Blog Address Update

Hi all! Just to let you know, I changed the blog URL to avoid some confusion with other sites. Please update your bookmarks!

https://gothicopathy.blogspot.com

Outfit #31

Untitled #124 by labelleestlabete

We're using some more men's items today. The T-shirt is from Y-3, the collaboration between Yohji Yamamoto and Adidas. It's simply designed, but I liked the classic Yamamoto image on the front.

I used a looser style of jeans today because they're slightly more comfortable than the ever-present skinny jeans.
The Call It Spring boots are loose at the top to accommodate the legs of the jeans, and I like the multi-strap design.

I added a Rick Owens jacket and an All Saints scarf for extra layering, and finished off the outfit with some interesting rings (I especially like the black tungsten one), a belt, and a studded backpack.
I'm glad backpacks are back in fashion - I was around for the switch from backpacks to messenger bags at school, and we were constantly getting lectures about not overloading the bags if we were carrying them over one shoulder (same for backpacks when one-strapping it was the only way), and crossing the strap over your chest to spread the load. I carry a huge one-shoulder handbag now and I do have a tendency to overload it, so maybe a backpack is a better option.

Outfit #30

Untitled #120 by labelleestlabete

Another casual outfit today, for shopping or possibly work if your employer isn't fussed about what you wear, like my last job.

I started off with the ribcage T-shirt, because I liked the smudged effect of the design. I think  it would be really cool to make one with bleach sprayed over a stencil, instead of just a white screenprint.

Then I added the ripped jeans from Topshop - I like to add patterned tights underneath damaged denim for extra effect (lace tights work really well), but I didn't put them in this set.

I used two different types of boot in the set - combat boots for ease of walking, and the Torment-84 boots from Demonia for effect. Demonia boots have a pretty low price point compared to some other brands, but they are good quality. I have the Concord-108 boots and they are great for festivals and clubs, because the thick foam soles keep your feet off the hard ground and you don't get so tired from standing. They're also great if you've got some mope filming a gig on their phone standing right in front of you.

Then I added accessories - the ubiquitous jacket, scarf and bag - and a coffee mug from Contigo for a pick-me-up. I have the mug that's in this set and it's awesome. It's completely vacuum-sealed, so you don't have to worry about it spilling in your bag, and it keeps your drink hot for around 4 hours. Much better than my old one, which would leak if you so much as looked at it sideways.

Outfit #29

Untitled #123 by labelleestlabete

Another "day" outfit today. I found the sleeveless vest from
Genuine People on Polyvore and wanted to do another
Lagenlook-inspired set.

I added a swing-cut vest to match the loose vest, keeping up the layering effect of Lagenlook. Then I used the leather-look leggings to add another texture to the outfit. The Fly London boots add some interest to the lower half of the outfit, and they have a solid wedge heel that's easy to get around in.
I rarely add heels to day sets because I usually build outfits that I would like to wear. I have dodgy knees, so heels all day is not the best idea. Therefore, flats and wedges are the order of the day.

I finished off the outfit with just a bag and a hat, since the vest is the most eye-catching item and I didn't want to detract from it. I used a large but simply-designed bag for storing all your gear (I always end up with half of my shopping in my handbag so I don't have to carry everything by hand), and a big felt hat just because I like them.
I mentioned before that keeping your accessories big makes you look smaller by comparison - the vest, hat and bag combo should do just that.

Outfit #28

Untitled #119 by labelleestlabete

I wanted to make a slightly fancier "day" outfit - you could also wear this clubbing, but I would swap out the Alexander Wang pullover for a more fitted top. An underbust corset like these would work really well with the line of the skirt.

I started off with the Alexander McQueen skirt, which is cut along the same lines as a lot of gothic lolita skirts, like this one (this one is punk lolita, but the two are closely related). I liked the full, tiered structure of the skirt and I used it as a base to build the rest of the set.

I used the pullover and the waterfall jacket from Miss Selfridge to add some more layers and visual interest with the different fabrics and textures. 

