Glam up your Goth!

I remember Goth the last time around – it was the mid-80s and my friends and I wore our long black trench coats everywhere except in bed, matching them with beautiful Indian skirts and mock Victorian blouses with high necks and cuffs.

It was the era of The Damned and The Cure, when to break into a smile was considered positively uncool.  Wrapping scarves in our hair, we moped around town like dark wraiths, constantly angst-ridden and earning puzzled looks from pensioners.

And the good news is – Goth’s back!  In a slightly different form, however.  Last time, the epicentre of the movement appeared to be Leeds of all places.  Twenty five years later it’s Hollywood.

The popularity of vampiric-themed programmes including Twilight has led to a whole fashion of its own – Hollywood style.  Out are the high necks and long sleeves and in are the strappy dresses.  The gypsy skirts and Victorian influence have gone, replaced by skimpy frocks worthy of the red carpet.  Yes my friends, Goth has gone glamorous.

Fangtastic Twilight actors, Kristen Stewart & Robert Pattinson

So to recreate the look, let’s start with a little black number:

This black pleated chiffon tie waist dress by Rare is available for £39 from Top Shop and provides a great canvas to start building up your Goth outfit.

Also available from Top Shop are these gorgeous Regan plaited strappy sandals at £70.

Looking pretty stylish so far, eh?

And to accessorise, how about this purple & silver glitz & glam crystal jewellery set at £18.99 from Seasonsonline?

Finally, I simply couldn’t resist this ring.  I’ll admit, it is slightly moving away from the Glamour Goth style of today and heading dangerously towards the realm of Victoriana, but hey, once an old goth, always a goth eh?  

This crystal encrusted Gothic flower ring comes with olive grey porcelain petal detailed and is enhanced by its mixture of clear and hematite crystals.  It’s £6.99, available from Seasonsoline and I think it is a vital piece of any self-respecting goth’s wardrobe. 

And the best thing is, you don’t even have to get on your broomstick to go and fetch these pieces – they’re all available online, so you can simply sit down with a cup of frog’s eye brew and enjoy styling yourself!