in Phoenix). These gadgets can not only be incorporated into costumes and decor, the gadgets are also another alternative for decorating pumpkins with. No carving needed so this is a GREAT solution for warmer climates in October!

 

Steampunk timepiece

 

Steampunk Pumpkins

Keys + Studs + Hinge Hardware 

Vintage Typewriter

 

Steampunk spectacles  

 

Steampunk stopwatch & ray gun 

 

 Steampunker Phineas Steel

 

Steampunk goggles

Since fashion + decor have strong links to one another, apparel textiles can translate into Halloween party decor for room settings ... especially this year with the Fall trend having a strong Menswear influence. Feminine details can come from the ruffles, lace trim, laced up boots and corsets...

 

Corset back black chair

 

Black corset & ruffles - Shareen Vintage

 

Steampunk Couture

 

Steampunk style - Mixed with military

 

The infamous Steampunk top hat 

 

Rouching + ruffles + gloves 

Steampunk top hat - brown

 

Steampunk Cupcakes 

(with Tootsie Roll Top Hats!)

Not everything all needs to be exact to the period and not everything for Halloween always needs to be only black. For example, if your home decor is the whites, creams, and greige color palette of French Country, think of ghosts (white), mummies (linen) bones (cream), and looks of a haunted house to mix Halloween into your existing decor. The nod back to vintage can come from old books, cloches, silver platters, trays and candelabras - most of which can be collected through thrifting or at vintage markets. Let the colors you live with be your guide...

 

Use what you have:

Roll old book pages into  into a cloche display + stack books 

with pages facing out for texture...

 

A Ghostly Color scheme and theme...

Textiles: Grey + Greige + Linen + Burlap + Gauze 

 

Bones treats

Bone treats of Pretzels & Marshmallows dipped in White Chocolate

 

Steampunk Pumpkin

Vintage Apothecary Bottles

Newsprint Goody Bags 

 

Vintage funnels as candle holders on a tray

 

Collect vintage silver trays through thrift,

as displayed at Bachman's House on Hammers & High Heels.

Not only can they be used to serve treats at your Halloween party, 

they can be reused again during the holiday too...

 

Antique gold painted pumpkins mixed with flea market finds to create a vignette.

Steampunk style also can "bleed" (hee hee) into a more Gothic look,

 just by changing the color palette to black and red...

 

HALLOWEEN NOIR

 

Have yourself a Halloween Spooktacular!

Alternatives to Steampunk style for Halloween can be other spooky theme inspirations such as period movies like Sherlock Holmes or Gangs of New York. Although they aren't horror movies, for their period style, you can have fun pulling together the costumes and it's easy to add a few haunting treasures plus thrift the look. Alfred Hitchcock movies like Dial M for Murder, Psycho, The Birds and Vertigo can also be alternate Halloween party themes, costume styles & home decor. Unless you are having a house party, sometimes just a small dose of Halloween decor is all you need to be in the "spirit" (hee hee). One of my fave vignettes I would do was on the buffet near our entry with my friend Skully (seen below). Jeff would have fun too, playing spooky music at the door when we gave out candy. Some DIY Halloween posts and decor I've done you can read at: (click links below images)

 

 GET YOUR SPOOK ON

  

 Halloween DIY Projects from $0

  

 Hitchcock in The Hallway - Halloween Display

One of my favorite Halloween party decor sets I've seen was The Legend of Sleepy Hollow theme Eddie Ross had done for an HGTV block party special. This special was also the first time I came across Eddie Ross and now love his style! He's a strong believer of "making use of what you already have", plus incorporating thrift finds into his decor. LOVE the spooky theme and the look...

Eddie Ross: Behind the Scenes of HGTV's Halloween Block Party

For more Halloween decor, costumes and recipe ideas 
plus more links to Steampunk style, 
click the following links to head over to my Pinterest Boards:

 

HALLOWEEN INSPIRATION BOARD

STEAMPUNK STYLE BOARD

And stop by to see KATE of Dabble In Chic for

FOCUS ON: THANKSGIVING TABLESCAPE

and see JULIE of Simply Savvy to kick off your Fall season with a

FOCUS ON: FALL DECOR

Hope you are inspired!

