Category Archives: Fashion

Stereotype Technology: Gothic Romance!

Posted on April, 2020 by Lady of the Manners

What the Lady of the Manners can do right now is offer distractions. In this new reality where many of us are living in our pajamas and other “comfy” clothes, the Lady of the Manners went straight to Gothic Romance loungewear. Why wear leggings and t-shirts when you can swoop around in ruffled nightgowns and billowing caftans? (There is nothing wrong with leggings and t-shirts. In fact, the Lady of the Manners is wearing leggings and a Bauhaus shirt as she is writing this article.) Continue reading →

Posted in Being Fashionable, Clicky-links, Clubbing & Concerts, Fashion, General, Music, Stereotype Technology | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Of Goth Fashion for Accessibility and Chronic Health Issues

Posted on November, 2019 by Lady of the Manners

Dear Lady of Manners
My question is less one about etiquette, and more about logistics. I have my own mix of Victorian goth and punky style that I was perfectly happy with until fairly recently.

The problem is that around 3 years ago, my chronic health conditions deteriorated, and I had to start using a wheelchair full time. I can no longer stand or walk, and a large portion of my clothing is not suitable for wearing in a powered wheelchair. Continue reading →

Posted in Being Fashionable, Fashion, Serious Matters | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Of “Grown-up” and Corporate Goth

Posted on October, 2019 by Lady of the Manners

It falls to the Lady of the Manners to inform you, Snarklings, that a cycle is repeating itself. Apparently the fashion industry has yet again discovered us. As reported by the Wall Street Journal, no less. Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion, Growing Pains | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Stereotype Technology: Deathrock

Posted on January, 2019 by Lady of the Manners

While some people feel that deathrock is a historical relic, there is a small but strong death rock scene still flourishing today. Especially where the style is concerned! Big teased hair (frequently with one or both sides of the head shaved), heavy eyeshadow and contour in dark colors and layers of ripped fishnets are some of the stylistic signifiers. With that in mind, the Lady of the Manners presents some building blocks of deathrock style! Continue reading →

Posted in Being Fashionable, Fashion, Stereotype Technology | Tagged , | 4 Comments

You Don’t Have to Be Neurotypical

Posted on October, 2018 by Lady of the Manners

As the Lady of the Manners has mentioned before, she is frequently humbled by some of the heartfelt, heartsore letters that Snarklings have written to Gothic Charm School. And the Lady of the Manners often worries that she isn’t really able to help; she’s a well-meaning Internet Auntie, not a professional. But even with those concerns, she IS determined to help as much as she’s able, because that’s what everyone should do. Sometimes the help is focused on music, clothing, and books, and sometimes it’s focused on reassuring people that they are a goth. And sometimes, it’s a little bit of both. Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion, Growing Pains, Serious Matters | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

Tutorial: The Hair Floof – a Fluffy Fabric Hair Tie!

Posted on July, 2018 by Lady of the Manners

While the Lady of the Manners is probably never going to have short hair, she admits that long hair can sometimes be difficult. Especially in the summer, when wearing your hair down can be uncomfortably warm and sticky. But the Lady of the Manners becomes easily bored with plain ponytails, buns, and other sorts of updos, and suspects that she’s not alone in that. Enter one of the Lady of the Manners’ favorite (and simple!) solutions: a fluffy, flouncy hair tie! Or, as the Lady of the Manners refers to them, a hair floof.
Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion, Tutorials | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Summer Goth – Avoiding the Burning Orb

Posted on July, 2017 by Lady of the Manners

Snarklings, it’s time for a seasonal column. By which the Lady of the Manners means that in the hemisphere she lives in, it’s summer; her least favorite season. ::shudders::

Forgive the Lady of the Manners her melodramatic turn, Snarklings. There are many goths who like, nay, even adore summer! Warm weather! Longer days! More plentiful outdoor activities! There are those who are kind of meh about the whole sunlight thing. Then there are those (the Lady of the Manners included) who thanks to genetics, illnesses, medications, or who knows what else, don’t deal well with prolonged exposure to sunlight. (As the Lady of the Manners has said before, eventually she’ll develop the fun symptoms of vampirism, like mind control.) Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion, General | Tagged , | 14 Comments

A Selection of Questions and Answers

Posted on March, 2017 by Lady of the Manners

Hello Snarklings! Please accept the Lady of the Manners’ heartfelt apologies for the lack of posts the past few months; while she’s been relatively active over on Tumblr and Instagram, the ongoing chaos of daily life has meant there’s been precious little time for sitting down and answering letters. But! Gothic Charm School has returned, and will (one hopes) settle back into a routine of regular posts. However, enough with the explanations and apologies, it’s time for letters! Continue reading →

Posted in Elder Goths, Fashion, General, Growing Pains, Serious Matters | 12 Comments

Of Finding Goth Fashion at Mainstream Stores!

Posted on May, 2016 by Lady of the Manners

The Lady of the Manners has been so pleased with the response to the Gothic Charm School masterpost of clicky-links, Snarklings! The Lady of the Manners is even more pleased with the additional suggestions people have been making in the comments, so keep doing that!

Of course, making a massive post of goth clothing shopping links had another effect that the Lady of the Manners should have expected: a wave of emails asking for help finding day-to-day goth fashion and places to look when budget or circumstances puts shopping at specialty goth vendors out of reach. Is it possible to assemble a spooky wardrobe without shopping at dark specialty shops?

Of course it is. Continue reading →

Posted in Being Fashionable, Fashion | 20 Comments

Of Clicky-Links! Goth Shopping Masterpost!

Posted on March, 2016 by Lady of the Manners

Here it is, Snarklings! The long-threatened list of gothy fashion links from the Lady of the Manners!

Is this a comprehensive list of every goth or alternative fashion resource out there? Sweet darkness, no. The Lady of the Manners seriously doubts that anyone could pull such a list together and have it be accurate. This list is a collection of the merchants that the Lady of the Manners either has purchased items from, or frequently browses when she’s in a window-shopping mood. Continue reading →

Posted in Being Fashionable, Clicky-links, Fashion | 12 Comments