Okay, so I’ve been seeing “trad goth” stuff all over my TikTok and Pinterest lately, and I finally decided to give it a shot. I’ve always liked the darker aesthetic, but I’ve never really gone full-on goth. Figured it was time to experiment!
Digging Through My Closet
First, I rummaged through my closet to see what I already owned that could work. I mean, everyone has some black clothes, right? I found a few things that I thought might be a good starting point:
- A black velvet dress that I’d only worn once.
- A couple of black lace tops – one long-sleeved, one short-sleeved.
- My trusty old black boots. They’re a bit scuffed, but I figured that just adds to the vibe.
- A black fishnet top.
I also found a bunch of old, dark jewelry – chunky silver rings, a cross necklace, that kind of thing. Score!
Hitting Up the Thrift Store
Next, I headed to the thrift store. I figured that was the best place to find some unique, inexpensive pieces. I spent a good couple of hours browsing, and I actually found some pretty cool stuff:

- A long, black, flowing skirt.
- A ripped-up band tee.
- A black waistcoat.
Putting It All Together
Back home, I started experimenting with different combinations. I tried the velvet dress with the fishnet top, and the boots. It looked pretty good, but maybe a little too “dressy” for everyday wear.
Then, I paired the ripped band tee with the long skirt and the waistcoat. I added the chunky jewelry and the boots, and… I think I nailed it! It felt very “trad goth,” but also comfortable and me.
The Makeup
Of course, no goth look is complete without the makeup. I’m no makeup expert, but I did my best. I went for a pale foundation, heavy black eyeliner, and dark lipstick. I even tried to do a bit of a smoky eye, but it ended up looking a little messy. Oh well, practice makes perfect, right?

The Verdict
Overall, I’m pretty happy with how my trad goth experiment turned out! It was fun to try something new, and I definitely discovered some pieces that I’ll be wearing a lot more often. It’s not a style I’d wear every single day, but it’s definitely something I’ll be incorporating into my wardrobe more from now on.