Are you looking to stand out at your next Christmas party? Then why not try a gothic-inspired outfit? With its dark, mysterious aesthetic, a gothic look is sure to make a statement. In this article, we'll show you how to style a gothic outfit for your holiday party. From picking the perfect pieces to putting together a complete ensemble, you'll be ready to make a bold entrance. So let's get started!
Got a fantastic Christmas party approaching, but can’t decide what to wear? We hear you!
Whether your event is casual, formal, or somewhere in between, picking the right outfit for your Christmas party can be a bit of a nightmare. You don't want to look overdressed, but you don't want to look too conservative (or worse - conformist) either. You want to pick an outfit that is suitable for these types of gatherings but still carries the essence of your own alternative style.
It's true that you don't have to give up on your gothic style just because you want to look formal - or just because you're attending a Christmas party that is (by its own definition) pretty mainstream. In fact, gothic clothing actually has a lot of great options for fancier or more formal events! And if you’re going to a less formal event, there are plenty of outfit options for you too.
Look 1: Glam It Up with a Gothic Dress
You can’t go wrong with a slightly small black dress at a Christmas party! Keep the dress relatively simple – a black gothic dress is pretty much a staple in gothic fashion and can be dressed up or down easily with a few edgy accessories (black goes with everything, after all).
You could go with a flowy, A-line dress that skims the hips, or a bodycon dress if you want to show off those curves – it’s up to you! But since we're working with black here, it's important to remember to accessorize properly, as there's a fine art to wearing all black without losing your personal style.
Pick up a pair of skull heels to add some edge to your look, and add texture (and a little sparkle) with some gothic costume jewelry. If you think you’ll be outside, pair a cropped cardigan or shawl with your dress.
If you want to rock a gothic dress for a very formal 'black tie' Christmas party event, go full length! Since your shoes won’t show as much, pay more attention to accessorizing with gothic rings, earrings, and bracelets. A ring chain bracelet will look very elegant, and a pair of dangle earrings are also a safe bet if you want to add a touch of glamour, especially if you're wearing your hair up.
Whether you choose a short black dress or a long, flowy one, you’ll be ready to celebrate! But, if you really want to stand out from the crowd, try a gothic-style romper! Full-length rompers can actually look very elegant, and you can accessorize to the max with them. An all-black romper with monochrome heels (such as a fierce red), and a tailored gothic jacket can look just as striking as a full-length gothic gown - make no mistake! It’s a comfortable option, too - and there's no need to wear tights or worry about how you’re sitting.
Look 2: Keep it Simple with a Skirt and Top
You can do so much with a skirt! Pair a high-waisted skirt with a Victorian-style jacket or a crop top for a Christmas party with friends. Since it’s probably going to be cool out, add a pair of patterned tights for a quirky edge. You could also go with a long flowing skirt with a dressier top or a blouse if you want to add a classy neo-Victorian edge to your look.
A patterned skirt goes well with a simple tank top too. Add a button-up cardigan with a pair of platform Mary Janes and you’re set for a night on the town. This look is pretty diverse - and can be switched up easily depending on the event, just by wearing the right pair of shoes. Wear booties or flats for a more casual event - or glam it up with a pair of glitzy gothic heels!
And don't be afraid to play with different cuts and lengths of skirt and top. For example, at a more casual party, you could wear a shorter skirt and balance it out with a long-sleeved top. At a dressier party, a long skirt paired with a bodycon top could be the way to go.
Look 3: Crush it With a Gothic Corset
You can’t go wrong with a corset outfit, especially for a party! Corsets are fun, they're diverse and you can wear them in a ton of different ways!
First, you could style your outfit around a classic gothic corset - opting for a full-length overbust steel boned corset cinched in at the waist and paired with some cropped pants for a classic gothic chic look.
Another option would be to find a dress that has a built-in corset. Many corset dresses have full tulle skirts that are either full length or a shorter length. This is great because it’s just one piece and you don’t have to worry about matching bottoms!
If you don’t want to go the dress route, or you want something a little more subtle, find a corset top or bustier. This could be a lace-up back or a top with a fitted, corset-style body with sleeves, or you could even layer a see-through lace shirt under an underbust corset to provide more coverage. And don’t forget that there are different types of corsets! You could even accentuate a top with a halterneck corset, or with a corset belt.
Either of these corset top options looks great with black skinny jeans, tailored pants, or a skirt (in fact, a maxi skirt would be a great option - giving the appearance of an elegant gown when paired with a corset). Since the corset is the main focus of the outfit, keep accessories light, with a few simple pieces of jewelry and a clutch bag.
Look 4: Keep it Cosy with Casual Goth Clothing
If you're not doing anything particularly fancy for Christmas, there's still a gothic outfit that will fit your purpose. If you’re going to a laid-back get-together, stay cozy with your favorite tee, an edgy hoodie, and some cozy leggings. A pair of canvas sneakers look great with this type of outfit and are definitely comfortable!
If you don’t want to go that casual, swap the hoodie for your favorite jacket or vest. A leather jacket makes every outfit look polished. Keep accessories light for this outfit since we're going for casual after all. A simple choker and a couple of cool gothic pins to your everyday gothic outerwear will add a slight edge without making the outfit too fussy.
You can also mix casual clothing with more dressy and formal elements to keep your outfit looking fresh for the Holiday season! For example, find a blouse with some red detail on it, or adorn one of your existing outfits with a gothic brooch or two for some added Christmas sparkle. You don’t have to shy away from colors completely if you don’t want to!
One thing to remember is that there are multiple different ways to put together a gothic outfit for a Christmas party. You just have to know which elements of your outfit can be tweaked to suit the type of event you're attending. Whether it's an office party, a formal ball, or a night out with friends - you can find a gothic outfit that fits both the event and your own alternative style.
What's your go-to gothic outfit for a Christmas party? Let us know in the comments section!