Putting together a showstopping collection of goth clothes involves getting your hands on a lot of vampy statement pieces. From corsets to harnesses to hooded cloaks, a lot of goth clothing definitely says–to borrow a phrase from The Magnus Archives–ceaseless watcher, turn your gaze upon this wretched thing.
Attention-grabbing outfits are a must for the goth club, but they aren’t the kind of clothes that will probably make up the bulk of your gothic wardrobe. For that, you’ll need tops, pants, dresses, and skirts you can mix and match to build everyday looks that are comfortable and wearable while still expressing your spooky sense of style. This list of women’s basics will help you build a dark fashion wardrobe you’ll love for years to come.
LBD
The little black dress is a must-have in a lot of women’s closets, but when you’re goth it’s as fundamental as bats are to a belfry. You’ll want several black dresses in various styles, from fit and flare dresses to form-fitting bodycon dresses. These versatile pieces will probably end up being the backbone of your wardrobe, so look for dresses you can easily dress up or down and layer with a sweater or blazer to transition between seasons.
A black shirt dress is low-key enough to wear with sneakers or combat boots, or you can dress it up with heels for fancy occasions. A short cami dress ($64) makes a lacy statement that matches a 90s whimsigothic look, or you could opt for a casual smock dress ($56) that will go with absolutely everything you can think to dig out of your closet.
Button Down Blouse or Shacket
Button downs in black, white, and even dark jewel tones like emerald and burgundy are good for layering, especially if you need goth clothes you can wear to work in an office. You can wear them under a sleeveless black dress for a Wednesday Addams vibe, or throw one over a lacy cami for a more casual outfit. Tuck one into a black pencil skirt for a corporate goth outfit, or wear one open over a maxi dress for a relaxed goth boho aesthetic.
If you’re worried that button-downs are too blah, think again! This ivory high-necked button down blouse ($59) has black ribbon details and a hint of Victorian styling for a highly unique look. Keep an eye out for details like lace, patterns, and decorative buttons that elevate basic button-downs to find ones you’ll want to add to your collection.
Trench Coat
A black trench coat ($126) is a timeless piece that will elevate pretty much any goth outfit you pair it with, ideal for spring and fall weather. It adds a crisp edge to a lacy black dress, and a sophisticated compliment to your office attire. An on-trend funnel neck trench coat adds a modern twist to a classic silhouette–and protects you from the icy wind.
If your aesthetic leans more cute and whimsical, try wearing a longline cardigan with fun details like embroidery, ruffles, or statement buttons as your light outer layer instead.
Black Pants
Wherever your journey into darkness takes you, you’ll need several pairs of black pants. A couple of pairs of dark or black jeans are essential for everyday outfits. Go for loose, ripped black jeans for a grunge goth look, or snag some black cigarette pants for a timeless style.
If dresses and skirts are too femme for your aesthetic, get a few more pairs of good quality black pants in a style that appeals to you instead. An assortment of black or gray jeans, utility pants, leather pants, and trousers will help you build goth outfits for every occasion. I’m also a big fan of loose, stretchy palazzo pants ($19) for when you want to look fabulous while essentially wearing pajama bottoms.
Goth Tees and Hoodies
Let’s be real: most goths spend 90% of their time lurking around in comfy black tees and hoodies. These often have designs such as album covers, horror movie references, dark forest imagery, tarot cards, and cute, spooky prints. There are so many brands out there that make inexpensive gothic t-shirts and hoodies, as well as some great independent sellers on Etsy if you’d rather support a small business.
Check out Wicked Clothing for quirky designs featuring skeletons, cartoon animals, and all things Halloween. For goth band merch and horror t-shirts, it’s hard to beat the prices and selection at Nuclear Waste Underground. Grab a few t-shirts and sweatshirts for when you want to goth it up in the comfort of your own lair. You can also wear them tucked into a maxi skirt or over a long-sleeve mesh top (or both!) to create casual goth outfits that still have a lot of style.
It’s also easy to DIY goth clothes by taking an ordinary black t-shirt and cutting out the neck or using stencils to create designs with fabric paint, or cutting off the bottom to create a brand new crop top. You can even add sew-on or iron-on patches to a hoodie to give it some personality. (This is also a great way to fall back in love with old clothes that have been languishing at the back of your closet.)
Leather or Denim Jacket
For casual looks, you need a casual jacket–and these classics are a must, especially if you tend to favor punk-inspired outfits. Look for jackets with studs and rivets for an alt aesthetic, or add some of your own ($9). It’s usually not hard to find high-quality vintage jackets in thrift stores that are ready for you to put your own unique spin on them.
