I want to open this discussion up to the forum. How do we feel about the ever increasing presence of the Steampunk aesthetic in fashion and common household goods? On the one had I want to share Steampunk with the world though on the other hand it's only a matter of time until cheaply made and commercial "ray guns" from china are being sold at hot topic.

Anyway the idea came to me the other day when I was wondering around Target's Christmas section. It was chalk full of dark brass', chocolate brown's, and neo-victorian print work.

What I'm getting at is, is this something we should be rejoicing or is it something that we should be uietly sad about?

Ariana and I were at a fabric/crafting store and in one of the pattern books was a DISTINCTLY steampunk costume, complete with cogs.
We lulzed.

The Neo-Victorian aesthetic has always been part of the "shabby chic" design movement, though obviously the color palette is completely different.

And yeah, sorry bro... it's only a matter of time before steam becomes mainsteam.

Though thanks to the rockabilly subculture, classic car enthusiasts, roaring 20's aficionados, and WWII junkies, I think diesel is already part of mainstream culture enough to prevent it from becoming a cheap fad. -smug-

The diesel aesthetic is safe from becoming part of the mainstream. Not because various groups represent random parts of the aesthetic, but because it is too similar to steam. And the steampunk movement had already gained momentum before the diesel movement even started.

Also, the question wasn't whether it would become part of the mainstream but how we felt about that happening. And never underestimate what consumerism can make into a cheap fad. All it would take is a single popular anime that represents the diesel aesthetic to bring it to the forefront of popular culture.

I found this at Clair's. Could be a sign.