Of Wearing Fashion Darkly~~~~

Hello Darklings,

And you Dear Rebecca your wish is my command...

As everyone knows, those who are over the age 40 mark, or in my case Well over the age 40 mark, dressing Goth for everyday wear for work or just going to the grocery story,  can look very silly.

Especially with over the top styles that one sees in Gothic Beauty magazine and others.

If you are 50 plus or even 45 plus, we cannot look like Morticia Adams because as my Doyle would say "It would freak out the Muggles".

I've covered this before in much earlier posts a few years ago, and frankly the reason why I have not recently posted about it is that many styles that I see out in the Muggle world are designed for young people, I mean Vogue, Vanity Fair, Elle, In Style, etc.  so much so that I have not seen anything that would inspire me to say  “YES an Elder Goth can wear this.  

Just the other day, Sis and I went to TJMax and we saw a woman who must have been 60 to 65 if she was a day, with long dyed blond hippie length hair, a cap right out of the late 1960’s, wearing a tank top, pink leggings and much too much hippie bead jewelry and majorly over-size sunglasses.

About the only thing I liked was the hat and the sunglasses, but the rest of it just did not suit her, Tank top without a bra, no, because the “girls” hit the navel,  scrawny arms with wing flaps, Bad wing flaps and legs that were so thin they bordered on tooth picks no, no and no.   The hair was all wrong too, it went well past her hips.

If she was trying to recapture Woodstock then she was living in another world, and it looks foolish on her.

I would have taken her hair and given it a Jackie O. pageboy look, convert  the tank top to have long sleeves and something to support the “girls”, convert the pink leggings to boot cut jeans with maybe a bit of embroidery and remove 99 percent of the jewelry and keep the hat and sunglasses.  She still would have embraced the “ghost of Woodstock” but as suitable for her age.  

And I’d be the first to admit that such Goth magazines such as Gothic Beauty is really suitable for the late teens to mid-thirties.  But in looking at that magazine one can get a few idea’s to inspire a person.

Because to be an Elder Goth one has to “cherry pick” what will look good on you, what will give the effect you want without going over the top.

With that in mind you have to consider your age, and Know  your body shape, that way you’ll know what style will look good on you, know what colors will and won’t work on you,  and know what would be appropriate for where you work.

Another thing is that it does pay to know how to sew or have a friend or good seamstress who can sew for you.

So what do you do?  Well I like to look at what is being offered at most department stores, Dress Barn is my favorite go to store for affordability.

 But for a tallish person like me I've been finding that they are offering what one would call Day dresses or for work dresses in which the hemlines are above the knee.

At my age my knees do not look all that good, or as Mae West use to say "I like long dresses, they cover a multitude of Shins” Meaning not everyone has great shaped legs or knees, but by the same token you do not want to be stuck in pant suits all the time and you don't want to look like you're wearing Granny dresses either or have come off an old West movie looking like you've cross the great plains in a covered wagon.

This means you have to look for separates, blouses and skirts, especially for work and I've found that skirts that have the hemline at where the calf begins to swell is good unless you have thick calves, then I recommend skirts which end above the ankle bone, to prevent dragging on the ground and with just a slight lift of one's hand. 

Some of the skirt lengths from the 1980’s which are just below mid-calf, work very well with dress boots, excellent for winter time and with the simple colors of Black, purple or grey with the right accessories can look very dramatic.

Now I have found some lovely things in the Pyramid Catalogue with just a little down play can give the edgy corporate look slightly bordering on Steam Punk Goth.

Yes Darklings I’ve found that the Hard Edge take no prisoners corporate look is best for Elder Goths.

Why?  Because we’ve lived longer and have been through the wringer.

I have found the best styles for me is in vintage fashion.  The trick is to wear Vintage Fashion without looking like you’ve gone through Grandma’s trunk.

Vogue Patterns as well as some other pattern companies like Folklore sell modern recreations of vintage patterns and with choosing the right one’s you can find something that will work very well for you.

But sometime you’ll find a vintage pattern that will deliver the look you want.

I found one of a day dress, with a slightly full skirt, ¾ length cuff sleeves, and a pointed collar that would open v-neck style and it was in my size---I had my seamstress trace the patter to protect the original and had several day dresses made from it in black, dark maroon, and a deep dark green with a black pattern all in light weight material perfect for Summer.  She was even able to convert the top part into blouses for me as well.  And considering the hot days we had it was perfect.

An Elder Goth is not afraid to wear a wide brim hat to protect her face from the sun and use the highest possible Sunblock available.

