Gothic hair-styles looks for the office

At some point, we all grow up and tend to distance ourselves from the teenage looks, I think you know where I´m getting to...Yes! Sophisticated grown up look or straight raven-hair do?

I´ve already spoken about the raven hair do (http://the-black-wardrobe.blogspot.com/2008/07/gothic-make-up-tips-alternative-to.html)

Some people like it (easy, sleek and simple) other people just find it boring and teenage. I am between both options, sometimes can look very sexy, when it´s done properly, otherwise, It makes me look like Monalisa. However, other times, it looks a bit dull and boring.

There´s a new trend that it´s been hitting for over a couple of years now, which is the intermix between Goth and Rockabilly (it sounds bizarre but they ´re somehow related, just look at fashion´s history books and you will know why). You can find the local versions of this interesting mix such as in "bobs" (yes, the Victoria´s Beckham hair do but in a sleek raven-black version) or in longer lengths with fringe (very Betty Page)

But the last branch or "evolution" that it has come out from the Gothic subculture is the retro-burlesque one. Sometimes, intermixed/blended with Rockabilly, as well!

I´m one of these people who strongly believe that ms. Von Teese was the one who started it all, back to her gothic days with Marilyn -teenage idol- Manson.

It´s a very classy, old Glamour look. Very high maintenance! Which makes not suitable for everyone but it has that intriguing dark feel to it that makes it irresistible for those girls who are in the alternative circles. It works very well on all hair colours but specially, with black! I think it really gives a bit of fresh hair to the sometimes dull, straight-raven hair-do, don´t you think?

Corporate Goth or as some people may call it "adult Goth"

I've already said on the blog that Goth keeps crawling back to the surface of fashion every single winter but it always ends up in the dark, difuminating its black shadows until it dissappears from mainstream eyes. This winter, is back again. More obvious than ever (due to the current economical depressive mood), I mean, less romantic and more sleek and front-forward. Strong but balanced with just the right statement-pieces and, most important of all, super wearable. Which is something that traditional Goth doesn´t offer but Corporate Goths still need to achieve.



By typing "gothic chic" on google, I came across this article on the Daily Telegraph´s website. It´s quite old (2005) but that is irrelevant as we all know trends come and go but needs will always be there. It´s interesting as a reference, if you are looking for idea to update your black wardrobe for work or any other daily situations..... Enjoy.

"Looking scary, looking good"

Very occasionally, a trend emerges that seeps through all areas of culture, from film and music to interiors and beauty. One such trend this season is the glamorous, new image of gothic style.
Marc Jacobs kicked off the new mood with a catwalk show packed with gothic references, from the Edward Scissorhands soundtrack to the long black skirts, velvet-trimmed dresses and dark Edwardian silhouettes.
Last week, Tim Burton, the king of the modern gothic movie, released his latest macabre romance, The Corpse Bride, while black interiors - including matt black walls and glossy black accessories - are the most interesting new home trend. Slick black nail polish is currently considered to be über-chic, and Marilyn Manson, the scary-faced goth rocker, was in the front row at the Paris fashion shows last month.

However, gothic is difficult to wear. All those bleak colours and heavy silhouettes can be unflattering, and head-to-toe sinister will make you look more like a deranged teen than a mysterious modern goth. It's a look that needs a light touch and a hint of elegance to make it work.

Black velvet
Sumptuous dark velvet is a grown-up way to approach the gothic look. (...)

Lace blouses
All those dark colours need to be broken up with softer layers and lighter colours. A delicate lace blouse contrasts well with black velvet or wool.

Jet jewellery
Simple Victorian pendants look great with Edwardian-style clothes, but jet - especially faceted jet - is probably the most dramatic jewellery to wear with a gothic look. Erickson Beamon's Sleepy Hollow collection includes chandelier earrings with jet and hermatite (from £150; 020 7259 0202) and jet lariat-style necklaces (from £350).

Lace-up boots
Marc Jacobs showed much of his collection with black socks and flat black patent shoes. However, lace-up boots with heels are more flattering.

source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/main.jhtml?xml=/fashion/2005/10/26/efgoth26.xml

Gothic make-up tips: an alternative to raven-black hair

"Raven-black" hair has become an stereotype of the Goth look and now of the Emo look as well.... That's why it's not suitable for the office sometimes, specially with a very paled skin. It´s still considered a "teenage" feature and I know some Goths do want to stay away from Emos as much as they can....I still love the raven look, but that's my opinion.


