Guest Post 2

Ok, I'm not even going to apoligize for my non-posts, because I have a feeling they're going to become more regular as homework increases.

Guest post is by Sincerely, Boots

Ice Goth is our fashion garter gun that we can pull out from anywhere and attack without warning or mercy. It's great, isn’t it? But sometimes even completing one Ice Goth outfit can be a little tough; to collect the pieces and take the dive. If you’re like me, transitioning from black is a strange adjustment. I always wear black. All black. Siempre, sempre, always. Call me traditional, but black’s my thing ;) Maybe you’ll catch me with some purple fishnets, and colored eye shadow, but never with my clothes,(at least in public) and showing up one day in something other than black tends to shock.

But, that’s good.

Ice Goth is not showing up one day in a white sundress and white thongs/flip-flops looking like you passed by “That Goth phase”. Ohhhh no. Though a lovely look can be achieved by your basic style just toned in white, but really going the extra mile is why Ice Goth is considered a lot for experimentation, and occasions, such as ‘festival wear’, as you know, you’ll definitely stand out.

Goth is frightening, beautiful, it’s mysterious, vampryic, enchanting, but almost taboo. Now, do it in white!

If you have yet to achieve the same balance you have with your normal wardrobe with white, or are satisfied with your ice Goth look already, but are curious how to harden the eerie look for other occasions, this is for you.

For all intents and purposes;

Every other day, you are a vampire, today, you are a ghost.

Side note for first time readers:

Though “Vampire Goth” is considered it’s own fashion within Goth, I think vampires are a good role model (tehe) for us to look to, not matter what fashion subgenre we fall into, because, if you think about it, it all started with vampires. With that said,

Today, you are a different monster.

Your Palate

Base in white, of course.

Many Goths when clad in an Ice Gothic fashion often use black pieces or accessories, for contrasting of the two opposite ends of the light spectrum, and just out of availability too. I mean, I already have it in black, why not?

But how do we take it to the next level?

All or nothing. As much as I love that look, in my experience, I found that a full-on white-out overhaul has a much greater affect in achieving that other-worldly glow. White is already eye-catching if you think about it, and when, out of the corner of your eye, you see this white vision coming at you, and you know you’re just in a normal place, there’s still something much eerier yet still magnetic about the ghostliness of all-white.

My friend swears that an equally cool or eerie look could be accomplished with pilling on the same of any color. We’ll talk more about that later

Makeup

Makeup here is pretty broad. Basically, most ‘gothic’ makeup styles can accommodate most, if not all of the branches of Goth. Ice Goth is not picky either. There really isn't any fantastic rule, code or hint for Ice Gothic makeup.

For me, Ice Goth is all about opposite extremes. Though anything off 20 makeup tutorials you’ll love will complete a more OTT look, for extra fun, I like to play with some of the opposite ends of the spectrum.

But of course, just pushing your normal makeup routine a bit farther to the brink is even more advisible than ever, (with practice, of course!)

Everyone’s Ice Goth look is going to be different, because it will be rather dramatic reflection of what Gothic fashion they are already fond of. Going Ice Goth isn’t going to turn a Victorian into a Deathrocker or vice versa. But still, there are general notes that are good for everyone. Tulle, silk, light, breezy, or flowing materials give an ethereal, ghost-like, and breezy affect, without losing the edge. Soft fabrics don’t have to take away from a hard look. For deathrock chicks that may be a ragged short bustled tulle shirt with ripped white fishnets and heavy buckled white boots. For a Victorian, that may mean long, hanging silk sleeves, and a light, exposed crinoline.

Ice Goth is extreme. Everything about it is extreme.

But if you’re thinking, “Why is it any more extreme than my daily gothic look?”

In some ways it’s not. But it appears that way, because you dress that way every day, and for however long you have dressed that way, I’m assuming you didn’t wake up one day and put on corsets, boots, and chains that materialized in your closest overnight, you eased into Goth.

Ice Goth just threw all of that out that window.
It’s a shock. A big, elegant, aesthetically pleasing, shock.

This is only the begining of the post, and because my copy and pasting when weird I didn't manage to get it all in, so to read the full post go here:

http://sincerelyboots.blogspot.com/2011/06/put-edge-back-in-white-guide-to-eerie.html

Listning to: Emile Autumn-Gothic Lolita

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!