I was inspired to post this video by Adora BatBrat to prompt discussion of style.
Working in a retro boutique our style's mostly focus on 40s, 50s and 60s clothing, but I don't just lump everyone together into a 1950s look. Hell, I'm a goth and I love retro cuts and styling because it is classic in the sense of the way the clothing is designed!
The pin up and retro rockabilly look has become more popular with "former goths" and I don't agree with Adora just generalizing that we have "lost goths to this look". We have had many discussion's (at work) as to why a lot of people make a transition to a more retro style and I personally believe it makes sense. If you want to (or have to) wear more color, still want a dramatic look and wear clothing that still makes you feel unique, retro clothing styles make sense to me. But, no one said that you can't infuse multiple styles into your own personal style! Keyword : personal!
I do have to express that anyone is allowed to change and evolve their look/tastes/style/etc, but it disappoints me when people look their noses down at styles (*cough goth cough*) that they think are immature or childish. Your style is not a costume, it's an extension of you and how you like to express yourself.
In closing, I'm not condemning Adora BatBrat for her opinion, but I thank her for inspiring me to write this blog.
XOXO-Meagan Kyla
I agree. I sometimes choose retro when I need to tone down for work. There was even a time I went completely "normal" and opted for more vintage inspired clothing.
ReplyDeleteSince I've gone to more formal occasions (even dating back to high school), I opt for more retro-inspired 40s 50s inspired dress as it made me feel elegant and a sense of something 'different' for me :)
DeleteThanks Meagan for posting this. First, I've often said that the more cartoony I look, the happier I am. That being said, the main reason that I distanced myself from the *Real Goths* (insert eye roll) in my area is because they started spouting our requirements for how to dress goth and began putting down others' choices in dress. To me that's counter counter-culture.
ReplyDeleteI myself just started playing with victory rolls this year and I adore the way it looks. As a tenured college professor, I can get away with a great deal when it comes to clothing... probably more than most who work in corporations BUT I still have to look professional which means that I have to tone it down. Because of that, I often opt for a more retro look.
The video saddens me. The last time I heard that a look was "ridiculous" was when it was being used against someone who was dressed *too alternative*.
I often find that people can not wrap their head around going past the 'in the goth box' looks that the internet often portrays.There MAY BE definitive goth looks (I think everyone has a personal image in their mind as to what that is) and not everything is all inclusive, but what I've always been draw to is the ability to be artistic and expressive within my interests and not necessarily bowing down to the oppressive argument of "What is goth and what is NOT".
DeleteWhat boils down to is being happy! Like you said, "I've often said that the more cartoony I look, the happier I am." Experimenting with Victory Rolls was something I did after getting tired of wearing hair extensions and I loved it as well! It never hurts to try something new, it's the spice of life!
Wow that video was bitchy and ignorant:/ I mean how can you "lose" someone to a style... It's someones personal choice really. And calling a whole subculture ridiculous... so much for open mindedness XD
ReplyDeleteI agree, it is harsh for my liking.
DeleteOne of the worst things about any scene is when people start getting on their high horse about things. Live and let live, let people dress how they want to dress. I enjoy clothing and fashion and I dress in a wide variety of styles. I enjoy elements from MANY different types of clothing ranging from fetish wear to retro to cyber goth to (OH NO!) mainstream fashion. I see nothing wrong with this. This is one of the things that I enjoy about the alternative scene where I live, people dress in a wide variety of ways, including in mainstream fashion and it is NO BIG DEAL to most people. Some people don't realize that for many of us, dressing "GOTH" all the time is not feasible due to jobs, family commitments, etc. and retro fashion offers us options that are somewhat alternative but professional at the same time. I am sorry but I'm a grown adult and I have a job in healthcare where I work with the public all day and people need to feel comfortable talking to me about sensitive issues.....unfortunately I can't go in to work looking SUPER GOTH. I say unfortunately because I wish society was more tolerant of different styles but in this day and age it is not acceptable to go in to many places of employment dressed in an alternative manner and this is something that mature adults have to accept as part of life if they want to be employed.
ReplyDeleteOther people are certainly entitled to their opinions and I agree with you that we should not condemn them for that; however, there are many styles that I don't like personally but I don't agree with publicly making fun of different styles or the people who like them.
Thank you for your insight, I like looking at all sides of this discussion.I just don't like to crucify people for their opinions when I don't agree with them or their actions. I do agree with not like the idea of publicly making fun of people, I had not thought of that aspect of the video. Thank you for pointing that out.
DeleteI went for a long walk after posting initially and kept thinking about the video. I think what bothers me the most about it is her tone and choice of language. Neither are to my taste. And I agree, let's not crucify anyone for having an opinion. Taste is taste. She may even have a genuine concern but I didn't find any support in her argument. Maybe that was planned for the lost footage portion.
