#IM SOOOO OUHHHHHHHHHHHHH PLEASE. I EVEN PROVIDED IMAGES. IM SORRY THAT NOT ALL OF THEM HAVE SOURCES SOBS

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An Actual Delve into JD’s Fashion and Design

Hi! I started this post in a completely different way but when I went to save the draft Tumblr had a complete meltdown, so I’m a bit pissy about that! Oh well!

I wanted to make a genuine post addressing the choices made for the costumes and outfits shown in Juliette’s Draft, because while a lot of it is admittedly eye-candy there are a few columns that characters can fall under that provide visual narration regarding their societal position. While I won’t be discussing every possible subculture (because, hey, it’s fashion! And that changes from person to person!), there are a few Main Ones that pop up consistently throughout the story’s entirety, and I’d love to gush about them under the cut!

The Aristocracy

“Marriage A-la-Mode: 2, The Tête à Tête”, William Hogarth 1743

When it comes to period-accuracy, the Aristocrat lifestyle is as close as it gets. Consisting of noble families and the wealthiest of the wealthy, Aristocrats live comfortably and almost in ignorance of the struggles going on in the world beneath them. The fashion is rich, gold lace trims and silky smooth fabrics, expensive and modest. Men clothe themselves in deep, darker colors whereas the women wear creams and soft pastels. Corsetry is never exaggerated, the heels of a shoe never longer than an inch, and the makeup is kept dainty and light. Perfume is used yet not abused, floral scents (typically lavender) are most popular.

Though they statistically take up only a minority of the population, most of-- if not all-- of the social norm is catered towards their comfort. They are typically viewed as icons of inspiration: the outcome of living a successful and fulfilling life. This is ironic since pretty much all members of the aristocracy have their origins rooted in nepotism, making their lifestyle near unachievable to others.

JD EXAMPLE(S): Juliette’s parents, Dr. Elliot Hobbes and Ms. Danaye Lambros, are members of the aristocracy; making Juliette aristocratic in origin. The Frankenstein family is also a (notorious) example of an aristocratic lineage.

Industrialists

Industrialists are, to put it simply, the working class. They take up a majority of the population and live pretty much as expected. Though not nearly as wealthy, their fashion standards replicate that of the aristocracy’s. Men of higher status in an Industrialist space tend to wear suits, whereas the women wear loose fitting dresses that are easy to move around in. Corsets are uncommon, and if they are used barely any sort of lacing is done. Bright pastels are uncommon in Industrialist fashion, but deep reds and greens are popular choices. Shoes are barely heeled at all for efficiency, and makeup is scarce; perfume even scarcer (though it isn’t unheard of for daughters to receive a small vial of perfume as a birthday gift when they turn 21).

The one thing an Industrialist yearns for most is to be taken seriously. This is the reasoning to why they seem to walk in the shadows of the aristocracy. They mirror instead of deflecting, preferring to follow orders and walk in line with what society wants to prevent “stirring the pot”. An Industrialist may try to view their jealousy towards the more fortunate as encouragement to work twice as hard by the same rules, instead of questioning the rules completely.

JD EXAMPLE(S): The Morlock family is the staple image for what a successful Industrialist household looks like. Filby Morlock is a successful business man who has strict beliefs in orderly behaviour, and many of his relatives follow.

PURISTS/NATURALISTS

Though only a small subsection, Purists/Naturalists maintain mostly the same status as Industrialists excluding their vocal distaste for industrialism as a whole. They dress in loose, flowing clothing; usually in blues and whites to resemble clear skies. Most Purists/Naturalists live in the countryside and refuse to engage in any sort of factory work; usually taking jobs as teachers or artists. It’s a form of revolt, a protest against machinery and a belief (stemming from fear) that the concept of humanity is getting lost in smog and metal.

JD EXAMPLE(S): The Eloi family are strong Naturalist activists, actively protesting the use of factory work. Basil Hallward also comes from a Naturalist family, though his beliefs aren’t quite as strong.

Steampunks

Original Illustration of Jules Verne’s Nautilus engine room

Steampunk is a widespread political movement that applauds and glamorises the industrial revolution. It’s Industrialism but exaggerated by a tenfold, firmly believing that humanity can and should actually go even further with the machinery. These ideologies are expressed by loud, public displays of outlandish inventions. The slogan for the Steampunk movement is “Bring machine to the human, and humanity to the machine”. Some Steampunks gain massive traction and money for their inventions from sponsors; richer, usually anonymous inventors/researchers who wish to see the movement’s fruitions without public involvement.

