Some people forget that a big part of the Gothic lifestyle (besides the music and the color black) is creativity. Being creative doesn’t cost a dime, and not just DIY, but knowing how to wear certain pieces and accessories, or taking a plain old silver chain and pinning it to, say, a cincher for added style, and even how to style your hair and makeup. In those regards RUclips (such as your channel) and the internet in general has been amazing in passing down information and tips. Also, when you mentioned ready-made goth wear…while I’m a fan of Killstar and Lip Service, as I get older, I don’t want my clothing to be too…obvious, if that’s a word to use.
Yes totally agree ! And "obvious" explains how I feel about those fast fashion brands sometimes... I feel when I follow these goth/alt influencers online (especially on Instagram with massive followings) it almost blends into one another because of all the clothes they get from the same sponsors/brands and the authenticity just isn't there anymore . I think that's why I love channels like Angela's, the authenticity is very much present. Also why thrifting and DIYing is so on par with the goth subculture; it creates a sense of uniqueness and individualilty to everyone's wardrobe! And it's more affordable and accessible to everyone.
If you look at videos of the old clubs and shit in the 80s, a lot of people talk about making their own clothes, sometimes out of literal curtains. Black wasn't the be all and end all either. You might see a dude with a big blonde death hawk wearing junkie-fit blue jeans, a black tanktop, and a button up in blue or brown or red or white. Variety in mens' goth fashion tends to be hard to find unless it's expensive or you're a skinny dude, so I've always just tended towards cheap stuff. I tried a lot harder to find the right stuff to buy when I was younger, but in my 30s with a panoply of health and mental problems that keep me from working full-time(thanks, life), I'm just happy to have clothes that fit comfortably. A lot of the standard "goth" fashion never really was my thing, I suppose my cues for fashion have been more from skinhead/punk than anything else, though I've always just done my own thing. Standard for me these days is black work slacks or black jeans, doc martens, and either polo shirts or button-ups. In summer I try to wear mesh or net shirts underneath tshirts/tanktops/muscleshirts, but beyond the fact that most of my clothing is black or grey I wouldn't say I go for a particularly "goth" look. It is a nice surprise to find a nice dressier shirt or patterned pants that fit for less than $100 though.
I was homeless for most of my 20s with brief periods in where I was eating on like $10 a week. When I had all my clothes stolen near the start of my homelessness it really damaged my self esteem not to be able to look like myself. It makes a huge difference to be able to represent yourself as you feel inside.
I really relate to that, I was 16-19 when I was homeless and I had everything stolen too. As soon as I could I started getting tattooed, tattooed myself a fair bit too because I'm a good illustrator. No matter what happens to my clothes ill still have the art on my skin. I hope you've found better luck as I have!
@@menace4607 I think people target "new" homeless people, or young ones (I look a lot younger than I am, I could easily have been a teenager in their eyes). I have quite a lot of ink from friends (I actually want to learn to tattoo bc I draw) and I sometimes would think I looked really plain in shorts and tank tops and then realize I have a lot of ink showing which helped a bit.
All goths don’t want to look that goth either. I love goth music but I love many more genres also. Same with clothing. I like goth style but also more classic look and I like y2k fashion because of the nostalgia. But I don’t feel like less of a goth because of that.
"it's hard to find anything to DIY because I had a very limited wardrobe, and if you make any tiny mistake you're down one article of clothing" THIS. This is what people don't get about being working class. I try to do temporary DIYs I can always change if I really need to, or only DIY pieces that are already damaged in some way anyway. Most of the time I just end up never getting around to it though.
A lot of people get down on those who rely on fast fashion and say 'Well, why don't you DIY?' as an alternative - that's all fine and good when you've got spare materials to work with but when you're still learning or not exactly a seamstress and working with a limited wardrobe where every piece is sacred, what does that leave?
@@angelabenedict honestly I really think we (as a society) need to stop blaming working class and impoverished people for the environmental and ethical issues of fast fashion. We don't have the luxury to even participate in *true* fast fashion because we aren't the ones cycling through our clothes at a rapid pace or creating the majority of the demand for it. We buy clothes as a very once in a while treat or out of necessity and then hold onto those pieces for years until they're unwearable. I don't think I've even gone clothes shopping since last fall tbh???
Okay! I’ve always wanted to address this. I totally listened to the Cure and Sisters of Mercy. But trying to go goth as a lower middle class son of a truck driver in a place like central Oregon in the late 90s or early 2000s, Goth fashion was kinda of an impossibility. There wasn’t even a Hot Topic to be a poser. So I was a “Kmart Goth” which was trying to pull off goth fashion using the most practical pieces of clothing you could get. That meant being goth using black Wranglers, work boots and even like Baltimore Raven’s T-shirts and our spiked dog collars actually came from the pet stores. I even made goth work with Desert Storm cammo cargo pants. Bands patches from the record store were a way to spruce up a typical black hoodie
Very honest and well said. the bands patch's part brings me back. i used to pin patches onto my black faded zip-up hoodie way back when. I now have a denim jacket that i sew them on by hand and im never seen without most of the time.
Most the goths I knew in the 90s wore band shirts and black jeans. Some of us had a black dress or skirt and a pair of fishnets from Walmart during October. That was pretty much it!
My tip for fast fashion clothing or any delicates is that you can make it last significantly longer simply by hanging it to dry instead of putting it in the dryer:) Also I’ve made several belt chains using a roll of chain from Michael’s crafts and lobster claw hooks from Home Depot. Because it’s craft chain, it’s less heavy than normal chain, which to me is a plus.
That's a great idea! Avoid dryers. As a rule I generally just wash on the gentle cycle and hang the dry and that's definitely worth a mention. I should have said that! Thank you so much.
I've never dried my clothes, I've grown up with my parents hanging everything to dry (even though we own a dryer, it just doesn't get used) specifically to avoid wear and tear, so maybe that's part of the reason why I've had my fast fashion clothes last so long. I always hear people complain about how they fall apart quickly but that doesn't happen for me. Another thing is to not wash them too much in general - you don't have to wash everything after one wear! If it has no stains and doesn't smell it's probably good.
@@KreeZafi I also use clothes multiple times between washings, a word of warning though, this leaves you prone to having clothes moths eat holes through your clothes (learned that the hard way...). To prevent this, you can buy repellents at the supermarket to hang in your closet that last a couple of months.
I think i have seen a dryer once in my life in someones home... (i meen in one home, i have seen that same dryer lots of times😂)😅😂 and definately never owned one 😁 i often forget people dry their clothes with machine 😂 when u grow in a bush 🤷♀️😂
Thanks for this. It seems that nowadays most of the goth community flaunts the fact that they wear clothing of big brands, and it is a pity that the gothic culture is often relegated to a mere question of (expensive) aesthetic. I have experienced firsthand that people can be very critical and bullying. I can't afford expensive clothing yet it gives me much more satisfaction to be able to create cool looks just by combining things in a certain way or personalizing them. Sometimes just a simple black dress with the right accessories and makeup can be gothic 🌹
I agree. I really hate it when it's reduced to nothing more than an aesthetic. I mean, don't get me wrong if you come to see the aesthetic there will be no shortage of it here however that's not what it's all about. I have nothing against people who can afford big brands and wear them. It's their money and they can do as they please with it however if they're wearing those clothes to flaunt their money and use it to degrade those who can't afford it, that I take issue with. Fashion is not a weapon or show of rank, it's a personalized form of expression. Being able to be creative by way of putting your own spin on things is what it's all about. Even if you spent $9 on a long sleeve plain black top, pairing it with other pieces and carefully choosing well placed accessories in my opinion speak so much louder than a goth and a box look.
Agreed. Alternative cultures are supposed to be anti norm, anti establishment (mostly) so why ate we buying these big label brands?! Alt trickled down from the punk movement and its sad that DIY has taken a nose dive since the 2000's. Bring back DIY and personalized outfits! 🤘🏻
Thrift stores aren't the cheapest option anymore either. I can't tell you how many of them near me are marking up the used clothes to cost almost as much as it would be if you just bought them new! The idea that everyone can afford sustainable clothes is fucking absurd, especially as inflation continues to rise, people continue to lose jobs even though the media wants to push the idea that it's just because people are "lazy", and the cost of living continues to skyrocket. People buy what they can afford. Bash the millionaire influencers who do excessive $500-$1k fast fashion hauls, not the people just trying to get by with clothing that makes them feel good about themselves at a price point they can afford.
I so hear you girl! When I was in my 20s in the 90s all my money went to getting by, I couldn’t afford to go buy the beautiful outfits at the expensive goth store (there was one goth store in my town). We also didn’t have the internet to order clothes. What I think younger people don’t understand is the thrift store clothes used to be very looked down on, it was a social marker that you were poor. Fast fashion allows those without a lot of extra income to fit in and to have fashionable clothes. Not everyone is privileged enough to buy from independent stores.
Yes! Those thrift store items particularly when the Pickens were slim, really made us stand out in a bad way from the flock that could afford the good stuff. Nightwear was always the go-to. Vintage nightgowns, slips, chemises, bustier's, girdles repurposed and accessorized to death. But sometimes that old '60s nylon night dress made you stick out like a sore thumb as much as we loved it. Fast fashion like you said had bits and pieces that resembled in many ways much of what was in the expensive goth stores and when dressed up enough could be on par.
My fashion collection consists of thrift store finds, Walmart and Target pieces, graphic t-shirts from bands, artists, and content creators that I like, some really nice lacy and velvet dresses from SheIn, and the occasional piece from PunkRave or DarkInLove from eBay when I feel like splurging. I actually wore a velvet dress and matching bolero from SheIn with a really interesting “occult” pattern and paired it with my absinthe jewelry when I went to Bohemia in Seattle. It was a fancy show and having a good foundation of a dress to work with makes a huge difference. It’s so important to create your own unique mix of clothes, and what you said about accessorizing is SO important. That can change the entire personality of your outfit. No one should be shamed for shopping at fast fashion.
Just a black T-shirt and black jeans. For me, it's not a fashion statement. I really love the aesthetics of the music and the literature. Edit: Holy frijoles! I remember Eckerd's and Hollywood Video!
I miss the old days where it was about expressing yourself and being creative rather than just showing off expensive outfits. I agree with you that some brands have gone down in terms of quality nowadays
Regarding the rings turning your finger green: I typically paint the inner part of the ring with a thin layer of clear nailpolish. That seems to do the trick
That's a really good idea! I'm allergic to earrings. As much as I absolutely love them and would love to wear them, no matter what the metal be it gold, silver, stainless steel the moment the post mildly penetrates, my earlobe turns into a giant raspberry. I was told to try the clear nail polish trick but it seems my ears don't like anything at all. I can see it working with the rings. Good tip!
