Be a Classy Goth
"Classy" is a rare category of goth. You will not find studded collars, PVC or heavy make-up. "Classy" goth people aren't always recognized immediately as goth, but are always noticed and picked out as being unique. If that's the look you are going for, this is the article for you.
Steps
- Choose any color of clothing. Keep most colors dull and neutral. Save anything brighter for special occasions. Black is not necessary.
- Make sure you're dressed well.
- For men: High-quality white buttoned shirts with are best. Vests, waistcoats, classic jackets and trench coats are great accessories as well and will add a classy touch.
- For women: skirts and dresses. They can be flowy with a Baroque style, or simple and uniform. Knee-length pants go with knee-high socks (white) and elegant shoes or knee-length boots. Anything elegant will do the trick - the key is to not overdo it. Color coordination is also quite important, seeing as you certainly won't be classy while combining a crimson trench coat with a green skirt.
- Try to use elegant, high quality materials in your wardrobe, for example, satins, silks, velvets, taffeta, and Venetian lace are all extremely beautiful. If your budget is low, try finding clothing that has an eye-catching colour, floral print etc. You won't be able to look classy in a garment of extremely low quality.
- Speak calmly, this shows politeness. If you talk very loudly, it will seem that you're desperate for attention. Being loud in public isn't just obnoxious, but also inconsiderate to the people around you. Speaking calmly will assure that you have a special attitude and grace continue being polite, even when debating with people.
- The classy individual listens more than they speak.
- Always make eye contact, but don't stare.
- Choose your words. Having a strong vocabulary is important, but do not use a word unless you are certain of its meaning. Use words to express yourself lucidly.
- More importantly, do not correct others when they use improper grammar. Differences in background, family life, and education cause people to speak differently, and people often use slang for effect. More than this, it is irritating and degrading to be corrected by a know-it-all.
- Be independent. You must be courteous, but do not bend over backwards to please others. If you do, you may find yourself being taken advantage of in the future. Limit your time and availability and draw boundaries with others so that they are aware of your limits.
- Wear some makeup. Do not drench your face in white facepaint, but light white powder and simple black eyeliner should do the trick..
- Some white or very light powder, dark red lipstick and a lot of black eyeliner will complete the look elegantly.
- Have good hygiene. Remember to always be clean: run a comb through your hair, keep your nails dirt-free (although, maybe, painted black!), brush your teeth and shower. When spraying perfume, be sure to use just enough, but not too much. Excessive use of perfume isn't attractive. Try using any perfume that has a gothic looking bottle, or the smell reminds you of classical goth. Being clean is important; being grubby isn't classy and isn't pleasing.
- Never have greasy hair. This is basically a given, though.
- Take care of your skin. Skin should be well cared for and clear of imperfections. Wash your face everyday and remember to wear sunscreen or shade hats. Keep skin a bit on the paler side! Try to give yourself a mask facial once a week.
- Listen to Classical, Gregorian and/or Opera music, and Gothic rock, of course.
- Decorate your room with veils of black lace and numerous white candles. White candles aid in the "classy" Goth look.
- Keep a small circle of friends, both Gothic and non-Gothic, but classy nonetheless. Class, class, class (and a bit of black)!
- Indulge in gentle, graceful laughter and good humor; don't be loud and obnoxious. Avoid rude manners or crude language that detract from elegance and classiness.
- When meeting with friends or hosting social gatherings, you may want to try doing something classy, yet not overly formal. Ideas for this may be picnics or afternoon tea.
- If you can afford it, then take a trip to a theater every now and then. Classical music concerts, operas, ballets, classic plays, and period pieces are all wonderful choices. Make sure you mention it casually to someone afterward, but don't make a mess of it (in order to impress?), just act casually like you don't care for it much.
- Seek wisdom. As difficult as it can be to heed the advice of those more experienced than yourself, it is a necessary step at times. No matter your age or ability, allow yourself to learn from the mistakes and victories of those older or more experienced than you. You will win their favor and be available to pass on your own wisdom or advice.
- Be responsible. Classy people leave their surroundings in a condition at least as good as they found them. Unless they are in a restaurant with wait staff whose job it is to do the clearing up, classy people insist on taking care of their own trash and baggage, not expecting others to pick up after them.
