(Right now I have a huge file folder of 'fashion' that's a mix of what I'd like for me, or my characters, and then I just draw reams of fashion design on stick figures.)
I have a pile of buttons and need to make a run to the leather shop (and find some appropriate silk) to make some little cuffs and possible a choker -- if I can get it looking like... normal jewellery.
True! And that's kind of my thought, though mostly I just like the idea of fanciful buttons sewn into supple leather with a silk underside for comfiness (and possibly flippability)
I would love to experiment with each of those (though maybe not the conch; not my style) individually though just to get a better feel of how they look on their own.
That's gorgeous, but ultimately would fit my steampunk-liking friend way better than me. XD It's hard to find/make neat things that aren't themed on goth/victorian era/steampunk varietals!
I may be using it in a blanket term way, the same that someone who doesn't know the complexity of rap music would call anything with people talking fast to music rap. XD
"Steampunk" wasn't always called that. It was better when it wasn't called that, tbh. If there was a gear or a piston or a bellows, it served a purpose. It was all part of a machine that did some task.