The wonderful ladies from the Alternative Fashion Bloggers Facebook page; including Steffi, from Anti-Muse and Lady Nancy, from Glam Retro Style (to check out their tales click on the links). have contributed in a blogging parade. I've been promising my post for weeks, I've had other things going on meaning the blog taken back seat. Like typical me it's completed but late. I can only apologise.
Personally, I consider myself a Goth, even now so at the age of 28 years old. I have to confess I don’t always look gothed up but I still have my black heart and soul always lurking around. I don’t wear make-up all the time either. I tend to wear t-shirts with leggings and my DM’S for mundane days. For me, both alternative style, cultural and music all interconnected.
The evolution of Goth from its day of the post-punk era has developed in so many varieties of branches of subcultures and ascetics it. I would describe myself drawn to the DIY mantra of trad goth and the simplicity of ethereal goth. I also have taken some elements from romantic, fetish goth and even some influences of nu-goth in my outfits. I try to keep an open mind and take inspiration from everywhere.
Some of my favourite inspirations include
Now, most my clothing is from stuff I've had for aeons, thrifted, from Primark or sewn by me, I rarely purchase alternative clothing due to my budget constrictions and space. I find a lot of the alternative garments to be overpriced and of poor quality. Considering, I can use a sewing machine it's made me look more carefully at the construction of garments.
My favourite outfits .
My first contact with the alternative scene and fashion was when I became a goth in the early noughties. I became obsessed with the dark ascetic, donning black and wearing deathly white face. In my early beginnings, I knew nothing about the scene or history for me it the allure of the freedom of self-expression and non-conforming of beauty. For me, this meant being curvier and extremely pale acceptable. I found friendship and acceptance a completely different energy than I experienced at school or home. When I was 14, I starting getting more into the music and learning about the goth subculture.
My styles and tastes have changed where in my teens and early twenties I mainly wore ill-fitting clothing that didn't compliment my body shape, and horrendous makeup and awful DIY efforts. Since entering my mid-twenties, I've no longer care what I look like. I've also found my confidence to wear more fitted clothing, shorter skirts including PVC miniskirts, despite being the heaviest I ever weighed. I always remained safe with my look and now, I've been more experimental with makeup and outfits. Also, I’ve always been rubbish at make-up, I still need further practice.
I feel I'm becoming more cynical and sceptical with age, I've noticed the mainstream has an ever-present influence on the alternative scene as it finally has been accepted. The benefits of less harassment and more accessible gothy or interesting items in normal shops is nice. Intern, the mainstream influences seem to bring the issues of superficiality and elitism seems to be more prevalent. Yeah ok, it's probably always existed, I guess in all societies you always get the elitists. As more people have access to the internet which permits elitists to dictate their dogma.
Another issue is the alternative scene seems to of diminished and lacking creativity, originality and genuine eccentrics, It's a shame for me everything now feels and looks all the same. Everybody seems to be in competition to outdo each other. There seems to be no cultural or substance to the alternative scene anymore where it based on the brands and looking a certain way rather than a mentality and love for the music.
How did I start the blogging
I came across blogging via searching the internet, I focused more on quietly reading blogs to feel more connected to the Goth scene, find inspiration for outfits and sometimes plain old insomnia . The first blogs I came across were The Ultimate Goth Guide, I loved reading this and enjoy reading about her thrift finds. Sophistique Noir, she used more normal fashion shops, focusing on quality. She always created stunning yet a simple look . I miss her blog. My favourite blogger has to be Goth It Yourself , Bane's blog is so versatile. She covers everything from lifestyle, crafting, sewing and thrifting finds. My favourite part has been following her journey transforming her house into a sophistic gothic manor. What's even more amazing is her range of DIY skills inspiring me have a go.
Three years ago, I went travelling to a variety of places around the world I had considered starting my blog at that time but I didn't have the confidence in my writing skills. Part of the reason, I started blogging was to practice my writing skills. I'm dyslexic and for most of my life, I never realised or required to write much until I went to Uni. After failing my first year of uni, I started to enjoy the process of writing and wished to continue. The blog has allowed me to practice and hone my writing skills.
Also, I wanted to share my ideas and experience. Surprisingly, I even found people who were interested in reading my posts, which really shocked me. So, I have kept it going and now, I'm in my second year of blogging.
The journey has not been an easy one, I've experienced doubt, anxiousness and frustration. In my early stages, I was so ridiculously nervous as I had a very small following, and I watched other bloggers whose followers were rapidly expanding, while my remained a small following I doubted whether the work was worth continuing. I'm still here, now, I'm more relaxed and go with the flow of the blog. I used to think, I needed to blog about everything going on in my life and sometimes, I found I would be somewhere more interested in preparing a blogging post than taking interest in the experience. Again, I've learnt to slow down and enjoy my experiences blog if I want, if not I simply don't post it.
