Okay, so, I’ve been wanting to get into the whole trad goth aesthetic for a while now. It just looks so cool and classic, you know? So I finally decided to give it a shot. Here’s how it went, step by step, kind of like a diary of my little experiment.
Research, Research, Research!
First things first, I scoured the internet. I mean, I spent hours looking at pictures on Pinterest, Tumblr, and even some dedicated blogs. I needed to really understand what makes trad goth, well, trad goth. I noticed a lot of recurring themes:
- Lots of black: Obviously, right? But it’s not just any black. We’re talking black velvet, black lace, black leather… different textures.
- Heavy makeup: Pale skin, dark eyes, and often dark lips.
- Specific hairstyles: Big, teased hair, sometimes with those iconic “deathhawks.”
- Jewelry: Silver, crosses, ankhs, bats… anything spooky and Victorian-ish.
- The music: Bands like The Sisters of Mercy, Bauhaus, and Siouxsie and the Banshees seemed to be the soundtrack.
The Wardrobe Experiment
Next, I raided my closet. I already had some black clothes, but I needed to be more strategic. I focused on finding things with interesting textures. I had a black velvet skirt that I’d almost forgotten about – score! I also found a lacy black top that I thought could work.
Then, I hit up some thrift stores. This was actually super fun! I managed to find a long, black, almost Victorian-style coat for super cheap. It was a little worn, but that just added to the vibe, I think. I also snagged some silver jewelry – a chunky cross necklace and some rings.
Makeup Mayhem
Okay, the makeup was the most intimidating part. I’m not exactly a pro with eyeliner. I started by watching some YouTube tutorials. There are tons of trad goth makeup tutorials out there, which was helpful. I practiced the whole pale skin, smoky eye, and dark lip look a few times before I felt even remotely confident.
It was definitely a process. The first time, I ended up looking more like a raccoon than a goth icon. But I kept at it, and eventually, I got something that I was pretty happy with. It’s still not perfect, but it’s a start!
Hair-Raising Adventures
My hair is naturally pretty straight, so getting that big, teased look was… a challenge. I bought some heavy-duty hairspray and a teasing comb. I spent a good hour just backcombing and spraying. It was messy, and I think I inhaled half a can of hairspray, but I achieved some serious volume!
Putting It All Together
Finally, I put everything together: the clothes, the makeup, the hair. I even put on some Sisters of Mercy for inspiration. And you know what? I actually felt pretty cool. It was definitely a different look for me, but I liked it. It felt dramatic and a little bit theatrical, which was kind of the point.
I wore the outfit out to a coffee shop, just to see how it felt in the real world. I definitely got some looks, but mostly positive ones, I think! A few people even asked me about it, which was fun.
The Verdict
This whole trad goth experiment was definitely a success! It was fun to step outside of my comfort zone and try something new. I don’t think I’ll be wearing the full look every day, but I definitely plan on incorporating some of the elements into my style. And I’ve definitely discovered some new music that I love!
