THE GOTH GIRLS ARE HERE TO SAVE AUTUMN

Nothing screams ‘scream queen’ like a bit of dark velvet. This rich, warm fabric is a cornerstone of spooky season and adds luxury flair to any outfit or interior – but its heavy finish can make it a daunting addition to your wardrobe. The key to nailing the velvet look is opting for darker shades that swallow the light. It’s also worth keeping its inclusion to a minimum. After all, a floor-length velvet gown may look chic when descending the spiral staircase of your gothic mansion, but for everyday wear, a few finishing touches will suffice.

GET THE LOOK: 

Topshop long sleeve velvet chiffon mix mini dress with shoulder pads in black, £50
ASOS DESIGN Wide Fit Saffron bow detail mid heeled shoes in black velvet, £32
Topshop velvet mini skirt in silver sage with black lace trim, £34
Murci exclusive satin contrast velvet square neck back mini dress, £84

Structured bodices are where two of gothic fashion’s favourite worlds collide: history and high femininity. Thanks to designers like Dilara Findikoglu, elaborate corsetry has been enjoying a healthy comeback – and style icons Kylie Jenner, Cate Blanchett and Hailey Bieber are getting involved. Despite their structured design, the great thing about these pieces is their flexibility. We’d suggest a corseted mini dress for your next night out, and a structured top if you fancy spooking up the office. Regardless of your plans, there’s always room for a corset in your autumn lineup.

GET THE LOOK: 

House of CB The drape neck chocolate corset top in chocolate, £99
Murci exclusive lace corset detail cami maxi dress in black, £59
Miss Selfridge Petite cotton broderie corset top in black, £33
House of CB Livie cotton broderie strapless corset top in white, £109

As much as we’ve been loving the alternative takes on gothic dressing, we’d be amiss not to throw in some classics. Black will always rule the spooky season wardrobe, and frankly, any wardrobe – given its wearability, timelessness and capacity to pair with everything. This autumn has already placed leather and suede on a pedestal, so reaching for black styles in these trending textures is a great way to lean into goth energy, while investing in multiple seasonal trends.

GET THE LOOK: 

Mango faux leather midi skirt in black, £49.99
Pull&Bear Leather effect balloon bomber jacket in black, £49.99
Pieces Faux leather jacket in black, £60
Topshop faux leather washed MA1 bomber jacket in washed black, £75

Gothic fashion is often associated with the colour black – but a true goth girl is one who thinks outside the box. Jenna Ortega’s press tour for Wednesday season 2 was a crash course in alternative spooky style, featuring a carousel of creepy couture in every possible shade. Our favourite has to be this white latex look, finished with delicate frayed hems to create the illusion of a ghostly figure emerging from the shadows. You’d be forgiven for not adding a latex piece to your autumnal roster, but we’d recommend some textural white pieces if you fancy getting freaky.

GET THE LOOK: 

Lace & Beads shirred backless top co-ord in ivory, £45
ASOS DESIGN chiffon soft volume tie front maxi dress in ecru, £85
Six Stories Bridal strapless chiffon maxi dress in soft white, £150
ASOS DESIGN chiffon shoulder pad boho tie blouse in ecru, £46

Lace is a year-round favourite, but thanks to its romantic finish and historical prominence, it’s also a classic of the gothic genre. Building a contrasting look with edgy accessories and statement boots is a great way to toughen up this floaty fabric – but cascading silhouettes (think voluminous sleeves and elongated hems) are another great nod to spooky style codes. Naomi Watts recently gave us a masterclass in sartorial balance with this tailored look, sporting a lace ruff for a delicate yet daring nod to the darkness. Paired with a simple wide-leg trouser, this would-be OTT outfit becomes instantly wearable.

GET THE LOOK: 

ASOS DESIGN textured lace tank top in black, £22
ASOS DESIGN lace trim detail longline cami in black, £32
ASOS DESIGN Halloween choker with lace details in black, £8
ASOS DESIGN godet lace maxi skirt in ivory, £36