What is a SteamPUP?
Steampunk is a fictional genre that combines the Victorian era’s fashion and quality workmanship, with modern technology. Steampunk started out as a literary genre inspired by authors such as Jules Verne, it has now morphed into a fashion and sub-culture. A SteamPUP is the loving companion of someone that enjoys Steampunk! SteamPUPs put up with their owner's obscessions and wear retro clothing and play with octopus toys! It's become quite popular with cosplay and as a stand-alone hobby and you can include your pet too! People love to build contraptions, create fashions and fantasize about an old fashioned world with modern conveniences and of course, man's best friend (which could also be a cat) likes to help. The appeal of Steampunk is the quality, detail and creativity in the costuming and contraptions. Certain items have become Steampunk mainstays: Octopus, Fantasy Airships, Goggles, tophats, Corsets & Bussels, Gears, Leather and industrial modern design.
Once you get a feel for steampunk design, you'll appreciate the detail and rich textures it involves. Your pet will enjoy the Steampunk toys and getting to go with you on excursions. After all, most pets are born travelers...so why not travel with them to another place and time? Most steampunk designs are homemade with an incredible amount of work and creativity. Many go so far as to decorate entire apartments in steampunk styled designs, or wear clothing with a steampunk bent...so why shouldn't your best friend get involved too? Anything that involves spending time with your pet is a positive, and many enjoy the attention they get when dressing up with a few steampunk items. Dogs naturally want to please, so are usually willing to wear steampunk costumes (assuming the are reasonably comfortable). Cats not so much, but there are a lot of fun pictures of animals that have gone along with their owners' love of steampunk (maybe because it involves extra treats!).
This website is about dressing your steampup and providing him with awesome authentic looking accessories and safe steampunk inspired toys to fit your lifestyle. Whether you design your own outfits, or order 'off the shelf' steampunk items, we have a great selection to choose from for your pet. Always keep in mind that steampunk is fantasy, and when dressing a dog or cat in steampunk fashion, always make sure your pet is comfortable wearing these steampunk items. If not, than please do not force your pets to wear them. Whether your dog is dressed in wings, goggles, a pocket watch and tophat or laced up vest...and is playing with an airship and octopus... it's supposed to be fun!
The perfect breed for Steampunk? That's hard to say...with the right outfit any dog can look great. Daschunds sprout wings, Pugs sport monicals and tophats and Wire Haired Terriers have been featured in all kinds of Steampunk attire, but any dog can look great and have a lot of fun (they'll love the attention).
There have been some great steampunk films to get you in the mood and the creative juices flowing for your best friend:
1. The City Of Lost Children A 1995 French-German-Spanish science fantasy drama filmdirected by Marc Caro and Jean-Pierre Jeunet and starring Ron Perlman, who does not speak French, and repeated his lines phonetically as given to him by Caro. The film is stylistically related to the previous and subsequent Jeunet films, Delicatessen andAmélie. A scientist in a surrealist society kidnaps children to steal their dreams, hoping that they slow his aging process. Nothing screams Steampunk more than time.
2. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States,is the hero in this movie. Having discovered vampires are planning to take over the United States, he makes it his mission to eliminate them. The wonderful Victorian fashion and epic action scenes make this movie one-of-a-kind.
3. Hugo Hugo is a 2011 3D historical adventure drama film based on Brian Selznick's novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Set in 1930s Paris, an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station is wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton. If you love to see steel come to life, this movie will rock your world!
4. Wild Wild West Over the top antics and gadgets make this a great Steampunk movie. This movie is action-packed and full of innovative engineering thanks to Kevin Kline’s character, Artemous Gordon. You can also watch Wild Wild West for a closer look at 19th century fashion and become inspired to create your own Victorian inspired ensemble. Starring cast of Will Smith, Salma Hayek and Kevin Kline
5. League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen This movie, besides featuring the enigmatic Sean Connery as Allain Quartermaine, features gorgeous scenes of techno-Steampunk. The Nautilus submarine is a stunning display of engineering, but no Steampunk sub is complete without gadgets galore, a six-wheeled automobile, and imaginative weaponry. Cast of L-R Jason Flemyn, Stuart Townsend, Naseeruddin Shah, Sean Connery, Peta Wilson, Shane West
6. Van Helsing This film is Steampunk with a touch of gothic, bringing together characters from contemporary horror literature such as Mr. Hyde, The Wolf Man and Frankenstein. Val Helsings gas powered crossbow is just one of the reasons we put this movie at the top of the list. Nothing says Steampunk like a proto machine gun crossbow! Starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale
7. A Series Of Unfortunate Events Not only is this movie visually stunning, it has a dark Gothic Neo-Victorian feel. Follow the Baudelaire children as they find inventive ways to escape the wrath of the horrible Count Olaf, and discover the secret of their family’s past. Starring Jim Carrey, Liam Aiken, Emily Browning, Jude Law, Meryl Streep
8. Sherlock Holmes The wisecracking, inventive Sherlock Homes is the main reason this movie makes the Steampunk category. The top hats, coat tails, and other Victorian fashion elements are also great, but there is something about Sherlock Holmes that speaks to the resourceful Steampunk style. Starring Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law
9. The Golden Compass Golden Compass takes place in a parallel universe where a mysterious company threatens to separate children from their real imaginary friends. This alternate Victorian world is loaded with scientific machines, beautiful sets, and tons of Steampunk gadgets to enjoy.
10. Howl’s Moving Castle In an alternate-techno fantasy world a young girl is transformed into an elderly woman by a witch and must break the spell. Her journey to breaking the spell soon becomes an adventure. The moving castle in this flick might as well be called the The Castle of Steampunk because it is full of gears and levers, and powered by magical steam. The castle in Howls moving castle
11. City Of Ember This 2008 movie tells the story of a generator-powered, underground world. When the generator begins to fail two children find clues left by the original builders of the city to lead them back to the world above ground. The Steampunk features of this movie can be seen within the veteran technology and the post-apocalyptic, futuristic society. Doon Harrow and Lina Mayfleet in City of Ember
12. 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea Watch the original 1954 version to get the full Steampuck effect. Leagues is considered by many to be the quintessential Steampunk flick. This movie is like a Steampunk version of Moby Dick. Starring Kirk Douglas, James Mason, Peter Lorre, Paul Lukas.
Steampunk Links for your Human wardrobe:
Museum Replicas (Clothing & Accessories)