For accessories, I added leggings (you know how I feel about sudden breezes while wearing short skirts), a spine bracelet by
Ayaka Nishi, and the bag from Cesare Paciotti.
I used Harley Davidson boots to finish off the outfit. I think the skirt looks better with a bit of a heel, instead of flat combat boots.

Finally, I added a nail polish idea - matte black nails are an update of the classic black polish. Back in the old days, before Chanel came out with their range of black polishes, you were stuck scouring markets or Hallowe'en stores for your gothy makeup needs. Fortunately, Stargazer and Manic Panic were on hand later on to make things easier, and now black nail polish can be found pretty much everywhere.

Oufit #27

Untitled #121 by labelleestlabete

Today I did something different and made a unisex outfit. Every item is from the men's section, and also under $100. The Kenzo jeans were the exception, however, because I liked the cross design on the leg and didn't find anything else more suitable. The shearling coat from River Island is currently on sale for $50 (down from $140, so get one while you can!).

I wanted to use purely men's clothing in this set because I've been talking about shopping in the men's section, but my sets are usually made up of mostly women's clothing. The intention this time was to show you how you can combine men's clothing to make an outfit that could be worn by either gender.

I added a few goth staples - the webbing belt and the big army backpack. I have basically the same one, and it's awesome for travelling. If you have an army surplus store near you, go and have a look around for hidden gems.
The boots are from Demonia, and I chose them for the extra buckle and chain details to keep the outfit from being too plain, which is the same idea with the shearling coat. Even though the coat comes from the men's section, it has a quite defined waist which would suit ladies as well.

Finally, I chose a T-shirt with a cool design on the front, which for me is the best part about men's clothing (apart from jeans that bloody fit!). I'm getting a bit tired of the motifs being repeated in women's T-shirts - there's a lot of dreamcatchers, astrological signs and "Aztec print" (don't even get me started on that one). Men, on the other hand, get skulls and motorbikes and those fake business or sports club designs. So clearly, the only solution is to buy those instead.

Outfit #26

Untitled #118 by labelleestlabete

I made this set because I liked the ouija board purse from Restyle. This outfit isn't really basic, but it's an example of a "day" outfit that you might wear on a shopping trip or day out. 

I really like this skeleton top, especially with the added feather detail in the design. It's easy to find standard skeleton shirts, but this one is just a little bit different. 

The skirt from RQBL is a classic goth style - lots of tulle, lace and tattered pieces. I chose a fuller design to balance out the fit of the top, which has a wider hem than usual that sits well with the cut of the skirt.

I used combat boots to make it easy to walk around for a long time. These are from Commes des Garçons, but you can find brand new boots in army surplus stores for a friendlier price.
 A tip if you're wearing them out and about - make sure the boots are laced tightly around your toes and upper foot. That way, they don't slide around and give you blisters. I rarely wore my combat boots because of that until I looked on a hiking forum to see how they solved the problem. No more blisters!

Finally, the accessories were added to finish of the outfit: tattered tights, a tungsten ring, the wolf claw necklace that I use a lot, and plenty of bracelets. I love adding lots of bracelets because it gives some interest to the sleeve area, and I think they look really good with a tank top or T-shirt. 

Outfit #25

Untitled #117 by labelleestlabete

We've hit a milestone - 25 posts! It's not that many, but considering my old blogs got boring before I even got this far, it's pretty good.

Today's set started with the dress by Australian label Camilla and Marc. I chose this one because it reminded me of a Vivienne Westwood piece - for example, this one. The one in the set is made of crepe and has a much less intimidating price point!

I added the Alexander McQueen jacket and the Yves Saint Laurent boots to keep the look classy rather than rough around the edges like some (read: most) of my other sets. The studs on the jacket and the buckle of the dress's belt are both brass-coloured, so I matched the clasp on the handbag with those details. I actually chose the bag first, then added the jacket to tie it together.

