Yearly Archives: 2014

Clicky-links! Diversions and Shiny Things!

Gracious, Snarklings, it’s been a busy time for the Lady of the Manners! There’s been a steady flurry of posts over on the Gothic Charm School Tumblr with snippets and quick photos from the events the Lady of the Manners has been visiting (so many events! So many wonderful people to meet!), and you should know what that means. Clicky-link roundup! Yes, the Lady of the Manners has been assiduously collecting cards from the fascinating artists and vendors she’s met over the past month or so, and now she’s going to share them with you.
Continue reading

Posted in Amusements, Clicky-links | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Crushed. Velvet, That Is!

Velvet is a wardrobe basic for Goths and other creatures of the night. But velvet can be a high-maintenence fabric: if it’s not some sort of cotton velveteen or Lycra-enhanced stretch velvet, the lush pile of the fabric can end up damaged.

But wait! Don’t despair over your rain-spattered, smushed velvet garments! Because there is a way to give them new life and a new texture. That’s right, Snarklings, it’s tutorial time! Continue reading

Posted in Being Fashionable, Tutorials | 7 Comments

Polyvore – Escape the Ordinary

escape the ordinary by theamaia featuring DENY Designs Topshop body con dress / Praslin jacket, $17 / Topshop black legging, $8.36 / White shoes / Bowling bag, $75 / Kate Spade bag / Black necklace / Nemesis cuff watch / … Continue reading

Posted in Being Fashionable, Polyvore | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Of Goths, P.E., and “Is It Dark Enough?”

Hello, Snarklings! The Gothic Charm School mailbox has been receiving a steady stream of letters from babybats with fashion questions. Which is no surprise, because as fledgling spooksters, of course they’re looking for guidance on how to express their affection for all things dark and shadowy. The Lady of the Manners feels that she should take a moment to point out some previous Gothic Charm School posts about gothy fashion, as it is a topic the Lady of the Manners really likes talking about. (And oh goodness, the Lady of the Manners probably should do another post about prom, shouldn’t she?) But! The current crop of correspondence did have a few fashion-focused questions that have not turned up before. Continue reading

Posted in Being Fashionable, Growing Pains | 21 Comments

Returning to the Spooky Life (Back to the Crypt)

Every now and then, Snarklings, the Gothic Charm School mailbox sees a gently flurry of correspondence from older readers asking about returning to their gothy roots. How should they dress? Where can they find other older Goths? Are they too old to seek out the dark forces and join their hellish crusade return to the velvet-shrouded gloom? Continue reading

Posted in Elder Goths, Growing Pains | 16 Comments

Polyvore – Romantic Goth Winter

romantic goth winter by theamaia featuring word wall art Free People lace sleeve dress / Free People military style jacket / Free People long black ruffle skirt / Free People lace stocking / Free People leather bootie / Genuine leather … Continue reading

Posted in Being Fashionable, Polyvore | 4 Comments

Responding to Insulting and Mean Comments

Hello Snarklings! This time at Gothic Charm School, the Lady of the Manners is going to deal with a subject that both she and goths everywhere are sadly all too familiar with: people directing unkind or mean-spirited comments at you. Ophelia sent in the following question: Continue reading

Posted in Being Mannerly, Serious Matters | Tagged , , , | 32 Comments

Yet Another Polyvore Fashion-y Thing!

Look! Another gothy Polyvore doll from Thea Maia! Continue reading

Posted in Being Fashionable, Polyvore | 5 Comments

Don’t Drink, Don’t Smoke – What Do You Do?

Dearest KittyPirate, and any other Snarklings who may have been wondering about this: it is absolutely alright to be goth and not drink alcoholic beverages! Now, the Lady of the Manners understands how the confusion would arise, as a lot of goth social life is focused on going to night clubs and fancy events. Not to mention the fact that many of the historical roots of goth are strongly entwined around the notions of being transgressive, redefining what is beautiful, and being terribly, terribly decadent.

However, it is possible to embrace all of those notions while not intoxicated! And that in some ways, being a part of the goth subculture while not drinking is a more daring and rebellious viewpoint to hold than the alternative, because it means that your thoughts aren’t blurred by anything other than your own visceral reactions. Continue reading

Posted in Being Social | Tagged , | 20 Comments

Fashion-y Things!

One of the Lady of the Manners’ dear friends is Thea Maia, a fabulous artist who spends a lot of time on Polyvore. One day, during an afternoon of tea and working on craft projects, we talked about her creating gothy fashion dolls on Polyvore, to aid you Snarklings in finding all sorts of fashionable fripperies and spooky stylish things. So with no further wittering here is the first creation! Continue reading

Posted in Being Fashionable, Polyvore | Tagged , , | 13 Comments