Hi, steampunk men – this is a really wide field for imagination, because they, unlike female images, are more often associated not with fashion, but with a profession, an archetype. And here you can roam from an airship captain to a self-made scientist. I put together my first costume about a year ago, and I can say right away – do not fall for templates. The biggest disappointment for beginners is when the image looks like they bought everything in one Chinese store “for steampunk”. It seems ok in terms of elements, but in the end – empty. I went from the opposite. First, I came up with a character: a former army engineer who escaped after a man-made disaster and now wanders around the destroyed territories with a suitcase of strange devices. From here came: a vest from an old leather jacket (I remade it myself), I added brass buttons to it, threw an old duster on top, which I treated with sandpaper and stain to make it look worn out. The pants are regular thick ones, but I added belts on the hips, as if to attach tools. As for the accessories, I made the glasses myself. I bought old welding glasses, broke off the fasteners, added a leather frame, glued on lenses from an old camera lens. Screws, brass, a little ink – and it looks great. I actually ripped the clock mechanism out of an old alarm clock and put it in a pocket watch that my grandfather gave me. As for the mechanical hand, I recommend looking at 3D printing or using parts from bicycle chains. The main thing is to have a sense of functionality, and not just “stick gears on.”

Hey, great question — and welcome to the rabbit hole of steampunk style!

It sounds like you’re aiming for a grounded, functional men’s steampunk look with character, not just costume flair — and that’s the best way to go for real-world events like quests or festivals.

If you want a more aviation or military edge, think along the lines of WWI/WWII flight gear mixed with Victorian tailoring. Start with:

High-waisted trousers (tweed or wool)

A structured vest with brass buttons

A crisp shirt with rolled-up sleeves

And either a long coat or pilot-style leather jacket

Layer with accessories:

Goggles (aviator style with brass detailing)

A vintage pocket watch (you can customize it with visible gears)

Leather gloves or bracers

If you’re feeling ambitious, a mechanical arm made from real metal parts or 3D-printed components can look stunning — way more durable than cardboard

As for building vs. buying — I’d recommend combining both. Buy sturdy base items and customize with found objects, paint, leather, etc. You’ll get a clean finish with your own signature.

Also, if you’re sharing your outfit journey or DIY accessories on YouTube, early interaction really helps your content surface. Consider tools like
buy YouTube likes to boost your initial reach, especially in niche scenes like steampunk.

Can’t wait to see what you come up with!