Category Archives: Being Fashionable

Goth Fast Fashion, and Why It Isn’t Always a Good Thing

For this installment of Gothic Charm School, the Lady of the Manners turned to Twitter and ran a poll to narrow down what topic she should tackle next. It turns out that many, many Snarklings were interested in the Lady of the Manners rant opinions around the rise of gothy fast fashion. Continue reading

Posted in Being Fashionable, review: clothing, Stereotype Technology | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

Tutorial: Gothy Sunhats!

The season of the Burning Orb is approaching for many of us. Which means that it is time to be extra diligent with sunblock, parasols, and sun hats. While you could stick with any plain wide-brimmed hat and go for … Continue reading

Posted in Being Fashionable, General, Tutorials | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Stereotype Technology: Gothic Romance!

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

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 “Friendly Goth” Fashion

For this installment of Gothic Charm School, the Lady of the Manners is responding to a Snarkling who said the questions in her mail are “a bit all over the place”, but the Lady of the Manners quickly spotted a link between them: how to have a subtle Goth style that won’t worry or intimidate parents or kids? Continue reading

Posted in Being Fashionable, Being Social | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Stereotype Technology: Deathrock

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

Stereotype Technology: Romantigoth!

Snarklings across various social media sites have requested Stereotype Technology posts that focus on specific substyles of goth fashion, with helpful hints for searching out the wardrobe pieces. Never one to shy from window shopping for goth clothing, the Lady of the Manners decided to start with the style she favored back in the 90s: Romantigoth!

Romantigoth is different from vampire goth fashion or Victorian goth fashion; it’s a subtle distinction, but it’s there. All three styles would be good for midnight picnics or visiting the Addams Family, but the Victorian side is more prim and funereal, while vampire goth tries for an undercurrent of ”Yes, I have a fabulous velvet-lined coffin hiding in the depths of my ancestral castle”. Continue reading

Posted in Being Fashionable, General, Stereotype Technology | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Of Finding Goth Fashion

During the months that she was in torpor, the Lady of the Manners received questions that were all variations on a theme that is familiar; Goth fashion – where to find it? In fact, a question from an anonymous user over on the Gothic Charm School tumblr summed it up best:

Any resources for gothic clothing? All the ones I find just bring up the stereotypical goth.

A much-expanded version of the Lady of the Manners’ reply to this question is as such: Continue reading

Posted in Being Fashionable | Tagged , | 21 Comments

Of Finding Goth Fashion at Mainstream Stores!

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!

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