@@angelabenedict Have you tried implant grade titanium jewelry? That's the only metal I don't react to. I can't even wear 14 carat gold without my ears complaining, but titanium works great. (Jan Griffiths).
I think the real issue with buying from fast fashion is the overconsumption of it - buying staple pieces from fast fashion every now and then, wearing them until they fall to bits and can’t be mended shouldn’t be something that someone is shamed for. But when people who could easily afford better alternatives still choose to purchase and over consume from fast fashion stores, that’s where it becomes a problem imo. Most people’s habits of buying clothes have changed in that they buy way more clothes than they need, and that’s where we start to see waste piling up drastically.
That's a great point! I have seen quite a lot of people in fast fashion brands that clearly have no shortage of cash, they just want more bang for their buck and by obscene amounts of clothing from fast fashion sites where is the person who utilizes those sites out of necessity, we buy an average of one to three pieces and wear them within an inch of their lives. Over consumption certainly is a major issue and although they work for those on a strict budget, they do attract the greedy and frivolous.
I will have to agree with you. It's another thing to spend, like 5$ on a pair of shorts by shein or zaful etc if you are someone with a 9 to 5 job and it's another thing to do that when you are someone who can clearly afford better and more 'ethical' fashion, such as mainstream artists and influencers. And yeah, I know fast fashion companies are not the best or the most moral ones, but why should a common person's options be "either buy things you don't like from thrift stores or spend 50$ on a single item of clothing" ? It's like Angela said, not everyone has those options.
Another major problem that has virtually gutted our thrift stores, and this is especially bad in Denver are those boutique second hand stores that send their workers out to thrift stores every single day to snatch up all the good stuff and then mark it up and sell it at their own stores fro twice the price. Buffalo Exchange would have employees loading up 2 or 3 carts at a time, taking all the good clothes and putting them in their overpriced store and making it almost impossible to get anything without going through them. They shut down recently and I am a happier man for it.
My style isn’t goth but my mom calls it "oddball" and I like that 😊 Honestly, I don't give 2 sh*ts what people think of where I get my clothes. It's not their $ so they can take a hike lol
As a Goth in the midwest living on a budget, I've found some of the best things off of Shein and at one specific thrift store. I swear when I went inside it was like an Elder goth had either passed or donated all of their clothing. It was pure luck. When I first dove into the subculture, I had so much trouble finding things to wear. Then over time, I've accumulated many things. One thing that has helped me the most is definitely outfit repeating, but often changing or adding things on to it. My wardrobe has grown a lot, but as my days as a Baby Bat, I really, REALLY wore out my tiny goth wardrobe. Dive into what you already have and go from there
I’m not necessarily goth, I have a dark, witchy, generally alternative style, but Walmart actually has some really good staple pieces! basic black jeans, shirts, skirts, bralettes and hats. Most of my wardrobe is from thrifting, Walmart, or Ross. They also have some decent jewelry, and during Halloween they definitely have some more dark/gothic stuff that could be worn everyday. I bought jeans/shirts from Walmart like 3-4 years ago and they’re still holding up strong!
Ooh I finally get to brag about my best thrift purchase! I currently live in a highly conservative, very religious and VERY small town in South Africa. I was already knee deep in goth music and really wanted to get some dark fashion. Hopped on over to the charity shop, and started digging through the racks, where I found a velvet/velour floor length skirt that fits me perfectly. I paid ZAR20 for that skirt (barely a few dollars) and it is SO beautiful and comfortable. It's my absolute best find.
I think one of the last aspects of punk DIY is definitely one of the only remaining ones that has so beautifully transitioning to the Goth subculture.It transcends class and race and gender and allows everyone to participate in the subculture by making the fashion and aesthetic not as unobtainable as they might of thought.
Re: fast fashion -it sucks that we as first world people have to exploit third world workers in factories who are overworked and not getting paid properly etc. which is how most fast fashion is made. Not saying this as a critique of you or anyone who buys fast fashion (I own a lot of it myself) it's just an unfortunate situation altogether. Id never give someone shit for buying fast fashion, except for some RUclipsrs I won't name who do hauls every month or so full of cheaply made yet overpriced fast fashion crap and end up with more clothes than anyone needs. That being said, I still don't think it should be seen as the consumers responsibility. It really is the fault of these big companies that they choose to outsource the making of these clothes and have other unethical business practices. If people are going to shame people for buying into fast fashion, they should really take all of that energy and direct it towards the companies or something like that.
You've fastly become one of my favorite channels. It's refreshing to hear someone who's genuine, intelligent and down to earth talk not only on goth culture but life in general
Thank you! We're all human after all. Sometimes it's good to bring things back down to the bare bones of life. Talking about goth stuff is fun but what's your favorite cereal? Don't you just LOVE fuzzy socks?
Yes, accessorizing black basics is the way to go! It's definitely cheaper, but most of all, you're able to get creative with your pieces, which makes every outfit even more special and fun to wear. I'm going to get cheesy here, but the magic is lost when you purchase ready to wear. It feels lazy. It's like cooking: eating at a fancy restaurant is cool, but there's just something amazing about making a meal from scratch. BUT that being said, I have no hate for Killstar because they have really nice bags!! 😎
I adore the music, and it's mostly what I listen to. Weirdly, I feel a connection to all aspects of the Goth subculture...except the fashion. It's just not my style. I do wear black sometimes, and sometimes I'll add gothic touches to my outfits, but that's about the extent of it. I own clothes of every colour of the rainbow. I love glitter and sequins, and sometimes I'll wear flowers in my hair. I probably look more like a Fleetwood Mac fan than a London After Midnight fan. The irony is that when I was about 13, I loved the Goth fashion, but I didn't like the music. Now it's the other way around...I wish my music and fashion choices could be consistent with each other 😂
Back in the 90's for me it was all black tshirts and black jeans. I started adding "color" to my wardrobe back in 2001. Thrift stores were the best for black jeans 👍
Honestly, I'm not rich but I shop so little every year that I can get away with having good quality pieces in my wardrobe. I'd rather have two pairs of pants and some shirts that I can alternate vs a lot of clothes from fast fashion. My clothes last years and my accessories really take it away. My makeup also adds another level and it is just nyx eyeliner, mascara, and a huda beauty red lip product. I think people get carried away wanting many looks. I don't blame them, society teaches people to want more, but just try out having a few fun pieces and mostly basic items.
Great video as always, Angela! Incredibly informative. Just recently I duplicated a pair of Killstar jeans for half the price they were charging on their website. I bought my jeans on sale from Cotton On (half off regular price) and then used materials I already own for patches and bought some studs from the fabric store to use. I have been DIYing much of my wardrobe for the past 14 years and it always feels very satisfying to wear something you personalize yourself.
I love thrift stores and never really had money. I was fascinated with goth fashion as a teen because I saw it as more a androgenous and that's what I needed. At 47 things haven't changed much and I just do whatever I can. Goth and/or anything androgenous were just not allowed in the Texas city (North of Dallas) I grew up in and slightly less accepted in my city now- not far from there. I am extremely picky about music though and respect everyone's tastes.
Fast fashion basic clothes are my go to! In the UK we don't have big thrift stores like in America (as far as I know) and I have a religious family who clutches their pearls at shorts, let alone any fashion that isn't "normal", so I have to filter what I want to wear through 1) what can I afford? and 2) what can I easily hide? Fast fashion gothic brands are helpful too but sadly it's also led to the "goth in a box", "goth is only fashion" thing online
I'm exhausted by the demonization of people who buy fast fashion. Sure, many people overdo it. But the issue here is the large businesses that abuse their power, not the low income people who can't afford anything else. I'm fortunate in that much of my wardrobe is thrifted, but I do still have some fast fashion pieces as I'm disabled with low income as well. I have built what I consider to be a very fun, workable goth wardrobe that allows for tons of creativity. I keep everything until it falls apart. I have shirts and pants that are almost 20 years old. Not everyone can afford new stuff, not everyone can afford ethical stuff. While I WISH we could, that's just not how our world (especially capitalist society) works.
I kind of agree with the thing about not wanting it to be too easy. Granted I do enjoy my super cool branded goth clothing, but even with those I tend to want things that I can do more with. Particularly when it comes to dresses I don't really want a dress that is a whole finished outfit in itself, I want something I can add my own flair to with belts, boleros or fishnet sleeves, chokers, necklaces, tights, etc. I also don't like having matching sets for the same reason, I want to built my own outfit so if I have something that's basically a pre-build outfit it feels very much like a "goth in a box" kit.
You managed to describe exactly why I don’t want to buy “off the rack” goth/Alt clothing; it’s the complete lack of challenge! I love thrifting stuff I can DIY to be more my style. When I first started dressing alternatively I didn’t have many clothes as I was living with parentals with my only source of income being birthday and Xmas money. I mainly bought charity shop clothing with a few fast fashion things as that’s all I could afford and had access to. Now I exclusively shop second hand clothing (apart from underwear) because I am in a position to do so and hugely enjoy hunting for good deals and interesting clothing 🖤 I find being able to make things myself makes a huge difference too 😁
Thanks for the no zippers tip!! Dept store clearance racks can be another good resource. Kohl's Simply Vera line for sophisticated, romantic touches like lace, brocade, dark florals. @Target: Wild Fable, A New Day and Who What Wear. I've found lots of boots, accessories, and velvety goodness on clearnace with those lines in particular 🦇
I have to admit, I love Kohl's! I love the fact that no matter what it is you pick up, whenever you take it to the scan machine or to the register it will always be less than the ticket price. Simply Vera has some really well made pieces and the black basics can we worked into so many different looks.
It is. There's actually a landfill of just clothing in Nigeria where most of the stuff is dumped. That's why it's really important that if one must resort to fast fashion, it's done minimally and pieces are purchased that have lasting power. Nothing disposable but stuff that will be with you for a reasonable amount of time and not fall apart.
@@angelabenedict Eeeee 😳 Wow I did not know about the whole Nigeria landfill! That is a horrific fact to think about 😥 yea ppl really do need to make their clothes last longer I know I'm guilty of being the occasional H&M t shirt and it falling apart after 2 uses just to throw it away when it could have been used as a cleaning rag or something else
First of all, I'm stoked that one of my comments made it into a video. :O A problem I find, as a bigger guy, is I have trouble finding clothes in my size. Few of these "fast fashion" sites cater to the "big and tall" crowd, even the ones that have "plus sized" clothing in the women's section.
I can't still believe that people still worry about where you buy your clothes, it seems childish and shallow, I mean if you even look good with thrift fashion, that really doesn't matter.
