Get into Steampunk at Telford festival -with pictures and video

Combining Victorian aesthetics with a more modern look and technology, the most famous icons of the community include Will Smith in Wild Wild West, Hugh Jackman from Van Helsing and the cast of West World.

And now I’ve tried it too, in all my frilly, gold-trousered glory. Let’s be honest, Will probably isn’t in too much of a panic.

Looking like I was auditioning to replace Peter Capaldi on the next series of Doctor Who, it’s not the sort of outfit you could get away wearing on your Friday night shop.

I looked like I’d beamed down in Shropshire and started a cowboy-themed Meatloaf tribute.

But that, I was told, is the beauty of steampunk. It’s about creativity, design and individuality. And that’s why tens of thousands of people are getting involved all around the world. Some of them will be heading to Shropshire early next month when Blists Hill holds the county’s first ever Steampunk Festival.

At Ironbridge’s Vintage Corner on Merrythought Village, there has been growing demand for the throwback fashion over the last two years. Owner Donna Byard took me through the racks of clothes designed specifically for the steampunk crowd.

From burlesque style dresses to hats built sky high with props, visitors could spend all day trying on everything to make sure the look is just right. The key was starting small and building from there, Donna said. She picked out items of clothing as we went through, starting with the trousers and building from there. With clock-themed waistcoat on and remarkably frilly cravat firmly in place though, the fun could begin.

We could get to picking out the most outrageous accessories – yes, that is a gun in my hat. The standard John Lennon specs with bright red glass finished off the ensemble. And just as a final touch to get back to the Victorian theme, an antique pocket watch, fully wound and ticking away.

Everything I was wearing had all been picked off the rack too. For those with the time and energy, there’s no limit on the things available to create or re-use as part of a steampunk costume.

“I think you looked absolutely brilliant,” Donna said.

“But even if you put a cowboy hat on and just wore the basics, you’d get away with it perfectly.

“The whole steampunk thing is about what you put into it and how much you want to get out of it.” It’s not the sci-fi crowd that’s most enjoying it though, Donna said. Steampunk is mostly appealing to an older crowd of people who want to add their own spin on the sudden surge of popularity in vintage events.

“We’re seeing a much larger group of Steampunk fanatics in their mid-40s up to their mid-60s,” she said.

“They just enjoy the old fashioned side of things, as well as the fact that they’re almost dressing up as ladies and gentleman. I think it’s a fantasy.

“We started selling steampunk because people were asking about it. We’re getting more and more people coming in, because once people realise they can purchase it on the street they’ll come because they want to try it on.

“The whole thing is about seeing how it looks before making the purchase. It’s a big growing trend.”

Paul Gossage, director of marketing and PR for the Ironbridge Museum Trust, said Blists Hill was looking to steampunk to reach a brand new audience.

“Blists Hill is the logical place for this,” he said.

“It’s a Victorian backdrop and then adding all the steampunk on top of that, it will really be fantastic.

“There’s going to be an exhibition of steampunk art, a market where people can buy their costumes and everyday objects on the theme. There’ll be talks and presentations by experts.

“The most curious thing will be the Run of the Dinosaurs. You might have heard of the Pamplona Bull Run, where young men are chased by bulls. Well, at Blists Hill they’ll be chased through the town by inflatable dinosaurs.”

Paul said if people enjoyed it, they would consider holding the festival again next year.

“We’ve sold tickets to people from all over the country already, but there’s people who are ‘steampunk curious’. They might not be steampunks yet, but they’ve heard of it and they’re interested in it.

“They can come along, look at the exhibition, join in and hopefully they’ll come back in full steampunk garb if we hold the event again next year.”

Blists HIll’s Steampunk Festival will take place on July 1 and 2. For further information go to ironbridge.org.uk