I finished off the look with the gloves because I liked the unusual bow detail on them. I used skeleton cameo earrings to add some gothic flair, and a beret because I couldn't find a suitable felt hat to go with the look. There's still a lot of fedoras floating around... 

Outfit #24

Untitled #116 by labelleestlabete

We're going for a more punk look today - I found the leather jacket from High Heels Suicide while I was making another set. I didn't use it that time, but I saved it for future use.

I added a white T-shirt and plain black jeans to keep the focus on the jacket and accessories. The jewelry is in keeping with our punk theme, and I tried to keep the decorations and textures matching to tie it all together. I also added an All Saints scarf for extra warmth, since there's only a T-shirt under the jacket.

I used the classic Dr Martens boots - as I mentioned in this post, Docs, black jeans and a leather jacket is one of the original looks for goths and punks alike. It's simple, you can find the components almost anywhere, and it's easy to style and wear. In fact, you might say that it's comfy and easy to wear. Just like shorts.

I did something different this time and added a hairstyle that would match, in honour of my new cut. I had two pieces of hair at the sides that would not behave - I could use enough extra-strong hairspray to put another hole in the ozone layer and they would still stick out and start fuzzing along my hairline. And what do we do when that one bit just won't cooperate? Shave it off!
I was apprehensive about taking off two of the long sections of my hair, but now I wish I'd done it long ago. No more fuzz, no more bits touching my ears whenever the wind blows... It may be a trendy thing right now, but it gets the job done.

Outfit #23

Precious by labelleestlabete

This outfit started with the Jaeger parachute hoodie - I saw this when it was still in the shops and did my usual thing of "I'm not paying 90 quid for knitwear when I can make something just as good". When I started looking at patterns, I realised that the shaping wasn't that easy and I was better off just buying one. Of course, by that time, they were all sold out and I had to turn to Ebay. It took two years for one to come up, but I finally got one! It's awesome and I love it, and the whole process reminded me that while handmade is great, sometimes it's too much work and you should just swallow your pride and buy the thing you want.

This look is another "casual office" type, as shown by the travel mug. The only thing that's missing is the huge sunglasses I always wear on the way to work, so that I don't have to be seen when I'm half-awake and insufficiently caffeinated. 
The trousers and long-sleeve T-shirt from Only keep everything else fairly basic to keep the focus on the Jaeger cardigan and the skull scarf from Pieces*. As an aside, Only make really good long-sleeves which last through endless wash cycles. The H&M ones are also pretty nice.

*I only just realised this, but half of this outfit is from shops I liked in Germany (Only and Pieces, which are the same company). My favourite shop in Frankfurt was New Yorker. I miss them, even though their in-store music was utterly terrible (especially when that Jason Derulo song was out and they had it on loop >_<).

Outfit #22

Untitled #91 by labelleestlabete

We're going for more of a "cute" look today, lightly inspired by gyaru style (for more info on gyaru, check out the wiki here, or Universal Doll, one of the best blogs on the subject.) I'm not sure which category this would fall into, to be honest. Maybe the "otona kawaii" (literally "adult cute") category? 
(I swear I didn't make up that name).

I started off with the lace shorts, which I didn't like much when they first hit the market, but now they've grown on me. Then I added the striped T-shirt. This grey broken-striped tee is cute, but not too cute.

I added a blazer jacket to stop the look from getting too cutesy, and kept the palette dark for the same reason.

You might also see heels with this kind of look - high-heeled over-the-knee boots are very popular - but I went with flat, slightly loose boots because they're the kind of shoes I would actually wear with this outfit(and they're also quite popular with gyaru who are going to be out and about all day). The only reason I don't wear mine every day is that it rains a lot where I live!

Outfit #21

Untitled #114 by labelleestlabete

I started this outfit off with the cloud-print T-shirt dress - Polyvore doesn't have the designer listed, but I think it's from Rick Owens' DRKSHDW line, based on the auto-tags. 
Then I added the jacket from Nicholas K, which I didn't know about until just recently, but it fits right in with the avant-garde, post-apocalyptic look I've been using in the last few sets.

