Whether you’re stepping out en femme for the first time or you’re just experimenting with different looks, we love a modern spin on an old classic! For many beginning crossdressers, shopping a certain aesthetic can be reallly overwhelming (or really expensive). We’ve put together one of our favorite looks (from head to toe) that’s been popular with many of our clients — and we think you’ll love it too!
Hair & makeup
Whether you’re looking to create an ’emo,’ ‘e-girl’ or ‘goth’ look, your hair and makeup is so important! It’s a way to show your attitude with bold choices.
What to look for in a wig
Your wig choice should be very bold! Go for a dark, near-black wig, a platinum wig, or a shockingly bold color like red or blue! Wigs with streaks and highlights are also encouraged if they are in funky colors. Length doesn’t matter, as long as the style has a bit of edgy style. Full bangs are always a great choice!
We recommend the Bali Beyonce Wig in F01B/Burgundy — this is a near-black wig with dark pink-red streaks throughout. The long layers, dark color and bold highlights is sure to make you look the part!
Also, don’t forget your eyebrows! Make sure to match your brows to the wig color you choose for the most natural look. If you’re just learning to fill in your eye brows, try using our Eyebrow Makeup Kit with Stencils. It comes with everything you need and is easy to use!
Choosing a makeup look
Gothic-inspired makeup doesn’t mean you need a white face like you’re a member of KISS! Rather than looking like you’re auditioning for a glam rock band, try going with a neutral-colored eye with a bold lip. Bright red is a beautiful look that can still be gothic (think Morticia Addams), but a deeper berry is always stunning!
If you’re looking for a lipstick, we love the Moisturising Lipstick in Devious. This creamy smooth color is a deep berry plum that’s so flattering on all skin tones. If you prefer a lip gloss to have some shine, look no further than the Liquid Lips Moisturizing Lip Gloss in Rebel! This lip gloss is a deep burgundy red with a subtle pink sparkle, and looks stunning over a lipstick or worn on its own.
Accenting your eyes is very important in creating your modern gothic makeup look, but it does not mean you have to look like a raccoon! Go with a neutral eye shadow that is close to your skin tone, and fully line your eyes with a good eyeliner (like Indelible Eyes Waterproof Automatic Eye Liner in Pitch Black). If you can, create a wing for a cat eye for extra drama!
One thing to keep in mind is when you fully line your eyes with an eye liner, your eyes can look smaller. It’s important to make sure to highlight your eyelashes in this case! A good mascara can help, but a set of false eye lashes can help a lot as well. Our False Eyelashes and AdGem Adhesive is an easy to use set of falsies that is cruelty free, reusable, and made in America!
Dressing the part
Now, having a gothic-inspired look doesn’t mean that you need to dress like you’ve stepped out of the Victorian era (unless you want to!) Taking gothic-inspired elements and pairing it with modern accessories creates a modern look that is stylish, feminine and just a little bit edgy. Perfect!
Accessorize with bold accessories
Don’t be afraid to make a bold choice with your accessories to emphasize your look! Ruffles, lace and crosses are often found adorning gothic-inspired clothing, so choosing pieces that include this can really help capture the essence of the look. Of course, black is always a great choice as well.
Rather than choosing a long, dangling necklace, consider going with a choker-length necklace like the Daisy Corsets Kitten Collection Patterned Collar in Black Pinstripe. A necklace like this can both hide the adam’s apple and make the body look a bit shorter (perfect for taller girls looking to feminize their silhouette).
If you go with a bold necklace, opt for small earrings, or better yet, none at all. If you’re looking for some extra sparkle, add a bracelet or two to the same wrist. Something like the Crystal Cross Adjustable Anklet is perfect to be worn either on the ankle or the wrist for a dash of shimmer!
Feminine fashion with a gothic flare
The wonderful thing about gothic-inspired fashion is that it embraces and flaunts structured garments designed to feminize the body. This is perfect for cross dressers and transgender women because the clothing then becomes dual purpose: something that feminizes your body while also being an awesome piece of clothing. Corsets are very common, making your look exceptionally stunning!
Our favorite corset for a modern gothic inspired look is the Daisy Corsets Velvet Off-the-Shoulder Overbust Corset. Velvet is often found in gothic-inspired clothing due to its rich texture, so this is a win-win! This corset can take up to 6 inches off your waist line, which helps you create a beautiful hourglass. The ruffles on the shoulders are beautiful and fun, but can also be pulled up on to the shoulder to be worn more as a cap sleeve than an off-the-shoulder look. This is extra-perfect for cross dressers with broad shoulders, as the structure of the ruffles will help slim the body.
Corset tops can be paired with jeans, but for a really stunning look, we love it when it’s paired with the Satin & Lace Hi-Low Bustle Skirt. This longer skirt is perfect for giving some length and covering the body, while also creating a stunning, vampish look that is sure to make you feel spectacular!
Don’t forget to finish the look off with a good pair of stockings (we love the Elegant Moments French Cut Pantyhose) and a comfortable pair of heels! You can take inspiration from the heavier gothic footwear by going with a pair of high heels with a thicker heel and a rounded toe, like the Pleaser Jenna Closed Toe High Heels. This style of heel is more feminine and sexy than a pair of combat boots, but without the discomfort that can come from stilettos.
What do you think? Would you wear this look? Leave a comment below and tell us!
I would love to sport this look, I’ve always enjoyed the spooky sexy looks of Morticia Adams and Elvira.