Okay, so I’ve been seeing “trad goth” all over my Pinterest and TikTok lately, and I finally decided to give the whole look a try. I mean, I’ve always been into darker aesthetics, but this felt like a whole new level of commitment. Here’s how it went down.
Digging Through My Closet (and My Mom’s!)
First, I raided my own closet. I already had a few black velvet pieces and some lace tops, which I figured was a good start. But to really nail the trad goth vibe, I needed more. Think dramatic, romantic, and a little bit…dead.
Then, I hit up my mom’s closet. I know, I know, but she used to be way more into this stuff than I am. I scored a long, black, almost Victorian-style skirt and an old crucifix necklace. She even had these awesome, slightly tattered, black lace gloves!
Putting It All Together
So, here’s what I came up with for my first attempt:
- Black Velvet Dress: This was my base. It’s kinda short, but I figured I could make it work.
- Lace Top Underneath: I layered a long-sleeved black lace top under the dress to add some texture and that classic goth detail.
- Mom’s Skirt: I might swap the dress out for a skirt sometimes.
- Fishnet Stockings: Gotta have fishnets, right? It adds that drama.
- Chunky Boots: My trusty black combat boots.
- Crucifix Necklace: The one I borrowed from my mom. It’s a bit tarnished, which I think actually adds to the look.
- Lace Gloves: These really pulled the whole thing together.
The Makeup Situation
Makeup was next, I dug out a pale foundation. I don’t usually wear foundation, but trad goth is all about that pale, almost ghostly complexion.
- Black Eyeliner: I went heavy on the black eyeliner, like, super thick and winged out. I wanted a dark eye, and the black eyeliner around the whole eye.
- Dark Eyeshadow: I used the eyeliner to build the shape, and filled the space with a dark purple eyeshadow.
- Black Lipstick: I found a super dark, almost black, lipstick. It felt a little intense, but hey, that’s the point, right?
The Verdict?
Honestly, I felt pretty awesome. It was definitely a look, and I got a few stares when I went out to grab coffee, but I kinda liked it. It’s definitely not an everyday thing for me, but I can see myself rocking this look for concerts or maybe even just a night out with friends when I’m feeling extra. I’m still experimenting, and it isn’t perfect, but it’s a start!