I added the Fly London boots and the leather leggings to keep some interest in the lower half of the outfit, and added some accessories.
I use the ninja star cuff quite a lot (almost as much as the Boda Skins jacket), including way back in this set. I think it goes with so many looks - you can add some interest to an otherwise plain outfit, or you can go full-on and build your whole outfit around the bracelet (essentially, what I do).
I also used a leather multi-wrap bracelet, the nylon backpack from Prada and the flying bird earrings to finish it off.

Then I added the omnipresent special effects, including my favourite "coffee stain" effect. Bonus points if your coffee is black like your outfit. :p

Outfit #20

Untitled #113 by labelleestlabete

I started off this look with the lacy skirt, which is listed as a "lolita"* skirt, but has been popular with goths for a while. Flared skirts like this are easy to wear and the detail makes it interesting enough that you can keep the rest of your outfit pretty plain.
I added some opaque tights, because the biggest drawback of a floaty, flared skirt is that one rogue gust of wind can force you to do an impromptu Marilyn Monroe impression. Opaque tights will at least keep your undies from public display! Some people wear bike shorts under skirts when they leave their legs bare, for exactly the same reason.

I have no idea where the boots are from, to be honest, but the stitching makes me think of Dr Martens. They could be fakes, though.
I added a cashmere sweater, and a leather jacket from Marc Jacobs. 


*I wanted to talk a bit about lolita style and how it intersects with goth, but that's a whole post on its own!
Lolita is a Japanese street style, and while it has an extremely unfortunate name, it has nothing to do with the book. The original idea was rather to go against the growing trend of showing skin in modern fashion, and bring in ideas of "modesty", and people who wear the style prefer to look cute or elegant (depending on their chosen sub-style), rather than "sexy" (Japan also has a different definition of "sexy", which is another post!).

Outfit #19

Untitled #112 by labelleestlabete

Today's outfit started with the Dr Martens boots, which are now sadly out of stock. If you find New Rocks too heavy and clunky, something like this is a good alternative.

I added a deconstructed sweater by Ann Demeulemeester, a very prominent designer in avant garde fashion, along with Rick Owens, the designer of the jacket up above. I talked a little bit about designers who make goth-friendly gear in my last post, so now we can add Ann Demeulemeester to the list!

The skirt is by Mairi McDonald - the product description says it's a modern take on the traditional Scottish kilt.
Kilts have been pretty popular in alternative scenes for a while, for men as well as women. The Utilikilt* is popular at festivals because a) lots of pockets, so you don't need a bag, b) lots of secret pockets, and c) air flow, which is a good thing to have at an outdoor gig in the middle of a German summer.

Outfit #18

Untitled #111 by labelleestlabete 

This set started with the Demobaza leggings. I mentioned Demobaza in this post, and right now, I think they're one of my favourite brands.  They have a lot in common with Rick Owens, including the price point!
Both brands are part of a new trend in goth styles - the "upper-class goth" look. Since all of the original goths from the early 80s are in their late forties to early fifties now, they've had a lot of time to build careers and get themselves a good income. When their kids are grown, they have money to spend on things they like, including high-end designer gear that fits the aesthetic.
The scarf is from EMP, which has a  big selection of clothing to choose from. Another popular shop is X-tra-x, which has plenty of outlets in Germany (including clearance outlets, which are awesome).
The boots are from Fly London, and I think they match the look of the trousers. I added the armour-look bag, and a couple of accessories to finish it off.

Outfit #17

Untitled #108 by labelleestlabete

This is a more modern take on goth style. The black trousers, heavy boots and black T-shirt are staples of the genre, but the bag, headphones and baseball sweatshirt make it a bit more "now". I added the asymmetrical jacket for some extra flair. I have one from Converse that I really like because it goes with pretty much anything.

