Going Goth & Your Own Twist #56

It seems there is a holiday to celebrate every random thing you can imagine from Star Wars to sports cars, from opposites to copycats, from music to fruit. These random silly holidays provide me with much inspiration for this monthly style challenge series. And I do have a lot of fun researching obscure celebrations and turning them into fashion prompts for Your Own Twist.

So let’s get to it. Did you know that May 22 is World Goth Day? I did not until I was searching for ideas for this month’s style prompt. And what an interesting holiday it is. World Goth Day originated in the United Kingdom in 2009 but quickly spread to other countries around the world as a day to celebrate the Goth subculture and those who live a Goth lifestyle.

So what the heck is Goth anyway? It is a music based subculture that was born in the UK in the early 1980s post-punk era. It is a subculture that has had lasting appeal since its emergence and has continued to diversify and spread around the world. Gothic rock and death rock are the preferred musical genres of this subculture and the style of dress draws inspiration from the punk and new wave movements as well as from New Romantic fashion which is based in Victorian and Edwardian styles.

The Gothic style aesthetic relies heavily on dark clothing, generally all black, with dark hair and makeup also being signature components. It has been stereotyped as eerie, mysterious, and sometimes morbid. American anthropologist Ted Polhemus has described female Goth style as a “profusion of black velvets, lace, fishnets and leather tinged with scarlet or purple, accessorized with tightly laced corsets, gloves, precarious stilettos and silver jewelry depicting religious or occult themes”. (Source)

Once upon a time, I really related to the Gothic lifestyle. The angst of my youth and the darkness of my bipolar disorder found it an appealing method of self expression. But in my more mature years, the lifestyle doesn’t serve me as well. I am not so angsty as I once was and most of the darkness has moved out making room for joy and gratitude and light. So while I still find the Gothic style aesthetic quite appealing (I do love the drama of all black), it needs a bit of a bohemian or cowgirl twist for it to suit me these days.

So I present you with my Gothic Cowgirl look! Those two things don’t sound like they should go together, but as you can see they actually go together perfectly! A long black lace dress with a corset belt, a velvet fringed shawl, and a black velvet choker are perfect elements in the Gothic equation. I added my black cowgirl boots and a big floppy black hat for my own country twist on this dark theme.

I have worn all of these things many times before and never thought to put them all together. My black Durango cowgirl boots are from 4 years ago, my black lace maxi dress is 7 years old, and all of my accessories have been around for quite some time. This big black floppy boho hat has proven itself to be a very versatile head topper. You can see other outfits that I have styled with it here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. My lace corset belt has also shown its worth in how many times I have worn it. You can see it styled it here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. And black cowgirl boots always come in handy with my casual hippie aesthetic. You can see these boots styled here, here, here, here, here, and here.

I created this unlikely combination for a Gothic Cowgirl style and I absolutely love the result. Now I just need somewhere to go wearing such an awesome outfit! What kind of twist would you put on Gothic style? Remember to join the link party below to share Your Own Twist on the style prompt.

About Your Own Twist

Your Own Twist is a monthly link party hosted by Monica of Monica Hayworth (formerly Jersey Girl, Texan Heart) and me on the third Thursday of every month with the goal of inspiring some of our friends to get creative with personal style. 

The idea behind this collaboration is to take one common piece or theme and style it our own way with our own twist…Monica and I have both taken a lot of fashion inspiration from one another over the past few years even though we have totally different styles. It is always fun to see how we can interpret similar items in unique ways or what kind of twist we will each bring to the chosen theme.

Unfortunately, Monica is unable to join me this month. But I do hope to see her back to playing dress up soon!

We will let you know the themes well in advance in the event that you would like to use the theme for your own post and add it to the link party. However, any fashion posts are welcome regardless of whether you used the theme or not. Be sure to check out our upcoming style prompts below.

June 15, 2023: Road Tripping

Join us to celebrate Take a Road Trip Day which is on June 16, 2023, with your favorite road tripping outfit!

July 17, 2023: The Cowgirl in Me

We will be celebrating National Day of the Cowboy, which falls on July 22, 2023, with our outfits inspired by the American West.

August 17, 2023: Appreciate Your Feet

August 17, 2023, is National I Love My Feet Day. I recently mentioned to Michelle that we should have a holiday that celebrates our feet. So I am super excited for this one!

September 21, 2023: Let’s Get Down to Business

September 22, 2023, is Business Women Day which recognizes and celebrates the contributions made by women in business. Join us for this prompt with your best badass girl boss in business outfit.

October 19, 2023: It All Began with Halloween

We began this series with Fashion Icon Halloween costumes way back in 2018 and have continued with our Halloween theme every October since. Join us with your Halloween styles.

November 16, 2023: Minimalism at its Best

Use Less Stuff Day falls on November 16, 2023, and is a day to focus on decluttering our homes just in time for the busiest shopping season of the year. So what would you wear if you were to declutter your closet right down the minimalist basics?

December 21, 2023: What in the Dickens?

No Christmas season is complete without a little Dickens. Charles Dickens, that is. December 21, 2023, is Bah Humbug Day, a day to vent out all of your holiday stresses and frustrations like Ebenezer Scrooge. But you don’t have to limit your style to humbuggery. Just draw inspiration from anything related to Charles Dickens!

Featured Favorite from All Zipped Up

Claire Justine

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

Joining these Fabulous Link Parties.

Outfit Details: Dress and Corset Belt-Torrid / Boots-Durango / Hat-Apt. 9 / Scarf and Jewelry-All Old