Morning Coffee

Goth Coffee by goth-proxy featuring slim fit dress pants

Hello Darklings,

What does a Oiuja board tie and a black velvet blazer have to do with coffee?

Take Advantage of the Trends

 

Alternative subcultures revel in avoiding mainstream culture and fashion right? But what about when the mainstream borrows for the counter-culture fashion statements?
While some might despise the trends, I say indulge and take advantage of them! I personally love when the "dark alt look" becomes fashionable. It means the styles I love are easily accessible and I can often find them for more affordable prices; instead of having to order online or seek out a specialty shop, I can march into my local department stores, seek out the sales rack and find something I'll enjoy wearing.

View my full list after the break:

Various DIYs

 

Hello Darklings,

I thought I'd share some of myDIY creations from the last couple of months.

1. A small  Pleather hand bag, with lace trim and an old belt as the strap. The pattern is my own creation.
2. A leather collar. I made this out of some leather scrap I had lying about, and some salvaged hardware from a pair of pants the I had to get rid of.
    
3. A leather collar of a different kind. I made this out of leather scraps as well and used small studs I bought online. A piece of ribbon as the clasp. 

Let me know if you'd like a tutorial!

Cheers,
Twiggy Pop

Office Glam

Office Glam by goth-proxy featuring a Boohoo red jacket

Whats in the set after the break. 

DIY Studded Collar

A Quick DIY Collar I made a while ago.

Hello Darklings,

Here's a quick DIY project I did a while ago. Studded collars can be oh so expensive sometimes. I decided to make one myself. I used studs I bought online (you can find them at quite reasonable prices, and some pleather I had left over from an earlier project. The hardware , clasp and such were salvaged from an old pair of pants I got rid of a while back.

Simply Stunning: Yohji Yamamoto Fall/Winter 2013

“Black is modest and arrogant at the same time. Black is lazy and easy - but mysterious. But above all black says this: "I don’t bother you - don’t bother me".” - Yohji Yamamoto

 

Images from http://www.yohjiyamamoto.co.jp/

 Hello Darklings,

The summer is almost gone! This makes me sad, as I absolutely love the heat, but I know that many eagerly await the coolness of fall.  And while I do miss the heat already, I'm love fall and winter fashion. Particularily this new collection by Yohji Yamamoto. He never fails to provide dark yet sophisticated garments.

Lots of layers, dark neutral tone and lots of black. Loose fitting yet sleek. And some pretty stunning facial hair sported in his Homme collection.  I personally adore the look, What say you lovely readers? Let me know in the comments!

More After the Break!

Dark blue

Dark blue by goth-proxy featuring a navy blue collared shirt

Beach Goth?

Beach Goth? by goth-proxy featuring flat sandals


Or View my Full Guide Here. 

What's in the set, after the break.

Goth Day at the Beach

A goth? At the Beach? Psshhh, that doesn't make sense. 

 

Mandy Bones One-Piece Swimsuit by Too Fast ($46.00 on Tragicbeautiful.com)

Hello Darklings,

I know many of us would never venture out into the sun willingly, but on the off chance that you do decide to frolic on the sandy beach and enjoy the summer weather while it's still here, I've compiled a list of essential items for Goth survival at the beach.

View the full list after the break.

Shady: Combat Boots with a Blazer and a Mod Dress

Shady by goth-proxy featuring a leather jacket

 Hello Darklings,

I don't have much to say today, but a quick note on this set. This is the type of outfit that will work in some offices, but not others. Get to know your corporate culture before pushing the status quo with spooky boots!

-Twiggy Pop

What do I put on my feet?

Corporate Goth Shoes by goth-proxy on polyvore.com

Creepers, combat boots, steam-punk stilettos and not a single work shoe in sight. And there's no way you are about to go out a spend good money on an boring work shoe.
You might already have a pair of mary janes or flats, and those will do just fine with any work outfit. If you've got a pair of plain combat boots and can pull your pants over top they will also work fine as work shoes. But if you don't have any of these options, you might want to consider finding a pair of work appropriate shoes. It doesn't have to be painful though.