If you have been told off by your boss or you just got tired of it, I've found some interesting other options, like chestnut or chocolate shades. They're not as boring as you might think (unless you´ve got dark-olive skin and brown eyes, just go to Spain and you,ll see what I mean...) as they still add drama to a fair skin but without making you look too "gothy" for the office. Because Chestnut is a very dark shade of brown, -which is a "warm" colour, unlike black- it brings a subtle golden/auburny shine to the face.




If I´m not wrong, Cameron Diaz was one of the first ones who started it, she went from blonde to chocolate, which gave a lot of sophistication to her look and then Lindsay Lohan changed her gorgeous ginger hair to slut-blonde first and then to chocolate. Obviously, because she´s a natural red-head, the chestnut colour really worked on her, it made her look sophisticated, grown-up and -if it wasn´t because of the bloody fake tan-dramatic but without being too "gothy".

gothic fashion tips: how to tame down a gorgeous black lace dress

I´m sure there´s no Goth or Goth-enthusiastic out there without a black lace dress inside their wardrobes. Waiting for "the chance" to be worn for......

Lace, as any other opulent fabric, is quite tricky to wear during day-light (specially if you are paled-skin and dark-raven hair....that easily screams out "goth") but I´ve found these pics that prove my point that everything can be tamed down and consequently, been adapted for any corporate Goth.

The key is, again, keep it simple. The fabric is already opulent and rich so it doesn´t need any help to claim any more attention than what it already does. That means: plain accesories (nothing outrageous, matt textures...) and not too edgy make up. Either dark lips and nude eyes (look at the Peaches Geldof pic, I wonder when this woman became been interested in the dark look) or (my favourite) soft smokey black eyes and nude lips. Take this Pearl Lowe´s pic as an example, she has combined a soft grey smokey eyes with soft pink lips. She has managed to smooth her look down with a doll-face make-up that doesn´t add anymore to her already "vamp-ish" outfit.

We are awaiting an indeed dark winter...

As usual, Black is coming back this winter (nothing new) however, this black has the darkest feel I've seen so far. Trapped in the middle of a crisis, fashion designers have created black collections which are surrounded by a dark and dejected mood. That's VERY good news for us, Corporate Goths! At last, a fashion that understands Goth. Dark and simple collections that don't try to over-do. Simple and austere pieces that complement paled and worried faces....

We don't know if we'll be able to pay our bills. Will there be any petrol left, the next time we go to the local petrol's station?

Every couple of seasons, I´ve noticed that some designers have tried to bring Goth to mainstream as a desperate try to claim some attention to themselves or, perhaps, as a desperate try to be "super-alternative". It hasn´t been necesary this time....The world is in a "ennui" mood. This time, Goth has crawled from the darkness on its own, from the dark depth of our worries to the catwalk. Will its fashion be adopted by this dark-mooded mainstream?

We hope not, as we hope this crisis will not last as long as some pessimistics are trying to convince us....

Corporate Goths......types

I came across this cartoon on this blog: http://www.aerynna.com/

I think is Very cute! but, I wonder if it would also reflect what british Corp. Goths dress like for work...

The blog is american, I have to say (that distinction IS crucial as the scene and social contexts are completely different on this side of the Atlantic).

What happens when dressing head-to-toe Goth during daylight..

I came across an interesting article on the Daily Mail's website (I didn´t know such a right-wing newspaper would pay any attention to a subculture fashion.....) where a fashion journalist tried on the "trendy" outfits of the moment. Obviously, the experience wasn´t pleasant at all. The interesting bit is, of course, when she dresses herself as a Goth. Here´s the bit:

