Low-key Halloween or everyday gothic?

Is this a low-key Halloween look, or an everyday gothic look?

Considering I bought absolutely nothing specifically for this photo shoot I’m not sure which this look falls into.

I have a complicated relationship with Halloween (only made more complicated by having a degree in costume design).

I love the idea of a day when everyone gets to dress up in whatever costume they want. But I don’t like the pressure of feeling like I have to dress up. I also don’t love the concept of buying a costume that you only wear once. Or buying a cheaply made costume (I’d prefer seeing even more creativity on this holiday and far less waste). And I especially don’t love people spontaneously ringing my doorbell. But I do love the excuse to buy candy. And I love seeing the creative costumes that people come up with.

So, I wasn’t planning on photographing or writing or posting anything today, because I’m not actually dressing up for Halloween. But then I realized I could do a super low-key Halloween look with things I already own. Because I do have a rather large number of could-be-Halloween-season-related-things in my apartment. (But they stay out all year round which I think is what pushes them away from Halloween).

I talk a little more about making costumes (and other one-off event outfits) from clothes you already own in this blog post about last minute costumes from you closet and also in Personal Style Fundamentals which you can sign up for here.

What I’m wearing…

Head piece: Black and Red Queen Crown from Spirit Halloween
Blazer: Basic black blazer from Zara’s Basics line
Shirt: Organic Cotton Jersey Camisole from Muji
Skirt: Made by me. Basic black maxi skirt with side slit (more information here)
Socks: Originally from SockDreams (very similar here)
Shoes: Salome Buttero by Dr. Martens’
Necklaces: One short pearl necklace. One long black beaded necklace. One long metal circles necklace. All old/not online
Rings: Various
Lip: Color Sensational Lipstick from Maybelline, in the colorway Red Revival (#645)

What’s on the table…

Yoga Skeleton
Ground Bones Jar
Skeleton Hand Mirror
Deer/Rabbit Skeleton
Wine Glass (turned ring holder)
Voluspa Candles
Witch Baby Body Butter
Teapot
Jack Skellington mug (very, very, very old)