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If you have yet to hear about the fantastical and mystical whimsigothic fashion trend hexing TikTok with over 20 million followers, let us be the first to welcome you to the new look of modern witchcraft.
The Consumer Aesthetics Research Institute’s Evan Collins coined the term whimsigothic and stated that it’s the ultimate throwback to dramatic witch wear from the late ‘80s to ‘90s. Think Stevie Nicks meets Kate Bush, FKA Twigs, Lorde, and Florence Welch’s vibe with a dash of Morticia Addams, and you get whimsigoth.
A few months ago, whimsigoth started trending on TikTok as a type of magical decor for the home — dark drapes, velvet couches, dramatic wallpaper, rustic wood floors, crystals for positive energy, vibrant plants filling up each room, and the quintessential black cat as one’s familiar and for luck. Like a scene out of the chic lair from the 1998 film, Practical Magic, this nostalgic trend has been the interior design vibe of spring/summer 2022. However, it later became a fashion statement.
So, why is the whimsigothic style haunting us now? Well, the answer is simpler than you may have thought. In times of change and uncertainty, people tend to look inwards for spirituality. They choose to define their beliefs based on their own experiences and convictions. Once they find a connection, they often get fanatical about their newfound feelings and find ways to express them.
The pandemic and other recent events have shifted the thinking and consciousness of how we dress on a spiritual and cultural level. Witchy styling has given us a sense of control in an intense and erratic world. It is another opportunity to connect with oneself on a spiritual and holistic level. Similarly, it is a statement about feminism (being able to take back power from patriarchy) and protection from the negativity that comes our way. Witch and occult practitioner Christine “Ammo” O’Day says, “Witches adopted their style of dress because it’s empowering and sexy. We are not afraid of you, patriarchy. We express ourselves freely and enjoy our bodies and our sexuality.”
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With magic practitioners throughout the world uniting on #WitchTok and a resurgence in the popularity of astrology over the past years, more and more people are embracing the witch within themselves. And, they are choosing to dress the part.
Fashion designer and owner of vagabondary, Maranda Vandergriff, who has gone viral a number of times for her style, shares, “I’m drawn to whimsigoth because it combines dark, rich colors with feminine silhouettes, and celestial motifs. Whimsigoth can be described as '90s-does-'70s. I’ve always admired Stevie Nicks and her dark bohemian wardrobe, and I also find myself gravitating toward grungy '90s styles when I’m thrifting. It’s a little bit fairytale, a little bit witchy, and a lot of fun to style.”
Celebrities, Gen Z, millennials, and boomers alike are wearing leather, lace, and thigh high boots in a very fanciful way. Megan Fox, Kourtney Kardashian, Dove Cameron, and Conan Gray are often spotted wearing whimsigothic looks, and even Christian Dior showcased the style in their fall 2022 couture fashion show.
The color palette of whimsigothic style includes an array of hues ranging from earth tones that connect us with ourselves. Deep purples represent spiritual wisdom, dark reds add a dash of creativity and passion, dark greens signify calmness, black is for protection, and navy gives us power.
Flowing, majestical dresses with bell sleeves and lace-up bodices made of fabrics like chiffon and velvet in flower or paisley prints are dominating the trend. Whimsigothic looks also often feature crochet cardigans, bell-bottom pants, and other pieces for layering. Some popular whimsigothic accessories include moon necklaces, big floppy hats, and pointy shoes.
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Whimsigoth is the perfect look for those who want to protect their energy and honor the past. According to fashion writer Tahirah Hairston, this historical trend "never went anywhere, it’s just become more inclusive because we are more into mysticism now. Therefore, people are wanting to experiment with this look, which is super easy to achieve with clothes they already have. It’s easy to go through your parents' closets and pick out these vintage items that are energetically aligned with the current fashion.”
If you’re looking for inspiration, check out some episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, listen to This Mortal Coil’s cover of Song to the Siren, and ask your parents to borrow their old clothes from the ‘90s or do a bit of shopping to level up on this magical look.
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