Personally, I consider myself a Goth, even now so at the age of 28 years old. I have to confess I don’t always look gothed up but I still have my black heart and soul always lurking around. I don’t wear make-up all the time either. I tend to wear t-shirts with leggings and my DM’S for mundane days. For me, both alternative style, cultural and music all interconnected.
The evolution of Goth from its day of the post-punk era has developed in so many varieties of branches of subcultures and ascetics it. I would describe myself drawn to the DIY mantra of trad goth and the simplicity of ethereal goth. I also have taken some elements from romantic, fetish goth and even some influences of nu-goth in my outfits. I try to keep an open mind and take inspiration from everywhere.
Some of my favourite inspirations include
Patricia Morrison (Bassist in Sisters of Mercy and singer)
Tarja Turunen (Singer used to be in Nightwish)
Lady Amaranth (iconic goth model),
Princess Julia (an English DJ, model, style icon)
and I absolutely adore fashion designer Alexander Mcqueen.
Now, most my clothing is from stuff I've had for aeons, thrifted, from Primark or sewn by me, I rarely purchase alternative clothing due to my budget constrictions and space. I find a lot of the alternative garments to be overpriced and of poor quality. Considering, I can use a sewing machine it's made me look more carefully at the construction of garments.
My favourite outfits .
My styles and tastes have changed where in my teens and early twenties I mainly wore ill-fitting clothing that didn't compliment my body shape, and horrendous makeup and awful DIY efforts. Since entering my mid-twenties, I've no longer care what I look like. I've also found my confidence to wear more fitted clothing, shorter skirts including PVC miniskirts, despite being the heaviest I ever weighed. I always remained safe with my look and now, I've been more experimental with makeup and outfits. Also, I’ve always been rubbish at make-up, I still need further practice.
I feel I'm becoming more cynical and sceptical with age, I've noticed the mainstream has an ever-present influence on the alternative scene as it finally has been accepted. The benefits of less harassment and more accessible gothy or interesting items in normal shops is nice. Intern, the mainstream influences seem to bring the issues of superficiality and elitism seems to be more prevalent. Yeah ok, it's probably always existed, I guess in all societies you always get the elitists. As more people have access to the internet which permits elitists to dictate their dogma.
Another issue is the alternative scene seems to of diminished and lacking creativity, originality and genuine eccentrics, It's a shame for me everything now feels and looks all the same. Everybody seems to be in competition to outdo each other. There seems to be no cultural or substance to the alternative scene anymore where it based on the brands and looking a certain way rather than a mentality and love for the music.
How did I start the blogging
I came across blogging via searching the internet, I focused more on quietly reading blogs to feel more connected to the Goth scene, find inspiration for outfits and sometimes plain old insomnia . The first blogs I came across were The Ultimate Goth Guide, I loved reading this and enjoy reading about her thrift finds. Sophistique Noir, she used more normal fashion shops, focusing on quality. She always created stunning yet a simple look . I miss her blog. My favourite blogger has to be Goth It Yourself , Bane's blog is so versatile. She covers everything from lifestyle, crafting, sewing and thrifting finds. My favourite part has been following her journey transforming her house into a sophistic gothic manor. What's even more amazing is her range of DIY skills inspiring me have a go.
Three years ago, I went travelling to a variety of places around the world I had considered starting my blog at that time but I didn't have the confidence in my writing skills. Part of the reason, I started blogging was to practice my writing skills. I'm dyslexic and for most of my life, I never realised or required to write much until I went to Uni. After failing my first year of uni, I started to enjoy the process of writing and wished to continue. The blog has allowed me to practice and hone my writing skills.
Also, I wanted to share my ideas and experience. Surprisingly, I even found people who were interested in reading my posts, which really shocked me. So, I have kept it going and now, I'm in my second year of blogging.
The journey has not been an easy one, I've experienced doubt, anxiousness and frustration. In my early stages, I was so ridiculously nervous as I had a very small following, and I watched other bloggers whose followers were rapidly expanding, while my remained a small following I doubted whether the work was worth continuing. I'm still here, now, I'm more relaxed and go with the flow of the blog. I used to think, I needed to blog about everything going on in my life and sometimes, I found I would be somewhere more interested in preparing a blogging post than taking interest in the experience. Again, I've learnt to slow down and enjoy my experiences blog if I want, if not I simply don't post it.
