The steampunk goggles are among the most iconic accessories of the Steampunk fashion. Their industrial design, metallic accents, tinted lenses, and retro-futuristic style can definitely help enhance the steampunk vibe of any outfit. It is often difficult to find a couple that stands out. It’s about the clothing you wear around them.

Steampunk style attire can include several accessories, which can make it extremely overpowered. Goggles, hats, pocket watches, belts, jewelry, gloves and mechanical features can all be effective on their own, but when used all together without a direction, it can look more like a collection of props than an outfit. The challenge is to make links between the accessories, as well as give some elements a lead role.

Start With the Style of Your Goggles

Before adding other accessories, look closely at the goggles themselves. A relatively simple pair with round lenses and a metallic frame leaves plenty of room for additional details elsewhere. More elaborate steampunk goggles featuring gears, spikes, side lenses, chains, or decorative hardware already function as a statement piece and usually need less competition.

The finish is important as well. Brass and bronze finishes are very suitable for Victorian inspired accessories, brown leather clothes, pocket watches, and vintage jewelry. Silver or darker metallic finishes may make a more industrial look and would work nicely with black leather and chains, buckles, and darker clothes.

It does not require all of the metals to match up perfectly. In fact, there can be a bit more variation in the finishings to make a garment look more organic. It is important that there is enough visual consistency so that the accessories do not seem to be in a different world.

Pair Goggles and Hats Carefully

One of the most famous looks for Steampunk is goggles and hat; however, the correct proportions are key.

The height and support of a top hat are sufficient for larger or more ornate glasses. They do not have to go over the eyes, rather they can be placed around the crown; making them a part of the hat. Smaller goggles can fit shorter hats, bowls or hats of the vintage style without compromising their look.

But if both pieces are very ornate, then it can be too much! If the feathered hat is already adorned with chains, gears, or other embellishments, then simpler goggles might enhance its appearance. On the other hand, a flashy pair of goggles can make for a bold accessory for a plain hat.

Consider the two pieces as one piece and not two pieces of accessories.

Coordinate With Jewelry Without Matching Everything

A great way to reinforce the mechanical aspect of steampunk is through jewelry, but it doesn’t have to be exactly the same. All of these items can be worn together and make the theme a bit less sophisticated.

Rather, make subtle linkages. Brass goggles can be complemented with a few antique gold rings or an old fashion pendant. Silver-toned goggles can be complemented by darker chains or understated metallic jewelry.

Likewise, items inspired by the Victorian era are ideal. Cameo necklaces, fancy rings, brooches, lockets and dainty chains add to a historical feel, which naturally pairs well with the industrial look of the goggles.

The mixing of mechanical and elegant details is one of the distinctive features of steampunk fashion.

Use a Pocket Watch as a Secondary Detail

There’s few accessories that look as right at home in steampunk fashion as the pocket watch. It adds a welcome “Vig-tique” to an ensemble, but isn’t always the focal point.

If the goggles are the statement accessory, the watch should be a little more subtle. Often a standard metal case that hangs from a waistcoat or fits into a trouser pocket will suffice. The chain itself helps to add detail and movement without being distracting from what’s going on around the face.

Pocket watches work well more when the goggles appear industrial. The blend is a meld of the mechanical aspects of steampunk and the historical era that much of it draws from.

Let Belts and Harnesses Create Structure

Use of goggles puts the focus on the top half of the body, but belts and harness style accessories can help balance the interest of the outfit.

Industrial goggles combine well with wide leather belts sporting large buckles. There is no need to over decorate when using smaller utility pouches to achieve an explorer or inventor inspired style.

Again, moderation matters. If you have a fancy pair of goggles, it is not a must have to have several belts, chains and pouches running simultaneously. A sturdy waist accessory will be able to imply sufficient structure to the outfit.

Choose Gloves Based on the Overall Mood

Gloves can really send a steampunk outfit in all sorts of directions. Long lace gloves add a Victorian touch and leather or fingered gloves give a more mechanical and rugged look.

This depends on the type of goggles that you wear. Slip-on brass goggles with lace gloves can help add a nice contrast to the industrial and refined touch. Leather gloves and accessories with a more utilitarian style, however, do seem to go well with the heavier goggles with dark frames.

Don’t attempt to have a single look and style for all the items, rather, look for things that tie in to the mood.

Know When to Stop Adding Accessories

The main challenge in styling steampunk goggles might be deciding when you’re done. Steampunk likes to be as detailed as possible, but not everything is necessarily detailed.

Pick one or two accessories to be the focal points; the rest of the accessories to complement. If your goggles and top hat already make a big impression, then a few rings, a watch and some jewellery might be adequate. For an understated style, there is more room to play with belts, gloves, necklaces, and other accessories.

The steampunk ensemble should look tight, not too tight. In some cases, even an apparently mundane combination of materials, proportions and finishes can make a strong impression when they all reinforce one another.

In the end, it’s not a formula to follow, but rather a way to match other steampunk accessories with goggles. It’s all about the balance of Victorian elegance, industrial details and your own Victorian interpretation. It’s all about the balance, if you get this correct, the goggles will seem like an integral part of the outfit, not an afterthought.