By: The Gothling
Club Fashion
Introduction and the Basics
I know what most of you are thinking: “Who is this chick? And why does Gothic Angst need a fashion column? I mean, come on. It’s Goth. All you really need to do is wear black.” Not so, I say! There should be a level of style to your club wear, a rhyme and reason to the madness that is the scene. That’s what I’m here for. (That and Chris thought I was the best for the job!)
My name is Teresa, but some of you may know me as The Gothling. Why am I qualified to give fashion advice? I work for the Evil Empire, aka Hot Topic (HT), in their plus-sized store, Torrid. Until about two years ago, they were basically a larger-sized HT. When the store took a more mainstream, ‘fashion-forward’ image, it became my challenge to put together club outfits that I could also wear to work and fit within the dress code. Let me tell you, I had to get REALLY creative, like spending 3-4 hours in the store after I clocked out creative. Fortunately, I was able to put together outfits that were perfect for the club, but also appealed to my customers in the store as it exists now. For dark club fashion, I am the store’s go-to girl.
As a side bonus, I learned how to put together pieces that would flatter the figure and prevent fashion mishaps. I know I’m not the only one who’s been at a club and thought, “Holy effin’ hell! She looks really fierce in that!” or “Oh, eww! Wrong, bad! No!” My goal with this column is to help everyone, no matter where they’re going, to look their 100% dark and gloomy best.
Right now, I’ll start with what I consider the foundation of any good wardrobe. For me, no club outfit is complete unless I’ve got on a pair of Spanx, and usually a good bra. If I wear a skirt, which when clubbing is probably 98% of the time, a pair of tights or fishnets is a must.
For those who don’t know, Spanx are a less expensive, more comfortable version to the torture devices most stores sell. Gut-squashers, stomache squishers, you get the idea. These are a blessing for the more bountiful ladies on the scene, because they help smooth lumps and bumps without creating new ones. If you also happen to have thunder thighs like me, they completely eliminate chub-rub. If you don’t know what chub-rub is…lucky! As an added bonus, you don’t need to wear panties with them. For the gents on the scene who wear skirts or kilts, a pair will help keep chafe away. And nothing prevents “nut-hugger bulge” and uncontrolled shifting in super-tight pants better.
If you are one of the ladies who doesn’t have to worry about tummy bulge or chub-rub (By the way, don’t take this the wrong way, but I hate you), wearing the right pair of undies is key! Thongs should be comfortable, not sawing at you with every step you take. It’s not good for you, and also has the “duck-waddle” side effect. Have you ever tried to dance or walk in platform shoes with duck-waddle? It’s not fun, TRUST ME. If having the thong showing is part of your attire, inspect it for holes before you put it on. If low-rise pants are more your bag, there are low-rise briefs that can be worn with them comfortably. For those like me who prefer to wear a skirt, pretty much any undies will do, unless you decide to wear a tight skirt and don’t want panty-lines. Your options there are a thong, or no panties. Let’s hear it for commando! (Now, most male readers stand up and applaud.)
Ladies, I cannot stress how important a good bra is. A good quality, well-fitted bra not only keeps the twins where they’re supposed to be, it makes the fit of your clothes better. When wearing a tight top, having a bra whose band is the right size helps fight those terribly unsightly “back boobs”. I’ve been told I’m strange because I almost always wear a bra under my corsets. Since I’m nowhere near able to afford a custom-made corset, wearing a bra underneath adds extra support and definitely ups the cleavage factor. I understand that corsets are meant to be worn sans bra, but there is only so much the plastic boning in a mass-produced corset can do, especially if you have a big rack.
Black tights and fishnets are, of course, an essential part of a club wardrobe. I sometimes think that the goth scene single-handedly keeps the makers of fishnets in business when it’s not Halloween or Valentines Day. I personally never go bare-legged to the club. Hell, I want to wear my fishnets 24/7. I love the way fishnets and tights feel on my legs, and they emphasize the graceful lines of the calves. They also hide any flaws you may happen to have on your legs, you know, scratches from when the kitty tried to climb up your leg, ugly bruise from banging your knee on the coffee table, scars from any accidents or surgery, stuff like that. As an added bonus, Spanx puts out fishnets and tights with the Spanx attatched. That’ll save you a few dollars that you can spend on club cover charges.
Those are what I consider the foundation for any wardrobe. If you have any questions you need answered, or have suggestions for future columns, please feel free to drop me a line. I have quite a few ideas, but who am I to say no to more? Until later, my fellow creatures of the night!
