Hey! If you don't mind me asking, where do you get your victorian/steampunk attire? Do you make it all? I am looking to get some nice victorian dresses but I'm not sure where to look. Thanks and have a lovely day :)
Hello! Personally, I get most of my Victorian and Steampunk attire secondhand; namely from thrift shops, consignment clothing shops, flea markets and yard sales, antique/vintage stores, and occasionally online via eBay and Etsy. Alas, I am fairly inept as a seamstress (sewing machines terrify me!), but I can do basic things like replacing buttons and sewing trims onto existing garments by hand. This is useful for embellishing items that have a suitable cut, but are otherwise kind of plain. Aside from occasions where I plan for a specific look, I generally look for items that I can mix and match with other things. My wardrobe is filled with nice jackets, formal evening skirts, fancy scarves, vests, ruffled blouses, ‘granny boots’, and of course costume jewelry. Also, when rummaging through racks of secondhand clothes - I make it a point to train my eye to look for more formal fabrics; like velvet, brocade, lace, taffeta, silk, etc., which look more “period correct” for Steampunk/Victorian fashions.As far as purchasing complete ensembles as a custom order, I’ve only had experience with Recollections. They have a lot of beautiful designs to choose from, and you can pick from custom colors, fabrics, and sizes. They can be expensive, but they always have some styles on sale so look for those. I will also note that their sizing runs a bit large so if you’re on the fence about what size to order I’d air on the smaller side - or ask them for details. Thank for your question, and I hope you found my response helpful! :)