The Original Witchy Woman: Stevie Nicks’ Influence on “Whimsigoth”
When the enchanting music of Fleetwood Mac was brought into the world, it revolutionized not only the music industry but the fashion industry as well. Although the band started in 1967, Stevie Nicks, the original “witchy woman,” joined the band in 1974 and made it the household name it is today.
Nicks has always been known for her witchy clothing style and the “spellcasting” sound of her voice. Throughout her career, she incorporated a lot of flowy clothing, velvet pieces, layered skirts, and crystal accessories. Her spiritual nature created a whimsical feel to her performances and inspired people from all around the world. Her style influenced many and was the catalyst for the current fashion aesthetic: whimsigoth.
The term whimsigoth was created by Evan Collins to describe a style of interior design. However, Nicks was the original blueprint for the fashion style. Because of the association, she even played a witch in the show American Horror Story, bringing her mystical nature to screens all over the world.
Image Courtesy: Stevie Nicks via Facebook
Whimsigoth encapsulates what most people think when the term “witchy” is used. Celestial patterns, tarot cards, spiritual objects, and the colors purple, blue, and gold are essential to creating the whimsigoth aesthetic. The term combined the words whimsical and gothic as a way to convey the haunting and dark elements as well as the whimsical patterns and colors intertwined to create the enchanting aesthetic.
Although it has been highly modernized today, this style takes pieces from many different periods. Vintage accessories from the 70s, 80s, 90s, etc. are a huge part of the whimsigoth style, like many others, but what sets it apart from other aesthetics is its use of crystals, gems, and other whimsical aspects. The aesthetic also incorporates maximalism through layered clothing items and a plethora of rings, necklaces, and bracelets.
To this day, Nicks’ outfits, both on and off stage, are used as inspiration for whimsigothic outfits. Her silhouettes, textures, and jewelry referenced more modern versions of her past fashion moments. Her style has been revolutionary throughout history, becoming her signature because it was not something she did as a trend. She stayed consistent with it, creating an air of authenticity in her performances and persona.
Image Courtesy: Fin Costello / Getty
One of Nicks’ most iconic outfits was at the beginning of her career with Fleetwood Mac. During the New Haven Coliseum show in 1975, Nicks was dressed in flowing fabrics draped around her shoulders and her iconic top hat. She paired a skirt with knee-high boots, a cropped tank top, and a coverup that billowed around her as she moved around the stage. She accessorized with various bracelets and necklaces of different metals and crystals, really bringing the look together.
Image Courtesy: Fleetwood Mac via Youtube
Nicks has always had a very mystical persona and one of the most famous moments was when she performed the song “Silver Springs” from the album Rumors. This song became famous because of the way it felt like a spell was being cast through the lyrics. This idea was affirmed in one of Fleetwood Mac's performances in 1997 where Nicks sang the song to bandmate and former partner, Linsey Buckingham. Fans were amazed by the performance, and it was said that she cast a spell on Buckingham that night for breaking her heart.
It seems that Nicks' style played a large role in why fans thought she was casting a spell on her bandmate because it is doubtful that that would have been said if she hadn’t already presented herself as a whimsigothic icon.
Stevie Nicks is a force of nature, changing the way many people see themselves, music, and fashion. Her influence on the fashion world will never diminish and will continue to mesmerize audiences like time never passed.
Strike Out,
Madi Denizard
Boca Raton
Madi Denizard is a content writer for Strike Magazine Boca. In typical Leo fashion, she is a social butterfly and loves self-expression of all kinds. When she’s not writing, you can find her with her nose stuck in a book, mermaiding in the ocean or crocheting her newest masterpiece. You can reach her by email at madison.denizard@gmail.com or on Instagram @mpaigee_