I have found for myself the clothing styles of the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and very 60’s work very well for me, they give me that slight other worldliness, like I’m part of the real muggle world and yet not.

I’ve found a hair style that suits me perfectly, it’s the one Gloria Holden wears in “Dracula’s Daughter” but I do wear a wide brim hat on very sunny days and gloves as well.  But not so that it looks ridiculous, but as if to have people think have they walked into a time warp and yet seem part of the current world.

I have posted here several items I’ve come across that you may like

This evening dress is from Dress Barn, and with a lacy silvery shawl can look very goth, just change the make up a bit for a more dramatic look.

 
This is from the Pyramid collection (the top) now although shown with leggings you can wear it with a skirt that flows, or for work, with black slacks that fit nicely, not saggy.

This jacket is also from the pyramid collection and is perfect for work or going out, it has that steampunk yet edgy felling to it, if you go out on the town in the evening wear one of those little fascinator hats with a veil.   For work a skirt that's mid-calf and dress boots will look good with it.

 

 

Now with this one also from the pyramid collection, I don't use the hat and had the veiling removed and made it detachable and it makes for a really wicked evening dress.

 

This is just a few things I've come across, Sometimes Darklings I'll go through an entire fashion magazine and find only one tiny item that I simply have to have, last year it was a ring that I saw in Vogue magazine, and of all places I found it several months later at TJ Max. 

 

Simple dressing always can make a statement.

 

Another place that I look for Elder Goth ideas is the movies, I'm still inspired by Vera West, but a lot of those period gems, the Film Noir up to the early 1960's can be very inspiring.

 

So I will get back to my "roots" so to speak, but I have been having so much fun and ups and downs with family.  But I will start looking again and see what I can find.

 

Later Darklings.

Cosmetics for the Elder/Elderly Goth

O.K. Elder Darklings, so what should your cosmetic style be?

You have to first look at what the youngsters are doing and avoid that, Why?

Because it’s not you.

The white or nearly white vampire makeup would be clownish on an Elderly Goth, but if you look at the makeup styles from the 40’s and 50’s especially from the Noir Films you can get an idea, avoid the pencil thin brows, and the heavy ones as well.

You can use a natural base, perhaps ½ tone to 1 tone lighter, but not so much that someone looking at you can see a difference.

Then follow with powder. Many Goths prefer the old-fashion Coty loose powder, which is fine, as long as you wear your Goth bathrobe because it can be messy. And always have a compact and lipstick of the same color in your purse for touch ups.

Blush usually is avoided, but sometimes a hint of pink doesn’t hurt, but only if it is not clownish, lightly brush it upwards to give the face a hint of a lift, remember LIGHTLY.

A Goth always uses Sunscreen, but because we tend to avoid the sun it doesn’t hurt to take vitamin D supplements, and always follow the recommended dose on the bottle.

An Elder/Elderly Goth female can get away with Red lipstick, but be sure that again you avoid the clown look, bright red can look fine but after a while, the older one gets then it seems that the darker reds look better. And it should never be a slash on you lips.

Cosmetic companies have come out with lipsticks that have a long lip life, but always check to make sure none of it has stuck to your teeth, it can be a bear to remove.

EYE LINGER AND SHADOW:

Since I suffer from naturally dark circles around my eyes, I have to use a concealer under my eyes, but apply it sparingly, too much and it will find the wrinkles that you have.

On the upper lid I go with a neutral powder or liquid to lighten my eyes then carefully select a shadow that goes with my outfit, I apply it lightly to the center of my lid and carefully blend it out, nothing dramatic but enough to complement the eye.

With the eye liner, some Elder/Elderly Goths go for the dramatic 60’s cats eye look---not a good choice---our lids sag and droop and therefore that style will emphasize the droopiness of our lids.

I apply a thin eye liner that will bring out my eyes and naturally shape them, I avoid applying a liner to the lower lid, especially if your eyes are tiny, and it only makes it look smaller.

And if you have dark circles it will make it appear worse.

A good concealer is worth its weight in gold, I have used Clinque because the eye area is very delicate and sensitive, but again sparingly.

I know that a lot of you Goth Elderlings are wondering why I say use it sparingly, the reason is obvious---WRINKLES ---it use to be thought that the more you use, the more you conceal, but with the newer cosmetics, the less you use the better you conceal, much of the concealers, liquid makeup and powers have a tendency to collect in the wrinkles crevasses emphasizing them, which is something an Elderly Goth wants to avoid. So applying them sparingly and lightly is always the best approach.

