From black, voluminous gowns to lace embellishments and satin corsets, gothic fashion is having a moment, and we’re here for it.
The goth trend has been gradually making a comeback over the summer, with fashion houses like Dior, Louis Vuitton and Versace celebrating its various facets — picture anything from satin and sheer fabrics to vinyl tops, studded dresses and grunge, chunky boots.
This is your chance to unleash your unapologetically goth self and embrace this sweet dark trend until it vanishes into thin air. Here’s how to turn your wardrobe into a proper goth fest.
The concert goth look
There’s probably no better place to let your inner Wednesday Addams out than at a concert. Festivals or even smaller gigs invite us to be our most flamboyant, most liberated selves, so throw away your conventional jeans and embrace your goth side.
Take a page out of Avril Lavigne’s book and start building the look with a black, voluminous, feathery or tulle skirt such as this one from Amazon, match it with your favourite black top and add a pair of chunky black boots or bulky Oxfords to complete the look — these lace-up, heeled boots from Nasty Gal, or this Oxford pair from ALDO will do the trick. Accessorise with this tiara with black details from Amazon for that finishing dark yet sparkly touch.
Read more: Discover Lucca, the Tuscan city with a rich musical history
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The office goth look
If you thought gothic attire wasn’t appropriate for an office setting, think again. There are many ways to subtly incorporate the style into your outfit, while keeping it professional.
Start by throwing on a chiffon black shirt or blouse such as this top, paired with black trousers, or a sleek black dress with lace details like this one, both from Next. Top the outfit with this military-style blazer, also from Next (think My Chemical Romance in the Black Parade era), and don’t forget your black loafers. Opt for the chunky kind, as they’ll add a rock twist to an otherwise classic piece; these ones from Aldo look both goth-ish and formal enough to serve as work shoes. Accessorise with an elegant black handbag, which features a chain strap.
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The evening goth look
Dior is one of the fashion houses to have incorporated the goth style into its designs, and this black silk chiffon dress that actor Jennifer Lawrence wore to the Causeway premiere is an excellent example of how to nail the look for a fancy occasion.
Copy J-Law’s look with this black, sheer maxi dress with lace elements from All Saints and accessorise with black, glittery loafers such as this pair from ALDO, as well as a clutch bag with rock touches. This one from Dune London has a diamond-encrusted clasp and chain strap, which is glam and fabulously dark. Or, you can pick a slightly more casual option such as this studded purse from ASOS.
If you’re aiming for an even fancier outfit, choose a velvet black dress instead, either a maxi one, such as this Adrianna Papell showstopper (available on johnlewis.com), or a shorter piece, such as this layered mini from Monki (available on ASOS). Accessorise with minimal, silver jewellery and a pair of black, pointy heels, and you’ll be good to go.
The outdoorsy goth look
Channelling your inner goth in the great outdoors can be tricky, especially when it’s hot outside, as black is known to absorb the heat. But autumn might be the perfect time to give it a go. Throw on a vinyl crop top like this Versace model did and give it a more casual spin.
This faux leather corset top from Hollister would work brilliantly with black high- or mid-rise skinny jeans such as this pair from River Island, or you can always match the latter with a simple white T-shirt to break up the black. Add a cool multilayer necklace such as this one from Amazon (complete with crystals and pentagrams) and don’t forget the boots; Doc Martens are the way to go here — how about this extra-goth pair? Complete the look with a lace headband such as this floral hair piece from SHEIN.
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The goth beauty look
Taylor Swift went for her signature cat-eye make-up at the VMAs late last month, but also added sparkling crystal gems to make it stand out. Eyeliner is an obvious go-to when it comes to rock make-up, but there are a few more details you can add to upgrade your goth look.
Just like Taylor, give your eyeliner more depth with a moody-coloured eye shadow (anything from burgundy or purple to dark green will do — check out this burgundy eye shadow set from MAC), and take your make-up to the next level with a dark-coloured lipstick: this matte Dior in dark violet is an excellent choice.
Complete the look with black nails adorned with little diamond studs (try this black nail polish from Essie, available on boots.com), and diamond earrings or even a septum ring, if you want a bit of an edge — you don’t have to get pierced, there are fake rings on websites such as Amazon.