There has always been classist crap happening in the subculture. Back in the 90's in the SF Bay Area you were shunned if you didn't dress in very expensive corsets and clothes. Back then I got 90% of my clothes from thrift stores and every time I would go to a club everybody would stare at me like I was an alien dropped to Earth because there I was looking different to all of them and wasn't wearing the overpriced gear. The thrift stores where I now live are way overpriced, so I have been getting clothes off of sale racks and sale sections of 'dark' fashion sites. I have a lot of DIY skills so I am able to easily make them look different. I have gotten most of my accessories off of Etsy for fairly cheap.
I was into the scene in SF during the late 80's/early 90's and I definitely saw some of that. I also saw some of those same folks at Goodwill and a store that sold clothes by the pound in The Mission during the week lol. The people I always noticed and gravitated towards were the ones who wore unique pieces and we seemed to find each other amongst the "look how much I spent" crowd. Honestly I was too busy enjoying the music and dancing to care about how much someone paid for a waist cincher. I was big on accessories, Victorian cameos from garage sales and velvet chokers that I made.
That would explain all of the extravagant and decadent photos of the clubs back then. I remember catching glimpses of Death Guild, Roderick's Chamber, House of Usher online back in the day and thinking 'Holy crap NY is gritty by comparison'. Everyone was impeccably dressed and poised like celebrities. I remember a friend from SF coming to visit around 1998, his name was Nile (Had a radio show back then) and he brought me some club passes from the area. One of them was serving hors d'oeuvres! I mean, I saw a dude sneak in a bagel to a goth night once - does that count? Being a young teen at the time I couldn't help but feel unworthy and inadequate in my cut up t-shirt and fishnets from the pharmacy Halloween stock.
@@geminigrrl66 We probably knew some of the same people. Did you ever go to The Twilight Zone or One Step Beyond? I used to love dancing so much! That's the main reason why I never did elaborate make--up back then because it would just melt off of my face by the end of the night.
@@angelabenedict There were other goth/industrial club nights back then in SF like Drug Six and Temple, and the crowd that went to those nights was usually completely different than the people who went to Usher, Roderick's,etc.. There was in realty two completely different scenes. The people who went to Drug Six and Temple were usually less fancy and didn't care as much about what other people wore.
Wow you have pulled the thoughts out of my head! I have even been mommy shamed for grabbing those cheesy mommy and her minis outfits for my girls from fast fashion brands. Usually i wont buy from them alot unless i have a special occasion or I have already dropped the money for a photo shoot then my clothing budget for especially the 4 yo and the 14 month old is pretty low. Id much rather pay for the great photographer and just pay. The couple bucks each dress for all us girls.
I'm not goth, but i really like the music and the fashion always enthralled me🖤 so channels like yours are really useful for us who want to learn more everyday.🖤
Good morning Angela. I am not goth, but I know a lot of folks who are goth, the outfits are amazing. But I think the personality, does shine through. I am glad that I talk with different folks. As for clothes I remember jeans with patches on them or tye dye shirts which were found at a good will place. The personality of the person always shines through and the person looks amazing no matter what. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️. Loving positive vibes.
Great video I love your transparency and honesty. I hope you don't get attacked for promoting fast fashion, I saw a girl on instagram who did a video of cool goth/dark home decor and provided the links to Amazon, and she got attacked for promoting Amazon instead of small businesses. Someone said something along the lines of "as an influencer, it is your responsibility to promote ethically sourced products from small mom and pop/ independent shops, and promoting Amazon is reckless" girl stfu. looking forward to your next video.
That's some classicist bullshit. Not you, just the concept that if you can't afford the price tag attached to the ethically sourced stuff than you don't deserve shit. As an influencer, I'm not gonna wave something in front of someone's face that is far beyond their means and make them feel bad about their situation. We've all found ourselves in places where it's fast fashion or nothing. When people get into a place financially where they can support independent designers, they will. Like I said, I've been on that side of things so I understand having to stay within your means.
@@angelabenedict classicist indeed, I thought it was so crazy how this one person felt the need to stand on her soap box and talk down to this person on her own damn ig page.
I have lots of respect for independent small businesses and I do try to buy something from them every now and then, but that's just so much more expensive and realistically not something a lot of people can rely on! I've got a few select pieces (mostly jewelry/accessories) but that's it. Wouldn't want to tell them to lower their prices though because I understand that they have to make a living, it's just that other people must also understand that a lot of us can't spend $40 on a top
I can't afford to wear all the things I love but I still have a little more than I did before. Thank you for being relatable and helping me to not feel so alone
nice video all i need is my cure & Siouxsie shirts and im good no need to over do it then again folks got to struggle & shit haha good commentary as always Angela peace
@@angelabenedict Libra would’ve been my next guess! & i can see the Aries too, when you said you get agro I thought there must be Aries in there but you are too poised to be an Aries sun 😂 I’m an Aries/Cap & I love you Aries moons! My son and fiancé both have this placement and the genuine positivity is always such an almost shocking but then refreshing energy. (where as for me I have to genuinely convince myself first internally of the positivity I display outwardly lol, you guys remind me that genuine goodness truly DOES exist)
I've never been able to spend a lot on clothes and I live in a rural area too, but I actually feel proud of the modest collection I've curated and tweaked. Wish, shein, mercari, Walmart and thrift stores are my primary source of clothing for myself and my daughter who is about to turn 4 and has her own unique style already. She has to have makeup from the dollar store, her funky shoes, and clip in purple hair pieces lol. Basically we are BOTH alternative and while it takes more time I can and do dress us on a budget. My mom always had a sewing machine and made our Halloween costumes when my brothers and I were young. It was because we were poor but we thought that we had extra cool and special outfits since it was custom made by our mom. Shes a treasure! I can't make magic with a sewing machine like my mom but I try. And my daughter still loves her "gothic zombie unicorn" costume that I made for her last Halloween lol. Back in the early 00s it was way harder to scrape up goth stuff as a poor kid but we made it work. Nowadays baby bats are lucky in that it's quite a bit easier (in general, but not always) to find gothy stuff online or in normal stores like Walmart.
Ángela, these tips are SO GOOD. I also love fashion and hate so much the usage of sustainability as an excuse to bully someone on their lack of access to it. I bought almost my entire wardrobe on sales, small local shops that have super cheap items and the rest is hand me downs. I was raised to be frugal and I take pride on being wise in my spending. My advice as a frugal shopper is: if you can go into the store, TOUCH THE FABRIC. Make it rub against itself and if it makes noise, don't buy it. Also, not all polyester is bad. If you find the kind that imitates satin, it's soft to your skin and you don't have to iron it. Just be careful to not use anything that can rip it. Watch the seams and look out for hanging threads. I literally once asked the price of a shirt and it was 50 dollars and it had visible hanging threads. Also flimsy fabrics do better with cold water. Finally knowing basic sewing skills can help a lot, so many of my long sleeve shirts ripped in my armpit but i just keep sewing them. Even if you can learn how to sew a button, it can fix a shirt or help you embellish a garment.
I had to move to St Louis because I was priced out of my home town, Denver, and it kills me how horrible the thrift stores and mens fashion stores in general are out here. I can't even find a decent leather jacket out here and the only scene that is thriving out in the midwest is rockabillies and bikers, so you'd think there'd be an abundance, but, nope. I am always struggling to find good things but luckily my lady is great at sewing even if I am not, so I can buy a cheap black hoody at walmart a few cheap band patches or T Shirts's on Etsy and cut them up and sew them to the hoody and "make it work" - Tim Gunn
i love thrift store shopping! 3/4 of my wardrobe and 3/4 of my house is either from thrift stores or garage sales, ive found some fantastic items. but i am lucky, here in canada we have some great thrift stores! i love your necklace in this video angela- perfect for your outfit!!!🖤🤍🖤
Excellent points here! So relatable. The scrounge is real. I have always relied on thrift shops for most of my wardrobe, though eBay, Mercari, and Poshmark have taken over during the pandemic, which has actually worked out well. When I find an item that I want I always look for it on all the platforms to compare prices and I'm usually willing to play the long game, to get what I want at the lowest price possible. Sure that can backfire, but I just move on. Your insight regarding Shein is very helpful, as I have been reluctant to try them, but I also need more accessories. So I will be taking your advice and looking around some more on their site. Thank you!
Me being alternative (I say alternative cuz I am not someone who devotes my lifestyle on one specific subculture I'm just alternative) I heavily rely on fast fashion and thrift stores for my specific style and spend more money on shoes makeup hair products like dyes and band merch.
There are a lot of really good tips in the comments as well. Some are saying to wash your clothes on the gentle cycle and hang to dry to spare the fabric. Another stated that they also search for other high quality fabrics such as rayon and viscose.
Do you ever get sick of normie people trying to give you advice on how to dress? I've been getting a lot of shit lately, from someone saying my eyelashes made me look like a hooker, to oh you are too pretty to wear all that 'crap.' I just started going all out n dressing how I want to dress again, in all black, and wearing my corset out in public, and no matter where I go people have the dumbest, most ignorant comments about the way I dress.
@Zee Aye I say screw them. I told her I was still going to wear them😹 her excuse for saying that was that she's a lash tech. Not all of us want to look the same cookie cutter look as every other blonde chick with uggs. I used to be a scene kid and it's gradually evolved to goth. Screw what they think. Let them think you're a sex worker. Sex work is real work anyways. I'm learning not to care anymore and I've never felt more free in my whole 33 years🖤
@Zee Aye oo mg i would have loved to see that. Like a goth clara bow🖤 ive always loved post punk and dark wave so I'm ecstatic that I'm starting to finally dress even more like one of the hot goth babes I've always wanted to be🥰
Fantastic video Angela! I am happy to see you address some of the issues and nuances of fast fashion. And I always love the thrifting videos. I’m now at the point I love gothic looking clothing but it’s usually non-alternative brands. I happened to be day tripping with a pal yesterday and hit about 5 antique malls but also did a Value Village (we are in Canada) in the middle of nowhere that happened to be huge and had good stuff. I did find a really pretty black velvet light jacket with burnout roses. Holy crap inflation tho. Even thrift store prices have gone up!
Personally, I find hole in the wall charity thrift stores better than the big IKEA sized ones like Goodwill or Value Village. Finding a great bargain is the highlight of my day.
I'm 35 with 3 kids. I can finally afford to buy more alt brand like killstar, punk Rave, dark in love etc but even then I get shit for that. rEaL gOtHs dIy aNd tHrIfT. When I started to find myself in the subculture, I definitely relied on thrift finds. And found some great stuff. But I can't sew for toffee. I've decided recently to take a step back from big brands because I've fallen into the trap of buying a lot of stuff but not actually wearing it so I've been looking at accesories more. Shein has so many harnesses and belts etc for people to really goth up an outfit. Accesories make an outfit.