The thing that I think makes this outfit truly "goth" is that all the items could easily be found in thrift stores or flea markets (apart from the boots, unless you're extremely lucky or live in Camden). Nivek Ogre once remarked that having goth boutiques was an odd thing, because when it first kicked off, you had to make your own gear and/or scour the second-hand shops in hope of finding something that could give you the right look. 
The most "classic" goth day-to-day look I can think of is black jeans, Doc Martens or army surplus combat boots, a black T-shirt and a scuffed leather jacket. And enough hairspray to turn every time you light a cigarette into a game of Russian roulette. 
If you want a darker look, but don't want to go down the Hot Topic, just-add-water path, the old-school route is the way to go. It's not all Victorian mourning gear and white face paint. ;)

 In fact, learning how to mix-and-match and find just the right items is a good way to learn about styling yourself. The first step is not just buying up everything they have in black and your size - that took me a while!

Makeup Discussion #1

Hi again! Long time, no post. D:

I wanted to talk about makeup today, as a spinoff from this post where I used a nude lipstick to set off the outfit.

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I've been into nude lipstick for a couple of years now. I got my first one, Honey Love, from MAC on a visit to France, and was given this advice: if you are going with a nude lip, make your eye makeup heavier so that you don't look washed-out. The nude colour draws attention away from your lips (as opposed to a dark wine colour, which stands out a lot more), so you need to emphasise another part of your face. 

It was good advice - I was doing 40's-style makeup at the time, which is a very pared-down look due to rationing of cosmetics at the time. Nowadays, that's my "really can't be bothered today" look, and the best thing I ever learnt to do was tightlining. It really does finish off a look, and then you can just add mascara and be ready in 5 minutes.

I picked up a lot more nude shades when I lived in Germany, but I can't get the same brands over here in France. I was a big fan of Essence, Catrice and P2 Cosmetics - they were cheap and cheerful (lipstick would cost about €3, nail polishes for €2, and so on) and I really liked going to DrogerieMarkt or Rossmann (something like CVS in America) and testing out all the colours, comparing brands and finding products that work. 

I still swear by the Catrice highlighter pen, the P2 gel kajal eyeliner and Essence eyeshadows. Catrice and P2 also make excellent eyeshadow: I got two absolutely perfect brown shadows from Catrice, and the primer/shadow combo from P2 works like a charm. If I use that, I don't need a cream primer underneath, and nothing smudges or smears itself on my eyelids (others with greasy eyelids know exactly what I'm talking about). I've tried a few cream primers, but I always come back to MAC's Prep and Prime. It's one of the few products for which I won't bother looking for a cheap duplicate, because the more expensive one just works so well.

There is a major difference that I've noticed between France and Germany: German women wear a LOT of makeup. Foundation, contour, brow pencil, lipstick and lip gloss (often frosted pink, since Germany seems to be perpetually stuck in the 90's), blush, bronzer - the works. 

French women, on the other hand, seem to wear a lot less of it, but when they do, they use high-end stuff. The look that I've seen most often here is the "lipstick + mascara = done" formula - it doesn't seem to be fashionable to look like you made an effort to look good. Rather, it should look like you rolled out of bed well-dressed and fresh-faced. I can probably count on one hand the number of people I've seen wearing a full face of makeup, and they stand out a lot more here than in Germany or the UK. 

To be fair, most of these women work at Sephora or Nocibé, so it's their job to showcase the products. Marionnaud salespeople, interestingly, seem to favour the "basic" look, but they sell slightly more high-end cosmetics than the other two stores (lots of Guerlain and Chanel, for example).

I'm going to be honest here: I really prefer the look of heavy makeup. I like the way that you can sculpt your face into a different one by just highlighting one part of it and shading another. I like heavy eyeliner and appreciate a perfectly-drawn cat-eye (I rarely achieve it myself, but those who consistently do are awe-inspiring). Heavy contouring and highlighting seems to be an "American" look (though it's also popular in the UK, particularly in the north), probably because the Kardashian sisters have been all over it these past years. Regardless of what you think of them as celebrities or people, Kim's face is sculpted to perfection. It's crazy.

