Why Goth Clothes Are A Pain In The Butt!

[Homicidalheathen]

Ok, Number 1 on my list. The boots. They are so tall now. When drunk, I have a tendancy to fall flat on my face, Yes this has happened.....or at least twist an ankle. But hey, I look cool and am tall for once in my life without standing on a chair or bleacher!

The hooks, and loops and straps. I hate washing things by hand so I use fabric bags....they get caught in everything and I am sitting with needle nose pliers for a half hour fixing things when they are done. I miss the scissors and safety pins! It was sooo much easier. If it got messed up? Its was ok! It just added to the look. Oh and those pants my kids wear. Sounds like a herd of elephants in the dryer.

Using special dark detergent so it lasts longer......$$$$.

I thought, all black......yay! No stains! Wrong! Antipersperant......cat hairs......anything white or dusty shows up.

Corsets.....I am into torture but.....um.....yah. I love them, they look cool.....but I think my internal organs have actually moved. Permanently.

And the looks I get. Well, I still like that......thats cool. Halloween everyday. Oh yah.

[Fierce Critter]

Tee hee...

Thing is, who says you can't dress punk anymore?

When I'm feeling gothy, I wear the corsets, buckles, velvets, laces & leathers, and the absurdly high heels.

But a good majority of the time, I still wear the same styles I did "back in the day", styles that are decidedly more "punk" than "goth". Tight skirts with t-shirts or mesh tops, flat-heel boots in various heights or even Converse hi-tops, my biker jacket.

What I wear on a given night is usually dictated by what I want to do with my feet, and thus, the appropriate footwear. If I'm going to be dancing, I opt for flatter shoes, so I'm probably going to end up more punk than goth.

If it feels good - go for it! :D

[pomba gira]

Do those dark-wash detergents really do anything? Didn't we have a thread about that a while ago?

Anyway, it helps to fasten things as much as possible before washing. Hook it, buckle it, whatever. Then turn it inside out if possible. I have a killer technique for maching-washing underwire bras that's never failed me. But... if you find the perfect cat hair solution, let me know 'cos it's the bane of my clothing existence. I prolly own every kind of lint brush or fur scraper ever invented. Doesn't help that the wretched beasts feel called on to lie on all garments the instant they're put down.

I know what you mean, though... punk was much easier. Since a "finished" look is antithetical to the style, no worries about safety pinning or tying things together. I still haven't quite mastered any kind of polished look (except when I dress African, for some reason)... my goth look tends to be reminiscent of the citizens of Litharge in Sandman VIII. No one ever complains so I guess it's all good.

[livininxtcgoth]

see i'm almost six feet tall-- that's my beef with the tall boots. i can walk in em just fine but i can also see the tops of everyone's fricken heads. i was wearing a torn up strapped long skirt yesterday and i got caught on a chair and fell on my face tho.

and i have a horrible phobia of bleach... i use it on a lot of non-black stuff but i have to use it naked so i dont ruin any more of my clothing :-p it seems like no matter how careful u are that stuff will turn all ur clothes pink anyway!

[TygerLili]

I hate going out without tall boots or shoes on. A couple times I've tried going to clubs in my combat boots or Mary Janes and I just felt like I could not dance without my 4 inch heels. I'm 5'9", so my club boots make me over 6'0", but that's ok. I secretly love towering over men, even the ones I'm dating.

[Draco1958]

MMMMMM tall women.. I'm 6'3" and looking at boots with a lift. Just depends on if one can carry the look with the added height from the boots.

[pomba gira]

I can't wear heels at all anymore... my foot was broken in an accident & not diagnosed at the time, so it never healed properly. High heels put all the weight right on the break. So I can wear platform type shoes, as long as there's less than an inch or so difference between sole & heel... but no sexy stilettos ever again It's amazingly hard to find cool flat shoes... boots are even harder. I curse Sparrow Hospital every time I shop for shoes...grrrr

[kellygrrrrrl]

I love the "goth" fashion.....

But, I can't pull it off.....

If could wear short skirts, fishnets, super tall boots, and a cute tee, I would.....

But I don't do skirts well....

I'm 5'2" with short legs.

I will never dye my hair black EVER EVER EVER again....

and I can't wear heavy eye makeup...I look like a freakin hookah.

I don't do accessories well either...I hate things around my neck.....

I will NEVER wear a turtleneck thats for sure.

I hate necklaces, and I hate collars.

I can do the big hair...I got that down pertty well!

The gothiest thing I own, is a black and purple coset style tank top.

I hate it.....it adds inches to the waist rather than reduce.....

Someone wanna play dress up doll with me?

heh....

[pomba gira]

I love the "goth" fashion.....

But, I can't pull it off.....

If could wear short skirts, fishnets, super tall boots, and a cute tee, I would.....

But I don't do skirts well....

I'm 5'2" with short legs.

