Steampunks in colourful costumes descend on a VERY drizzly Whitby as the seaside town holds its twice-yearly festival dedicated to ‘decadent desires’
- The three-day festival, which has run since 1997 in the Yorkshire town, is one of largest of its kind in the UK
- Steampunk enthusiasts take part to show off their imaginative costumes and attend events
- Organisers describe the weekend as a ‘rather splendid affair indeed’ – if not a little rainy this time around
The Yorkshire town of Whitby played host to an eclectic range of visitors this weekend for the Whitby Steampunk Weekend which takes place twice a year.
During the three-day festival, which has been running since 1997, steampunk fans descended on the northern seaside town to show off their quirky fashion and attend special events including a live concert and special Valentine’s Day ball.
Steampunk is a subculture inspired by science fiction and fantasy literature of the 19th century, by authors including Mary Shelley and Jules Verne.
Fans often wear costumes inspired by British Victorian design, incorporating aspects connected to 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery (for example, goggles).
According to the organisers of Whitby Steampunk Weekend, it is a ‘rather splendid affair indeed, with a cornucopia of delightful indulgences and fanciful extravagances for all your sumptuous decadent desires, dreams and pleasures, and all held indoors within the beautiful Whitby Pavilion’.
Bold and bright: Lavishly costumed Steampunk fans protect themselves and their extravagant clothing from the Yorkshire drizzle
Top hats, goggles, and corset are all part of the Victorian-inspired Steampunk aesthetic sported by attendees of this weekend’s Whitby Steampunk Weekend
Attendees keep dry inside the Whitby Pavilion Theatre, which played host to some of the festivities this weekend
According to event organisers, thousands of people attend every year, making it one of the biggest festivals of its kind in the UK
Whitby Abbey was the inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s Dracula – making the town the perfect setting for the creative crowd who attend each year
According to organisers, the three-day extravaganza is family-friendly, and free to attend (aside from some ticketed events)
John Allsopp was one of the attendees of this year’s the Whitby Steampunk Weekend, wearing full costume
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Goggles, top hats, and gloves are all part of the Steampunk, which fuses industrial-inspired garments with elements of Victorian fashion (as worn by Dean Turner)
Another festival-goer, Dave Stephenson, shows off a lavish black frock coat paired with complementary red accessories including a spider brooch
Women’s Steampunk garb, as worn by Clare Parrott, often features corsetry inspired by the fashion of Victorian Britain
Donna Leeson poses in her intricate costume which combines a grey tulle skirt and brocade corset, paired with a blue feather boa and bowler hat
Jane Lines’s costume for the weekend also incorporated some common Steampunk fabrics, including leather
A man playing the character of Thaddeus, a Steampunk character decked out in some of the popular industrial-inspired outfit elements including goggles and various tools
Another event attendee, Adrian Lines, shows off a faux fur hat and collar, paired with a bullet belt as part of his costume
Nick Rycroft sports another pair of intricate goggles as part of his look for the Steampunk Weekend
Seeing red: Event attendee Cathy Gilling’s costume pairs red and black, with her military-style jacket accessorised with industrial-inspired touches like her key earrings and goggles
Steve Hanby’s outfit featured a red military-style jacket paired with a black feathered hat, and accessorised with Steampunk goggles
Steampunk fan Emma Parfett models her cream and brown ensemble featuring a tiered lace skirt, corset and cropped blazer, topped off with a leather hat
It’s clear to see the creativity and skill that goes into creating Steampunk costumes, with this outfit worn by Shaun Smith
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