Outfit #16

Untitled #110

This outfit was based around the sweater dress. They're a great alternative to a long sweater, especially if you want to wear leggings underneath. 

The combat boots and the leather jacket give the whole look a slightly harder feel. I usually wear 20-hole combat boots, especially when it's raining, but these ones are a bit more fancy.

Outfit #15

Untitled #93 by labelleestlabete

Another casual work outfit today. This is a set that I made for my old job, which didn't have a dress code (it was in the tech industry, so a dress code was pretty fruitless).
I'm using similar items to the sets here and here, but replacing the jeans with elastic-waisted trousers. I normally wear these with a longer top because they can be a bit unflattering just below the waistband. 
I used a different scarf this time, from Chan Luu. It's cashmere and silk and it's the best scarf I've ever bought. It never fails me.
I added cowboy boots to stop the trousers looking too uncool (elastic waist, remember), and added the trusty Boda Skins jacket.

Outfit #14

Untitled #82 by labelleestlabete

I built this outfit around the leather jacket - it's slightly oversized, so I kept the jeans close-fitting to stay in line with the tight/loose theory we looked at here. 
I used a white sweater to keep the outfit from being too monochrome, and to make the detail of the jacket stand out more. 

The belt is the same one I used here, as well as a similar sweater in black. 
The boots are from Frye, and are about halfway between a cowboy boot and a biker boot, which is interesting.
I love boots and shoes with lots of detail and a quite "hard" look - my favourite brand is New Rock, which have become a staple of the goth scene. New Rock for looks, and Demonia for comfort.

Outfit #13

Untitled #83 by labelleestlabete

I made this set because I got a new coat from Khujo. I really needed a good, solid coat in Germany because the winter is so unpredictable. A few years ago, a big snowstorm hit Europe (the one that shut down all transportation for 3 days) and the snow would go halfway up your leg. Praise be unto combat boots, I say.

I'm not using combat boots in this set, but this sneaker-boot style from Demobaza. They're more interesting than a simple boot or sneaker, but more comfortable than breaking in a new pair of boots. I talked about Demobaza earlier in the Headhunter post. 
A tip I learnt recently was that if your new boots are rubbing at the heel and causing blisters, tighten your laces right up at the toe end. I tried it with my newer combat boots and they didn't budge after that. No more preemptive plasters!

I used a dark denim to match the coat, and a black-and-white scarf to add contrast to the outfit.

Outfit #12

Untitled #98 by labelleestlabete

Oh goodness, are we using something other than solid black today?!

I came up with this outfit while playing Style Boutique, and the top is very similar to one that was in the "cool" section. I made it per in-game customer request, which is great for thinking up new ideas. They all talk too damn much, though, which leads to mashing of the A button and then missing what they wanted and having to read it all again. Fun times.

Because the top is long, I used leggings instead of jeans. I don't especially like wearing leggings as pants, because if the fabric is a bit thin, your undies show. Lulu Lemon had this problem with their yoga pants a while ago. Under a long top, though, the issue disappears completely (and literally).

For jewellery, I used the square bracelet from Rebecca's Elizabeth range, and headband with a buckle to match the bag.

The boots are from American Eagle, but you can find pretty much the same style on Ebay. I'm not normally a huge fan of fringes on clothing (it makes me think of either line dancing or Coachella, neither of which are my thing), but these are pretty damn cute. 

So, to sum up - I recreated an outfit from a video game. Not sure how I feel about myself right now.

Outfit #11

Untitled #73 by labelleestlabete

Today's outfit started with the trousers. I really like the Lagenlook style from Germany - the best way  I can describe it is "high school art teacher". Lots of long, flowing layers and soft fabrics, usually in natural and/or neutral shades. The aspect that I'm using here is a more "gothic Lagenlook" style - it keeps the "long and loose" silhouette, but with a darker palette and slightly more industrial fabrics, like parachute material or ripstop. I can't remember who designed these trousers, but I found them on Ebay and really considered buying them. I didn't, in the end, because my closet was already overflowing, but I still like the look of them.