I will never dye my hair black EVER EVER EVER again....

and I can't wear heavy eye makeup...I look like a freakin hookah.

I don't do accessories well either...I hate things around my neck.....

I will NEVER wear a turtleneck thats for sure.

I hate necklaces, and I hate collars.

I can do the big hair...I got that down pertty well!

The gothiest thing I own, is a black and purple coset style tank top.

I hate it.....it adds inches to the waist rather than reduce.....

Someone wanna play dress up doll with me?

heh....

You can come to our makeup play date if it ever gets organized!

seriously tho, I don't wear any of the stuff you mentioned, except for fishnets. And I guess heavy eye makeup, but I don't do the stereotypical dark "gothy" look... these days I go for very eccentric color. Much past 30, heavy dark eyeshadow just makes you look like a raccoon.

And... short skirts can actually make your legs look longer- just not with boots (breaks up the visual line from floor to hem)

[Fierce Critter]

First of all, for those of you who can't - or won't - wear high heels, go for kitten heels. I have a pair of boots with super-pointy toes and a kitten heel that I bought to wear with more "classy" goth looks, at a time when I didn't think I could walk or dance in the more typical high heels you see at the club. Too lazy to hunt them up right now, but here's a pair that fits the bill:

The ones I have are a touch more "goth" with a front that laces-up. And they're exceptionally comfortable to be in, as they don't tilt me onto my toes very far at all. One bonus of the style is with such a short heel, your toes don't slide down into the pointy toe area, so it's easier to get away with such a dramatic point.

Now, as for you, Kelly, I saw you in person, and you could so do goth, it's not funny. I'd love it if you'd give me a straight-on full-length picture of yourself in some kind of exercise wear or something so I can get creative with photoshop and put you into all sorts of outfits.

To speak directly to your so called "problems"...

Short skirts do indeed make short legs look longer, and with your figure, you could wear very, very form fitting, very tiny ones and look adorable. Couple it with high-heel mary janes or calf or ankle-high boots and you're all set.

I am also 5'2", with average legs. I wear short skirts constantly, and they really help my legs look longer.

I have never dyed my hair black - or green, or purple, etc. I have always kept my original blonde, with the exception of the occasional red underlayer that I really like, but I get tired of re-dying it. For instance:

I did go for a double-layer effect once with blonde on top, black, then red. My hair is too fine to have thick enough layers for it to look good.

Word of warning. I tried red on TOP once. Fiasco. I still have some bleached-out ends from trying to make that disaster go away asap.

Sometimes, I think more subtle eye makeup looks better than heavy. Your eyes would probably look gorgeous with just a nice line of liquid liner on top, and just a touch of black shadow or a pencil liner underneath slightly smudged. False eyelashes would look adorable.

The neck thing is a touch of a barrier. Punk really lends itself to collars or chains well, and goth often includes the same, or nice elaborate beaded jobs. But maybe you could get creative - sew some chain onto the neckline of a shirt at the shoulders. Then you've got the effect of a neckpiece, without the constriction of something actually being latched around your neck.

If that corset top is adding inches, it might be too short, or too long. Sometimes, if something hits you at a wide part of the body, it can enhance the "largeness" rather than trim you up. For instance, I try not to wear shirts with sleeves that stop at mid-upper-arm, or boots that stop at my center calf. Blouses that come to the elbow or wrist work better, and boots that go up to the knee or tights that make shorter boots look longer can help.

Some people take offense if this is suggested. But maybe you're more of a candidate for the "cute goth" or "cute punk" look. Kinda like my fairy outfit without the corset. I think that outfit would look adorable on you in YOUR sizes.

Just ideas. I personally don't aim to make my own outfits look like anyone else's. I just find a piece here, a piece there, and think to myself, "how can I make this work with my personal tastes".

There are many aspects to the punk/goth style. Jon, my husband, looks ridiculous when he tries to be too goth or punk. Thank goodness he stopped wearing that super-thick dog collar. It so wasn't him. But damn if he doesn't look adorable - and comfortable - in the goth-a-billy style. All we need to get him is a pair of creepers and I'll be slipping in my own drool all night.

[pomba gira]

The neck thing is a touch of a barrier. Punk really lends itself to collars or chains well, and goth often includes the same, or nice elaborate beaded jobs. But maybe you could get creative - sew some chain onto the neckline of a shirt at the shoulders. Then you've got the effect of a neckpiece, without the constriction of something actually being latched around your neck.

Kind of like this...

I can't always wear necklaces or collars because of metal sensitivity... I bought this top as an experiment, & it's just the effect I wanted. I'm definitely going to buy some chain and alter a few tops. The idea I have is to do two chains, one at collarbone level & another at cleavage level.

The nice thing about this one is the chain can be removed for washing or just a different look, in seconds with a pair of basic jewelrymaking pliers.

