How to Make Goth Clothes With Stuff You Have

Use any crushed velvet material you own to create goth clothing.

Those with a few black clothing items in their closets as well as some access to fabric dye can have an easy time creating wardrobe pieces for a gothic look. The goth movement originated in the '70s as a response to disco music and fashion, but took root in England and later the United States in the 1980s thanks to bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees and Bauhaus. Classic goth clothing includes fishnet stockings, corset tops with flowing skirts, spikes, studs, crushed velvet and black pointed shoes. See what you have for creating a goth look, which may require looking at old clothes in a new way.

Things You'll Need

• Corsets
• Fabric dye
• Pants
• Skirts
• Old dresses
• Black T-shirts
• Black tulle material
• Black lace material
• Black velvet material
• Cape
• Black or red bra
• Bobby pins
• Needle and thread
• Ribbon

Instructions

1. Use fabric dye to dye any corsets you already own. Dye them black, deep red or deep purple, some of the main colors and shades used in goth clothing. You can also re-lace your corsets using large black, white, red or deep purple ribbon.

2. Dye skirts, pants and dresses black with fabric dye. Add rips where appropriate if desired, or tulle to skirts if you have it in supply. Deep red and purple are also color options.

3. Cut dark-colored T-shirts as desired, such as around the chest or on the sides, which can include pinning them to make them appear fitted. You can also make cuts in a row, either horizontally or vertically. Depending on your prowess with a needle and thread, you can also try cutting off the short sleeves of a T-shirt and adding long, striped sleeves to it -- such as a black T-shirt with red and black stripped sleeves.

4. Use any black lace and fishnet items you have lying around as part of your goth look. Layer black lace tops over black or red bras or corsets, or turn a pair of fishnet stockings into a shirt by cutting holes in the crotch and the feet.

5. Dye capes, if you have them, black or deep red, and add black velvet trim if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Leather pants, leather jackets, solid black ties, black boots of assorted sizes and shapes, and old prom dresses may also be used for goth looks should you own them, though prom dresses may have to be dyed.

• Any black pin-striped shirts you own may also be used in creating goth looks.

References

• Trinity University: History of Goth

Resources

• My Virtual Makeover: Gothic Eye Makeup Tips