Steampunk Style. Why Goggles are considered a Steampunk “Must Have”

Steampunk Style. Why Goggles are considered a Steampunk “Must Have” So you’ve received an invitation to a Steampunk event and you’re a bit panicked, not quite sure what to wear so you ask Google and WhatsApp a few friends, family and colleagues who assure you that the one item that should be included in your outfit is a pair of Steampunk goggles.

Before I share details of the history of this cool accessory and why it features so prominently in the world of Steampunk let me provide you with a general definition of Steampunk.

Steampunk is an aesthetic movement inspired by and loosely based on the Victorian era in England (1837-1901), the American Civil War (1861-1865)( The Wild West), and the French Belle Epoque (1879-1914). Aesthetically, Steampunk is basically a fantasized version of fashion of the 19th century (and early 20th century) and tends to include imagined features or occurrences that didn’t exist until after the 1900s,( for example, Aviation) Fast motor cars that require drivers or pilots to wear goggles for protection came into existence much later than imagined in the Steampunk genre.

If you have ever watched a Steampunk-inspired movie (e.g. Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey Junior) you will surely have noticed that Sherlock and Watson wore goggles or sunglasses/shades with coloured round lenses as they drove about, living their best lives and solving cases.

So then, why exactly are goggles considered a Steampunk “Must Have”? Historically, with the railway mania of the Victorian 1840s, so-called cinder/ (not Sinder like my surname!) goggles began to be mass-produced due to the high demand by not only railway workers but also from passengers who needed to wear goggles for protection against elements such as dust, rain, bugs etc as railway carriages at the time didn’t contain glass panes in the windows ).Also, ash etc from the chimneys of the steam locomotives would blow into the wagon windows. Goggles were pulled snugly around the temples and eyes with leather straps or elastic to ensure protection against these hazards to the eyes. Interestingly coloured lenses such as white, green, blue, or smoky grey are historically correct and did actually feature in the Victorian era.

In reality in the 19th century, the use of goggles was mostly limited to steam rail transport. or Aviation, Motoring and Motorcycling, and goggles were only introduced in the 20th century. In Steampunk fiction, characters' personas are depicted as pioneers, adventurers, or inventors who seem to need the protection of goggles for the many dangers they were imagined to face in their various creative roles as Air Pirates, pilots of various fantastical flying machines, Vintage hot air balloon enthusiasts, explorers or scientist inventing something new and hazardous. As a result, distinct types of safety goggles have become an essential component of Steampunk culture. Whilst Steampunk goggles were designed to protect the eyes from all these real and imagined dangers on land, sea, and air, at the end of the day they do look seriously cool on the wearer and are definitely one of the most fun and stylish accessories to wear. Please browse through our Goggles category to order for your next STEAMPUNK event or purchase as the coolest gift for the special person in your life who loves Vintage and Niche.