Personally I’m just more like who cares if someone buys brands, thrifts or diys??? As long as we still remember the music makes the scene, then that’s that. So I try not to judge where people get their clothes from. But I find it so weird when people get mad if you buy some things from Killstar or Punkrave but praise Lip Service (which is hella more pricey ) I just treat Killstar and other brands like with hot topic. Just a place to shop occasionally but not where I wanna rely for clothing due to it being pricey. And also, I can’t really diy too much these days due to work. (I hope I can someday since it was fun ) so sometimes fast fashion is what some people may have to rely on if you have a busy work schedule. But I still support thrifting if your on a low budget and I had got some really cute outfits from places like Ross before since That was the main store I should shop at as a teen. (I wanna try that again ) Yeah, as for accessories. That’s only why I look at brands, just for accessories to go with a cute thrifted outfit ^^ more fun when you mix them.
If you happen to be in Los Angeles on May 8th, Male Tears is playing with ACTORS and The Wheal. :D (no idea where you're relocating to, but figured I'd throw it out there)
I'm sorry you felt that way when you were younger. Especially during your formative years when you're meant to be growing and exploring. I'm happy you're better now. We love you, stu!
1:25- thank you for saying that. I'd love to support better companies but I simply do not have the money spending even $20 on a shirt is way too much money so fast fashion helps when all I can afford is maybe $5 for a pair of pants
Thank-you for the first words out of you mouth re-enforcing Goth is a music based sub-culture. Your advice and knowledge has (for me) always been solid and from the heart. Yes, thrift and DIY is good! I love chains, and they are relatively cheap, and most hardware stores have a variety of sizes. I prefer "silver" meaning stainless steel (surprise) and I love silver (coloured) rings that I've seen in thrift and dollar stores. I wear 3 on my left hand and I can still play guitar. Black and silver are ALWAYS a winner! My favorite black shirt is from the late 80's or early 90's. (can't remember) and it's still immaculate (don't ask me how) and I have 2 other's from the same era as back-ups. I do love new and beautiful, but as you've proven, a little thought goes a long way and thrift stores and costume store clear outs can have AMAZING bargains. Have a great week!
I've had to go onto Shein, Rosegal, and Dresslily because of the same reasons as other people have had to because it's all granny wear here too. As much as I love Shein's sweaters, shirts, shoes, boots, and pjs, the pants are too long for us petites. The harnesses on Shein don't for people who are above a size Large (just got some a few weeks ago and they don't fit me 😔), and I agree the quality of the rings are crap. Rosegal and Dresslily are basically the same company but each have different dresses and such that are stretchy and cozy, but DO NOT put them in the dryer because the fabric is very delicate. I hope this helps 😀🖤🖤
Yeah… being a broke daughter of a single mother, I had to use hand-me-downs from my older brother. So it was all Dollar General flannel shirts and wranglers. Got a killer pair of new/in box work boots from a thrift shop for like $3. That was my uniform for middle/ High school. So the “goth” look was out of my budget. No way I could afford $75 +for a blouse.
this is a really helpful video, i live in a small city in brazil and the thrift stores here are not only few, but small and really difficult to find nice stuff so i have no option besides fast fashion to wear the things i like. i even follow independent stores on instagram and shopee, and some have really good prices, but most are really far away and i can't afford taxes
I felt this video in my soul, lol. Being 15 trying to find my way through high school as a "baby bat" was so stressful, especially since some snotty kids were so snobby about what goths were supposed to look like. Edit: I once was told by one of these snobs that I didn't deserve to be "goth" and you mentioning it around 10:45... that hit me in the feels really bad, and caused some old wounds to hurt again, lol. Being an adult certainly has its perks, but I wish there had been an older goth sister around for me back when I was a teen figuring myself out. Thank you for making these videos (even if I don't agree with everything 100%).
Our local anarchist group runs a monthly "free sale." These can be set up fairly easily. Everyone brings things they don't want or need anymore and lay them out on tables, usually in a free library or a church space. You can take what you need. You can find shoes, t-shirts, etc for free. Many of these items are not black, but a couple packets of black dye can be fairly cheap and you're not ruining any of your existing wardrobe. The nice thing about this is that it keeps clothes out of the landfill.
Lol omg this is great! I remember wearing an “electric” blue Jordana nail polish in 7th grade and people looking at me like WTF! I also did the whole white out polish and sharpie 😭
As someone who lives in a smaller city with very little alternative demographic, my local thrift store(s) are very lacking of clothing that is either my size or my style. I am straight up mid size. B/w small & large/xl. The bigger ones are in different cities that are drives away & I do not have reliable transportation (currently). So, traveling through bus for more thrift stores is very limiting for me. I’ve found RARELY some gems in thrift stores, but alas they never fit. So, with my expenses & situation I rely on a lot of ONLINE shopping. I have my measurements and look through size charts carefully as well as reviews and so on. I’ve bought from some fast fashion sites in the beginning and found some decent things that have lasted me, however the quality shows. When I splurge I buy from brands if I find something that I REALLY like and can afford. As long as my bills are paid, I can choose to spend my money how I wish. I would highly recommend waiting on sales and collecting discounts through x sites. Reviews, experiences are important! Over time you know what is good & what is not for you. Thankfully, I have the privilege to support smaller business shops via Etsy as of late and the quality of accessories and certain clothing is immaculate! I recently bought a couple of custom made velvet skirts. I am a 4,11” 130+ ish lb. person with a naturally wide waist so there’s only so much I can wear. Sometimes fast fashion can be limiting, something not. I like to really buy from bigger places that have good quality and sizing is never an issue for me. There’s nothing wrong with interchanging the businesses you buy from. To me, if I like it enough, and I know I’m gonna wear it. I WILL buy it because it’s going to be useful for me. Over time I’ve had things that were gifted or I’ve held on to that I’ve mixed with outfits. Huge part of building your outfits is MIXING AND MATCHING! Please you do not have to buy full outfits stores show you. It’s literally not worth it 9 times out of 10. Unless you really like it and can afford it I don’t recommend that.
People don't underdtand that you really have to DIG through all the crap to find good clothes in a thrift shop. Well most of them anyway that I've been to
Thank you so much sweetie, I’ve just started purchasing from Shein and it’s helps to know what to watch for. I love how helpful and honest you always are about everything 💜💜🦇
first video i'm watching of yours and you used hit me by male tears, subscribed! one thing i think should also be mentioned is discount stores like burlington coat factory, ross, tj maxx, marshalls, etc can be really good for finding clothes, makeup, & home decor around halloween for low prices. i regularly shop at these stores but primarily get my clothes thrifting
This...makes me feel better about considering fast-fashion options. I used to be able to order clothes from my favorite stores online, but when I quit my last job and started a new one, basically going from factory to fast-food (for various personal reasons), I took a massive pay cut. I was getting 18 an hour by the time I left. Now I'm getting 11 an hour, and despite working 9-hour shifts, it's barely enough, but this month I've had to help out more because my mom and her partner can't work anymore. I have a good amount left over after the fact, but it goes quickly because food and other necessities are so damn expensive now.
I'm very limited on funds and I rely on charity shops here in the UK. I wanted a cool bat necklace so I crocheted a bat motif and backed it with sewn on felt. I added sequins for eyes. Then I made a long crochet chain to turn it into a necklace. It turned out quite cool and is great because no metal as I have nickel allergy.
We have thrift stores near me but rarely interesting clothes and never my size . If you are not a common fashionable size it gets awkward . I am glad you did this video though 😈
As I mentioned in a previous video of yours, I usually just buy the simplest and cheapest accessories/clothes to create my own style. I honestly don't really pick out anything super expensive because not only and I on a budget, but I also want to use the cheapest items for my own creativity just as much as I enjoy the goth music that I listen to be creative in their bands.
![VENEZUELA vs. ARGENTINA [1-1] | RESUMEN | ELIMINATORIAS SUDAMERICANAS | FECHA 9](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/SJfoPdeOPCQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Some people forget that a big part of the Gothic lifestyle (besides the music and the color black) is creativity. Being creative doesn’t cost a dime, and not just DIY, but knowing how to wear certain pieces and accessories, or taking a plain old silver chain and pinning it to, say, a cincher for added style, and even how to style your hair and makeup. In those regards RUclips (such as your channel) and the internet in general has been amazing in passing down information and tips. Also, when you mentioned ready-made goth wear…while I’m a fan of Killstar and Lip Service, as I get older, I don’t want my clothing to be too…obvious, if that’s a word to use.
I'm 50 and I tend to wear minimalistic black and jewel toned clothing and lots of accessories.
I relate to Emily’s comment as I’m 2 years off hitting 5 ohhhhhhh! I love thrifting and very rarely buy alternative brands these days.
It's awesome to meet a fellow Roxanna! It doesn't happen everyday! 😊
Yes totally agree ! And "obvious" explains how I feel about those fast fashion brands sometimes... I feel when I follow these goth/alt influencers online (especially on Instagram with massive followings) it almost blends into one another because of all the clothes they get from the same sponsors/brands and the authenticity just isn't there anymore . I think that's why I love channels like Angela's, the authenticity is very much present. Also why thrifting and DIYing is so on par with the goth subculture; it creates a sense of uniqueness and individualilty to everyone's wardrobe! And it's more affordable and accessible to everyone.
If you look at videos of the old clubs and shit in the 80s, a lot of people talk about making their own clothes, sometimes out of literal curtains. Black wasn't the be all and end all either. You might see a dude with a big blonde death hawk wearing junkie-fit blue jeans, a black tanktop, and a button up in blue or brown or red or white. Variety in mens' goth fashion tends to be hard to find unless it's expensive or you're a skinny dude, so I've always just tended towards cheap stuff.
I tried a lot harder to find the right stuff to buy when I was younger, but in my 30s with a panoply of health and mental problems that keep me from working full-time(thanks, life), I'm just happy to have clothes that fit comfortably. A lot of the standard "goth" fashion never really was my thing, I suppose my cues for fashion have been more from skinhead/punk than anything else, though I've always just done my own thing. Standard for me these days is black work slacks or black jeans, doc martens, and either polo shirts or button-ups. In summer I try to wear mesh or net shirts underneath tshirts/tanktops/muscleshirts, but beyond the fact that most of my clothing is black or grey I wouldn't say I go for a particularly "goth" look. It is a nice surprise to find a nice dressier shirt or patterned pants that fit for less than $100 though.
