When Autumn meets Goth
Just after the long, sunny days of summer and the relaxed energy of vibrant clothes come to an end, a quiet change arrives. Fall ushers in a new vibe: cozy and introspective. The light takes on a softer, warmer quality, casting long shadows that make everything feel a little more intimate and reflective. Just calm before the winter, marked by a crispness in the air and a sense of quiet.
It's no coincidence that goth style thrives in this atmosphere. Halloween, a main celebration of the season, gives fall an undeniable spooky touch. With September and October perceived as two of the spookiest months of the year, there seems to be no other season in which dark aesthetics can flourish so beautifully.
The "autumn goth" style has been trending on social media, with people curating outfits that merge the macabre with fall's inherent warmth. This look draws on a palette of deep wine, earthy gray, and, of course, black, offering a dramatic contrast to the regular autumn colors of browns and fiery reds. The cooler weather allows for playfulness with layers and accessories, without being too hot or too cold.
From Subculture to Mainstream: The New Goth
Over the last couple of years, as goth has become more mainstream, new terms like 'soft goth' and 'whimsigothic' have emerged as variations. At its core, the goth aesthetic is rooted in dark romance and different genres of rock music, centered on self-expression. When it comes to high fashion, Vivienne Westwood's fall collections have consistently stood out. She pioneered a style deeply connected to the goth glam, sharing core elements like corsetry, dramatic silhouettes, and a spirit of dark romance.
But outside of high fashion, goth style is all about personalizing outfits with a DIY ethos and drawing from themes of melancholy, the macabre, and dark elegance. By taking inspiration from these foundational ideas, social media users are creating looks that bring drama, depth, and darkness to their wardrobes.
Daisy Lowe on the catwalk during the Vivienne Westwood Red Label Autumn/Winter 2015 London Fashion Week show. Dominic Lipinski/PA Photos. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
This seasonal trend has been heavily influenced by celebrities embracing the "goth girl" style. Wednesday star Jenna Ortega has become a main figure of this movement, following the spooky vibe of her character Wednesday Addams. The look began with her dramatic debut of bleached eyebrows and dark hair. For the show’s premiere, she wore a nude, sheer, snakeskin-inspired latex gown from Ashi Studio, complemented by mixed-metal rings and earrings. Later, for a press conference in Paris, she sported a corseted brown silk dress from Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood, completing the look with a large cross necklace and lace-up platforms.
With the leaves fallen and the days getting shorter, fall is the season in which goth fashion can truly shine. While true goth style transcends trends and seasons, the autumn months provide a perfect, moody backdrop for a look that's all about drama, elegance, and darkness.
