10 Amazing Steampunk Costume Ideas and accessories made from foam!

October 26, 2020 Chris Huebert

Looking to add a bit of flair to your steampunk costume? Here are a few ideas (and templates) from Lost Wax that any competent DIY-er can whip up to take their cosplay to the next level!

1. Add a Top Hat

Perhaps the most widely recognized “steampunk” clothing item, the top hat adds a little class (and makes you much easier to find in a crowded convention centre) The basic top hat pattern is as easy as it gets, with 3 pieces of an old foam camping mat making up the hat. After that, the sky’s the limit for adding your own decorative touches!

2. Flight Helmet

Sky pirate? Balloon captain? Avid aviatrix? You’re gonna need something to keep your ears warm and your hair out of your eyes. What better than an old school flight helmet? This diy flight helmet project requires a few sheets of standard craft foam you’d get at any craft supplies store. There’s the basic helmet, but there are also options to add a bit more steampunk vibe as well!

3. Goggles for everyone!

Here’s a little accessory that works with the top hat or the flight helmet. Goggles. Sure, you can buy cheap plastic goggles that look the same as everyone else, or, you can make your own goggles, and make them amazing!

4. Plague Doctor Mask

No one likes the plague, but we all love a good plague doctor costume! If course it’s hard to be a plague doctor without that crazy bird mask, so here’s a template that will help you capture that bird-y goodness. Also made from craft store foam sheets, and the plague doctor mask pattern includes multiple sizes to fit most people.

5. Plague Doctor Hat

It’s tough to find a decent wide, flat brimmed plague doctor hat, unless, of course you make your own! Another simple pattern, with only a few pieces to put together. It is recommended to use a high density foam for this one, so that the brim can stay nice and straight without flopping around.

6. Rocketman

Take any steampunk cosplay, add a jetpack, and all of a sudden you’re in a whole new league. This is a much more complicated build than the previous ones, so make sure you are up for the challenge before you get stuck into it! It also pairs nicely with the flight hat and goggles. Find the jetpack template here.

7. Robot Arm

Become the Iron Man of the 1800’s with this piston-driven robotic arm. This build is not for the impatient or faint of heart, but the end result is magical! The range of motion is quite good, due to a creatively designed pivoting hinge system which is made from easy to get vinyl tubing. Cheap foam camping mats won’t be sturdy enough for this one, so make sure to find some reasonably dense EVA foam sheets to make the mechanical arm.

8. Shoulder Armour

This shoulder armor template can stand alone, or be combined with the Mechanical Arm to create a much more intense costume. It is also handy for any armor-inspired costume.

9. Catwoman Mask

I am always amazed at what you can create out of a humble sheet of craft foam, and this classy bit of steampunk fashion is no exception. The cat mask pattern includes options for a classic all black mask with one-piece ears, as well as the steampunked version complete with multi segmented ears, and a variety of other bits of fantastical technology scattered around the mask.

10. Mini Top Hat

For those days when you don’t want to go all out, but still want that little something. These cute little top hats are fun to build and decorate, and when it’s time to put them away, they won’t fill up your closet.

So, there are a few ideas. They all use EVA foam and either contact cement or hot glue to hold them together.

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