- When others do favors for them, stuck-up or spoiled people assume it's only to be expected and ignore others' assistance, truly classy people are quick to notice and to express their gratitude and their appreciation.
- When meeting with friends or hosting social gatherings, you may want to try doing something classy, yet not overly formal. Ideas for this may be picnics or afternoon tea. To keep with the gothic theme of this, maybe if you're having a picnic, use black blankets, or black cups for tea.
- Talk not so frequently as to overtalk, when you do, speak quietly and clearly. Do not yell. This will assure that you have a special attitude and grace: continue being polite, even when debating with people.
- Challenge your intellect. Read, discuss philosophical and theological ideas, and if you're in school, try to keep your grades high. You may want to read some specialty magazines that may help develop your intellect.
- Study fencing, horse-riding, archery, and old history. This goes with a classy goth idea.
- Express yourself with art, prose, poetry or music, and learn a dead language (Latin is best).
- Eat healthy food. Burgers and snacks do not have much to do with classics. Don't forget your table manners.
- Know what fine dining is. As cliched as it sounds, learn about wines and cheeses. Learn how to pronounce words like Bechamel and Beaujolais.
- Learn good table manners. Otherwise you will look like a complete fool at dinnertime.
- Don't act picky about every little aspect of everything. Classy people are selective -- but if you complain about every little thing, you may seem pretentious and annoying. Choose a few items that you really are selective about.
- For example, most people don't mind wearing clothes from Gap because everyone knows they are affordable designer clothes.
- However, they also will not be stingy on the matter of footwear, because better footwear fit the feet for the most comfort, and they are the higher quality. Be picky about things that matter.
- Be reasonably independent, but do not break your standards for getting your grades and making progress. If you please others instead, then you may find yourself being used/manipulated by posers and stylers. So, limit your time and availability for their fads and unwanted activities and draw boundaries with them so that they and you both are aware of your limits (ie: not following them, but leading your own life).
Tips
- Carry a few small, but classy things. A small journal, pocket-watch, or book will add an interesting touch to your look. Carrying a locket with a picture of someone dear to you will add to your romantic aura. Another option is to have a piece of your friend or beloved one's hair in a locket. This, in the Victorian era, was a ritual for a funeral assembly. It was done to remind them of their loved ones...
- Remember, gossip isn't classy.
- If you feel like applying a Gothic touch to your clothing, try using black laces/roses/silk scarves/jewelry. Do not wear studded collars or bracelets.
- You don't have to be affluent in order to dress like a classy goth and decorate your home well. Thrift shops are your friend when it comes to finding unique furniture, antique books, and elegant clothing, all without a massive price tag.
- Sometimes little things can add touches of class to your life. Use antique handkerchiefs instead of tissues, try to get old elegant copies of classic books, drink your morning tea from an actual teacup, and fill your home with sepia-toned or black and white photos of friends and family in elegant frames.
- Recommended authors and poets: Goethe, Blake, Poe, Shakespeare, Marlowe, Tennyson, Byron, Anais Nin, Gorey, Wilde, Keats, Chaucer, Moliere, Hawthorne, Dickinson, Shelley.
- Never think of girls as hot or sexy, but think of them as cute, pretty, handsome, or even alluring. Especially if they're your acquaintance.
- Remember, being a classy Gothic aristocrat has more to do with how you conduct yourself than how many luxurious things you can afford!
- Changing your behavior may feel unnatural. If it does, remind yourself that you are a work in progress. A classy person is simply one who consistently exhibits classy behavior. Focus on your behavior and attitude rather than your feelings.
- Decorate your room with veils of black lace and numerous white candles. Ensure the candles are white and not black to stay with the "classy" Goth look.
Warnings
- If you do not feel comfortable about one or more things of the written above, do not use them. Being fake is not classy.
- Although very similar, Classy Goth is not to be confused with Gothic Lolita.
- This will not make you cooler, or more popular. It will just help you to be your classy self and let everyone know it.
Things You'll Need
- Money to afford the listed items
- Black lace and white candles
- Clothes mentioned above
- Books and poetry.