If you’d rather not go searching through the racks, check out this black denim jacket ($40) that would look amazing with those DIY goth shirts, and this leather motorcycle jacket ($150) for chilly fall nights.
Black Blazer
A black blazer is essential for office-bound goths, but there are a lot of places to wear it besides your 9 to 5. Use it to dress up jeans and boots for everyday looks, and throw it over a t-shirt for some slick style. Try a leather blazer ($150) to give your look an unexpected edge. A single-button blazer ($111) is the ultimate nighttime statement when worn with nothing underneath. Add a macabre brooch if you want to bring a touch of the gothic to this otherwise streamlined, minimal look.
Chiffon Blouse
A lightweight chiffon blouse will add polish to your skirts and pants, letting you build work outfits that are dressy enough for evening wear. This one with a bow tie at the neck ($27) would be pretty and elegant with a pencil skirt, or layered under a sleeveless dress. This black blouse ($53) with a swiss dot pattern and peter pan collar from ModCloth is an autumn must-have for when you want to dress to impress.
Cami Dresses
Cute cami dresses have been surging in popularity as 90s fashion makes its ongoing comeback. This is great news for goths, since these simple, flattering dresses belong in every spooky girl’s collection. They’re often made with lacy trim and dark floral fabrics ($34), but if flowers aren’t your thing you can also find one in a moody dark check pattern ($74).
Long Black Sweater
Whether you prefer a duster, a kimono, or a long cardigan, a dark and shadowy lightweight outer layer is one goth essential that will make you fall in love with autumn. A loose, drapey kimono ($70) with a purple statement print turns a simple maxi dress into fashion witchcraft, while a form-fitting longline cardigan looks equally elegant with jeans or a skirt. This one in a thick jacquard knit ($65) is so toasty you could even wear it as a coat. Pair it with your favorite boots for a cozy classic.
Black Maxi Dress
Nothing beats the simplicity and effortless gothic drama of a black maxi dress. A simple sleeveless maxi dress ($37) is great for all your summertime adventures, and it can easily be layered over a black turtleneck or other long sleeve shirt for winter wear. Go for a black lace dress for a Victorian widow aesthetic, and accessorize with a parasol to stay cloaked in shadow. If you want to give your dress a style refresh, try adding a belt or leather harness ($30).
I’m a big fan of maxi dresses because they’re so easy to wear and comfortable. You don’t have to worry about putting a whole outfit together, and they’re suitable for all occasions. If you’re like me and most dresses are too long for you, you don’t have to resign yourself to wearing platform heels forever either–it’s actually super easy to hem a dress yourself without a sewing machine. This short video will teach you how.
Long Skirts
A few maxi skirts in various materials like black velvet ($40), cotton, and chiffon are good to mix and match with. Dress them down with a black t-shirt and a denim jacket, or throw on a chunky black sweater for a dark boho aesthetic. You can even style them with a corset top for a whimsigoth or medieval aesthetic.
I love a long skirt when the weather gets chilly–throw on some leggings underneath and it’ll keep you warmer than pants. They’re also super comfy when you want a break from jeans, tights, and other constricting clothing. In summer, you can pair a lightweight maxi skirt with a crop top for a cute, casual outfit.
Black Mesh Tops
An important key to unlocking gothic styling is a black mesh shirt you can wear underneath a cami or dress for an instant outfit refresh. These tops are inexpensive, so you can pick up a few in different styles such as sheer mesh ($18), fishnet, and floral lace to create different looks. Even a shirt or dress that doesn’t look particularly gothic gets an instant sinister edge when you wear it with one of these bad boys.
I’m all about extending the life of seasonal clothes with layering, and these shirts let you wear your summer clothes all autumn long. You can also wear them over a lacy bralette or crop top in summer for an evening look with plenty of attitude.
Leggings and Tights
Speaking of layering, black tights and leggings are a must if you want to keep wearing those cute black midi dresses all winter long. A couple of pairs of black fleece-lined tights ($18) will keep you cozy while wandering the graveyard mists.
Black fishnets are also a must for goth styling, adding edginess to mini skirts or worn under ripped jeans for a grunge goth look. Black patterned tights can also bring a bit of whimsy to your look and refresh a plain black dress. A floral lace pattern ($15) adds a sense of Victorian elegance, or try vertical stripes ($20) for a quirky, cabaret-inspired look.
Most people think “plain” when they think of basics, but that doesn’t have to be the case. These versatile gothic pieces will let you put together endless outfits to keep your look fresh and vibrant. Just because these clothes will go with a lot of different outfits, it doesn’t mean they have to be boring. Look for interesting tailoring and embellishments like embroidery, ruffles, and appealing prints you’ll be excited to wear day after day.
Use this guide to find some black women’s basics you love, and start putting the “fun” in funereal.