I was homeless for most of my 20s with brief periods in where I was eating on like $10 a week. When I had all my clothes stolen near the start of my homelessness it really damaged my self esteem not to be able to look like myself. It makes a huge difference to be able to represent yourself as you feel inside.
I'm sorry that you've been through that. That's horrible. I hope all is well now.
I really relate to that, I was 16-19 when I was homeless and I had everything stolen too. As soon as I could I started getting tattooed, tattooed myself a fair bit too because I'm a good illustrator. No matter what happens to my clothes ill still have the art on my skin. I hope you've found better luck as I have!
@@SheWhoWalksWithLucifer thank you, and it is! I have husband and son now and an apartment (and some nice goth clothes to feel better 😌)
@@menace4607 I think people target "new" homeless people, or young ones (I look a lot younger than I am, I could easily have been a teenager in their eyes). I have quite a lot of ink from friends (I actually want to learn to tattoo bc I draw) and I sometimes would think I looked really plain in shorts and tank tops and then realize I have a lot of ink showing which helped a bit.
@@pumpkinpepsi tattoos do not =Goth. Being a fan of Goth music does.....
All goths don’t want to look that goth either. I love goth music but I love many more genres also. Same with clothing. I like goth style but also more classic look and I like y2k fashion because of the nostalgia. But I don’t feel like less of a goth because of that.
"it's hard to find anything to DIY because I had a very limited wardrobe, and if you make any tiny mistake you're down one article of clothing" THIS.
This is what people don't get about being working class. I try to do temporary DIYs I can always change if I really need to, or only DIY pieces that are already damaged in some way anyway. Most of the time I just end up never getting around to it though.
A lot of people get down on those who rely on fast fashion and say 'Well, why don't you DIY?' as an alternative - that's all fine and good when you've got spare materials to work with but when you're still learning or not exactly a seamstress and working with a limited wardrobe where every piece is sacred, what does that leave?
@@angelabenedict honestly I really think we (as a society) need to stop blaming working class and impoverished people for the environmental and ethical issues of fast fashion. We don't have the luxury to even participate in *true* fast fashion because we aren't the ones cycling through our clothes at a rapid pace or creating the majority of the demand for it. We buy clothes as a very once in a while treat or out of necessity and then hold onto those pieces for years until they're unwearable. I don't think I've even gone clothes shopping since last fall tbh???
Not to mention sometimes your wardrobe is both casual and work or church or whatever lol you gotta be subtle sometimes
Okay! I’ve always wanted to address this. I totally listened to the Cure and Sisters of Mercy. But trying to go goth as a lower middle class son of a truck driver in a place like central Oregon in the late 90s or early 2000s, Goth fashion was kinda of an impossibility. There wasn’t even a Hot Topic to be a poser. So I was a “Kmart Goth” which was trying to pull off goth fashion using the most practical pieces of clothing you could get. That meant being goth using black Wranglers, work boots and even like Baltimore Raven’s T-shirts and our spiked dog collars actually came from the pet stores. I even made goth work with Desert Storm cammo cargo pants. Bands patches from the record store were a way to spruce up a typical black hoodie
That is hardcore real honest to goodness Goth taking what you have or what you get then working it to the hilt with getting creative
You're a legit Goth.
You sound like the goths I hung out with in the 90s.
Very honest and well said. the bands patch's part brings me back. i used to pin patches onto my black faded zip-up hoodie way back when. I now have a denim jacket that i sew them on by hand and im never seen without most of the time.
@@thedirtybubble9613 Portland Trail Blazers worked too
Most the goths I knew in the 90s wore band shirts and black jeans. Some of us had a black dress or skirt and a pair of fishnets from Walmart during October. That was pretty much it!
Goth does NOT require an outrageous price tag!
Preach!
My tip for fast fashion clothing or any delicates is that you can make it last significantly longer simply by hanging it to dry instead of putting it in the dryer:)
Also I’ve made several belt chains using a roll of chain from Michael’s crafts and lobster claw hooks from Home Depot. Because it’s craft chain, it’s less heavy than normal chain, which to me is a plus.
That's a great idea! Avoid dryers. As a rule I generally just wash on the gentle cycle and hang the dry and that's definitely worth a mention. I should have said that! Thank you so much.
100% I rarely EVER dry my clothes anymore. Hanging (esp for me with weight changes) is the best route
I've never dried my clothes, I've grown up with my parents hanging everything to dry (even though we own a dryer, it just doesn't get used) specifically to avoid wear and tear, so maybe that's part of the reason why I've had my fast fashion clothes last so long. I always hear people complain about how they fall apart quickly but that doesn't happen for me. Another thing is to not wash them too much in general - you don't have to wash everything after one wear! If it has no stains and doesn't smell it's probably good.
@@KreeZafi I also use clothes multiple times between washings, a word of warning though, this leaves you prone to having clothes moths eat holes through your clothes (learned that the hard way...). To prevent this, you can buy repellents at the supermarket to hang in your closet that last a couple of months.
I think i have seen a dryer once in my life in someones home... (i meen in one home, i have seen that same dryer lots of times😂)😅😂 and definately never owned one 😁 i often forget people dry their clothes with machine 😂 when u grow in a bush 🤷♀️😂
Thanks for this. It seems that nowadays most of the goth community flaunts the fact that they wear clothing of big brands, and it is a pity that the gothic culture is often relegated to a mere question of (expensive) aesthetic. I have experienced firsthand that people can be very critical and bullying.
I can't afford expensive clothing yet it gives me much more satisfaction to be able to create cool looks just by combining things in a certain way or personalizing them. Sometimes just a simple black dress with the right accessories and makeup can be gothic 🌹
I agree. I really hate it when it's reduced to nothing more than an aesthetic. I mean, don't get me wrong if you come to see the aesthetic there will be no shortage of it here however that's not what it's all about. I have nothing against people who can afford big brands and wear them. It's their money and they can do as they please with it however if they're wearing those clothes to flaunt their money and use it to degrade those who can't afford it, that I take issue with. Fashion is not a weapon or show of rank, it's a personalized form of expression. Being able to be creative by way of putting your own spin on things is what it's all about. Even if you spent $9 on a long sleeve plain black top, pairing it with other pieces and carefully choosing well placed accessories in my opinion speak so much louder than a goth and a box look.
Agreed. Alternative cultures are supposed to be anti norm, anti establishment (mostly) so why ate we buying these big label brands?! Alt trickled down from the punk movement and its sad that DIY has taken a nose dive since the 2000's. Bring back DIY and personalized outfits! 🤘🏻
Thrift stores aren't the cheapest option anymore either. I can't tell you how many of them near me are marking up the used clothes to cost almost as much as it would be if you just bought them new! The idea that everyone can afford sustainable clothes is fucking absurd, especially as inflation continues to rise, people continue to lose jobs even though the media wants to push the idea that it's just because people are "lazy", and the cost of living continues to skyrocket. People buy what they can afford. Bash the millionaire influencers who do excessive $500-$1k fast fashion hauls, not the people just trying to get by with clothing that makes them feel good about themselves at a price point they can afford.
I so hear you girl! When I was in my 20s in the 90s all my money went to getting by, I couldn’t afford to go buy the beautiful outfits at the expensive goth store (there was one goth store in my town). We also didn’t have the internet to order clothes. What I think younger people don’t understand is the thrift store clothes used to be very looked down on, it was a social marker that you were poor. Fast fashion allows those without a lot of extra income to fit in and to have fashionable clothes. Not everyone is privileged enough to buy from independent stores.
Yes! Those thrift store items particularly when the Pickens were slim, really made us stand out in a bad way from the flock that could afford the good stuff. Nightwear was always the go-to. Vintage nightgowns, slips, chemises, bustier's, girdles repurposed and accessorized to death. But sometimes that old '60s nylon night dress made you stick out like a sore thumb as much as we loved it. Fast fashion like you said had bits and pieces that resembled in many ways much of what was in the expensive goth stores and when dressed up enough could be on par.
My fashion collection consists of thrift store finds, Walmart and Target pieces, graphic t-shirts from bands, artists, and content creators that I like, some really nice lacy and velvet dresses from SheIn, and the occasional piece from PunkRave or DarkInLove from eBay when I feel like splurging. I actually wore a velvet dress and matching bolero from SheIn with a really interesting “occult” pattern and paired it with my absinthe jewelry when I went to Bohemia in Seattle. It was a fancy show and having a good foundation of a dress to work with makes a huge difference.
It’s so important to create your own unique mix of clothes, and what you said about accessorizing is SO important. That can change the entire personality of your outfit.
No one should be shamed for shopping at fast fashion.
Just a black T-shirt and black jeans. For me, it's not a fashion statement. I really love the aesthetics of the music and the literature.
Edit: Holy frijoles! I remember Eckerd's and Hollywood Video!
Yep me too
Nothing wrong with black jeans and a black t-shirt!
I miss the old days where it was about expressing yourself and being creative rather than just showing off expensive outfits. I agree with you that some brands have gone down in terms of quality nowadays
Regarding the rings turning your finger green: I typically paint the inner part of the ring with a thin layer of clear nailpolish. That seems to do the trick
That's a really good idea! I'm allergic to earrings. As much as I absolutely love them and would love to wear them, no matter what the metal be it gold, silver, stainless steel the moment the post mildly penetrates, my earlobe turns into a giant raspberry. I was told to try the clear nail polish trick but it seems my ears don't like anything at all. I can see it working with the rings. Good tip!
@@angelabenedict I can't have piercings for the same reason. We both have auto-immune issues so I wonder if that possibly could be linked.
dayum im doing this now, thank you. i have one non cheap ring that i stole off my sister haha
@@angelabenedict Have you tried implant grade titanium jewelry? That's the only metal I don't react to. I can't even wear 14 carat gold without my ears complaining, but titanium works great. (Jan Griffiths).
@@angelabenedict The only thing that solved that problem for me was getting gauges.
I think the real issue with buying from fast fashion is the overconsumption of it - buying staple pieces from fast fashion every now and then, wearing them until they fall to bits and can’t be mended shouldn’t be something that someone is shamed for. But when people who could easily afford better alternatives still choose to purchase and over consume from fast fashion stores, that’s where it becomes a problem imo. Most people’s habits of buying clothes have changed in that they buy way more clothes than they need, and that’s where we start to see waste piling up drastically.
That's a great point! I have seen quite a lot of people in fast fashion brands that clearly have no shortage of cash, they just want more bang for their buck and by obscene amounts of clothing from fast fashion sites where is the person who utilizes those sites out of necessity, we buy an average of one to three pieces and wear them within an inch of their lives. Over consumption certainly is a major issue and although they work for those on a strict budget, they do attract the greedy and frivolous.
