Accessible and affordable goth dress
Oftentimes “alt” clothes from specifically goth or alternative stores are incredibly expensive and also rare to find. Here’s how to dress goth with general resources from everyday stores that shouldn’t cost ridiculous amounts. Goth is about the music but if you do choose to dress in the style here are some easy and cheap items that paired with really any black clothing can make a goth ensemble.
• fishnets for the arms, hands and legs. Wear fishnets under shirts, skirts, shorts, ripped jeans, and as gloves etc. you can get fishnets from party/dollar stores/costume stores.
• belts of any kind, they don’t have to be “gothy” belts whatever you can get your hands on can work. Browse around at local normal clothing stores and second hand stores. Some things you can try are:
- layering multiple belts
- Hanging necklaces, fake pearls, scarves or chains off the belts
- wearing belts over the shoulder and in areas beside the waist.
• knee high socks and stockings are an accessible staple that I find to come in handy often. You can customise these by cutting holes in them. Old socks can be made into gloves.
• cutting holes into plain clothing/adding clothespins.
• leggings/stockings can have holes cut or other patterns to make really cool accessories. I like to wear fishnets underneath stockings with holes cut in them.
• fake plastic pearls from the dollar store (I wear them as necklaces, hair accessories, bracelets, around the waist as a belt)
• cheap Halloween costume supplies can often have black gloves, fake pearl necklaces and other such things that can be utilised. You can also get face paint from here for relatively cheap.
• pick up jewlerry chains, hooks and blank earrings so you can make your own jewlerry out of recycled things and other bits you find around
• to do goth makeup without scouring the internet and spending a fortune you can go to just about any local store, get black eye makeup (eyeliner, eyeshadow) and red lipstick.
• eyelash glue is what I use to glue stuff to my face for makeup looks. Items such as flowers, rhinestones, leaves I’ll attach to my face to further elevate my makeup.
• rhinestones and similar craft supplies can be utilised.
• if you have jewlerry layer it up (lots of earrings, necklaces at once). Those sort of “old lady” necklaces you can get from second hand stores and beaded necklaces you can make at home are great accessories.
• I wrap string around my arms as an extra layer of accessory.
•old clothes that are damaged or broken can be cut up and used as new materials
• a comb and the strongest hairspray you can get your hands on. spray it on and back comb, no need for anything fancy. Even a hairbrush could do. You don’t need a “goth” hair styling tool necessarily.
• a white blouse (see Robert smith). You can further personalise the blouse by adding stains, holes, pins and tears.
• black shoes of some kind, they don’t need to be goth shoes, any black shoes you can get your hands on. I’ve used school shoes in goth outfits before
• lots of black skirts in different lengths can be layered instead of buying a full Victorian goth dress or skirt
• leg warmers (if you can find them)
• random fake leather peices from second hand stores can be really helpful when styling. Rather than buying about a million different things or a really expensive Victorian blouse get a fake leather jacket second hand. From there you can layer it with anything. (Same goes for leather skirts).
• cross jewlerry (easier to find then ankhs, bats, pentacles, etc). Second hand stores are great for this, anywhere that old ladies donate their old stuff will be your best friend.
• goth as an off shoot of punk is about diy and artistic expression, I do not think goth fashion should have parameters. Do as you like and steadily develop your own style.
• the spiked hair and white base is not an essential part of being goth. If you like the white face paint then wear it, if you don’t wear it that’s completely fine as well.
• POC are a major and vital part of the goth subculture. Dark skin tones and textured hair do not make someone less goth. Many trad goth style icons were people of colour. To claim that a person must be pale and have hair spiked into a bats nest to be gothic is not only wrong but racist.
