What is soft goth?
When we refer to soft goth, we typically mean a style that is more accessible in terms of the every day than traditional goth styling and moves away from harsher make-up and outfits with a lot of belts, leather, or hardware for clothing that emphasises the delicate. We mean clothes with a lot of lace which can even be sheer, with more romantic gothic characteristics entwined, such as crushed velvet and classical gothic motifs like roses and crosses.
Soft goth is all about subtle details and a whimsical touch, leaning heavily into the romantic gothic aspects. Lace and layers, flowing fabrics, stacked rings and necklaces, smokey make-up, and berry red lips all add to the ethereal twist on the traditional goth style. This romantic focus is blended with a modern approach in the soft goth aesthetic, which is lauded for its more casual vibe and easier-to-achieve look. If you want to dip your toes into the dark waters of being a goth, then soft goth is an easy launching point.
How to incorporate soft goth into your wardrobe?
Chunky boots or classic footwear, such as a pair of Mary Janes, loafers, or even ballet flats following their resurgence in popularity last year, would make a great staple base for many outfits. If you don’t have any, then we’d recommend Dr Martens Mary Janes for a flat shoe, or a platform boot such as Koi Curse of the Black Widow Platform Boots, or the New Rock M.1473-S3 Space Platform Boots.
Boots like this are a great way to tie in some classic traditional gothic styles. Platform boots have been a staple of the Gothic aesthetic for decades due to their dramatic silhouettes and striking extra height. They add a perfect contrast with the flowing skirts, dresses, and delicate lace materials commonly found in soft goth outfits. If you prefer a flat shoe, then a classically feminine shoe such as a Mary Jane brings a timeless charm to an outfit and ties in gothic attributes with their chunkier, structured silhouette.
Ballet flats with straps and buckles, in particular, suit a soft goth look, as the metal adds an edge to the shoe.
Working our way upwards, long and flowing maxi skirts are popular. A black (or muted colour) lace, chiffon, or velvet skirt is the perfect item to wear, capturing that dark but feminine dynamic that is essential to the soft goth. The Innocent Oceane Skirt is perfect, with its sheer mesh overlay, deep purple velvet lining, and flowy shape. The asymmetrical cut of the hemline highlights the way this midi skirt moves.
The Banned Sable Chain Skirt is shorter but features the same triangularly pointed hemline, which allows flow and emphasises the body's movements.
Layering skirts is another way to achieve this flowing effect, having multiple layers of fabric moving differently. Dresses with long skirts also create a fun silhouette and are perfect for feeling free while running through fields or across moors! Our Hell Bunny Over the Moon Midi Dress is the perfect length for frolicking and feeling in tune with nature; its beautiful celestial pattern and sheer sleeves give it a distinctly dark feminine edge. Paired with some boots, smudged grunge make-up and a deep red lip, this dress is perfect for embodying that soft goth feel.
Soft goth is also about accessibility; it’s soft because of its low level of investment as well as its focus on the romantic. Similar to a soft launch, if you are interested in the goth subculture but not ready to commit to a rather full-on traditional goth style, then soft goth-inspired looks are a great way to explore this subculture. We have a selection of mini dresses at Blue Banana that are perfect for creating a one-piece low-energy outfit with a dark and feminine touch, with lace and velvet to incorporate a gothic style. The Hell Bunny Mourning Dress is a perfect mix of fabrics and textures, with the lace panel around the neckline, the Victorian ruffles and the rich black velvet. This mini dress would be perfectly paired with some tights or frilly socks and a pair of Mary Jane shoes.
Using a similar mix of fabrics, we also have the gorgeous Jawbreaker Velvet Lace Collar Mini Dress, with an Edwardian Peter Pan collar. The dropped waist of this dress creates a flattering and casual silhouette, emphasised by the ruffles that run down and around the dress. Pair with chunky boots and a black handbag to complete the ensemble. The Hell Bunny Viola Mini Dress is another fantastic dress perfect for a soft goth outfit. The flared skirt and sweetheart neckline build a flattering and distinctly feminine shape to the dress, allowing movement. The spiderwebbed lace at the top adds a distinct alternative touch.
Using a muted pop of colour is a great way to soften the harshness of a monochromatic black outfit, pull it off with the stunning Hell Bunny Venom Blouse. The sheer chiffon fabric in deep teal allows the black of the collar and the patterns across the shirt to pop. However, this alternative top can be re-worn and reused in non-gothic outfits, so if you decide that goth is not the way for you to express yourself, you haven’t invested in an item of clothing that is difficult to re-style!
The Heartless Layla Top (Black/White) is another great way to bring in a soft touch of colour. This black-and-white striped top is perfect for layering and brings a Wednesday touch to an outfit, reminiscent of the striped and checked black-and-white jumpers Ortega wore in the show [8th slide].
Adding these pieces to your wardrobe is a great way to take a baby step into creating soft goth looks without over-committing. It’s all about having fun and expressing yourself through your clothes the way you want!
We hope our guide here helps you feel confident to explore a new style or to add some more gothic elements to your alternative wardrobe. Remember to accessorise with necklaces and as many rings as you can, and try to incorporate more traditional Gothic symbols such as crosses, moons, skulls and roses to build up your gothic style.