The rest of the outfit deviates from Lagenlook by dispensing with the flowing fabrics. I subscribe to the theory that if you are wearing a tight-fitting top, like this Adidas hoodie, you should go for a looser-fitting trouser or skirt, and vice-versa. The trousers in this outfit are loose-fitting in the leg, so in order to balance the balloon shape, the top should have a contrasting fit. Of course, the bodycon trend threw this theory out of the window, so perhaps take my advice with a grain of salt!

Outfit #10

Untitled #90 by labelleestlabete

A bit more of an "evening" look today. I really like the idea of wearing something like a dress, but a bit more interesting than a top+trousers.
The corset-style belt pulls in the waist a further than the narrow belt, and the bracelet matches the bow detail. The other bracelet, by Yves Saint Laurent, and the Topshop necklace constrast with the bow details to stop it looking too cutesy, and the heels help to stop your legs looking stumpy where the trousers stop.
And of course, the Boda Skins jacket makes yet another appearance. I didn't want to go with a more "evening" fabric for the jacket to keep the clothing from being layers of crepe or matte fabrics, so I added a leather jacket to break it up a bit (and go with the accessories).

The one issue with the jumpsuit-as-normal-clothing idea is that nobody has managed to come up with a method by  which you can use the ladies' room without having to get halfway undressed. They look so cool in magazine spreads, but they are pretty impractical if you're out all day or at a party for more than a couple of hours. This is probably why the clearance racks were loaded with them a couple of years ago - everyone likes them, but nobody actually wants to wear one. The one in the set is by Coast - they do make really lovely evening wear, but I don't think this was their most popular.

Outfit #9

Cashmere Snake by labelleestlabete

This is a pretty old set - they're building up on my Polyvore, so I sort of gave up naming them all after a while.

This set was based around the Theory shorts and the Rick Owens sweater. I love sweaters with extra-long sleeves, because I'm 5'11" (180cm) with the obligatory long arms. People often say they'd like to be taller, but it's not really that great. You have to choose tops and sweaters with care, otherwise it looks like they shrank in the wash. The cropped sweater trend was a nightmare of finding something you really like, then checking it out in the mirror and realising you look like you shop in the kids' section.*
Ditto trousers - capri pants are usually acceptable, but pegged or ankle-length trousers look daft unless you're wearing heels or boots.
So, that's why I like extra-long everything - it makes me look less giraffe-like. It's the same principle as the "huge bag, huge sunglasses, big floppy hat" trend from a couple of years ago: if all your accessories are huge, you look smaller in comparison. There's a hint of Lewis Carroll about the whole thing, IMO.


*(Confession: I actually do shop in the kid's section on occasion. They often go up to sizes for 13-15 year olds - in fact H&M have a lot of things that will even fit giraffes like me. You have to trawl through a lot of glittery pink gear, but there's good stuff to be found. Their boys' T-shirts are pretty awesome too. Also, if you have a Primark near you, the best T-shirts are in men's section.)

Outfit #8

Untitled #109 by labelleestlabete

Another high-low mix today, which I talked about a bit in this post. The hat, harem pants and long-sleeved top are all from fast fashion stores, and other items are slightly more...pricey. That's the thing with Polyvore - you click through all the available items and think to yourself "Oh, that's awesome! I wonder how much it...900 dollary-doos?!". And then you embark on the journey to find a duplicate, or something close enough.

The cardigan is now showing as "out of stock", so it could be hard to get the real deal.
It's priced at $300 (€275), but the design is very simple. If you know how to knit, it wouldn't be hard to make one. It looks like an aran-weight yarn (10 ply), and everything is knitted in the round, using circular needles. The body is done in garter stitch, and the collar and cuffs are ribbed (not sure which rib pattern - maybe a 3x2?).
According to the product description, it's made of alpaca wool, which can be pricey. I would estimate a materials cost of approximately $90 (€80) using alpaca, but you could use something like merino wool, which would cost you something like half that price. Look for "superwash" merino, so you can put it in the washing machine (believe me, there are few things more tedious than hand-washing and drip-drying knitwear, especially if it's thick and heavy. Looking at you, aran sweater - I remember you taking a week to get properly dry).