GOTHIC
"Fashion took a turn for the macabre at Prada, Fendi and Gareth Pugh this season [winter 07], with black and more black.
There was also a gothic twist at Alexander McQueen and Christopher Kane, who named witches as the inspiration for their collections.
I'm a bit worried about this one, especially when the make-up artist slathers an entire compact of black eyeshadow on me and says she's going to make my hair look 'dirty'.
Camilla Staerk's tulle dress is beautifully made, though; the halterneck is elegant and the Victorian bustle skirt makes me feel like a baddie in one of Dickens' novels.
The fingerless gloves are rather Karl Lagerfeld-esque and the Jimmy Choo ankle boots are to die for. I suspect the jagged metal cone heels could be classed as lethal weapons.
So, individually, I really like each piece of clothing. But head-to-toe, I'm scared by what I see in the mirror.
Unlike the other looks I've tried today, it feels unnatural to smile in this outfit. People stare and some swerve out of my way. None grin or stop to chat.
Far from feeling empowered and fierce, my confidence is waning - so I move quickly on. "What do you think of my outfit?" I ask two passing girls. "You look like the goths at our school," laughs one. "Yeah, I think the gloves are cool, but there's too much black. You need some colour," says the other.
Good idea. We head to a nearby flower stall to take a photo with a bright background. Or at least we try to.
The flower seller looks me up and down with a face like a wet weekend and refuses to let me buy anything from him, let alone have my picture taken next to his roses.
No wonder goths have a reputation for always being so grumpy - the reaction I'm getting is overwhelmingly negative.
Fed up, I head to the nearest cake shop to sweeten up. The girl serving me grins, then makes my day: "Where is your dress from? I love it," she beams. I give her the designer's details and she, in turn, hands over my cake for free. Maybe being a goth for the day isn't quite so bad after all.
VERDICT: Not my cup of tea. Head-to-toe black is just too sombre and seemed to scare away everyone.
If you're into this look, you've got to be brave and go the whole hog: diluting black garments with bright colours just looks cheap. If you're wearing it in the day-time, go a little lighter on the make-up to avoid scaring small children. 2/10"

MY VERDICT: Goths don´t look grumpy! People think they´re grumpy. Gothic style is just for Goths or Goth-lovers (people with a strong and very defined personality). This article is a clear example when anyone (not familiar with the subculture) attempts to wear it and then they deeply regret it and on top of that they make a fool of themselves, turning the outfit into a custom outfit. Goth is about sophisticated drama not dressing up for Halloween!

More fashion tips for your daily black wardrobe: BE CLEVER

When you are in your spare time (in a night out, at home, with your friends in the city...), dress as you want. No-one should have the right to insult you or tell you off. (Although some twats still think they do have that right...)

Another thing is when you are at work.....or in any other daily-life situation where your attire could get you into trouble or, in the worst cases, into pure discrimination. (Which is illegal BUT it happens).

Here is where you have to play the clever game. We already know that ignorants associate gothic fashion with ripped fishnets, badly dyed hair, vampire makeup and any other grungeness in general. However, although you are dressed in your beautiful and modern fantastic outfit you´re still a "Goth" or a "evil-worshiper" for them. And for them, head to toe Gothic IS still more frightening than fabulous.

The plan is to look as simple as you can. Tame down the textures (minimize the use of luxurious textures such lace, velvet and satin to details or key pieces). There are more tips on this post: http://the-black-wardrobe.blogspot.com/search/label/gothic%20fashion%20tips OR if you really want to wear that dramatic piece (a lace blouse, those studded pointed shoes), coordinate it with a casual-neutral piece like skinny jeans or a very plain black skirt. If you don´t mind wearing a completely neutral look, keep the drama just in the accesories (pvc shoes, a stunning brooch, long leather gloves)

COLOURS:

remember there´s more than just black. Experiment with grey, navy blue or the classy black&white combination. The trick is to semi-hide yourself, if they´re that clever, they will know you are a Goth or Goth lover. But usually, people are not that clever...and at some point, they start asking questions....leave them in the doubt. Other colours that would really be interesting too are plum, cream (it enfasizes the pallor of your skin because of its pastel shade), and burgundy. However, never wear purple! never, never, never. Besides being a very easy stereotype, it´s been proved in psychological studies of colour that purple´s an unsocial colour. If you want to be the distant, "no-one wants to be near person" that is the colour to go for. But we don´t want to be that, do we? We need to pay bills....

What NOT TO WEAR to work (all together): pointed shiny shoes (aggresive-sharp lines, and strong sexual connotation), a satin piece (very evening and again, sexual connotation), dramatic make-up (again, sexual connotation-"femme fatalle"). There´s a stunning mix of luxurious textures, sharp lines, combined with a super-shaped feminine siluette (due to a super fit mini)....All that combination of things screams "goth"! Again, choose one thing as the main stand-out piece of your look.

What to wear to work: here are two examples of key pieces combined with flat ones in order to minimize the drama of your attire. In the first pic, what it seems to be a heavy-weight brocade skirt is been tamed down with a plain matt shirt and the look it is been finished with a thin piece of jewelry that will not distract the attention to the skirt. In the second pic, a decadent ruffle shirt is been combined with plain black pants, in this case, skinny that gives more volumen to the upper part of the body. In both pictures, the make-up is been kept to the minimal which is a good trick if you skin is extremely pale.

The busy life of a Corporate Goth...

Corporate Goths have a far more complicated lifestyle than the rest of people. Apart from their "normal-life" social commitments they also have to attend their gothic commitments...