Okay, so I’ve been seeing “gothic fashion” trending all over my socials lately, and, well, I got curious. I’ve always liked the aesthetic, but never really tried it, you know? So, I decided to dive in and give it a go. This is how it went, bumps and all.
Phase 1: The Deep Dive (aka Pinterest Overload)
First things first, I needed inspiration. I spent, I kid you not, hours scrolling through Pinterest. I made a board, started pinning anything that screamed “gothic” to me. There was so much! From Victorian-inspired lace and velvet to more modern, punk-ish looks. I quickly realized there’s, like, a ton of different “gothic” styles.
Phase 2: Closet Raid!
Next, I figured I’d see what I already owned that could work. Turns out, I had more black clothes than I thought! Lots of black t-shirts, a few black skirts, even a pair of combat boots I’d forgotten about. Score!
- Black jeans: Check.
- Black band tees: Double check.
- Anything with lace: Surprisingly, yes! Found an old black lace top.
Phase 3: The “Oh No, What Have I Done?” Moment
I tried putting together an outfit with what I had. It…wasn’t great. It looked more like I was going to a funeral than, you know, embracing a fashion trend. I felt like I was playing dress-up. Major cringe.
Phase 4: Strategic Shopping (and Resisting Impulse Buys)
Okay, so clearly, I needed a few key pieces. I hit up some thrift stores and a couple of online shops. I focused on finding things that could be mixed and matched. I was tempted by some amazing (and expensive!) dresses, but I stuck to my plan.
I ended up getting:
- A black velvet choker.
- A flowy, dark-colored skirt.
- A pair of dark, patterned tights.
Phase 5: Putting It All Together (and Actually Liking It!)
With my new finds, I tried creating outfits again. This time, it went way better. The choker instantly added a gothic vibe. The skirt was versatile enough to dress up or down. I experimented with layering – the lace top under a band tee, for example. I even tried some darker makeup (though I’m no makeup artist, that’s for sure!).
I was surprised by how much I actually liked the looks I put together! It felt like a fun way to express myself, and it wasn’t as intimidating as I initially thought
Phase 6: Wearing It Out (and Feeling Confident)
The final test: wearing my new gothic-inspired outfits out in the real world. I started small – just a trip to the coffee shop. I got a few compliments, which was a nice boost. It definitely felt different, but in a good way. I felt more…me, I guess.
So, yeah, that’s my gothic fashion experiment so far. It’s been a fun ride, and I’m definitely going to keep exploring this style. It’s all about finding what works for you and not being afraid to experiment!
