Every year around late July or early August, we're wrapped up in the nostalgia of clothes and shoe shopping for Back-to-School season. Although most of us are beyond our years of prepping to get back to class in the fall, the process is so deeply embedded in our memories that we get a little wistful when it comes to plaid, new boots or Mary Janes, and a new book bag to complete the look.
Lydia and I did a little bit of adventuring recently wearing some of our current favorites from Die With Your Boots On (featuring a few very limited Foxblood favorites). We leaned into things that mixed Mall Goth and Grunge Goth style with a hint of Dark Academia. Most of the styles are limited and going fast, so if you see something you like, snag it before it's gone for good!
First, a Little Aesthetic Vocabulary! It's never too late to go goth and we're all about welcoming new baddies to the fold!
Mall goth is the fashion lovechild of the late 90s and early 2000s like baggy chain-and-straps pants, band tees, studded belts, fishnets, and combat boots. It borrowed the dark color palette from trad goth sensibilities but traded the Victorian romance for metal energies and food court loitering (which was a popular pastime before social media stole all our time). While it was previously considered an insult, it's been taken back and turned into something we love!
Dark academia is scholarly gloom: plaid skirts, blazers, oxfords and Mary Janes, cardigans, corsetry, and anything that looks like it belongs in a candlelit library or an old New England boarding school. Where mall goth is loud and wild, dark academia is moody and buttoned-up. It's literature-obsessed, autumn-coded, and perfectly at home on the cobblestones of Salem.
Whimsigoth softens the edges of both with a little 90s witchy magic and flowy layers, celestial prints, rich jewel tones, and romantic silhouettes straight out of Practical Magic. If dark academia is the professor, whimsigoth is the mysterious aunt with the amazing house plants and better jewelry.
The best part? You don't have to pick one. One of the best things about any goth aesthetic is that they are totally worthy of mixing and matching so you can find your own personal style. We are never afraid to change things up and try something new. Weirder is always better!
90'S GRUNGE MALL GOTH
Plaid Babydoll Dress + Brody Boots + Floral Fishnet Tights + Big Sunglasses
This outfit was inspired by one of our all-time favorite 90's tv shows and fashion inspirations, My So-Called Life. The main character, Angela, was frequently seen wearing a loose-fitting plaid dress with combat boots and it was what I thought of while building this outfit featuring Foxblood pieces paired with some pretty floral fishnet tights.
Dark Academia Grunge Witch
Merlina Dress + Dahlia Mary Janes + Patent Corset Belt + Hemlock Shoulder Bag
Whimsigoth Meets Witchy Westwood
FAQ: Because we know someone will ask!
Q. Is mall goth coming back?
A. It never really left, tbh! The 1990s and 2000s nostalgia wave has brought mall goth roaring back, and this time it comes in more sizes and better quality than the original mall era ever offered. Brands like Foxblood and Trued Apparel are focusing on more thoughtful ethics and lower quantities than fast fashion brands.
Q. Can adults wear mall goth?
A. Absolutely! Many of the people wearing it now are adults who grew up in it. There's no age limit on studded belts. Our staff wears these styles daily, and we stock them in sizes XS through 3X and even 4X. Some of our corsetry goes to 6X, as well!
Q. What should I wear for back-to-school season if I'm not in school?
A. Lean into the nostalgia: combat boots, plaid, layers, Mary Janes, flannel, and a great bag with plenty of room for books. September energy is for everyone and the season of change is a great time to update your wardrobe so you can feel confident in the wild!
