Are you looking for a Halloween Costume or a real dress? I can help you find either, but it’s important for you to decide what you want.
Gothic Prom Dresses
Here are a few inexpensive, but good looking dresses. They will work for Halloween, prom, a dark club...or a dark room.
- What's Your Pleasure? Dress at GoodGoth.com: You've got to love this fabulously sexy corset dress. If it fits, you can't live without it. ($39.95, S, M, L)
- Deep Scarlet Gothic Gown: This is a heavy cotton velvet dress with bell sleeves in a deep red. And, it’s on sale for under $90. Try GothStore.com or click around for best price. Don't dally. (S - X-Large.
- Corinth Steampunk Dress: At PyramidCollection.com. Try this with some kind of a fabulous top hat or mini top hat.
Short Gothic Dresses
There are lots of great black dresses online. Just don't try to find one on October 30th or December 29th.
- Betsey Johnson Film Noir Dress: If you’re a rich witch with a cute waist, you should get a Betsey Johnson. Check out Zappos for other Betsey dresses because they have fast delivery...things often arrive overnight.
- Sisters of the Moon Tutu Skirt (Etsy): See different styles, arm warmers, and accessories.
- Modcloth.com: Veil of Midnight Dress ($47.99)
Nordstrom.com Black Dresses
If you're out of time, you can get a dress at Nordstrom.com (or any online store) and have it sent express / overnight.
- Lanston Knit Maxi Dress: This has a high-low hemline. It's simple but you could punk it up with lace gloves, something cute in your hair, etc. You will actually wear this forever. Are Goths practical?
- Way-In Lace One Shoulder Dress: This is a perfect Gothy-but-not-scare-your-grandma dress with raw edge lace coming across like a sash for Miss(tress) America.
- Find a wedding veil at a thrift store, spray paint it black and trim it to the right length. Or, use any black lace held in place with a circlet...you don't want to look like a bride...it's to add mystery to your eyes.
Macy's Gothic Prom Dresses
Speechless Maxi Dress: Strapless sweetheart lace empire pleated long gown. This dress is not as sweet and saccharin as it looks. Tart it up with some fierce accessories and face down your opponents. Haha. You win. It's on sale for $88.99.
Trixxi Dress: Sweetheart strapless mini sequin zebra bubble dress is totally 70s punk. I would wear this with bright pink tights and tart it up with some great platforms, but I'm an artsy, creative, unique, unusual type. There are all kinds of ways you could take this black and white dress if you use your imagination. That's how street style starts, Suzie-Q. ($43.99)
Corset Tops
You can also pair a corset top with any kind of skirt. If you want to be slinky, you can use a long straight skirt. If you want to be frilly, you can pair it with a tutu or a full skirt with tons of tulle petticoats. I really like the idea of getting a corset top. You can wear these things later with jeans, or in the bedroom, or on your honeymoon in Jamaica. I don’t know…you’ll think of something.
- Love Will Tear Us Apart Top at Good Goth: They show this top with jeans, but you could hammer this shirt with adorable Steampunk accessories to trash it up. I would wear this with a cute plaid skirt and/or a tutu.
- Sexy Little Things Lace-Up Corset at Victoria's Secret: Throw this on over a black skirt or any dress. I suggest that you wear this if you're with a date or stick close to your girlfriends.
Plus Size Gothic Dresses
Thank GodGothGoddess, we have some easy-to-buy plus sizes.
- Midnight Garden Dress: Still one of my favorites. It's so Dark Shadows, but baby bats may not know what Dark Shadows was...I'm still in love with Barnabas. The sleeve design on this dress is exquisite. ($99.95, sizes 4 through 18W-20W / S-3X) at PyramidCollection.com or Good Goth.
- Eternal Love Garnet Kerchief Skirt Bodre: See Mystic Crypt for more plus size dresses. You might need to go with a skirt and top, but those can be mixed and matched for other events. I like this dress because it's stretchy.
Plus Size Corset Tops
- Dark Star Gothic Plus Size Corset: At Mystic Crypt and other Goth stores.
- Stretchy Lace-Up Gothic Corset Top: I really love anything with stretch, especially when buying things online. In addition, many times, I will order two sizes with the intention of sending one back. I think that’s the easiest way to shop. Yes, it’s a bit more but it beats hanging out with witchy sales clerkesses at the mall. (Top comes in black,too.)
Regular Corsets
Yes, you can wear an actual corset as a top or wear it over a dress. Why the heck not? And, if you already have a black or red corset and it has garters, just wear it over something and leave the garters (suspenders) out. It's a retro cabaret look.
You can find regular corsets by Googling something like:
- Hook and Eye Corset
- Long Line Corset
And, here are some cute examples of what you might find:
- Corset With Red Boning Detail: Very Goth.
- Buckle Front Waist Cincher: Wear this every day over dresses.
- PyramidCollection.com: Cincher Top can be worn over dresses for a Steampunk, Renaissance, or Victorian Gothic look.
By the way, corsets can be worn over dresses or tops and skirts. Tops with lots of ruffles really work well with this look. See more pictures / photos below.
More Articles:
Cute Plus Size Prom Dresses Under 100, Under 200 Dollars
Inexpensive Gothic Wedding Dresses in Black, Red, and Purple
Victorian Gothic Clothing & Accessories - Corset Tops
Christina Gregoire - Christina Gregoire writes about divorce, fashion, and baby boomers. Her forte is explaining complex ideas in simple language.
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