I will have to agree with you. It's another thing to spend, like 5$ on a pair of shorts by shein or zaful etc if you are someone with a 9 to 5 job and it's another thing to do that when you are someone who can clearly afford better and more 'ethical' fashion, such as mainstream artists and influencers.
And yeah, I know fast fashion companies are not the best or the most moral ones, but why should a common person's options be "either buy things you don't like from thrift stores or spend 50$ on a single item of clothing" ?
It's like Angela said, not everyone has those options.
Another major problem that has virtually gutted our thrift stores, and this is especially bad in Denver are those boutique second hand stores that send their workers out to thrift stores every single day to snatch up all the good stuff and then mark it up and sell it at their own stores fro twice the price. Buffalo Exchange would have employees loading up 2 or 3 carts at a time, taking all the good clothes and putting them in their overpriced store and making it almost impossible to get anything without going through them. They shut down recently and I am a happier man for it.
My style isn’t goth but my mom calls it "oddball" and I like that 😊 Honestly, I don't give 2 sh*ts what people think of where I get my clothes. It's not their $ so they can take a hike lol
I like your mom's description way better!
Other fabrics I search for on Shein: Viscose, modal, cotton modal, Rayon - I've gotten very nice feeling items this way especially the rayon items
Those are good ones too! When in doubt, do the fabric cheat.
As a Goth in the midwest living on a budget, I've found some of the best things off of Shein and at one specific thrift store. I swear when I went inside it was like an Elder goth had either passed or donated all of their clothing. It was pure luck. When I first dove into the subculture, I had so much trouble finding things to wear. Then over time, I've accumulated many things. One thing that has helped me the most is definitely outfit repeating, but often changing or adding things on to it. My wardrobe has grown a lot, but as my days as a Baby Bat, I really, REALLY wore out my tiny goth wardrobe. Dive into what you already have and go from there
I’m not necessarily goth, I have a dark, witchy, generally alternative style, but Walmart actually has some really good staple pieces! basic black jeans, shirts, skirts, bralettes and hats. Most of my wardrobe is from thrifting, Walmart, or Ross. They also have some decent jewelry, and during Halloween they definitely have some more dark/gothic stuff that could be worn everyday.
I bought jeans/shirts from Walmart like 3-4 years ago and they’re still holding up strong!
Ooh I finally get to brag about my best thrift purchase! I currently live in a highly conservative, very religious and VERY small town in South Africa. I was already knee deep in goth music and really wanted to get some dark fashion. Hopped on over to the charity shop, and started digging through the racks, where I found a velvet/velour floor length skirt that fits me perfectly. I paid ZAR20 for that skirt (barely a few dollars) and it is SO beautiful and comfortable. It's my absolute best find.
yes! I have a skirt like that that is so cozy I can lounge in it and day tonight and beyond and it still looks stunning. Killer find!
Yr dragon necklace is awesome!!
I think one of the last aspects of punk DIY is definitely one of the only remaining ones that has so beautifully transitioning to the Goth subculture.It transcends class and race and gender and allows everyone to participate in the subculture by making the fashion and aesthetic not as unobtainable as they might of thought.
Re: fast fashion -it sucks that we as first world people have to exploit third world workers in factories who are overworked and not getting paid properly etc. which is how most fast fashion is made. Not saying this as a critique of you or anyone who buys fast fashion (I own a lot of it myself) it's just an unfortunate situation altogether. Id never give someone shit for buying fast fashion, except for some RUclipsrs I won't name who do hauls every month or so full of cheaply made yet overpriced fast fashion crap and end up with more clothes than anyone needs.
That being said, I still don't think it should be seen as the consumers responsibility. It really is the fault of these big companies that they choose to outsource the making of these clothes and have other unethical business practices. If people are going to shame people for buying into fast fashion, they should really take all of that energy and direct it towards the companies or something like that.
You've fastly become one of my favorite channels. It's refreshing to hear someone who's genuine, intelligent and down to earth talk not only on goth culture but life in general
Thank you! We're all human after all. Sometimes it's good to bring things back down to the bare bones of life. Talking about goth stuff is fun but what's your favorite cereal? Don't you just LOVE fuzzy socks?
Yes, accessorizing black basics is the way to go! It's definitely cheaper, but most of all, you're able to get creative with your pieces, which makes every outfit even more special and fun to wear. I'm going to get cheesy here, but the magic is lost when you purchase ready to wear. It feels lazy. It's like cooking: eating at a fancy restaurant is cool, but there's just something amazing about making a meal from scratch. BUT that being said, I have no hate for Killstar because they have really nice bags!! 😎
Safety pins are affordable! Nothing like a great safety pin. Also pin buttons. Tearing holes in clothes are free. Goodwill thrifting!
I adore the music, and it's mostly what I listen to. Weirdly, I feel a connection to all aspects of the Goth subculture...except the fashion. It's just not my style. I do wear black sometimes, and sometimes I'll add gothic touches to my outfits, but that's about the extent of it. I own clothes of every colour of the rainbow. I love glitter and sequins, and sometimes I'll wear flowers in my hair. I probably look more like a Fleetwood Mac fan than a London After Midnight fan.
The irony is that when I was about 13, I loved the Goth fashion, but I didn't like the music. Now it's the other way around...I wish my music and fashion choices could be consistent with each other 😂
You don't have to dress a certain way to be Goth. If you like Goth music, you are a Goth. That is all that is required.
You sound cool! Most of my Goth friends don't really dress Goth at all. They look fairly normal, but they are still Goth since they love the music.
@@Anonymous-wb3nz Aww, thanks 😊
Back in the 90's for me it was all black tshirts and black jeans. I started adding "color" to my wardrobe back in 2001. Thrift stores were the best for black jeans 👍
Ty, it’s gothic week this Thursday 🍺
Honestly, I'm not rich but I shop so little every year that I can get away with having good quality pieces in my wardrobe. I'd rather have two pairs of pants and some shirts that I can alternate vs a lot of clothes from fast fashion. My clothes last years and my accessories really take it away. My makeup also adds another level and it is just nyx eyeliner, mascara, and a huda beauty red lip product. I think people get carried away wanting many looks. I don't blame them, society teaches people to want more, but just try out having a few fun pieces and mostly basic items.
Great video as always, Angela! Incredibly informative. Just recently I duplicated a pair of Killstar jeans for half the price they were charging on their website. I bought my jeans on sale from Cotton On (half off regular price) and then used materials I already own for patches and bought some studs from the fabric store to use. I have been DIYing much of my wardrobe for the past 14 years and it always feels very satisfying to wear something you personalize yourself.
I love thrift stores and never really had money. I was fascinated with goth fashion as a teen because I saw it as more a androgenous and that's what I needed. At 47 things haven't changed much and I just do whatever I can. Goth and/or anything androgenous were just not allowed in the Texas city (North of Dallas) I grew up in and slightly less accepted in my city now- not far from there. I am extremely picky about music though and respect everyone's tastes.
Fast fashion basic clothes are my go to! In the UK we don't have big thrift stores like in America (as far as I know) and I have a religious family who clutches their pearls at shorts, let alone any fashion that isn't "normal", so I have to filter what I want to wear through 1) what can I afford? and 2) what can I easily hide? Fast fashion gothic brands are helpful too but sadly it's also led to the "goth in a box", "goth is only fashion" thing online
I'm exhausted by the demonization of people who buy fast fashion. Sure, many people overdo it. But the issue here is the large businesses that abuse their power, not the low income people who can't afford anything else.
I'm fortunate in that much of my wardrobe is thrifted, but I do still have some fast fashion pieces as I'm disabled with low income as well. I have built what I consider to be a very fun, workable goth wardrobe that allows for tons of creativity. I keep everything until it falls apart. I have shirts and pants that are almost 20 years old.
Not everyone can afford new stuff, not everyone can afford ethical stuff. While I WISH we could, that's just not how our world (especially capitalist society) works.
Speaking straight to my ❤
2 videos in one week?? Yay!!! 🌟❤
More to come!
I kind of agree with the thing about not wanting it to be too easy. Granted I do enjoy my super cool branded goth clothing, but even with those I tend to want things that I can do more with. Particularly when it comes to dresses I don't really want a dress that is a whole finished outfit in itself, I want something I can add my own flair to with belts, boleros or fishnet sleeves, chokers, necklaces, tights, etc. I also don't like having matching sets for the same reason, I want to built my own outfit so if I have something that's basically a pre-build outfit it feels very much like a "goth in a box" kit.
You managed to describe exactly why I don’t want to buy “off the rack” goth/Alt clothing; it’s the complete lack of challenge! I love thrifting stuff I can DIY to be more my style. When I first started dressing alternatively I didn’t have many clothes as I was living with parentals with my only source of income being birthday and Xmas money. I mainly bought charity shop clothing with a few fast fashion things as that’s all I could afford and had access to. Now I exclusively shop second hand clothing (apart from underwear) because I am in a position to do so and hugely enjoy hunting for good deals and interesting clothing 🖤 I find being able to make things myself makes a huge difference too 😁
Thanks for the no zippers tip!! Dept store clearance racks can be another good resource. Kohl's Simply Vera line for sophisticated, romantic touches like lace, brocade, dark florals. @Target: Wild Fable, A New Day and Who What Wear. I've found lots of boots, accessories, and velvety goodness on clearnace with those lines in particular 🦇
I have a found a lot of really cool pieces from the sale racks of regular stores through the years.
I have to admit, I love Kohl's! I love the fact that no matter what it is you pick up, whenever you take it to the scan machine or to the register it will always be less than the ticket price. Simply Vera has some really well made pieces and the black basics can we worked into so many different looks.
I love me a good sale rack!
Thank you for all your advice and insight🖤
I've heard the carbon footprint of buying stuff online and then returning it is huge
It is. There's actually a landfill of just clothing in Nigeria where most of the stuff is dumped. That's why it's really important that if one must resort to fast fashion, it's done minimally and pieces are purchased that have lasting power. Nothing disposable but stuff that will be with you for a reasonable amount of time and not fall apart.
@@angelabenedict Eeeee 😳 Wow I did not know about the whole Nigeria landfill! That is a horrific fact to think about 😥 yea ppl really do need to make their clothes last longer I know I'm guilty of being the occasional H&M t shirt and it falling apart after 2 uses just to throw it away when it could have been used as a cleaning rag or something else
I'm sorry for your Dad, but I want you to know that He lives. Much Love and many blessings!!
First of all, I'm stoked that one of my comments made it into a video. :O A problem I find, as a bigger guy, is I have trouble finding clothes in my size. Few of these "fast fashion" sites cater to the "big and tall" crowd, even the ones that have "plus sized" clothing in the women's section.
