The goth-girl fashion bible for a darkly romantic winter wardrobe

Not everyone’s looking forward to a winter-wonderland kind of romance… especially not when it comes to the wardrobe associated with it. Furry white sweaters, pink leg warmers, bauble-laden scarves, and frosty beanies? No, thank you. Some of us want to wrap ourselves in black, slip into bloody leather skirts and buttery Victorian blouses, lace up studded glove-boots, and sip hot chocolate darker than our souls whilst re-reading Wuthering Heights. This time of year, the world usually leans into sugar, spice, and snow-fairy aesthetics, but you have the chance to summon a wardrobe that’s totally witchy, ominous, and wickedly true to your style.

Dark high priestess, romantic Victorian Goth, dark glamour, or even bohemian Goth, whatever your flavour of darkness, this goth-girl fashion bible is your scripture for dressing like the main character of your own gothic fairytale. Let’s descend.

Let there be black, and let it be layered

Black is the colour no true Goth queen will ever denounce. But to truly distinguish yourself in a sea of trendy LBDs (that’ll be everywhere this season), think black ensembles with layers to it. Lace layered with suede, silk layered with plisse, leather layered with organza. Black outfits become a whole lot more mysterious and seductive when layered with interesting textures.

Kanika Goyal Label Zuki' Top, ₹30,000

H&m Asymmetric Lace Skirt, ₹1,999

Blessed are the velvet regalia, for they shall own the night

Your secret weapon to living the holiday season like a true dark romantic? Velvet garments in hues of blood red, Victorian Verdigris, midnight blue, slate grey, and black (of course) will deliver holiday spirit with the emphasis firmly on the word spirit and an air that can only be suggestive of an Edwardian queen. Add vintage accessories like velvet choker lockets, ruby rings, velvet hair bows, and metal wreaths, and your covenant is complete. You rule the night.

Ensemble Amrich Orange Silk-Velvet Tie Dye Maxi Dress, ₹42,000

Unrush Jalpatti Lace and Velvet Dress Wine, ₹7,750

Thou shalt honour the silhouette of shadows and seduction

To imbue a sense of romance and tenderness into the otherwise stark Goth aesthetic, indulge in dramatic silhouettes and luxurious materials that make you appear utterly bewitching. Fluid chiffon gowns, detailed taffeta corsetry, statuesque breast plates, lace-up blouses, and garters layered over stockings. The devil is in the details, and the details spell sex appeal.

Dhruv Kapoor Handcrafted Tie-up Co-ord Set, ₹130,000

Siddartha Tytler Goe Asymmetric One Shoulder Corset, ₹16,500

Walk the path of the night in boots of power

Your shoe collection sets the tone for your entire look. Want to tap into dark academia? Choose glossy platform loafers. Want to be hauntingly attractive? Knee-high black suede boots. Want to appear seductive? Sharp stiletto heels with red soles, IYKWIM. A Goth girl's shoe closet should contain both ‘misfit romantic’ styles like brogues, loafers, Chelsea boots, wellies, and combat boots, and pieces meant purely to provoke, like glove boots, gladiator stilettos, metal-heeled pumps, and lace-up platforms.

Theater Carpenters Black, ₹3,143

Saint G Saint Emily Burgundy Croco Vegan Leather Knee High Boots, ₹8,450

Guard thy warmth with coats worthy of a winter coven

Winter is when the most passionate gothic romances unfold (just read any Gothic romance novel to ever exist and you’ll know). And that’s more than enough reason to ensure your outerwear is on point. Crisp black trench coats, vampiric tailcoats, billowing cape coats, and patent double-breasted jackets will earn you all the style points and secure your place among the mysteriously alluring. 

Huemn The Devil Wears Huemn Blazer 'Raw Edged' (Green), ₹24,000

Zara ZW Collection Jacquard Kimono Jacket, ₹ 9,550

Wear not the light, but the lustre of darkness

Accessorise with metal accents, studs, hardware, and dark glamour. You can even embrace sparkle, as long as it resembles a starry night sky or a deep ocean glistening under moonlight. Goth fashion always tells a story which is shaped by magic and mystique. So, naturally, a feature of sparkle and shine is inevitable. Embrace pieces like black glitter socks, druzy geode pendants, and enchanting crystal jewellery for a free-spirited gothic romantic feel, or choose silver or oxidised gold metal jewellery like snake ear cuffs, celestial nail rings, anatomical motif brooches, Victorian pendants, and more for a macabre and magnetic edge.

Bhavya Ramesh Heizengaze Sunglasses, ₹17,420

Olio Stories Haath Phool (Single), ₹8,500

A darkly romantic winter wardrobe is a devotion of its own, and you’re now set to turn it into your most passionate ritual. Every detail in this fashion bible honours the occult charm that powers your style. So wear your darkness like a love letter, and step into winter as the heroine of your own gothic love story.

Lead image: Dhruv Kapoor, Saint G, Bhavya Ramesh, H&M, Huemn, Unrush

Also read: An alt-girl’s guide to office shoes that don’t scream “corporate slave”

Also read: Brown is the new black this season and your wardrobe needs to know it