An Elderly Goth has to always remember they are not 20 something anymore, what looked good on a 20-30 something will look horrible and horrifying on a 50 or 60 something.

The idea of the Elderly Goth is to look dignified, even in great age, and smile at the silliness that the youngerlings are doing, because the Elderly Goth knows that this too shall pass.

Now that is not to say that they can’t have fun say at a Vampire’s Ball, in that case all bets are off, because one can be dramatic and a bit over the top.

But it is a wise Elderly Goth to avoid the “geisha look”, except at a Costume ball.

But in the every day world, dignified is best.

"THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA"

Isn’t this the most wicked picture you’ve ever seen? It’s right up there with Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty.

Although the character that Meryle Streep plays is nasty, it is this image that an Elder Goth projects, in style and dress, but the Elder or Elderly Goth does not have to be nasty, just business-like, but also understanding and compassionate, and will make a poor under-performing employee understand that they need to come up to higher standards, and work with them to see that they do.

If the under-performing employee doesn’t do the work, then it’s either ship them to another department or inform them that their services are no longer needed.

O.K. I’ve digress here but this image is one of a number that the Elder/Elderly Goth should remember at all times.

With each post I will put up an image of a woman that I feel shows the style that is needed for the Retro/Corporate Goth Look, you can have your choice of what to look for and emulate.

Dressing for the Elder Goth~~~~

I just went to the Dress Barn this last weekend and it was “a good thing.”

The Dress Barn is for middle class but upwardly mobile working women, their clothing is not too old fashion and not too girly but can be something in between, and it can be for 20 something’s or oldsters like me from size 4 to 24.

But what I like about Dress Barn is that they can have pieces that are perfect for the type of Goth look that I want without looking ridiculous.

For example I found on their clearance rack (60 to 70 percent off) 4 mock turtle neck pull over sweaters, in a deep dark teal color in a jewel tone, and most importantly in my size, so I got all four---I say if it looks good and the price is right, then stock up.

I also found a necklace and matching earrings that went with those sweater tops and would go with anything else that I had without it being crosses or anything like that.

And shoes, on sale (even better) in 30’s 40’s retro style, in my size and comfortable (absolutely the best of all worlds) and would go with the rest of my wardrobe (perfect).

So for Elderly/Retro Goths like me, don’t discount the Dress Barn or TJMAX, just keep hunting and know what you want.

One Fashion style of Goth irregardless of music taste is the Corporate Goth look, which looks very good on an Elderly Goth who is into retro styles; you can get away with so much and encourage the yearlings to improve their looks as well, unless they really are too much in love with the grunge look or over the top piercings.

One has to remember budget, budget, budget, but to me the best Corporate/Business Goth look is Merle Streep in the “Devil Wore Prada”, not all the looks on her in the movie are good, but you can ascertain what the best of the best is.

The hair style Streep wore is not for everyone, you have to have the right face for it, but something that is suitable for your face with that type of impact, the long straight tresses or bed head look is not for an Elder Goth, she must be ‘deadly’ and maleficent when she has been ‘crossed’.

Sometimes the hair styles from the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s are excellent especially if you are into wearing hats, but forget the beehive look which even at it’s best was silly. I do sort of draw the line at the Betty Page hairstyle, for some reason those straight across bangs can suddenly date you, but sometimes there is a way to modify it, so experiment if you really want bangs.

By carefully searching you can find retro styles that are modern made, and can give that edgy Elder Goth or Corporate Goth look.

Have fun Darklings.

A New Style of Goth?~~~~

First off there is something that a lot of young people in the Goth scene seem to disagree on---- They disagree on who is Goth and who is not.

Of course there are the Posers, those who dress in black, with black nail polish, black lipstick, dyed hair and say they are into a certain band or bands.

But there are a number of older Goths who really define Goth as just understanding that nothing in life is a certainty----we do die, but like the “Days of the Dead” we laugh at it, and also understand it.

We celebrate it in a way, we embrace the night side of life, therefore it is important to enjoy life, but embrace the finiteness of it and its dark side, without going into the abyss.

When I was a “Baby Bat” or “Baby Goth” in the late 1950’s I and my Mother enjoyed going to cemeteries and looking at tombstones, as a matter of fact, when we were putting flowers on the graves of our loved ones, we’d look at the nearby graves of our ‘neighbors’, sometimes even clearing away old dead flowers, noticing what graves were being taken care of and which one’s weren’t, we’d even notice if their was a new date of death or a new name.