Sorry I blocked your name out. I wanted to protect your privacy just in case you didn't want to appear.
@@angelabenedict No need to apologize. I get why you do that.
I thank you ! For your voice & sharing your beauty.
Thank you for watching!
I miss your storytimes. I like the fashion videos too but the storytimes are my favorite videos.
I try to incorporate a bit of story in all my videos. I need to do a straight up storytime soon.
@@angelabenedict please do!!
I can't still believe that people still worry about where you buy your clothes, it seems childish and shallow, I mean if you even look good with thrift fashion, that really doesn't matter.
There has always been classist crap happening in the subculture. Back in the 90's in the SF Bay Area you were shunned if you didn't dress in very expensive corsets and clothes. Back then I got 90% of my clothes from thrift stores and every time I would go to a club everybody would stare at me like I was an alien dropped to Earth because there I was looking different to all of them and wasn't wearing the overpriced gear. The thrift stores where I now live are way overpriced, so I have been getting clothes off of sale racks and sale sections of 'dark' fashion sites. I have a lot of DIY skills so I am able to easily make them look different. I have gotten most of my accessories off of Etsy for fairly cheap.
I was into the scene in SF during the late 80's/early 90's and I definitely saw some of that. I also saw some of those same folks at Goodwill and a store that sold clothes by the pound in The Mission during the week lol. The people I always noticed and gravitated towards were the ones who wore unique pieces and we seemed to find each other amongst the "look how much I spent" crowd. Honestly I was too busy enjoying the music and dancing to care about how much someone paid for a waist cincher. I was big on accessories, Victorian cameos from garage sales and velvet chokers that I made.
That would explain all of the extravagant and decadent photos of the clubs back then. I remember catching glimpses of Death Guild, Roderick's Chamber, House of Usher online back in the day and thinking 'Holy crap NY is gritty by comparison'. Everyone was impeccably dressed and poised like celebrities. I remember a friend from SF coming to visit around 1998, his name was Nile (Had a radio show back then) and he brought me some club passes from the area. One of them was serving hors d'oeuvres! I mean, I saw a dude sneak in a bagel to a goth night once - does that count? Being a young teen at the time I couldn't help but feel unworthy and inadequate in my cut up t-shirt and fishnets from the pharmacy Halloween stock.
@@geminigrrl66 We probably knew some of the same people. Did you ever go to The Twilight Zone or One Step Beyond? I used to love dancing so much! That's the main reason why I never did elaborate make--up back then because it would just melt off of my face by the end of the night.
@@angelabenedict There were other goth/industrial club nights back then in SF like Drug Six and Temple, and the crowd that went to those nights was usually completely different than the people who went to Usher, Roderick's,etc.. There was in realty two completely different scenes. The people who went to Drug Six and Temple were usually less fancy and didn't care as much about what other people wore.
@@megmcguigan3857 Those sound like the nights I'd feel most comfortable at. More time focusing on friends and music and less about what I look like.
Wow you have pulled the thoughts out of my head! I have even been mommy shamed for grabbing those cheesy mommy and her minis outfits for my girls from fast fashion brands. Usually i wont buy from them alot unless i have a special occasion or I have already dropped the money for a photo shoot then my clothing budget for especially the 4 yo and the 14 month old is pretty low. Id much rather pay for the great photographer and just pay. The couple bucks each dress for all us girls.
This is such a fantastic and thoughtful video 🖤
Thank you so much, Katy 🖤🕸️
I'm in the UK...I custom tshirts from primark mostly...creativity is the best source of fashion, not the price tag
thank you for taking into account ethical fashion!
Always!
I'm not goth, but i really like the music and the fashion always enthralled me🖤 so channels like yours are really useful for us who want to learn more everyday.🖤
If you are a fan of Goth music, then you are absolutely a Goth. Welcome.
Good morning Angela. I am not goth, but I know a lot of folks who are goth, the outfits are amazing. But I think the personality, does shine through. I am glad that I talk with different folks. As for clothes I remember jeans with patches on them or tye dye shirts which were found at a good will place. The personality of the person always shines through and the person looks amazing no matter what. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️. Loving positive vibes.
can't wait for the haul! i like shein but it's definitely a hit or a miss these days. i haven't been disappointed just yet.
Great video I love your transparency and honesty. I hope you don't get attacked for promoting fast fashion, I saw a girl on instagram who did a video of cool goth/dark home decor and provided the links to Amazon, and she got attacked for promoting Amazon instead of small businesses. Someone said something along the lines of "as an influencer, it is your responsibility to promote ethically sourced products from small mom and pop/ independent shops, and promoting Amazon is reckless" girl stfu. looking forward to your next video.
That's some classicist bullshit. Not you, just the concept that if you can't afford the price tag attached to the ethically sourced stuff than you don't deserve shit. As an influencer, I'm not gonna wave something in front of someone's face that is far beyond their means and make them feel bad about their situation. We've all found ourselves in places where it's fast fashion or nothing. When people get into a place financially where they can support independent designers, they will. Like I said, I've been on that side of things so I understand having to stay within your means.
@@angelabenedict classicist indeed, I thought it was so crazy how this one person felt the need to stand on her soap box and talk down to this person on her own damn ig page.
I have lots of respect for independent small businesses and I do try to buy something from them every now and then, but that's just so much more expensive and realistically not something a lot of people can rely on! I've got a few select pieces (mostly jewelry/accessories) but that's it. Wouldn't want to tell them to lower their prices though because I understand that they have to make a living, it's just that other people must also understand that a lot of us can't spend $40 on a top
I can't afford to wear all the things I love but I still have a little more than I did before. Thank you for being relatable and helping me to not feel so alone
nice video all i need is my cure & Siouxsie shirts and im good no need to over do it then again folks got to struggle & shit haha
good commentary as always Angela peace
You got it made. Screw the struggle, I've got my tees, my music and I'm good to go! Love it!
@@angelabenedict indeed & like wise thanks to the internet its easy to find new music
Fantastic reasoning and tips here 🖤
Are you an earth sign? The way you talk about clothing quality is so admirable. I wish everyone cared about their clothing like this!
Thank you. I'm an air sign. Libra, Aries Moon.
@@angelabenedict Libra would’ve been my next guess! & i can see the Aries too, when you said you get agro I thought there must be Aries in there but you are too poised to be an Aries sun 😂 I’m an Aries/Cap & I love you Aries moons! My son and fiancé both have this placement and the genuine positivity is always such an almost shocking but then refreshing energy. (where as for me I have to genuinely convince myself first internally of the positivity I display outwardly lol, you guys remind me that genuine goodness truly DOES exist)
I've never been able to spend a lot on clothes and I live in a rural area too, but I actually feel proud of the modest collection I've curated and tweaked. Wish, shein, mercari, Walmart and thrift stores are my primary source of clothing for myself and my daughter who is about to turn 4 and has her own unique style already. She has to have makeup from the dollar store, her funky shoes, and clip in purple hair pieces lol. Basically we are BOTH alternative and while it takes more time I can and do dress us on a budget. My mom always had a sewing machine and made our Halloween costumes when my brothers and I were young. It was because we were poor but we thought that we had extra cool and special outfits since it was custom made by our mom. Shes a treasure! I can't make magic with a sewing machine like my mom but I try. And my daughter still loves her "gothic zombie unicorn" costume that I made for her last Halloween lol.
Back in the early 00s it was way harder to scrape up goth stuff as a poor kid but we made it work. Nowadays baby bats are lucky in that it's quite a bit easier (in general, but not always) to find gothy stuff online or in normal stores like Walmart.
Ángela, these tips are SO GOOD. I also love fashion and hate so much the usage of sustainability as an excuse to bully someone on their lack of access to it. I bought almost my entire wardrobe on sales, small local shops that have super cheap items and the rest is hand me downs. I was raised to be frugal and I take pride on being wise in my spending. My advice as a frugal shopper is: if you can go into the store, TOUCH THE FABRIC. Make it rub against itself and if it makes noise, don't buy it. Also, not all polyester is bad. If you find the kind that imitates satin, it's soft to your skin and you don't have to iron it. Just be careful to not use anything that can rip it. Watch the seams and look out for hanging threads. I literally once asked the price of a shirt and it was 50 dollars and it had visible hanging threads. Also flimsy fabrics do better with cold water. Finally knowing basic sewing skills can help a lot, so many of my long sleeve shirts ripped in my armpit but i just keep sewing them. Even if you can learn how to sew a button, it can fix a shirt or help you embellish a garment.
I had to move to St Louis because I was priced out of my home town, Denver, and it kills me how horrible the thrift stores and mens fashion stores in general are out here. I can't even find a decent leather jacket out here and the only scene that is thriving out in the midwest is rockabillies and bikers, so you'd think there'd be an abundance, but, nope. I am always struggling to find good things but luckily my lady is great at sewing even if I am not, so I can buy a cheap black hoody at walmart a few cheap band patches or T Shirts's on Etsy and cut them up and sew them to the hoody and "make it work" - Tim Gunn
i love thrift store shopping! 3/4 of my wardrobe and 3/4 of my house is either from thrift stores or garage sales, ive found some fantastic items. but i am lucky, here in canada we have some great thrift stores! i love your necklace in this video angela- perfect for your outfit!!!🖤🤍🖤
Good tips and a good, nuanced take on fast fashion!
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent points here! So relatable. The scrounge is real. I have always relied on thrift shops for most of my wardrobe, though eBay, Mercari, and Poshmark have taken over during the pandemic, which has actually worked out well. When I find an item that I want I always look for it on all the platforms to compare prices and I'm usually willing to play the long game, to get what I want at the lowest price possible. Sure that can backfire, but I just move on. Your insight regarding Shein is very helpful, as I have been reluctant to try them, but I also need more accessories. So I will be taking your advice and looking around some more on their site.
Thank you!
Your tips for buying clothing are really helpful. I can't wait for the haul video. Thanks Angela 🖤
hey, nice to see you! Thanks so much! I'm really glad that you found them useful. 🖤
Me being alternative (I say alternative cuz I am not someone who devotes my lifestyle on one specific subculture I'm just alternative) I heavily rely on fast fashion and thrift stores for my specific style and spend more money on shoes makeup hair products like dyes and band merch.
this is good shopping/saving advice in general
There are a lot of really good tips in the comments as well. Some are saying to wash your clothes on the gentle cycle and hang to dry to spare the fabric. Another stated that they also search for other high quality fabrics such as rayon and viscose.