DeleteI love Adora but I also thought this video was bitchy! She did say she was "under stress" when she made it so perhaps her attitude stems from that.
ReplyDeleteAnd I completely agree with Goth Gardener and Vulcan Butterfly - not everyone has the freedom (like Adora, a makeup artist and alternative model) to go Full Goth All The Time, for all kinds of reasons. I thought our subculture was one of INCLUSION.
I don't condemn her for her opinion, but I am repulsed by her attitude. I find it hard to respect anyone who revels in publicly making fun of people. She puts great effort into looking outlandish and then calls other people's styles "ridiculous." Must be vying for the Pot Kettle Black Award. ;)
ReplyDeleteBut on to the point, which is discussion of style... In our culture of conformity, I admire anyone who expresses a sense of style. Even if they look hideous or ridiculous (which is, of course, a matter of opinion), at least they look something other than the same.
There are lots of reasons to shift to or incorporate retro styles. As women get older, they might want a more elegant look. Or they might need to look more acceptable to the mainstream in order to advance in their career. Or they might just want to try new styles.
My style has evolved significantly since I discovered goth. That's partly because of changes in my place of residence, my career, my income, my body shape, my sewing skills, and so forth... and partly because wearing the same thing for 15+ years would have been incredibly boring.
Well she is entitled to her opinion certainly, but she was pretty snarky and holy gother than thou about it. I'm not really a fan of her look but I wouldn't Go around calling her "ridiculous" either. I know a lot of women in their 40s that wear the rockabilly or gothabilly look. I wear it myself sometimes! There's nothing wrong with mixing things up a little. Variety is the spice of life.
ReplyDeleteI saw this video the other day and I have been scratching my head about it ever since. I think Bane sums it up perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I always thought that goth was a synonym fow dark creativity and open midness towards it self. Hmm I've never addressed this subject on my blog, perhaps your post has inspired me to do so. <3
ReplyDeleteOh, I feel like she's just saying that it's not spooky or whatever. I'm confused myself how 50s housewife suddenly became a goth thing. Not that I'm complaining because it works for a lot of people and it's awesome for them. But eh people are going like and dislike whatever they want. Not getting all the hate directed towards Adora... She could not like something. It's just fashion... Who cares
ReplyDeleteSighhh this whole worry about what is Goth and what isn't is what puts a lot of younger Goths off. Older ones being snooty about things. 50s stuff looks great and a lot of it is Gothy styled... and who DOESN'T love a slinky 20s evening dress? What could be more femme fatale with a bit of dark lipstick?
ReplyDeleteIn the end, as we grow up, we need to learn to be comfortable with throwing the rules out the window. As older Gothy types we may not always wear black and we may find other styles we like as well, and that's ok. I have recently got into wearing brown and green, forest elf type clothing!
In the end people have to remember the Goth culture is meant to be about expressing ourselves, not holding ourselves back to fit a certain image!
Eh, Adora's always got a touch of the bitchy in her videos, I get the impression that she plays it for laughs, kind of like when she plays dumb. I could be wrong, I've never met the gal.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, when I see someone come for something like this, I always wonder if something in particular triggered it. She did mention it was 50s day at school- perhaps she wore the toned-down look to play along was met with a deluge of "You look so much BETTER like this" foolishness and it touched a nerve? I know I get super peeved when someone sees an old picture of me with natural-colored hair and starts squealing about how much they prefer it to my current blue-with-roots situation.
And I know I've gotten cranky when I've seen something I love morph into something different- I've used the "lost another one" line when friends get married or have kids. Perhaps her circle is shifting, and it's lonely?
Like I said, never met the gal. Could be completely wrong.
It was a good transformation, though. I always like to see people remove their eyebrows.
I wholeheartedly agree Meagan! ((applause)). I think people should just wear what they want and what feels right to them and makes them feel good regardless of if it fits into a certain "style". After all, isn't the ability to express yourself and being yourself really the whole point of choosing to dress a certain way... :)
ReplyDeleteI find the video pretty funny considering Adora used to be pretty damn rockabilly/psychobilly back in the day! Cheeky.
ReplyDeleteAlso, there is a MASSIVE cross over between goth, gothabilly, psychobilly, punk etc these days. I pick my wardrobe from all of these 'styles' and mix them up with some other stuff to make my own thing. That's the beauty of fashion, it's mean to be fun and expressive. I am unimpressed with her attitude on this subject. I'm lucky because I am a self employed artist and can wear whatever I want, whenever I want but I have friends who have to tone things down for work.