Introducing Dark Academia’s Cooler Sister Trend For Fall: Whimsigoth
In recent years, niche fashion and beauty trends have been all the rage, from dreamy cottagecore to maximalist cluttercore. One thing they all have in common is a very distinctive aesthetic that allows for a lot of self-expression, which is why these trends have managed to take over social media so quickly. And one that’s on the rise again for fall 2024 is whimsigoth. What is it, you ask? Well, think of it as the cooler sister of dark academia but with whimsical elements of fairycore and the dark, witchy aesthetic that often accompanies goth styles. Hence the name: whimsigoth.
“The best way to describe it is Sabrina’s bedroom from the ’90s show ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch,’” whimsical style lover Sophie Seddon explained to NYLON, adding that the aesthetic is all about “velvet, lace, corsets, long skirts, florals, paisley, maxi dresses, chunky boots, rings, sheer tops, rings, bell sleeves, lots of layered jewelry with stars, moons, and suns.” In fact, plenty of ’90s classics have inspired this trend, with “Practical Magic” and “Charmed” being just a couple of them. And then there’s, of course, one of the biggest fashion inspirations for the trend, ’70s style icon Stevie Nicks. So if you want to explore this trend with the cooler weather finally ahead of us, here’s how to add a magical, mystical touch to your look.
Whimsigoth fashion is all about movement and layers
The perfect place to score whimsigoth fashion is undoubtedly the thrift store, as most of what makes up a whimsigoth outfit was popular in the ’70s and ’90s. “I’m drawn to whimsigoth because it combines dark, rich colors with feminine silhouettes and celestial motifs,” designer Maranda Vandergriff told Teen Vogue in 2022, when the TikTok version of the trend first took off. “It’s a little bit fairytale, a little bit witchy, and a lot of fun to style.”
Whimsigoth hair is all about loose updos and natural waves
Even though whimsigoth is primarily a fashion and makeup trend, it can still enchant your hair. Of course, any hairstyle could work with a magical, witchy look, but you’ll rarely see someone sporting a slicked back bun or straight hair with it.
Like its fashion, whimsigoth hair is also all about flowing magic. Think of it this way: if you’re in the wind, you want your hair to move with it. A casual ’90s-inspired updo is a great option, but so are low ponytails, waves or curls, and loose braids, as seen on people on Instagram. And as for color, anything goes — except neon shades, as they’re a little too bright for this trend.
Whimsigoth makeup means a bold lip and celestial eyeshadow
Whimsigoth makeup takes a lot of inspiration from classic gothic makeup in terms of its color palette. Dark shades like burgundy, navy, and purple are a must, and a dramatic eye and lip combo is totally allowed when it comes to this trend, as seen in one Instagram user’s post.
Now, what sets whimsigoth makeup apart from gothic looks is its addition of shimmer, glitter, and metallic shades. In fact, almost every whimsigoth eye look will include a bit of shimmer. As for foundation, a light coverage with added freckles is the way to go, or skipping a foundation is completely acceptable as well.
The more jewelry you layer, the more whimsigoth you’ll be
With this style trend, accessories are crucial, and when it comes to jewelry, whimsigoth style has a lot in common with maximalism. While the choice of jewelry is individual, anything vintage-looking and celestial is a great start.
In fact, when it comes to whimsigoth, forget the rule of wearing only one statement piece – this trend is all about layering multiple statement pieces. Take note from the Instagram photo above on the right – at least three statement necklaces are a must, big earrings are crucial, and when it comes to rings, more is more.