Okay, bit of fun, can you dress me as a goth for a party?

[gruffalosmile]

I'm going to a party where you have to dress in the style of your favourite decade. I guess mine was circa 1984. I want to dress in the way I would have dressed had I had the style/nerve, so basically Goth style, thinking Leeds University/Sisters of Mercy/The Cure type era. I have been looking on e-bay and have sorted out a t-shirt and some black lace up boots, can also do the make up and jewellery no probs. What else - black skirt and fishnets? or trousers? What about a faux leather jacket? Would really welcome any ideas. I am on a limited budget and am a bust size 16/18. Thanks!

Do you have crimpers?

To me you need a long, split tube skirt and fishnets. Fingerless gloves? Faux leather jacket is good but you don't need one.

pair of tights/fishnets. Cut the feet off and then a small slit for your thumb to sit through. Cut a neckhole where the crotch is. Pull over head put arms through legs and thumbs through the ready cut hole, wear a t-shirt/vest over the top. Instant gothic look right there (I know, I used to dress this way every single day!)

Yes to black skirt and fishnets. Leather jacket would be good. I used to wear lots of silver rings and also big earrings. Mine tended to be silver hoops and I wore lots of them (ears pierced multiple times - may be a bit OTT to do this purely for one night... )
Backcomb your hair. Agree with pp re crimper, though can also get the same effect doing a zillion tiny plaits overnight if your hair suits. Otherwise just backcombed. If your hair is an unGoth colour (thinking tastefully highlighted for example) use a temporary spray/wash in colour if you are going the whole hog.

oh! if you go down the backcombing root, DON'T try to brush it out. You need to slap a load of conditioner on and gently massage the knots out before shampooing. trying to brush through highly backcombed hair is painful and breaks your hair

Definitely not a faux leather - borrow a real one, or wear a long, baggy black jumper (preferably holey mohair!) instead.

Black skinny jeans/leggings/tube skirt, or a tiered, fringed 'hippy' skirt in black, & lacey or fishnet tights (I get mine from pound shops these days).

Chain belt like this one [http://www.ebay.com/itm/SMALL-O-RINGS-CHAIN-LEATHER-BELT-PUNK-GOTHIC-VAMP-BLACK-METAL-DOOM-S-M-L-XL-/261290447879 goth belt]]?

Bollocks, crap link: www.ebay.com/itm/SMALL-O-RINGS-CHAIN-LEATHER-BELT-PUNK-GOTHIC-VAMP-BLACK-METAL-DOOM-S-M-L-XL-/261290447879

Yes, hair has to be crimped or backcombed. Fringe needs to be spiky and over your eyes. Pref black or red.
Fishnets or purple stripey tights.
Short tube skirt or fringed Indian one, again purple or black.
Have fun!

Don't forget to add a spritz of patchouli for that authentic whiff!

Hi all thanks, can crimp hair, and was considering either black spray on colour or DD has some purple hair mascara which I might wear. I have also found some clip on nose/ear rings on ebay which look like they might be good. Fishnets etc no probs.

I really love the steampunk style skirts with all the ruching but they are a bit expensive and don't really look grungy/studenty enough.

I'm not sure my chubby thighs are up to a mini/anything above the knee but I do fancy showing a bit of leg, do you reckon I could get away with something like a black pencil skirt or knee length skirt with some fishnets and with the victorian type lace up boots? Or would that look too much like I was on my way to work?

I actually really love these clothes, I would quite like to dress like this all the time.

I say no to tube/pencil skirt - that's either a punk, fetish or more modern goth look rather than 80s goth.

You want something long and flowing, crushed velvet or Indian cotton (if you can find any now!). You could have a look on ebay for LARP style frocks as they'll also be more suitable (and often 2nd hand they will be cheaperer).

Then either combat boots or preferably winklepicker style ones - with skull buckles. Victorian style boots are also good (may be a good idea if you can pick out something you'll be able to wear again).

Lace gloves. I'll do your makeup!

Not that I'm a former goth or anything No siree, Bob.

BTW, if you don't want to to splash out on some new expensive white foundation (Illamasqua do one), then you mix talc with normal foundation.

And may your pores forgive you that one night (and one practice day).

I wore a tube skirt in the 80s and was a Goth. I made it myself and had to be sewn in. Happy days. Ripped tights were every day. Lots of red/black makeup and nails every day. Never needed white makeup as I was still am see through. There are different kinds of Goth of course.

I definitely wore tube skirts in the 80s! Sometimes in crushed velvet .

If you fancy showing a bit of leg I'd go with something like this: split velvet skirt

Annoyingly I recycled one of these (size 18, purple) last week, else I'd have sent it to you. Can do you a slightly tatty mermaid skirt if it's any use to you?

I'm still a goth but a bit 'meh' about velvet these days, so if you could use it, PM me - I can't see me wearing it again .

Hi thanks all for the suggestions, yes I wasn't a Goth as such in 1984 but I was in the sixth form and used to have henna'd hair, the fringed skirts, suede slouchy boots, and old men's coats from charity shops. And yes I did sometimes put talc on my face too! Thanks so much Raven for the offer of a skirt, very kind, but a friend has offered to lend me a long tube skirt (which does have a split) so I think I'm sorted thanks. Cheers!

I have done this before - use a bin bag for a skirt :)

I was a goth for a very short time in the mid-80s and I wore a tube skirt. Mine was knee-length and a chunky rib knit material, with a big zip all the way up than could be unzipped at both ends!

I also had black leggings with ladders (i.e. holes) up the sides and black lace gloves.

Do you remember the group Strawberry Switchblade? Not strictly goth, but if I had to dress up for a party, I'd really like to recreate their look