And I second FC on the "cute goth/punk" thing... I was going to suggest Gothic Lolita but thought that might be too trendy for you (I counted 5 gothic lolis at Hallowicked, up from just 1 last year, and the dresses sell like hotcakes on eBay). But... most of the U.S. gothic lolitas I see are just wearing a full outfit they bought, and tend to look pretty unoriginal- a little creativity could really do a lot for that look.

[TygerLili]

I love the "goth" fashion.....

But, I can't pull it off.....

If could wear short skirts, fishnets, super tall boots, and a cute tee, I would.....

But I don't do skirts well....

I'm 5'2" with short legs.

I will never dye my hair black EVER EVER EVER again....

and I can't wear heavy eye makeup...I look like a freakin hookah.

I don't do accessories well either...I hate things around my neck.....

I will NEVER wear a turtleneck thats for sure.

I hate necklaces, and I hate collars.

I can do the big hair...I got that down pertty well!

The gothiest thing I own, is a black and purple coset style tank top.

I hate it.....it adds inches to the waist rather than reduce.....

Someone wanna play dress up doll with me?

heh....

Oh hush, you're adorable!

I think a short, A-line skirt with dark stockings would look great on you, and make your legs look longer. I bet you could also pull off the long, flowy, empire-waisted dresses that always make me look pregnant.

The eye make-up you have on in your avatar looks pretty gothy(is that a word?) to me. You don't have to use black; I've seen great eye make-up in purple, blue, green, pink, red, or any combination of those.

As for fake corsets, don't feel bad. They don't fit right on most people. If you're serious about wanting to wear a corset it's worth the money to invest in a steel boned one.

P.S. I'll never dye my hair black either. Not only does it make me look jaundiced, it ruins your hair.

[The Void]

perhaps goth fashion is now trying to dictate a straight edge lifestyle. facist bastards of fashion! LMAO

[Vampyro]

see i'm almost six feet tall-- that's my beef with the tall boots. i can walk in em just fine but i can also see the tops of everyone's fricken heads. i was wearing a torn up strapped long skirt yesterday and i got caught on a chair and fell on my face tho.

and i have a horrible phobia of bleach... i use it on a lot of non-black stuff but i have to use it naked so i dont ruin any more of my clothing :-p it seems like no matter how careful u are that stuff will turn all ur clothes pink anyway!

Nah, you don't have to bleach naked, I learned this trick in the military when mass uses of bleach were a requirement every thursdays known as "field days", just wear those old clothes you been thinkin about just tearing up and using as rags. It's alot safer than getting bleach on certain areas if your nakey

[Rayne]

Not only does it make me look jaundiced, it ruins your hair.

Yes it does. I had no choice after dying my hair multi colour then getting served with court papers to appear less than two weeks later in front of a family judge that hated me anyway. There was no other way to get the purple/blue and hot pink out fast enough.

My hair is suffering now. I have to chop it all off. :tear and I don't want too!!! : I HATE how I look with short hair!!!

[kellygrrrrrl]

thanks for the kind words ladies!!

You all can be my fashion coordinaters!!

HA!

Once I can get a decent lenghty pic of myself I will post it Critter!

I'd love to see what you can come up with!

ANd BTW....I love the red color!! Looks awsome!!!

Right now I'm letting the purple/fushia color wash out....it's getting to $$ pricey to maintain. (It looks horendous!!! Half of it is my natural color, then half of that is purple, and the ends are white from the bleach jobs)

so...alas.....I think I'm gonna go au natural!

Problem is, is I still have about 4-5 inches of super damaged ends that need to come off, but if I do so, my hair will be about 3-4 inches long...which i wouldf SO love, but my husband would kill me!

I was thinking of finding me a super short tight mini (Thanks to all of your inspiration for us short gals), 80's style with some old pin point toe boots with the short heel!! I'd love to bring some of that old 80's fashion back into the scene! Oh Yes!

And Pomba!! Whenever you're ready girl!! Just say go!

I'm so game!

[Fierce Critter]

Just a quick note (I haven't done a thing all day and I'm ashamed of being a bad girl) - check out thrift stores for skirts. I get almost all mine there. Even being a big gal, I can get tons of cute, tight stretch skirts there that I wear under longer tops. Being a more normal sized chick, you should be able to find TONS of adorable short, tight miniskirts for cheap!

Oh, and thanks! I still do the red underlayer occasionally. But it looked better with the layered shag. I promised both Jon and myself that I'd let my hair grow out again though, so no more cuts for me except for maintenance trims.

[pomba gira]

And Pomba!! Whenever you're ready girl!! Just say go!

I'm so game!

I truly regret not realizing how beautiful I was when I was younger. I think I'm still a fairly attractive woman for my age... but there were opportunities I passed up back then because I just didn't have confidence in my own looks, and now those opportunities are gone forever. So I take every opportunity I can to help younger women realize their own beauty. I know that sounds hella smarmy (and conceited, now that I think about it) but it really is how I feel.

