Post Apocalyptic/Futuristic Fashion
Hey, guys! What's happenin'? I just wanted to take a short break from style posts to do another style advice gig. Make no mistake, I don't consider myself a fashion authority. Not in the least. However, I thought it might be useful to share my thought processes in the creation of post apocalyptic, futuristic, steam punk type styles. If this is something you may be interested in, feel free to read on!
As you can see from the photos above, dark and neutral colors tend to work best for these styles. Still, don't emulate what you think MIGHT be cool or trendy. Rather, I would suggest sticking to your personal style, but also try to add as much of an interesting edge as possible. For example, I like to play with varying lengths and asymmetry. Just be yourself! That is really the most important thing to take away from this post. I felt completely comfortable in the outfits below, despite their craziness!
I don't typically do all black outfits when I'm doing a futuristic style, because it requires a lot of textures to prevent looking homogenous and boring. It's basically a pain in the ass to do it right. Haha. Maybe I'll try it out one day, but I don't think I have the money to do it. Reflective dark fabrics would work best (see the photos above for examples) and those can be expensive. I'm all about fashion on a budget!
In this first outfit, you can see the different colors and patterns that I put together to create aesthetic interest and appeal. Your eyes aren't really drawn to any one thing in particular. At the same time, you don't get lost in a sea of dark colors. The varying neutral shades add the right amount of definition.
Each layer consisted of lightweight and sheer fabric, except for the shrug and jacket. Perfect for Fall!
This is a steampunk style I wore over the summer. It was a very hot day, so I opted for light, sleeveless garments and an unlined skirt. It is totally possible to layer up without getting a heat stroke! Haha.
Knowing which fabrics to use and how to layer them is really the trick. I've had people comment on how my layered up styles look warm for the summer time, but you should know that looks can be deceiving!
If you emphasize breathable cotton, sheer fabrics and minimal layering with the most aesthetic impact, you can look incredibly cool (and stay relatively dry) even at the hottest time of the year!
Also, don't be afraid to add some color! Although there is an emphasis on dark, neutral tones, I think that you can use color strategically without sacrificing the edgy, futuristic style that you're going for.
Here, again, you can see the neutral layer cake theme. The cape and cardigan add interesting textures due to the different weaves in their fabrics and the chunky fringe supplies an intentionally haphazard feel. The saving grace of the outfit, however, is the galaxy tights. The bright colors were paramount!
This maroon skirt added just the right amount of color and additional texture without being flashy or distracting, in my opinion. Sometimes, the right placement of color can take you from wanna-be gutter punk goth girl to serious, runway-ready fashionista. What matters most is your personal comfort level!
If you want to inject a more palpable edge into your outfits, you don't have to add crazy spiked collars or studded bracelets or wear suspender tights or anything that you don't feel comfortable wearing.
My advice is to start with simple color coordination and basic layering with an emphasis on textures. Be mindful of the season, also! Let the time of year determine the fabrics you choose and how many layers you add. You don't have to go whole hog on this. You can easily start small, experiment and work your way into more complex configurations. My favorite style creations are the futuristic, hell-on-earth outfits. Haha. I get so much joy out of pushing the envelope with these looks and I hope you will, too! :D
Thanks so much for reading! Have a great weekend! ^_^
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