How to Be an Over-40 Goth Chick

If you're over 40, there's no reason you can't embrace and enjoy the Goth subculture. After all, it gained popularity in the '80s, when we were young! The drama and heavy makeup give us a chance to enhance and/or cover up our flaws. Of course, it helps if you have a reason to dress up! We've been part of the local Goth scene in our city, and are considered to be "Goth parents."

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• lots of black clothes!
• lots of black accessories (shoes, stockings, gloves, etc)
• attitude
• makeup, and lots of it
• a sense of adventure
• a reason to get dressed up
• some understanding of the Goth subculture

1. We've all seen the photos of young Goth girls, perfect white skin and glowing black hair. But there's no reason we older ladies can't embrace this style and make it our own. It starts with your attitude. You may not be young anymore, but you have maturity and grace that go a long way toward carrying off the look. Play up your strengths!

2. Begin by collecting black clothing, shoes, purses, etc. I have a huge collection of black clothing and accessories, the vast majority of it purchased at thrift stores. Other dark colors like maroon, blue, purple or green can add some pizzazz to your outfits. You can find some great stuff for very little money! Investing in some new, unique pieces is a good idea, too. Mix things up and have fun with them! I love shoes and purses and never wear or use the same ones twice.

3. You can find online instructions for applying Goth makeup, but you don't have to spend a fortune on it. Any makeup can be adapted to Goth style. You will need, however, a foundation in a light tone, as well as good face powder to "set" your look and give that "deathly" finish. If you want to have authentic makeup, look for Rigor Mortis, Bloody Mary, or Manic Panic.

4. Black hair is the stereotypical "Goth" style, but you can do wonders with any color hair. In fact, adding a purple, blue, white, or any other color streaking is popular. Of course, if you really want to go all-out, dreads are the answer for you. I choose to color my naturally dark hair with shades of caramel or toffee for highlights. I straighten it to get a smooth, exotic look.

5. Jewelry is an integral part of your look. Anything old, Victorian, unique, or "occultish" is perfect. The Baphomet necklace I am wearing is considered by some to be Satanic, but its uniqueness makes it perfect for a Goth evening. Thrift stores are a treasure trove of old, funky jewelry, as are yard sales.

6. Details are important!! Especially if you're over 40, you may have some trouble spots you want to cover up or minimize. I rarely wear anything sleeveless, so I have a collection of scarves and black velvet evening jackets, as well as lightweight black lace jackets. They add elegance to a corset or dress. Long dresses and skirts are your friends. Unless you have a fabulous figure and legs, long black skirts can hide your aging butt and legs. Have you spent a lot of time gardening, or otherwise exposed to the sun? Perhaps your hands are not as youthful as they once were. Your hands can reveal your age in an instant. Gloves of all kinds not only cover your hands, but look superb. Lace gloves, satin gloves, mesh gloves... they are all Gothy, all a beautiful touch. Don't forget the stockings. Bare legs are fine if you're twenty-something, but not only do stockings cover chicken-skin legs, they are sexy.

7. Sometimes we older chicks can't take wearing high heels like when we were younger. No problem! Black boots, the bigger and bulkier the better, are de rigeur in Goth fashion. You can often find these at thrift stores, or a large selection can be found from Demonia/Pleaser company. Personally, I prefer a more feminine shoe, so have found lower-heeled black shoes with unique touches to them. One of my favorites is the black plastic shoes with pointed toes that I purchased for four dollars at a thrift store.

8. For me, a purse is the final signature in style. Black purses of all sorts can be had for a song at thrift stores and yard sales. You'll find old beaded purses, velvet, satin, plastic, or woven. I prefer a small evening-type purse that can hold lipstick, credit/debit card, a small amount of cash, lighter, and cigarettes. If you intend to remove your gloves, a purse big enough to hold them is a good idea, otherwise you may lose them.

9. If you go out to clubs with younger Goths, they will love you for your willingness to embrace their scene and dress the part. Your age really won't matter once you befriend people. And trust me, some of those younger guys are going to think you're pretty hot.

Tips & Warnings

• Have fun! Experiment! Mix and match tops and skirts and shoes - you can wear the same clothes over and over again and they will look entirely different if you mix them around.
• Observe what the younger women are wearing, and adapt what you like to suit you.
• Carry yourself with dignity befitting your maturity. Going to the club and getting shitfaced drunk is not attractive, whether you're 20 or 40.
• Treat those younger than you with respect, and not as if you are a parent.

[akumaxkami]

on 10/20/2009 Great article!

[morgaine]

on 7/28/2009 Wonderfully written and right on!

[ravenbasslady]

on 7/19/2009 Just wanted to say THANK YOU for this article. It's very helpful and pertinent to those of us who have been in the scene (like since the 80's) and have no intention of getting out of it. Thanks a lot for take the time and effort to write the article.

Darkest Blessings,

Raven

[chiawana]

on 5/6/2009 Gee, I guess if you didn't like the topic you shouldn't have read the article. Obviously you know nothing about me and have no sense of humor. Being an over-40 Goth chick is infinitely hilarious. As a woman who has taken care of herself all her life, I snort at your insinuation that I have "no backbone." I can't wait to see what sort of drivel YOU write, most likely about Twilight or how to hook up with guys on Twitter.