(image credit: tumblr)
Now that October and the spooky season are upon us, it’s time to revisit one of our favorite fashion trends of the 1990s: Whimsigoth. The style, a mixture of whimsical meets goth, was made niche-famous by some of the most popular shows of the day, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sabrina the Teenage Witch TV series, Phoebe Buffay from Friends, The Craft and Practical Magic movies and musical icons Tori Amos, Enya, Mazzy Star, The Cranberries and of course The Smashing Pumpkins (especially the music video for “Tonight, Tonight.”
(Credit: https://www.vogue.co.uk/)
With the widespread resurgence of all things 90s, Whimsigoth fits in easily. Chunky platform heels, grunge fashion, gothic romance, and bohemian-inspired tresses. Many rocked the look with a heavy bent towards a ‘soft witch’ aesthetic. In contrast, others leaned more heavily into the dark cottage-core look, especially regarding interior design.
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Fashion-wise, many classic pieces in our closet can be incorporated into the Whimsigoth style, making it an accessible and easily changeable fashion choice. The color palette features rich dark hues: dark greens, blues, purples, reds and browns, and, of course, black. Pops of colors, floral prints, velvet, leather, and lace add texture elements and eye-focal pops. Platform boots, chunky heels, dark tights, wide-leg pants, maxi skirts, corset tops, and billowy blouses optimize the style with dreamy symbols such as stars, moons, stars, and Wiccan symbology.
Whimsigoth Inspired Living Room. (Credit: enchantedlivingmagazine.com/scotlands-couthy-home/)
And what girl wasn’t the envy of all her friends if her bedroom was decked out in Whimsigoth decor? It was a major interior design trend: canopy beds, wispy celestial curtains, candles and lanterns, flowers, and embroidered tapestries. Deep earthy colors with accents of lilac, gold, and pale green. Throw in a bat cat or two onto your bed, and the look is complete.
Sabrina Spellman is one of many 90s icons inspiring the returning whimsigoth trend.
Whimsigoth is definitely a maximalist look. Layers, patterns, and textures help achieve the look. Think of a chunky crochet cardigan over a tulle dress with additional layers, as you can add them. Of course, the look is perfected with a healthy dose of nature-inspired jewelry, ideally featuring crystals, insects, leaves, and vines.
Lisa Bonet at he Los Angeles Premiere of “High Fidelity” in 2000. (Photo: Brenda Chase/Getty Images)
If you’ve seen The Craft (we must have watched it about ten times), you’ll remember the dark, heavy makeup that defined the witchy characters. Liquid eyeliner, dark eyeshadow with shimmers of sage, deep lilac, emerald, or plum. You’ll want a smokey eye with a pearlescent shimmer. Dark 90s lipstick colors were also part of the fad: brown, burgundy, brick red, and dark purple. Of course, you don’t need to go full out ‘Nancy Downs’; the look can equally be accomplished with minimal makeup. The Whimsigoth style is adaptable and casual; overall, it is a cozy and feminine look that looks carefree for a young, independent woman (who might also be a witch, so watch out).
Whimsigoth Cosmic Eyeshade (Credit: https://whimsigothwitch.tumblr.com/)
The Whimsigoth style isn’t just a 90s throwback trend making a temporary comeback. It’s a comfortable, flattering, and easy-to-wear style that remains timeless. As we head into the autumn months, we’ll see more of it, but its enduring appeal lies in how it allows you to add a touch of magic and whimsy to your life.