Okay, so I’ve been totally obsessed with 1920s fashion lately, but not the usual flapper stuff. I’m talking about the darker, more gothic side of things. Think Theda Bara, but with a bit more mystery. So, I decided to try and put together a look inspired by that whole vibe.
Finding the Pieces
First, I dug through my closet. I didn’t have a ton of stuff that immediately screamed “1920s gothic,” but I did find a long, black velvet skirt that I thought could work. It’s got a bit of a vintage feel to it already, even if it’s not actually from that era.
Next, I needed a top. I remembered I had this black lace blouse, a bit sheer, with long sleeves. Perfect! It had that slightly spooky, romantic feel I was going for.
- Black velvet skirt: Check.
- Lace blouse: Check.
Accessories Are Key
Accessories were going to be super important to really sell this look. I went online and looked at some old photos of 1920s gothic icons. Lots of long necklaces, dark stones, and dramatic headpieces. I rummaged around at my Jewelry, I found a long, silver chain with a dark, almost black, pendant. It wasn’t exactly antique, but it had the right vibe.
I also found a wide, black velvet ribbon. I figured I could use that as a headband, maybe tie it in a dramatic bow at the back. I experimented with a few different ways of tying it, trying to get that slightly droopy, melancholic look.
Makeup Time
For makeup, I knew I wanted to go dramatic. I started with a pale foundation – much lighter than my usual shade – to get that almost ghostly look. Then, I went heavy on the dark eyeshadow. I used a deep, smoky grey and blended it out really far, almost up to my eyebrows. Lots of black eyeliner, of course, and smudged it out a bit to make it look less perfect. I skipped the blush and went straight for a dark, almost blackish-red lipstick. It was a bit intimidating, but it definitely completed the look.
Putting It All Together
Finally, I put everything on. The skirt, the blouse, the necklace, the ribbon headband. I even found some old, black, heeled boots that kind of worked with the overall aesthetic. I looked in the mirror, and… wow. It actually looked pretty good! It definitely wasn’t a perfect recreation of 1920s gothic fashion, but it captured the spirit of it, and I felt like I’d stepped out of a silent movie. It all came together so well! My friend even asked me which movie I was from.
I’m definitely going to try this again, maybe with some different pieces. It was so much fun diving into this style and seeing what I could create with what I already had and some cheap and vintage stuff!
