Greater Than the Sum

Usually, the corset-as-outerwear bugs me when it comes to steampunk fashion Traditionally, they functioned similarly to a bra, but also as a bit of a #Victorian torture device, shrinking the waist, and sometimes doing irreparable damage to the wearer. Both men and women wore corsets, but almost always under their outer layers of clothing.

There were actually “dress reformists” who viewed corset wearing similar to how some church groups in the 70s and 80s viewed rock and roll music or D&D gaming.

Most steampunk corsets are for decorative purposes only. They attempt to create a sensual/sexual image of the woman, with just a hint of S&M. They're like the steampunk goggles that most characters wear without a reason for actually wearing them.

Not really my bag.

All that said, this image caught my attention. It’s photoshopped and those boots are . . . uggh. But the hat and the suggestion of cannon smoke from battle aboard a ship all works to convey a bit of story here. That fact that she’s standing, unmoved, while the crew appear to be rushing, is also a fun bit of the story.