Cottagecore by Day, Goth by Night
Image Courtesy: Elite Daily
When I transferred from a private school to a public one at the age of fifteen, there was one question I made sure to ask my public school friend: ‘What on Earth do you guys wear if you don’t have uniforms?’ After years of wearing the same three uniform outfits, I was daunted by the prospect of having to find a fashion style of my own. I didn’t even know what that meant; for the first two years at my new school, I just wore jeans and T-shirts. However, in my junior year, I wanted to wear something unique for a photoshoot. I looked at certain Instagram pictures for fashion inspiration, where I began gravitating towards a more alternative style. At the time, I just thought these models looked cool, and I wanted to try out the look for myself to see how I’d feel. Over the next two years, I kept my wardrobe pretty close to alternative fashion and ended up loving every outfit I wore from silver chain necklaces to black Vans or boots to baggy cargo pants.
However, sometimes keeping up this look can be time-consuming, and college me does not always have the energy to put on eyeliner, wear fishnet tights, and run around campus in my favorite platform boots. Wearing silver rings on each finger and a corresponding necklace can become a hassle when your class is starting in less than ten minutes, and you’ve just gotten out of bed. Even jeans and cargo pants can be difficult to wear when you want to be comfy during a long day.
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
So, in college, my style has morphed into something more earthy – somewhere around indie or cottage core. Instead of dark jeans with black belts, I wear flowy pants or skirts. Rather than layered chain necklaces and multiple rings, I wear thinner, simpler jewelry. I didn’t really think about this change until I posted pictures from the on-campus showing of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules. My friends and I dressed up in a goth look to match Rodrick’s punk aesthetic. After posting pictures from that night, a guy sent me a message in a group chat: “Are you trying to be all “goth”? I know your style is not that at all.”
For a moment, I’ll admit that my feelings were hurt. Then, my friend replied to him in the group chat: “You know, people can dress differently for different occasions.”
He couldn’t argue with that superior logic.
Image Courtesy: Reddit
That comment got me thinking – was I afraid to ever venture back to alternative or e-girl fashion because I worried people would call me out for suddenly switching up my style? I mean, I often missed wearing those outfits from high school, but I had accepted that the earthy, flowy look was all I could do now. But after pondering my friend’s comment, I had an idea: What if I wore different styles off and on, depending on whatever I was feeling most drawn to at that time?
So, I decided to start incorporating my old style into my new wardrobe. The result became a mix of different looks I’m drawn to. Just the other day, I was showing someone my Pinterest boards for the various styles I mix. Then, I demonstrated how my outfit that day was that exact mix: earth-toned pants, a bright shirt, a muted lavender jacket, a chain necklace, and black Vans. I wear eyeliner on the days that I have the time and energy, and I don’t wear any makeup on the days I simply roll out of bed. Even today, I’m wearing blue flare pants, a gray tank top, and a mushroom necklace. Just a few days ago, I was in all black with a beanie.
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
I’m learning that my fashion style can be all over the place sometimes, true to one aesthetic at times or a mix of my favorite looks other times, depending on how I feel that day. And on top of that, I’m not afraid anymore to wear different styles for different occasions. I’m going to see a showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and you can bet that I’ll be donning a more “gothic look” to fit the theme of the film. If anyone messages me that the goth look isn’t my usual style, I’ll just tell them that I wear cottage core fashion by day and goth fashion by night. While I don’t exactly stick to only those two styles, I think that statement does express exactly what I believe about fashion – you never have to stick to one style forever, and you can always let yourself try out different looks!
Strike Out,
Writer: Ellie Amos
Editor: Isabel Wilder
Tallahassee