At a spectacular steampunk festival in San Antonio last weekend, Aetherfest, I learned so much at a panel on costuming DOs and DON'Ts, specifically for plus size ladies and gentlemen, I had to share the great advice. I'm breaking it down into several post so the first is one is on steampunk fashion issues from head to neck, like a head shot.

Starting with hats, as cute as the tiny top hats are, they're dispaportioned on a full figured woman, but there are two fabulous solutions. You can choose a full size Victorian hat instead or with your hair styled in a curly or fluffy hairdo, wear the tiny top hat the way you would a barrette. Both are a darling and becoming look for steampunk fashionistas.

Now moving from the head to the neck, we come to ties or necklaces. It is best for the larger steampunk gentlemen to avoid bow ties, with such a grandiose presence, a cravat or ascot will look best. As for plus size women, choose chunky pieces of jewelry or those extravagant in size, for the same reason, proportions. Adorn yourself with a big medallion, a cameo, or a large brooch. A full figured woman has the presence to pull off the more stunning and stupendous pieces of jewelry. http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Along with these helpful hints, here are some photos I snapped at Aetherfest and the Oklahoma Steampunk Expo to offer examples of steampunk fashion DOs.

Also I'm having a blogging contest, so please comment and include your email address so I can reach you if you win. The prize is a PDF eBook of my steampunk/romance As Timeless As Stone.
Here's the trailer for it. And please visit my website at http://MaeveAlpin.com