Okay, so I’ve been seeing “trad goth” all over my Pinterest and TikTok, and I had to give it a shot. It’s like, old-school goth, think Siouxsie Sioux, Bauhaus, that kinda vibe. But finding the right stuff? A total journey, let me tell you.
Digging Through the Closet (and Grandma’s Attic)
First, I raided my own closet. Black clothes? Check. Anything with lace or velvet? Nope. Found a couple of ripped fishnets, score! But honestly, it wasn’t much to work with. I even checked my grandma’s attic – she used to be a bit of a wild child, so I had high hopes. I found a few old, flowy black skirts, and one amazing Victorian-style blouse with a high collar, but it smelled kinda musty. Still, progress!
Thrift Store Adventures
Next up: thrift stores. This is where the real magic happened. I spent hours sifting through racks of clothes. It was a bit overwhelming at first, but I started to get the hang of it. I looked for anything black, obviously, but also for specific textures and shapes. Think long, flowing skirts, anything with lace or ruffles, maybe some velvet if I got lucky. I even considered some dark, patterned fabrics – stripes, maybe some subtle florals.
- Jackpot #1: A long, black velvet skirt that was slightly too big, but nothing a belt couldn’t fix.
- Jackpot #2: A lacy black top that looked like it came straight out of the 80s. It had a few small holes, but hey, that adds to the aesthetic, right?
- Jackpot #3: Some seriously cool, chunky black boots. They were a little scuffed, but perfect!
DIY Time!
Even with the thrift store finds, I needed to do some customizing. I took some scissors and went to town on a plain black t-shirt, making it look all distressed and ripped. I also added some safety pins and patches to a black denim jacket I had. It’s all about that DIY, punk-rock vibe, you know?
Putting It All Together
Finally, it was time to assemble the outfits. I paired the velvet skirt with the lacy top and the chunky boots. Added some dark eyeliner and lipstick, and boom! Trad goth. I also tried the flowy skirt from my grandma’s attic with a ripped black band tee and the fishnets. It’s amazing how a few key pieces can totally transform your look.
It was a lot of work, but totally worth it. I learned that trad goth isn’t just about buying new clothes – it’s about being resourceful, creative, and embracing that dark, romantic aesthetic. And honestly, it’s just really fun!
