Hauntingly Stylish
Hi peeps, I am Biki John, a London-based fashion stylist and writer. As Halloween looms and the Gothic trend is where it’s at, let me help you make sure you’re more chic than ‘eek’.I am a huge fan of accessories as I think they are the quickest (and often cheapest) way to update an outfit or follow a particular trend.
One of the key looks this season and a recurring trend to the catwalk was the ‘Gothic look’ – seen on Givenchy, Prada, Phi and Alexandra McQueen. However you don’t need to break the bank if you want to venture to the Dark Side.
With Halloween approaching and the fancy dress invitations piling up, the temptation is to rush out to buy naff novelty items – I mean, when else can you seriously wear a witch’s hat? Don’t! A true fashionista never sacrifices her style no matter the occasion. Instead, find your inner Dita Von Teese and go to Accessorize and buy a black mini top hat with a lace veil attached (£25). Much better.
Black Lace was one of the fabrics that dominated the catwalks this season. However, if you can’t afford the original Alexandra McQueen black lace gloves, you can still indulge in a bit of lace heaven by heading down to Ad hoc on the Kings Road where you can buy a pair for a fraction of the cost (£12). And team them with Rimmel’s ‘Black Cab’ nail polish (£2.99) from the I Love Lasting Finish range – chipped nail polish is never a good look.
Also, if you’re lucky enough to be on the receiving end of a vampire bite this Halloween, you may need to hide your shady antics the next morning. Grab a maxi black lace fringed shawl from the Peekaboo section in Top Shop (£35), and hold it in place with a multi coloured stoned spider brooch from Top Shop (£12). And if you want to go the extra mile, get a pair of black spider web earrings (£3.50) and matching necklace (£4) from Claire’s Accessories or head down to Camden Market and get yourself a pair of black spider web tights to finish the look.
Of course no self respecting Goth would be caught dead (pun intended) without layers of black rosary beads and bejewelled crosses. Givenchy was down with that look and now you can be too – Miss Selfridge has an array of black beads of different sizes, textures and lengths and Top Shop has black rosary bead charm necklaces and silver crucifixes galore.
Happy Halloween! Till next time. x
