Guest Post 1

Expanding on my previous post, here is a guest post from the great blog Juliet's Lace (http://julietslace.blogspot.com/)

When you're new to anything you have to admit it in order to learn, just push through all the awkward years and you'll eventually feel a part of the subculture. I hope this article gives you some insight into how to avoid acting like a stereotypical newbie.

• Calm down.

No really, it's very annoying to have someone running around the room and gushing about how amazing everything is.

• Don't assume that if it's black, it's Goth.

A lot of thought usually goes into outfits in photoshoots or whenever we all go out, seriously I take about three hours getting ready with my friends. Look closely at the outfits, what is that makes it special? Is the materials or the amount of layers? Outfits depends on good co-ord skills.

• Admiring the wrong people.

Looking at outfits online is a good place to draw inspiration from but I suggest you avoid Anime and ott outfits if you're only just starting to experiment with the style. Asking local Goths are a good bet, however be careful that you're not just blatantly copying. Note what kind of accessories they're wearing and ask who they was inspired by.

• Buying from Mainstream shops.

I've got nothing against shopping mainstream, in fact I recommend it but you probably need to DIY first, so be careful when picking up that 50% off blazer at Topshop and first think about how you could change this.

• Check for quality.

Many typical Goth materials such as satin, lace and velvet are so easy to get in bad quality, stretch velvet looks unsightly as it reflects the light but if it's trimming I wouldn't worry about it just as long as the material isn't the main focus. Cheap materials will make your outfit look like a costume which we all need to avoid in order to be taken seriously.

• Build up a basic wardrobe.

If you're a newbie of any fashion you need to build up a basic wardrobe first, so anything you're going to be buying should be in good quality so it lasts at least until you start expanding to more personal items.

• Trying to be unique a little too soon.

It's difficult to express yourself without the basics so early on, I may have recommend DIYing your basic items to make them personal but they're better off more plain looking so they co-ord with your other more unique items. Stick to building up the basics then you can burst out the wardrobe as a unique Goth.

• Bad make up.

I suggest experimenting with natural looking make up and avoiding the Baby Bat cliche of vaguely smearing your eyes with something black. Gothic doesn't have to mean over done, experiment behind closed doors and start to learn basic skills such as blending eye shadow.

• Know some basic knowledge.

Such as what band is classified as Old School, who's iconic, the history and what Goth fashion can look like. You don't have to abandon any bands you like just because they're not Goth, it's perfectly acceptable to have other interests elsewhere just as long as you enjoy Goth music too.

• Don't get butthurt and be polite.

If a Goth insults you for your lack of knowledge I suggest not responding and always act politely towards them. After all who looks worse, the polite Baby Bat or the experienced Goth who insulted a newbie? Admitting you have no knowledge you will gain you some, everyone was clueless at one point so don't be afraid to ask for advise. You don't have to pipe up that you're new very five seconds but if you make a mistake, apologise and say you're new and still learning.

• Don't be afraid to socialise.

The goth subculture is a rather friendly one despite the stereotypes, don't sit around awkwardly at the club but go over to someone and introduce yourself. It's such a newbie cliche to sit apart from everyone and not speak all night, we're not going to bite!

If doing swirly lines all over your face or listening to Marilyn Manson makes you happy then do it, just don't call it Goth when it's not and if anyone still thinks you're a clueless newbie then stuff them!

Thanks again for this wonderful post and I'm sure that I'm not the only one who found it helpful!