In case no one has told you, I’m sorry about your dad. 😢🖤
Also, thank you so much for the song drop. 🖤
Do you ever get sick of normie people trying to give you advice on how to dress? I've been getting a lot of shit lately, from someone saying my eyelashes made me look like a hooker, to oh you are too pretty to wear all that 'crap.' I just started going all out n dressing how I want to dress again, in all black, and wearing my corset out in public, and no matter where I go people have the dumbest, most ignorant comments about the way I dress.
@Zee Aye I say screw them. I told her I was still going to wear them😹 her excuse for saying that was that she's a lash tech. Not all of us want to look the same cookie cutter look as every other blonde chick with uggs. I used to be a scene kid and it's gradually evolved to goth. Screw what they think. Let them think you're a sex worker. Sex work is real work anyways. I'm learning not to care anymore and I've never felt more free in my whole 33 years🖤
@Zee Aye oo mg i would have loved to see that. Like a goth clara bow🖤 ive always loved post punk and dark wave so I'm ecstatic that I'm starting to finally dress even more like one of the hot goth babes I've always wanted to be🥰
Fantastic video Angela! I am happy to see you address some of the issues and nuances of fast fashion. And I always love the thrifting videos. I’m now at the point I love gothic looking clothing but it’s usually non-alternative brands. I happened to be day tripping with a pal yesterday and hit about 5 antique malls but also did a Value Village (we are in Canada) in the middle of nowhere that happened to be huge and had good stuff. I did find a really pretty black velvet light jacket with burnout roses. Holy crap inflation tho. Even thrift store prices have gone up!
Personally, I find hole in the wall charity thrift stores better than the big IKEA sized ones like Goodwill or Value Village. Finding a great bargain is the highlight of my day.
I'm 35 with 3 kids. I can finally afford to buy more alt brand like killstar, punk Rave, dark in love etc but even then I get shit for that. rEaL gOtHs dIy aNd tHrIfT. When I started to find myself in the subculture, I definitely relied on thrift finds. And found some great stuff. But I can't sew for toffee. I've decided recently to take a step back from big brands because I've fallen into the trap of buying a lot of stuff but not actually wearing it so I've been looking at accesories more. Shein has so many harnesses and belts etc for people to really goth up an outfit.
Accesories make an outfit.
Personally I’m just more like who cares if someone buys brands, thrifts or diys???
As long as we still remember the music makes the scene, then that’s that. So I try not to judge where people get their clothes from. But I find it so weird when people get mad if you buy some things from Killstar or Punkrave but praise Lip Service (which is hella more pricey )
I just treat Killstar and other brands like with hot topic. Just a place to shop occasionally but not where I wanna rely for clothing due to it being pricey.
And also, I can’t really diy too much these days due to work. (I hope I can someday since it was fun ) so sometimes fast fashion is what some people may have to rely on if you have a busy work schedule.
But I still support thrifting if your on a low budget and I had got some really cute outfits from places like Ross before since That was the main store I should shop at as a teen. (I wanna try that again )
Yeah, as for accessories. That’s only why I look at brands, just for accessories to go with a cute thrifted outfit ^^ more fun when you mix them.
Oh, and my friend STILL wears the laddered shirt we made watching your video. She sewed it so it wouldn't come apart, and it still looks great on her!
Same as broke anything does.
Survive, wait for your time.
It's so true.
I love that when you review something you pull and tug on it! Gotta be realistic, gotta be aggressive 😆
Always! You gotta give it that old movement test.
If you happen to be in Los Angeles on May 8th, Male Tears is playing with ACTORS and The Wheal. :D (no idea where you're relocating to, but figured I'd throw it out there)
When I was young I was affected by what others thought of my appearance but not anymore
I'm sorry you felt that way when you were younger. Especially during your formative years when you're meant to be growing and exploring. I'm happy you're better now. We love you, stu!
Angela: What does a broke goth wear?
Me: **shamefully looks at my closet**
Hopefully this info helps.
1:25- thank you for saying that. I'd love to support better companies but I simply do not have the money spending even $20 on a shirt is way too much money so fast fashion helps when all I can afford is maybe $5 for a pair of pants
Thank-you for the first words out of you mouth re-enforcing Goth is a music based sub-culture. Your advice and knowledge has (for me) always been solid and from the heart. Yes, thrift and DIY is good! I love chains, and they are relatively cheap, and most hardware stores have a variety of sizes. I prefer "silver" meaning stainless steel (surprise) and I love silver (coloured) rings that I've seen in thrift and dollar stores. I wear 3 on my left hand and I can still play guitar. Black and silver are ALWAYS a winner! My favorite black shirt is from the late 80's or early 90's. (can't remember) and it's still immaculate (don't ask me how) and I have 2 other's from the same era as back-ups. I do love new and beautiful, but as you've proven, a little thought goes a long way and thrift stores and costume store clear outs can have AMAZING bargains. Have a great week!
I've had to go onto Shein, Rosegal, and Dresslily because of the same reasons as other people have had to because it's all granny wear here too. As much as I love Shein's sweaters, shirts, shoes, boots, and pjs, the pants are too long for us petites. The harnesses on Shein don't for people who are above a size Large (just got some a few weeks ago and they don't fit me 😔), and I agree the quality of the rings are crap. Rosegal and Dresslily are basically the same company but each have different dresses and such that are stretchy and cozy, but DO NOT put them in the dryer because the fabric is very delicate. I hope this helps 😀🖤🖤
Oh yeah I watch what you talking about gothic. I agree with you. 👍😊🤟🏾🤘🏼🖤🖤🦇⚰️📱I feeling same things.
Yeah… being a broke daughter of a single mother, I had to use hand-me-downs from my older brother. So it was all Dollar General flannel shirts and wranglers. Got a killer pair of new/in box work boots from a thrift shop for like $3. That was my uniform for middle/ High school. So the “goth” look was out of my budget. No way I could afford $75 +for a blouse.
this is a really helpful video, i live in a small city in brazil and the thrift stores here are not only few, but small and really difficult to find nice stuff so i have no option besides fast fashion to wear the things i like. i even follow independent stores on instagram and shopee, and some have really good prices, but most are really far away and i can't afford taxes
I felt this video in my soul, lol. Being 15 trying to find my way through high school as a "baby bat" was so stressful, especially since some snotty kids were so snobby about what goths were supposed to look like.
Edit: I once was told by one of these snobs that I didn't deserve to be "goth" and you mentioning it around 10:45... that hit me in the feels really bad, and caused some old wounds to hurt again, lol. Being an adult certainly has its perks, but I wish there had been an older goth sister around for me back when I was a teen figuring myself out. Thank you for making these videos (even if I don't agree with everything 100%).
Our local anarchist group runs a monthly "free sale." These can be set up fairly easily. Everyone brings things they don't want or need anymore and lay them out on tables, usually in a free library or a church space. You can take what you need. You can find shoes, t-shirts, etc for free. Many of these items are not black, but a couple packets of black dye can be fairly cheap and you're not ruining any of your existing wardrobe. The nice thing about this is that it keeps clothes out of the landfill.
this is so helpful. ily
Lol omg this is great!
I remember wearing an “electric” blue Jordana nail polish in 7th grade and people looking at me like WTF! I also did the whole white out polish and sharpie 😭
As someone who lives in a smaller city with very little alternative demographic, my local thrift store(s) are very lacking of clothing that is either my size or my style. I am straight up mid size. B/w small & large/xl. The bigger ones are in different cities that are drives away & I do not have reliable transportation (currently). So, traveling through bus for more thrift stores is very limiting for me. I’ve found RARELY some gems in thrift stores, but alas they never fit. So, with my expenses & situation I rely on a lot of ONLINE shopping. I have my measurements and look through size charts carefully as well as reviews and so on. I’ve bought from some fast fashion sites in the beginning and found some decent things that have lasted me, however the quality shows. When I splurge I buy from brands if I find something that I REALLY like and can afford. As long as my bills are paid, I can choose to spend my money how I wish. I would highly recommend waiting on sales and collecting discounts through x sites. Reviews, experiences are important! Over time you know what is good & what is not for you.
Thankfully, I have the privilege to support smaller business shops via Etsy as of late and the quality of accessories and certain clothing is immaculate! I recently bought a couple of custom made velvet skirts. I am a 4,11” 130+ ish lb. person with a naturally wide waist so there’s only so much I can wear. Sometimes fast fashion can be limiting, something not. I like to really buy from bigger places that have good quality and sizing is never an issue for me. There’s nothing wrong with interchanging the businesses you buy from. To me, if I like it enough, and I know I’m gonna wear it. I WILL buy it because it’s going to be useful for me.
Over time I’ve had things that were gifted or I’ve held on to that I’ve mixed with outfits. Huge part of building your outfits is MIXING AND MATCHING! Please you do not have to buy full outfits stores show you. It’s literally not worth it 9 times out of 10. Unless you really like it and can afford it I don’t recommend that.
People don't underdtand that you really have to DIG through all the crap to find good clothes in a thrift shop. Well most of them anyway that I've been to
Never forget where you come from because you can go back there at any point. You say the wisest things.
Thank you so much sweetie, I’ve just started purchasing from Shein and it’s helps to know what to watch for. I love how helpful and honest you always are about everything 💜💜🦇
first video i'm watching of yours and you used hit me by male tears, subscribed! one thing i think should also be mentioned is discount stores like burlington coat factory, ross, tj maxx, marshalls, etc can be really good for finding clothes, makeup, & home decor around halloween for low prices. i regularly shop at these stores but primarily get my clothes thrifting
This...makes me feel better about considering fast-fashion options. I used to be able to order clothes from my favorite stores online, but when I quit my last job and started a new one, basically going from factory to fast-food (for various personal reasons), I took a massive pay cut. I was getting 18 an hour by the time I left. Now I'm getting 11 an hour, and despite working 9-hour shifts, it's barely enough, but this month I've had to help out more because my mom and her partner can't work anymore. I have a good amount left over after the fact, but it goes quickly because food and other necessities are so damn expensive now.
I'm very limited on funds and I rely on charity shops here in the UK. I wanted a cool bat necklace so I crocheted a bat motif and backed it with sewn on felt. I added sequins for eyes. Then I made a long crochet chain to turn it into a necklace. It turned out quite cool and is great because no metal as I have nickel allergy.
We have thrift stores near me but rarely interesting clothes and never my size . If you are not a common fashionable size it gets awkward . I am glad you did this video though 😈
As I mentioned in a previous video of yours, I usually just buy the simplest and cheapest accessories/clothes to create my own style. I honestly don't really pick out anything super expensive because not only and I on a budget, but I also want to use the cheapest items for my own creativity just as much as I enjoy the goth music that I listen to be creative in their bands.