Okay, so I’ve been seeing “gothic alt fashion” floating around everywhere, and honestly, I was kinda intimidated. But, you know me, I love a good challenge, so I decided to dive in and see what I could come up with. Here’s how the whole experiment went down.
Recon Mission (aka Pinterest Deep Dive)
First things first, I needed to figure out what this style even is. I spent, like, a solid hour just scrolling through Pinterest. I typed in “gothic alt fashion” and just started saving anything that caught my eye. I saw a lot of black, obviously, but also some deep reds, purples, and even some unexpected pops of white.
There was a ton of variety, I mean some images are like super romantic and Victorian-inspired, with lace and velvet, and others are more punk, with ripped fishnets, chains, and chunky boots. I started to get the general vibe, so I created a mood board.
Raiding My Closet (and Maybe Buying a Few Things)
Next, I took a good, hard look at my own closet. I already have a decent amount of black clothes (who doesn’t?), so that was a good start. I pulled out anything that felt even remotely “gothic”:
- Black skinny jeans: A total staple.
- A flowy black skirt: I’ve had this forever, and it’s surprisingly versatile.
- A couple of band tees: Gotta represent!
- My trusty combat boots: These things have seen everything.
- A black lace top: I bought this for a Halloween party years ago and never wore it again. Perfect!
I realized I was missing some key pieces to really nail the “alt” part of the equation. So, I may have done a little online shopping. I grabbed a pair of fishnet stockings, a chunky silver chain necklace, and a dark red lipstick. It was all pretty cheap, thank goodness.
Putting It All Together (aka The Fun Part)
This is where I got to experiment. I started with the basics: black skinny jeans and a band tee. Too basic. I added the fishnets under the jeans – instant upgrade! Then I swapped the band tee for the black lace top. Better, but still missing something.
I threw on the chain necklace, laced up my combat boots, and finally, swiped on that dark red lipstick. Boom. I felt like I was finally getting somewhere! The lipstick really pulled it all together. It added that touch of drama that I was looking for.
I played around with a few different variations. I tried the flowy skirt with the lace top and boots, which gave it a more romantic, Victorian vibe. I even tried layering a plain black t-shirt over the lace top, which gave it a cool, grungy feel.
The Verdict?
Honestly, I’m surprised by how much I like this style! It’s definitely a bit outside my comfort zone, but it’s also really fun and empowering. It’s a great way to express myself, and I can see myself incorporating more of these elements into my everyday outfits. I found out that, it’s not about being “perfectly gothic,” it’s about taking the elements you like and making them your own. Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with it!
