Buzz
Unleash your personality with tailored pinstripe suits and luxurious velvet pencil skirts
Corporate goth fashion blends traditional business attire with a dark, gothic twist. Coined by young professionals on platforms like TikTok, it showcases how individuals maintain workplace standards while embracing their dark and mystical style. Whether it's mesh cobweb shirts with dark blazers or long black dresses paired with fishnet stockings and eclectic jewelry, dive into our comprehensive style guide for the corporate goth aesthetic.
Essential Knowledge
- Corporate goth style melds spooky aesthetics with professional attire, allowing for self-expression within workplace norms.
- Experiment with textures like velvet, lace, or mesh to add depth to your outfits, if office policies permit.
- Personalize your look with 2 to 3 pieces of gothic jewelry, particularly in workplaces with strict dress codes.
Key Steps
Understanding Corporate Goth Fashion
Corporate goth blends dark aesthetics with professional attire. This style trend gained popularity on TikTok, where young professionals showcase their gothic workwear. They might sport black slacks with patterned button-up shirts, accessorize a black midi dress with silver Victorian jewelry, or pair frilly lace tops with pencil skirts.
- Some incorporate alternative hairstyles and makeup, blurring the line between personal and professional expression.
- This emerging style reflects the playful integration of alternative culture into the corporate world by Gen-Zers post-pandemic.
Creating Your Corporate Goth Look
Consult your supervisor for workplace dress code guidelines. While not all companies have formal dress codes, most employers will gladly clarify their expectations. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and opt for conservative attire.
- Pro tip: If uncertain about office dress code, observe what colleagues wear for guidance.
Opt for black skirts or dress pants as your foundation. Embrace the darkness even in a professional setting. Combine gray or black dress pants with a dark-colored blouse or sweater for a chic yet spooky ensemble.
- Pro tip: Pair patterned mesh or black tights with mini-skirts for added coverage without compromising style.
Experiment with silk, velvet, and lace fabrics. Gothic fashion often explores diverse fabric textures and styles. While distressed denim may not be office-appropriate, feel free to incorporate blouses, dress pants, button-down shirts, and blazers in gothic textures like velvet, silk, mesh, or lace.
- Pro tip: Layer a tank top under mesh or lace-heavy shirts, or pair them with a blazer to add formality to your outfit.
Combine unconventional pieces with traditional business attire. Elevate your everyday office look by mixing button-down shirts and slacks with vintage Victorian gowns, frilly dress shirts, and black waistcoat vests. For example, pair a tan button-down shirt with a steampunk-inspired skirt or wear combat boots with a black suit.
- Pro tip: Contrast dark-colored dresses, skirts, and pants with a white button-up shirt or a light-colored t-shirt for added visual interest.
Accessorize with a corset over a button-up shirt or blouse. Victorian-era corsets are a staple in gothic fashion. To add a gothic touch to your work attire, try layering a laceless corset over your shirt.
- Pro tip: Opt for solid black or patterned corsets for comfort and appropriateness in a professional environment.
Layer mesh long-sleeve shirts over solid-colored blouses. Incorporate gothic staples like mesh, fishnet, and frills into your work wardrobe by wearing a black dress or shirt underneath a mesh long-sleeve top.
- Pro tip: Add a blazer for a touch of professionalism or pair fishnet stockings with maxi skirts for texture variation.
Opt for black button-up shirts with unique patterns and textures. Add a gothic twist to a suit and tie ensemble by choosing button-up shirts featuring black stripes, spiderwebs, moths, animal skeletons, or Victorian brocade patterns. Experiment with ruffle shirts or shirts adorned with buckles, zippers, or punk-inspired accessories.
- Pro tip: Look for clothing with interesting fabric or details like leather accents or chain studding. Consider adding chains to a classic waistcoat or selecting black slacks with added zippers for a corporate goth look.
Opt for combat boots, platform shoes, or lacy high heels. Choose dark-colored footwear that meets workplace standards while ensuring comfort and a polished appearance. Pair black dress pants and a white button-down shirt with Mary Jane wedges or add chains to shiny black Oxford loafers for a touch of edginess.
- Pro tip: Consider practicality when selecting footwear. For outdoor jobs, opt for black military or construction boots.
Enhance your look with a touch of goth-inspired makeup. While some workplaces may not permit traditional goth makeup, you can still incorporate dark lipstick or black wing-tip eyeliner. Blend your usual foundation with a lighter shade for a paler complexion.
- Pro tip: If allowed, accessorize with colorful contact lenses or black stiletto nails to elevate your ensemble.
Accessorize your outfit with 2 to 3 pieces of gothic jewelry. Express yourself within workplace guidelines by incorporating accessories like bat and rose necklaces, silver Victorian rings, and spike earrings.
- Pro tip: Opt for bowties or neckties featuring spooky patterns, such as barbed wire or kitchen knives. For a nu-goth style, consider a tattoo choker or oversized hat.
Personalize your workspace to reflect your vibe. If permitted, decorate your cubicle or office with cryptic decor to align with your aesthetic. Add ghost-printed pillows, fake skulls, occult-inspired mousepads, or eclectic paintings to create a darker ambiance.
- Pro tip: Even simple additions like fake candles or a small witchy altar can contribute to a cozy office atmosphere.
Where to Purchase Corporate Goth Clothing?
Explore specialty stores catering to goth fashion. While department stores offer conventional work attire like skirts and dress pants, for more unique or dark clothing, consider online retailers specializing in the goth aesthetic. Check out these online stores for corporate goth clothing:
