Okay, so I’ve been seeing “trad goth” all over my Pinterest and TikTok lately, and I kinda fell in love. I’ve always been drawn to darker aesthetics, but never fully committed. Today, I decided, “Screw it, let’s do this!”
Getting Started: The Basics
First, I dug through my closet. I already had some black clothes, obviously, but I needed to see what could actually work for a trad goth look. I pulled out a bunch of stuff:
- A long black velvet skirt I got at a thrift store ages ago.
- A black lace top that I usually wear for, like, “fancy” nights out.
- My trusty ripped black jeans (because every wardrobe needs those).
- A plain black t-shirt with a band logo on it.
- A pair of black boots.
Experimenting with Outfits
I started by trying the velvet skirt and lace top. I felt I looked great. I added the boots, and yeah, that definitely worked. It felt very classic and dramatic, which is what I think trad goth is all about.
Next, I tried the ripped jeans and the band t-shirt. A bit more casual. To make it more “goth,” I layered a fishnet top underneath the t-shirt. I also had a black velvet jacket. Boom. Way better. It felt more edgy and punk-inspired, which is another side of trad goth.
The Makeup
Okay, makeup time. This is where things got interesting. I’m not a pro at makeup, but I watched a few quick tutorials. I went for:
- Pale foundation.I’m a little tanned, but I will make it work.
- Heavy black *, of course.
- Dark eyeshadow.I used a mix of black and deep purple.
- Black lipstick. I only had a dark red, so I used that and lined my lips with black eyeliner to darken it.
I will admit the eyeliner was a bit shaky at first, but I cleaned it up with a cotton swab. Practice makes perfect, right?
The Final Verdict
I took some pictures. I think I nailed the trad goth vibe. I learned that it’s not about having a ton of expensive clothes, it’s about working with what you have and adding those key elements: black clothing, dramatic makeup, and a bit of attitude.
I’m definitely going to keep experimenting with this style. Maybe I’ll invest in some actual black lipstick and some more lace. And definitely more band tees. It’s fun, it’s expressive, and it makes me feel confident. What’s not to love?