Outfit #7 (Headhunter)

Headhunter by labelleestlabete

The All Saints scarf made an appearance in my very first post here - I really like this type of big, soft knitted scarf. Blanket scarves are everywhere this winter, and there's enough fabric in this one to keep drafts off your shoulders as well as your neck.
The Hades boots were used in an earlier outfit and I think they help to keep an otherwise plain outfit eye-catching. 
The bracelet is called the Throwing Star cuff by Lynn Ban, which fits in nicely with this "classy ninja" thing. 
The jacket by Demobaza is one of my favourite things (I actually have a product from a set in my wardrobe! Hooray!) - if you want something from them, I'd recommend going up a size as they seem to run a bit small.
Incidentally, this is one of the few sets with a title - I was listening to Front 242's "Headhunter" and built the outfit with a (hopefully) similar vibe.

Outfit #6

Untitled #96 by labelleestlabete

Boda Skins jacket, once again. It really does go with everything.

Cowboy boots also work in a lot of outfits, and I think they go really well with straight or skinny jeans. These jeans are black, because most of my wardrobe is, but a dark or indigo wash would also look good.

This belt is from Asos, but it's really similar to one I got when I lived in Frankfurt. Downstairs in one of the train stations was a shop that sold belts and other leather goods, and if you didn't like any of the belts on display, you could pick out a strap and buckle that you did like and the owner would put them together for you. I have 3 belts from there and they still look as good as new.

A basic black sweater is a must-have for everyday goth wear. This one is Rag and Bone, but mine is one that I made a few years ago. I haven't made a sweater since, because I have a bad habit of losing interest halfway through (and I hate sewing seams on knitting). Also, ribbed sweaters will keep you really warm, but changing from knit to purl every few stitches makes the whole thing take longer (see above about getting bored before finishing), and if you aren't paying attention, you end up with wonky ribs and you have to unravel a few rows, which is just plain annoying.

Outfit #5

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I started with the boots on this one and worked upwards. This style of boot has been really popular among goths for a few years - if your legs are aching from the 4" platforms, this can be a nice change. I wanted a jacket to match them, so I found this Missoni blazer and gold Chanel cuff. Since there are a lot of details in this look, I kept everything else basic to bring the accents out.

Outfit #4

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The Boda Skins jacket makes another appearance. This was a pretty typical work outfit at my last job - we weren't customer-facing, so anything went. My skull-print scarf got used pretty often, and so did my straight-legged black jeans.
Here's a tip: if you're a full-figured lady, go to the men's section and try on their skinny jeans. You might need to go up a size or two, but they fit more like actual straight jeans than the ones in the women's section. I have to admit, I shop in the men's section a lot. Their T-shirts are just better somehow.

Outfit #3

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This is a set I made recently, after a bit of a break from Polyvore. I started with the coat and built everything from there. The full-skirted silhouette is a big part of the current gothic look, and there are elements of the "high-low" trend from Japan (mixing high-fashion items like the Givenchy bag with fast fashion items like the cropped undershirt and the SheInside coat).

Outfit #2

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I really like this Boda Skins jacket, and I use it in a lot of sets. Usually that tells me I should probably just buy it, but I have at least three leather jackets already. All Saints scarves and those Fly London boots also make a lot of appearances.
I like the effects that Polyvore lets you add to your sets. The grey top doesn't actually have ink spatters on it, but I think it looks better this way.

Outfit #1

This started with the Alexander Wang shorts, then grew from there. I tried using patterned tights, but I like the effect of the solid black ones better. The All Saints wide scarf is great if you live in a place where the weather changes quickly. I live by the beach and it can go from sunshine to hail in half an hour, so I'm getting a lot of mileage out of my (similar) one.
You could also swap the bag and watch for something more feminine, and the high heels for a combat boot if you're going to be walking a lot.

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