It’s accessible to all; most Steampunks being minorities in one capacity or another. There is a prevalent distaste for the aristocracy’s ignorance and the oppressive forces set in place from others in power. Steampunk fashion is very much centred around the concept of androgyny and/or breaking the norm. One usually shows skin and wears tight clothing, the idea being that our bodies needn’t be covered in shame, for no one cares about a machine’s “modesty”. Goggles, cog-shaped jewellery, makeup resembling tar smears or soot, and gas masks are just a few popular Steampunk accessories. More extreme Steampunks may coat their teeth with metallic dentures. Common colors are browns, blacks, golds, and coppers; though this isn’t a rule set in stone and can be bent to any degree.

JD EXAMPLE(S): Penny Tinker is the most obvious example I have of casual Steampunk. Dr. Emit Pendulum is an example of Steampunk extremism, where their appearance and demeanour is altered to make them seem almost uncanny-- nearing robotic. Lady Cog is another extreme example, coating her arms in metal to give off the impression that that’s what she’s made out of.

Glampunks

Portrait of Marie-Antoinette painted by Jean-Baptiste Gautier Dagoty, 1775

Glampunk is a subculture of Steampunk. Though the ideologies heavily align, Glampunk fashion is less accessible in nature due to its femininity and how costly it is. Glampunk takes heavy inspiration from Marie-Antoinette’s extravagant wardrobe.

It’s a direct mockery of the aristocracy fashion scene: with tight-laced corsets, exaggerated accessories, exaggerated makeup, exaggerated heels, exaggerated... well, everything. Another prevalent theme in Glampunk is sexuality, where showing skin in a sexy instead of neutral manner is done frequently. Short skirts, stockings, and showing cleavage are common outfit elements. Dying one’s hair in flashy colors is also not unheard of.

JD EXAMPLE(S): Gillie Tine is a good example of Glampunk, going as far to being a direct parody of Antoinetts’ execution. Other examples would be Duchess Josiana and Lady Brandon.

Progressives

The name is somewhat ironic. Think mad science. That’s literally the simplest way to put it. Progressives pride themselves in scientific advancement, whether it be at the expense of themselves or others. Though any scientist can succumb to this, Progressives have a very distinct look to them. Modified lab coats with potential disregards for safety, leather gloves, fancy eye-wear, and tons of decorative vials are the go-to. A Progressive may also cover their face in some aspect, medical masks being the most common. The whole gist is to somehow maintain a sense of anonymity, most Progressives going by aliases.

You tend to know a Progressive when you see one, if you see one at all. What they stand for tends to be extremely immoral and illegal, so coming face to face with one in the wild is usually a sign that you need to run.

JD EXAMPLE(S): The Love Doctor, The Tooth Fairy, and Dr. Dagny Faust.

Gothic and Romantic

“First Class: The Meeting… and at First Meeting Loved,”by Abraham Solomon, 1854 (bottom)

In the context of Juliette’s Draft, these two are less standalone political statements and more popular aesthetics that sneak their way into pretty much everything; so I feel like it’s worth bringing up.

If something is Gothic, it focuses more on the macabre and supernatural aspect of things. Blacks and reds are the most common colors found in gothic fashion, with bat, spider, rose, and skull motifs being popular. If something is Romantic, there’s an undeniable appreciation for the beauty of the free spirit woven into the subject matter. Romantic fashion doesn’t have as much of a distinct look as Gothic fashion, but within literature it is extremely prevalent. These two can even intersect with one another, creating Romantic Gothic: a neat mishmash of the two; arguably less supernatural-focused than pure Gothic.

JD EXAMPLE(S): Dr. Codrin Dracula is an example of someone being casually gothic. Lucy Westenra is an example of Gothic Glampunk. Henry Clerval and Justine Moritz both cater to Romantic world-views, though it’s driven by heavy themes of revenge.

#PLEASE SHOW THIS POST SOME ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I SPENT AN ENTIRE HOUR AND A HALF ON IT #IM BEGGING. PLEASE LOOK AT MY ANALYSIS. MY DESCRIPTION. #IM SOOOO OUHHHHHHHHHHHHH PLEASE. I EVEN PROVIDED IMAGES. IM SORRY THAT NOT ALL OF THEM HAVE SOURCES SOBS #IM SORRY THAT IT'S NOT A JOKE ABOUT A GOTHIC LIT MAN'S DUMPY IM (ON MY HANDS AND KNEES) PLEASE LOOK #my writing #Juliette's draft