I've put together this collection of shoes I've found around the web (in both men's and women's styles) that appeal to my gothy practicalities. You can generally get away with most of these styles in most settings, although the boots are better suited for the winter months and the sandals are better for the summer. Keep your dress code in mind and don't panic, you can find shoes that appeal to your own sense of fashion.


Cheers,
Twiggy Pop

Menswear

Menswear by goth-proxy on polyvore.com

Office Goth

Key elements to any office wardrobe for the goth:

1. A sleek Black Coat (for the cold days). Not too many unecessary buckles, rivets or zippers.
2. A simple pair of flats. Unfortunately, most office settings won't be too keen on your combat boots or converse sneakers.Black Flats are the way to go for comfort, and they come with a variety of styles, so you can sneak in some black lace, bows, buckles or even studs as shown above.
3. A white button up shirt. It looks clean and professional, and you probably already own one. A black blouse if acceptable also, but the white helps break up the black to avoid that overly formal funeral look that is associated with all black business formal wear.
4. A blazer. Probably black, but any colour will do. Simple is best, but they do come with more creative additions such as lace or leather panels. I've found that no matter what you are wearing, throwing a blazer on top will make it 90% more work appropriate.
5. A big black bag to throw your stuff in. Try to avoid coffin shapes.

You might be saying "oh god my studded leather jacket will never go with that."
Or "That's so boring, where are the ruffles, the corsets, this is so very mundane."

Well... Thats the point. Unfortunately. The idea with this outfit is to start out simple and make additions that make it more your taste. Having these in your closet will give you something to wear to an interview that won't send you potential employer running. Slowly introduce items into your office wear to test the waters, see what you can get away will before wearing a lolita dress to work. But start off simple.

Office Goth

Key elements to any office wardrobe for the goth. Again a simple outfit:

1. A sleek Black Coat (for the cold days). Not too many unecessary buckles, rivets or zippers.
2. Dress shoes. They don't have to be plain and boring though. Like flats you can find some that have additionas such as studs or embossments. Doc Martens have some pretty funky dress shoes too!
3. A white button up shirt. Again, a black blouse if acceptable also, but the white helps break up the black to avoid that overly formal funeral look that is associated with all black business formal wear. Add patterns! Pinstripes for example are classic.
4. A blazer. Again, I've found that no matter what you are wearing, throwing a blazer on top will make it 90% more work appropriate.
5. A big black bag to throw your stuff in. Try to avoid coffin shapes.

Mission Statement...

For the freaks that didn't grow out of their freaky phase.

This is my guidelines and journey to "grown-up goth" or living goth or punk or alternative lifestyle while still making a living.

While it would be nice to be a pointy-haired combat boot wearer for ever and always, many of us will eventually find our selves becoming part of the social norms working in jobs that require uniforms and business suits. We can only hope that the uniforms we are given aren't too restrictive... after all we all have to grow up sometime, right? And while many of the blue haired fishnet dudes grow up to be content wearing a suit and carrying a brief case, many more will enter the corporate world and find themselves itching for some reminiscent of their old haunts. But whose to say you have to give up those old haunts? Whose to say you can continue to protest and write zines? Whose to say you can't host elegant gothic tea parties? What ever floats your boat, I say do it, no matter your age or occupation.

And as for the office setting you've found yourself in... Let's see if we can find a way to get around the mundane business suits and brief cases shall we?



Call it goth in cognito, Call in infiltrating the mainstream, or taking the system down from the inside out. I'd like to say there are ways to continue to enjoy your style choices, and ways to make a living but still be freaky.

This blog will explore mostly goth inspired fashion, but I'll also explore other alternative subcultures, music, art and style choices. I'll touch on being alternative in a small town, the alt scene, and trying to carry on being freaky even after becoming a "productive member of society." But mostly fashion and hopefully DIYs. And maybe cupcakes.

-Twiggy Pop