How To Dress Gothic

Need to know how to dress Gothic? Dressing Gothic is not just putting on a few black clothes and calling it a day. The Gothic style is a way of life. Sherrilyn Kenyon, author of acclaimed vampire romance novels, said on her website, “I was Goth back when they called it punk. I don't dress Goth because I write vampire novels. I write paranormal because I'm Goth… I will be Goth until I'm gone.”

To dress gothic, you will need some key fashion pieces:

• A long black dress
• Corsets
• A long black coat
• Black lace
• Black leather
• Big black boots
• Period-style fashion (such as Victorian medieval dresses)

1. Are you a classic Goth or modern Goth? This is the first thing you need to work out. Classic Goths are more Victorian, sexy medieval-based, whereas modern Goths lean toward the black hair, makeup and baggy clothes.
2. Gothic hair is not always black. The first step is always the hair, when dressing Gothic. Most Goths darken the hair to a deep jet black; however, classical Victorian Goths have many hair shades. It is a personal preference.
3. Makeup should be dark or nothing at all. Some Goths don’t like makeup or have sensitive skin; if that’s the case, no makeup is fine. If you do apply makeup, black eyeliner and black lipstick are key staples to Goth makeup. However, anything bold will do. Fingernails are usually painted black.
4. Your skin should be pale, always. The only exception is if you were born naturally tanned. This is OK and though there are treatments you can get to lighten your skin, these are harmful. Stick to sunscreen at all times.
5. Gothic dress is inspired by the Victorian cult of mourning. This tells you plain and simple how to dress: black! However, your whole wardrobe doesn’t have to be black. Men can try a white flounce shirt paired with a black vest, for example.
6. Spooky is in. Skulls, spider webs, coffins and anything of the vampiric nature always adds to the flair of a Goth. Shopping at stores like Target and Macy’s can yield a black blazer that doesn’t appear Goth at first, but a good sewing needle and some spooky patches and voila! You have a unique Goth jacket.
7. Express yourself through your fashion. Don’t just stick to Gothic stereotypes. Try black and silver eyeliner that points at the corner of your eyes to give you a more elaborate look, or dark blue hair instead of black. Be uniquely Goth.