More than once my Mother would say “Oh, Oh they lost their (son, mother, husband, daughter) and she would look the grave over and say a prayer. Going to the cemetery was visiting our “dead neighbors”, we may not know them, but sometimes it felt like family and yes, if we were there for a long time cleaning graves and such, we packed picnic lunches and eat there, of course it was a long walk to the bathrooms for the adults if we had to use them, sometimes several of the family members would use the car to get there and then come back.

I didn’t realize it but my Grandmother, who was born in 1890, was Goth, living a Goth life style but she and many like her didn’t flaunt it, they lived it differently. She never wore bright colors, especially after Grandpa died, it was always dark colored dresses, either dark blue or black with a dark print, she had three hats, two were straw, one was a black straw with dark purple flowers the other was a beige straw with lavender flowers, mourning and half mourning. The remaining hat was black wool with a wide brim.

She had two coats, the very good black coat for formal occasions, and the other good black coat for everyday use. Even her sweaters were black or dark blue. And always black shoes with lace ups.

The rooms were always dark, except for the kitchen; she’d always say “We need the light to see if the meat is done.” And her stove was an old Buck Stove, that you would see in a Victorian home, she used it until 10 years before she died, then my know it all Uncle had it replaced, the kitchen never felt the same again.

Nothing was ever replaced unless it had to be replaced. It was hard to get anything new into her house unless it was a mattress, sheets or towels, the one break through was the Television set, and it was years before it was replaced and only because the picture tube finally burnt out.

Music only the classical music stations or the Catholic Hour, especially the Rosary Hour, every evening at Sundown, 6 p.m. on the dot.

But that’s not to say we didn’t have fun, we did, playing board games, card games, dominos, puzzles, the puzzles were the best because we could talk about things.

Going to the Funerals was an occasion, there was always someone dying or dead as the case maybe, I got to be a connoisseur of funeral parlors, flower arrangements, churches funerals services, cemeteries, headstones, prayer cards, etiquette for funerals, all of that.

Then back to my Grandmother’s place to critic the funeral service from casket to final prayer.

In a way we were like that Adams Family, but we looked normal but just had this “dark side” outlook on life. And if that is not being Goth then I don’t know what is.

It’s more than music; it is a life outlook, which a lot of young people simply don’t know. Or think they know but really they don’t.

There is one style of Goth that I have not seen, maybe I’m the first to create it or maybe they are out there and thought they had to be Victorian or romantic.

This style Goth is what I call in reference to the furniture style either Art Deco or Art Modern. Some people may refer to them as Corporate Goth, but it goes beyond that.

The films they like are horror films, spy films, Hitchcock or the German noir films of the silent era, and the same genre from the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s, especially the film noir and Val Luton films---eventually I’ll create a list.

The music they like can be jazz, blues from the 20’s to early 50’s, some big band, classical as well, Gregorian chant eventually I’ll put together a list.

They will attend art galleries, museums, opera, ballet, concerts, and film revivals, explore antique shops, historical locations and homes, auctions, and for fun Flea Markets; they will pretty much shun the extreme modern artists, and love Tamara De Lempika.

They will read spy novels, murder mysteries, history, literature, be familiar with the era of the 20’ through the 1950’s in history, literature, art, fashion etc. even old funeral practices.

Be well educated, dress classy, with makeup and hair from the time frame of the 20’s to the 50’s without looking overdone, always look well put together without it looking fussy, always courteous, refrain from using obscenities, and look neat even at Burger King.

They maybe members of a local Art Deco Society, or Film Society, perhaps a Historic Preservation Society or members of a Tatofile society

In terms of etiquette they will follow Emily Post, Amy Vanderbilt but knowing the 21st century mores, but will honor the laws, especially in cell phone and black burry usage.
Be friendly, not aloof but reticent.

The idea is by their presence and example to make and encourage people of all ages to come up to your level not you go down to theirs, this will wake up young people to start dressing better, it may take time but one needs to be a good example.

They will not be flustered by anything, nor allow anything to irritate them, it simply is not done.

They distain extreme vulgarity and tasteless jokes, but are aware that not everyone is at their level, they will have the good manners to not look down upon those with no taste but simply not comment on it.

They can have fun and enjoy fun; they know how to laugh, sometimes to even delight in the very simple pleasures of watching butterflies, cutting out snow flakes, enjoying the expression of children who discover something for the first time.

For the Elderly Goth They KNOW that life is fleeting, that all blossomings are the beginnings of decay.

So I will continue to Explore this Style of Goth, incorporating the fact that they are aging and Elderly, but it will be something for the yearlings aka Baby Bats to learn from.