Thanks for stopping by to check out

The Big Three Before The Tree!

SEMI-HOMEMADE HALLOWEEN COSTUMES

Although I'm big on planning, sometimes I do wait until the last minute. And sometimes, those crunch times, have had the most creative end results. Case in point: deciding at the last minute to dress-up for Halloween. My friend Rebeca plans her costume like Macy's plans their parades - the year before (that's just how much she LOVES Halloween). I love it too, but sometimes I just need to be in the mood. For those times that I did get in the mood, it was from seeing the potential in some of those $10 and $20 costumes hanging in a store. Just like with a room, it's the accessories that can pull a look together....

SERPENTINE SORCERESS

This lovely little dress I found at WALGREEN'S for only $9.99.

I jazzed it up with a wig I got at a salon... and yes - me and my sticks. I spray painted a branch black, attached some shredded black fabric, a large snake, and some faux red stones...

I made a crown from a grapevine wreath I spray painted black and

wove in a few black fake snakes (with beady red eyes) and a whole-lotta black fine tulle for drama. I had cut the wreath (in the back) so it would fit snug on my head. The tulle also helped cover the opening.

I wish I had a photo of Becky's costume. She had beaded a chest plate and black platform boots (her own - not from a costume). And although she doesn't have kids, she always like to host and decorate the courtyard for an apartment building party. It was a great way to get to know the neighbors and the kids stayed safe and had fun being close to their home. Afterwards, we'd head down to Lincoln Road on South Beach and see the carnival of costumes to go clubbing... Although this costume was only 9.99, I was able to wear it a few times....

I had even wore this to work and walked the store saying:

"SELL SELL SELL OR I'LL CAST A SPELL!!!" lol

Last year, while in Big Lot's getting some supplies for the Halloween party, I spotted a cute black costume with coppery details for only $19.99...

THE LEGEND OF AVENTURA

 Again, accessories played a part in pulling a look together.

I love having some kind of prop (and yes - a stick). I knew I had some copper leaves and small skulls I had used to make a door wreath the year before, so I took it apart to use for the costume...

I weaved in some of the copper leaves into the Amy Weinhouse wig I got at Party City. I also used the leaves on my prop. I painted a Styrofoam skull black and stuck it on the end of the stick...

My black ruched boots worked withe the ruffle details and I added some of my own black beaded accessories. This was a scary site around 8:30 in the morning...But it was a Friday and just that time of the year to let out your little demon.... hee hee.....

One year... in my twenties... I made myself into a Widow Bride. I drenched my (then) blonde hair with red mouse, packed on some HEAVY make-up and jazzed up one of those little shorty Dracula costumes (with the big collar). I had a super wide black stretchy belt I added tons of tullel to. I attached more tulle to a wide black headband, along with hot gluing a rhinestone necklace to it to make a veil. I added a black rose pin to the deep V. I attached jagged black sheer fabric to some opera length black satin gloves I had (from clubbing). And what's a bride without a huge bouquet (hey - It was the 90's!!), and huge faux diamond ring. Since I was at a club (and won Second Place in a costume contest) I spent the evening sipping champagne and saying, "Oh woe is me..." lol I placed second to a midget who had dressed as The Penguin from Batman. He had props too - he had a monocle (single eyeglass) and an open umbrella...

Me & Hope - 7th Grade

Costumes have come a long way since the days from throwing on a sheet and some fake blood or cutting up the bottom of moms long black dress to be Morticia from the Addams Family.

What are your Halloween plans? Will you dress up?

What do you want to be?

I think I'll always love this look...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

LINKING TO:

The DIY Showoff - Last Minute Halloween Fall Festival

Somewhat Simple - Halloween Blog Party