There are about 6 million tutorials and how to's that tell you Goth fashion is easy in winter because of thick fabrics and layers abilities. This is true for the Americas, South Asia and warmer parts of Europe, Oceania and East Asia but if you live in Scandinavia, the UK or Eastern Europe you will know what I mean when I say that these articles do not apply. Snow began here in mid November and won't let up 'til February or March at least. I'm afraid layering a few waterfall cardigans over a velvet dress isn't gonna do much for me. So here is a quick run down of what I do when we get the annual snow fall and how I incorporate practical items in to my look without looking like the Michelin man.
Base Layers
Now, Base Layers just scream long johns and granddad shirts, but it doesn't have to be! I wear a skin tight thermal base layer under everything I wear in winter, I own several in black and even one in white. The general base of my outfits consist of a long sleeved thermal layer or two if it's really really cold, one being a tight woven fabric and the other being made of a cotton fabric with a larger weave pattern so air circulates around your body and you don't end up coated in sweat if you get a little too warm (come on,it's not gross it's happened to us all and then it gets cold when you go outside and you end up colder), two pairs of thermal tights with leggings over the top and thick woollen socks (usually calf or knee length).
First Layer/ 'Fashion Layer'
This layer is really what you'd wear otherwise just with numerous thin thermal layers underneath. So I normally wear skirts and dresses with tights and a cardigan in summer. In winter I wear longer dresses in materials like velvet, heavy cotton, canvas or dresses with layers and layers of tulle or lace so you have a bit of a wind break whilst still looking like yourself. I wear almost exclusively long sleeved Dark Star or Bäres tops or Dresses in winter with a few older Omen velvet pieces that work well for special occasions.
Second Layer/ Extra Warmth Layer
This layer is for us Scandinavians, "But wait!" you may cry "My friend Johannes goes out in the snow in Seattle in just shorts" Well that's because Johannes is an idiot, and because from my experience nowhere in the world gets quite as cold as Scandinavia* in winter (apart from maybe Berlin, holy shit Berlin you are one cold city in winter). I also personally have always really felt the cold even in my youth and now having a chronic pain condition I feel it more than ever. So this next layer is where you put on your black fitted Fjällräven cardigan or jumper or your long thick wool cardigan and give yourself a little extra protection from the biting ice wind.
*Sweden can be pretty survivable in winter
Outer Layer
I wear a Hot Tuna ski jacket in winter, it's duck down and really keeps me comfortably warm. If I want to look presentable I wear a floor length Wool, silk lined coat I had made by The Dark Angel (http://www.thedarkangel.co.uk/). Due to not wearing bulky layers I can still look nice and wear nice jackets in Winter whilst keeping warm against the elements. I wear New Rocks or knee length black leather boots at this time of year too.
Extras
Earmuffs look nicer and more sophisticated than hats in my opinion, invest in a good pair of gloves that you know look good and will keep you warm and a thick warm scarf that you can bury your face in against a snow storm or wind.
Good luck this winter, have a 'God Jul' with your family and friends and make sure to keep warm and look after yourself as the yearly flu season starts.
Base Layers
Now, Base Layers just scream long johns and granddad shirts, but it doesn't have to be! I wear a skin tight thermal base layer under everything I wear in winter, I own several in black and even one in white. The general base of my outfits consist of a long sleeved thermal layer or two if it's really really cold, one being a tight woven fabric and the other being made of a cotton fabric with a larger weave pattern so air circulates around your body and you don't end up coated in sweat if you get a little too warm (come on,it's not gross it's happened to us all and then it gets cold when you go outside and you end up colder), two pairs of thermal tights with leggings over the top and thick woollen socks (usually calf or knee length).
(Amazon sport base layer)
First Layer/ 'Fashion Layer'
This layer is really what you'd wear otherwise just with numerous thin thermal layers underneath. So I normally wear skirts and dresses with tights and a cardigan in summer. In winter I wear longer dresses in materials like velvet, heavy cotton, canvas or dresses with layers and layers of tulle or lace so you have a bit of a wind break whilst still looking like yourself. I wear almost exclusively long sleeved Dark Star or Bäres tops or Dresses in winter with a few older Omen velvet pieces that work well for special occasions.
(Dark Star)
Second Layer/ Extra Warmth Layer
This layer is for us Scandinavians, "But wait!" you may cry "My friend Johannes goes out in the snow in Seattle in just shorts" Well that's because Johannes is an idiot, and because from my experience nowhere in the world gets quite as cold as Scandinavia* in winter (apart from maybe Berlin, holy shit Berlin you are one cold city in winter). I also personally have always really felt the cold even in my youth and now having a chronic pain condition I feel it more than ever. So this next layer is where you put on your black fitted Fjällräven cardigan or jumper or your long thick wool cardigan and give yourself a little extra protection from the biting ice wind.
*Sweden can be pretty survivable in winter
(Fjällräven hoodie, very warm and widely available in Scandinavia and online. I know there is a store in Oslo on your way down to the Port)
(Modcloth cardigan)
Outer Layer
I wear a Hot Tuna ski jacket in winter, it's duck down and really keeps me comfortably warm. If I want to look presentable I wear a floor length Wool, silk lined coat I had made by The Dark Angel (http://www.thedarkangel.co.uk/). Due to not wearing bulky layers I can still look nice and wear nice jackets in Winter whilst keeping warm against the elements. I wear New Rocks or knee length black leather boots at this time of year too.
(This is the exact jacket I wear when I want to look put together in Winter, it's wool and super warm. The company it's by are called Dark Angel and are based in the UK)
(This Hot Tuna jacket is the exact one I wear in Autumn/Winter. It's an amazing Ski Jacket)
Extras
Earmuffs look nicer and more sophisticated than hats in my opinion, invest in a good pair of gloves that you know look good and will keep you warm and a thick warm scarf that you can bury your face in against a snow storm or wind.
Good luck this winter, have a 'God Jul' with your family and friends and make sure to keep warm and look after yourself as the yearly flu season starts.
Amaris
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