Good Goth: Get Goth for Fall
"1991 called; they want their teenage angst back."
For summer, "pop of color" seemed to be the catch phrase. Bright, bold colors were seen on maxi dresses and even jeans. Even the season's neutrals were spiked with shimmer. While color is really always in fashion (I'm currently hooked on yellow-painted toenails), my artsy side is excited about the dark side of fall. Fall '08's goth look isn't the ball necklaces, trench coats and steel-toed boots of the '90s, but instead a more feminine take on the color black. The vampy look has already been popularized by Mary-Kate Olsen and you have probably painted your nails black at least once this year (be it with Chanel polish or Sharpie), so read on for more about this look....
Couture in the City reported on MK Olsen's being up on the goth trend. Mary-Kate uses a dark lip, darker nails and lots ot texture - lots of dark lace & fringe - to achieve a look that's half catwalk and, let's be honest, half high school. As someone who was a huge Stabbing Westward fan and reapplied my heavy smudged liner between every class of my sophomore year, I am relating in the best way.
The twins do goth with a feminine twist, mixing dark pieces with gold and showing a little skin.
How to Graduate Your Look:
In high school, you unleashed your creative spirit with a permanent marker manicure and artistic doodles on your hands. As an adult (or a young fashionista), opt for real black nail polish or a near-black shade of blue, green, red, or dark gray. Keep your hands warm or just fierce with textured gloves - with or without the fingers cut out.
For your bottom half, I still believe skinny jeans are your best bet. Perfect with just about any heel or boot, a dark skinny keeps you looking less scary and more chic if you plan on taking other fashion risks. Another trend is black patent tights, or even a black patent mini skirt for the very very daring. Pull on a tall, chunky boot with that black mini and strut around like Shirley Manson.
In school, edgy beauty meant a pot of Manic Panic and eyes raccooned in Hot Topic liner. As a grown-up, a dark smoky eye is still a great look, but keep it contained to avoid looking as though you've been punched in the face. Pull the liner out to the corners almost in a cat-eye to give the alternative girl's favorite look more chic appeal, or bust out some shimmer for this edgy smoky eye.
When it comes to tops, this is the season for texture. Thrift shop for a classic black lace blouse to wear with jeans, or stick to a basic black tank and a dramatic lacy scarf. Corsets or corset-style tops also have a gothic appeal and can be very figure-flattering. When choosing a corset top, be sure that it is long enough to avoid a belly peek-a-boo, which will look trashy even on the slimmest of girls.
As I said before, trench coats are '90s in a bad way. Hell, they weren't even cool back then. A beat-up black hoodie is not any better, so opt for a cropped jacket or a fitted blazer for more chic.
In The Devil Wears Prada, Emily Blunt wears a cropped black jacket with a black ensemble and edgy belt.
For your feet, any of the season's heels or boots will do. If you go the boot route, skip the combat boots worn by that weird girl in chemistry class and move onto sleeker lines and a feminine heel. Texture is also important, so look for interesting hardware or a caged heel. Keep legs bare or stay warm in ribbed or lacy nylons. Tattoo tights are my favorite.
Texture is equally important for accessories. I never wore a spiked collar in high school, but I was guilty of a ball necklace. I also adored studded bracelets and belts, which are still totally wearable. The goth look also lends itself to quirky stand-out items like Paraphernalia Jewelry (perfect for Halloween. Or the bar. Or a first date). Pick one or two pieces of jewelry for a look that is dark, sexy, and a little bit minimalist. Ditch the messenger bag unless you are actually going to class. Carry a colorful clutch to let people know you aren't really moody and brooding, or fasten a silk flower to your favorite 'it' bag.
I know that this goth trend has me more excited than anything else for fall, and - lucky me - living in Oregon gives me the perfect dreary, depressing weather to take full advantage of it. What do you think of this trend -- Goth chic, or just freak?
Want to get articles like this in your inbox? Subscribe to our Sparkle*Trends newsletter!
Naturally, as a permission-based business, we respect your privacy.
i love the way victoria beckham looks in her all black outfit