The makeup party was an idea I had from another thread... I know we have a few professional or should-be pro makeup artists here, & I thought it would be groovy if we could do a little girly party and make it worth the while of one of our makeup queens to show us a thing or two, do some makeovers, whatever. I'd certainly be willing to chip in to cover costs, refreshements, etc... hell I would be glad to host it but I know this is a long drive for most of you. Maybe I'll start a thread just to see how much interest there is... I know Brass F. & 1 or 2 others said they'd be down.

[AstralCrux]

Goth clothes are easier to wash than a kimono. I'm gonna have to spend a week trying to find a good place to dry clean mine. I find my goth clothes to be fun to shop for, because I love the hunt. I can spend hours, literally, in a salvation army finding the best of the pickings.

It always seems like people are more friendly when I'm in goth or punk anyway.

To get better at wearing the heels, you're supposed to wear them while cleaning the house. If you can clean the house in those mofo's you can go party your ass off in them. Practice makes perfect and its an excuse to get a really cute maid uniform. Short skirts for all!

[JaneDead]

do what i do - go shopping, buy what's on sale and who cares. what's fashion anyways? i don't think i have tried fashion in 12 years. i think that is my problem.

[pomba gira]

do what i do - go shopping, buy what's on sale and who cares. what's fashion anyways? i don't think i have tried fashion in 12 years. i think that is my problem.

What's the Quentin Crisp quote- "Fashion is a way of not having to decide who you are. Style is deciding who you are and being able to perpetuate it".

I think what we're talking about here is expressing personal style but with a certain "theme" to it, rather than trying to fit in with whatever is the latest fashion trend. To me that's the joy of "dressing up" (that and the thrill of the hunt like AC said!)- it's an art form & an expression of my own creativity, just like when I make jewelry or color pictures or decorate my home.

I overheard this in a store once: "I really hate these pants but they're in style again so I guess I have to get some". I'd wear nun's habits for the rest of my life before I'd ever choose clothing on that basis.

[Fierce Critter]

What's the Quentin Crisp quote- "Fashion is a way of not having to decide who you are. Style is deciding who you are and being able to perpetuate it".

I think what we're talking about here is expressing personal style but with a certain "theme" to it, rather than trying to fit in with whatever is the latest fashion trend. To me that's the joy of "dressing up" (that and the thrill of the hunt like AC said!)- it's an art form & an expression of my own creativity, just like when I make jewelry or color pictures or decorate my home.

I overheard this in a store once: "I really hate these pants but they're in style again so I guess I have to get some". I'd wear nun's habits for the rest of my life before I'd ever choose clothing on that basis.

Ditto all over the place, girlie.

I've really, really hated the trends in clothing the past 5 years or so. All that return to retro clothing like flares, polyester tops, etc has made it exceptionally difficult for me to find things I will wear. Because I look bad in flares, and it's now hard to find straight legs. And I absolutely despise polyester tops, but it's really difficult to find cotton ones of any decent color now.

I have always bought "normal" style clothes and mixed and matched and accessorized to totally make them fit a style I'm personally comfortable with. At times, this can make me seem a bit outdated or, more often, ahead of the times. But I don't care. I wear what makes me personally happy.

I will be a very, very happy girl when turquoise, hot pink, brown and yellow are off the shelves. Jewel tones, here I come!

[TygerLili]

What's the Quentin Crisp quote- "Fashion is a way of not having to decide who you are. Style is deciding who you are and being able to perpetuate it".

Great quote! I always kind of felt like a slave of fashion when I worked at Marshall Field's. They expected us to wear all the trends they were pushing. At first it was fun, but it got old fast, and, even with the discount, when I think about all the money I spent on designer clothes working there I sure wish I had it back now.

[creatureofthenyte]

I think as long as whatever you wear looks good, and the colors of it go well together, and you like it, that's all that should matter. No wait, it has to fit right too.

Everyone should make their own style that works for them. Don't let stores or magazines or celebreties, or MTV dictate what is "cool".

I remember the last time I set foot in the men's side of an Express store in the mall, I looked briefly at a pair of jeans they had on display for men.

The pair of jeans didnt really look all that much different then a pair of women's jeans, and that was very disturbing to me.

Hence, one of many reasons why I do not follow trends in fashion.

I don't give a damn if what I'm wearing is "IN" or "OUT".

Now there are some things I won't ever wear again, like the acid washed, early 90's Def Lepard style jeans.

I just think its better for people, as far as fashion goes, or anything else for that matter, that they think for themselves and make choices that benefit and or make them happy.

Don't be a mindless sheep; willingly playing a continuous game of "monkey see, monkey do" by dressin in whatever is "IN" at the time, do what You want to do.