Gothic Yearning: Going Back to my Roots

Hi all!

It’s been almost 2 years of wearing lolita, but sometimes I’ve feel like I’ve lost the essence of the style that represents me. I’m having fun with coording, but I often feel that I’ve left my gothic roots behind. Therefore, I feel a bit conflicted. Wearing sweet and experimental coords is fun, but when I look back at the photos, I’m like, “hey this doesn’t really represent me… LOL.”

People liked this coord, but it’s not my typical thing!

It’s a bit weird to think about! Well, if I wear it, maybe it is my style in a strange way? Or maybe it isn’t, and it’s more like a fun get-up for the day? I mean, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying things that don’t really “represent” you in the strictest sense. 

Still, I want to get back into my gothic style roots. I‘ve always loved EGA and it is one of my biggest inspirations in jfashion. I do enjoy coording and sewing Lolita a lot, which is why I’ve stuck with it. But one day, I may shift back towards EGA!

I decided to do a bit of a gothic style challenge. I haven’t stuck with wearing gothic because I feel like the color palette is redundant sometimes, and I like a colorful feed. I decided to wear and feature 5 gothic coords! Let’s satisfy my gothic yearning!

Coord One

OP: Wild Fable (altered)
Headdress, nun collar: Dearly Valentine
Purse: Upcycled/thrifted
Shoes: Offbrand

I wore this coord out on International Lolita Day, just for some studying. I didn’t want to wear anything too uncomfortable, so this altered target dress was great! I ended up layering it with a nun collar, which was always something I wanted to do with this dress. Nun lolita is a bit out of my comfort zone sometimes, since it sometimes can read as costumey. I'm also not great at gothic makeup, so there's that too LOL. However, I think it turned out alright!

Coord Two

Blouse: Present Box
Vest: Axes Femme
Headdress: Dearly Valentine
Purse: Upcycled/thrifted
Skirt: Offbrand
Shoes: Offbrand

This coord was something I had planned for a long time, but I couldn't wait until the final item came in to wear it. I had to substitute a cheap offbrand skirt for the bottom, but you don't really end up noticing too much! (Ahh...I will await my Victorian Maiden Skirt). I wore this to a nice dinner at a convocation. I ended up not wearing the headpiece just to tone it down. My mom stole my purse for the night so I grabbed something else LOL.

Coord Three

OP: Pyramid Collection (altered)
Headdress: Atelier Pierrot
Shoes: Offbrand

This is a coord I have pretty much worn before, the only difference being the short underskirt I wore under it instead of the long one I wore previously. I wore this to hang out with my friend at the Orange Old Town! Luckily, it wasn’t crazy hot but I had to take my choker off at some point since it got a bit warm. I love how elegant this OP is! It’s such a great offbrand find.

Coord Four

OP: Vintage (altered)
Headdress, bloomers: Dearly Valentine
Shoes: Yosuke

Shiro gothic my love! To be honest, maybe this is stylistically on the sweet end due to the length and styling. For the sake of this post it’s going to be gothic to me. Eh yes I have my mummy platforms on good enough. >:) I upcycled this dress and I really love it to be honest! I has so maybe styling options with the detachable capelet and trumpet sleeves. The contrast between the shiny organdy and cotton panels also is a nice detail to me.

Coord Five

JSK: Metamorphose
Headdress: Dearly Valentine
Shoes: Bodyline

This is a simple gothic blouseless coord that I wore for my trip to Washington state. It wasn’t too warm, but it was quite sunny and the weather was suitable for this style! I don’t wear my jsks without blouses too often, but I think it has a nice casual effect. With a black lippie, it definitely gives more gothic vibes! 

I think this little challenge definitely helped me feel a bit more in touch with my gothic clothing items. I have been neglecting them a little bit because I worry that my coording will feel repetitive. Or, I just want to reach for something that is super casual and comfy that day, and I don’t always think up the best coord ideas. To be honest, there isn’t anything wrong with that! But im happy that I was able to also try a few gothic coords that I’ve been thinking of wearing but haven’t quite got to. 

Until next time~

Valentine