Last year I posted an article called 'How to:Goth in Winter for Cold Countries', many vloggers, bloggers and youtubers have talked about summer and winter appropriate clothing for hot countries or very hot countries, but us Nordic goths have a few tricks up our elaborate puffy sleeves too. Most of the world thinks of the Scandic area to be this ice encrusted hell hole 365, and while we do get more cold weather than hot, when we get summer we really get summer; it doesn't come without its catches though, after all, we do live so far north we could throw rocks at the north pole (we can't really).
Keep Calm and Carry a Parasol:
While this may seem exceedingly stereotypical and many of you may roll your eyes in disgust but hear me out! Parasols, not the lace kind but the solid fabric ones, are very useful for keeping the sun off of delicate shoulders and backs that may be forgotten about otherwise. No matter what skin tone you are the sun can be very destructive and any extra protection for your face and décolletage is a bonus. Find a parasol that fits your style, preferably one with a large circumference so that it can also be used as a 'personal space-o-meter' during those interactions with the public that one must endure.
(The example shown above is the one I personally use.)
Layer with Caution:
Nothing further ruins your idea of summer like heatstroke. Face it; our fashion choices are often heavy and complicated. In the sun this isn't always the most practical, so ditch the heavy velvets and silks and instead choose light chiffon and lace; even silk can work when worn in a sensible manner. Silk comes in different weights and of course there's Satin which you want to avoid like it's a pustule in Norway circa 1349. Satin is clingy and sweaty, being a synthetic fabric it won't breathe like Silk will. So if you must be shiny please don't boil yourself alive for it and avoid the satin. In terms of light fabrics for summer, one can layer gauze, chiffon, charmeuse, organza and lace- in our climate you may be able to wear thin brocade such as waistcoats but do try to steer clear of your favourite heavily embellished brocade frock coats. Billowy chiffon shirts and dresses in black or white can keep you cool but also corpse-like in your styling. Think burial gown, but try not to get so hot that your beautiful gown does in fact become your final fashion statement. Stevie Nicks a la 'Nightbird' is a great inspiration to me in summer
Fashion AND Function:
I'm a huge believer that functional pieces need not be frumpy or ugly. In summer I'm all for massive sun hats in the vein of Lydia Deetz's wildest dreams, Gloves to protect delicate skin, thin chiffon capes, Massive sunglasses and endless amount of factor 50 sun screen. Our skin is so fragile and precious, even if you have a high Melanin level and have the richest darkest skin; you can still burn and you can still get skin cancer. It's not worth risking your life to look 'cool' or 'Gothier Than Thou'. I always carry sun screen, sunglasses so as to prevent wrinkles from squinting, a big floppy crushed velvet sun hat or woven sun hat, a large extremely thin scarf to swathe myself in if I fear being burned and of course, MAC fix+ to refresh my face and makeup throughout the day. Chiffon and Devoré kimono or duster jackets are a beautiful way to keep the sun off your back whilst looking wistfully back in to the 1930's when you were hip and eternal and bitten by that Vampire.
Sunscreen and Sandals:
This one goes without saying, or at least it should; Socks and sandals aren't cute so please slather your feet in sunscreen before slipping on those Platform sandals you're gonna break your ankle in. No, I am not speaking from personal experience, honest, why do you ask?
Your feet rarely see the light of day in the Northern Hemisphere, so remember that the skin is much less capable of coping with the UV rays and is more susceptible to burning.
Tie it up:
Hair is a key element of our styles, but it's also hot, sticky and nasty when it's on your face, melting your makeup off in the heat. There are many ways to tie your hair up and retain your vibe, be it a simple backcombed ponytail or beehive, or a more complex braided elven get up, getting your hair off your face is one less thing to worry about when you're out and about in the summer sun. Again, scalps can burn so be careful and wear a sun hat if you have one.
Good luck in your sunny adventures fellow mistresses and masters of the dark, here's to holding out til Winter comes again!
Keep Calm and Carry a Parasol:
While this may seem exceedingly stereotypical and many of you may roll your eyes in disgust but hear me out! Parasols, not the lace kind but the solid fabric ones, are very useful for keeping the sun off of delicate shoulders and backs that may be forgotten about otherwise. No matter what skin tone you are the sun can be very destructive and any extra protection for your face and décolletage is a bonus. Find a parasol that fits your style, preferably one with a large circumference so that it can also be used as a 'personal space-o-meter' during those interactions with the public that one must endure.
Layer with Caution:
Nothing further ruins your idea of summer like heatstroke. Face it; our fashion choices are often heavy and complicated. In the sun this isn't always the most practical, so ditch the heavy velvets and silks and instead choose light chiffon and lace; even silk can work when worn in a sensible manner. Silk comes in different weights and of course there's Satin which you want to avoid like it's a pustule in Norway circa 1349. Satin is clingy and sweaty, being a synthetic fabric it won't breathe like Silk will. So if you must be shiny please don't boil yourself alive for it and avoid the satin. In terms of light fabrics for summer, one can layer gauze, chiffon, charmeuse, organza and lace- in our climate you may be able to wear thin brocade such as waistcoats but do try to steer clear of your favourite heavily embellished brocade frock coats. Billowy chiffon shirts and dresses in black or white can keep you cool but also corpse-like in your styling. Think burial gown, but try not to get so hot that your beautiful gown does in fact become your final fashion statement. Stevie Nicks a la 'Nightbird' is a great inspiration to me in summer
Jewellery is your best friend:
Continuing on from layering; When I must lose the layers and keep things simple and comfortable in the heat, I load up on my Jewellery instead. To me it's quintessential Goth and looks stunning, I feel like Anna Varney Cantodea when I dig up my old bohemian pewter pieces handed down from my mother. Metal can of course get hot, so do try and keep your jewellery on top of clothing or net gloves. I choose to protect as much skin as possible so I cover up everywhere that can be covered; This makes for far easier accessorising as I just throw on belts, bangles and a truck load of necklaces and I'm ready to go on lazier days. I will choose to sweep my hair up in a rats nest that can be decorated with circlets and headpieces or I braid and twist it all up on to the back of my head and leave the tantalising space between the nape of my neck and my dress exposed, adorned with necklaces and my many earrings, to me the simple looks I wear in summer are the most elegant and I thoroughly enjoy accessorising, so don't despair! when you must leave the layers of fabric, choose instead layers of jewellery.
Fashion AND Function:
I'm a huge believer that functional pieces need not be frumpy or ugly. In summer I'm all for massive sun hats in the vein of Lydia Deetz's wildest dreams, Gloves to protect delicate skin, thin chiffon capes, Massive sunglasses and endless amount of factor 50 sun screen. Our skin is so fragile and precious, even if you have a high Melanin level and have the richest darkest skin; you can still burn and you can still get skin cancer. It's not worth risking your life to look 'cool' or 'Gothier Than Thou'. I always carry sun screen, sunglasses so as to prevent wrinkles from squinting, a big floppy crushed velvet sun hat or woven sun hat, a large extremely thin scarf to swathe myself in if I fear being burned and of course, MAC fix+ to refresh my face and makeup throughout the day. Chiffon and Devoré kimono or duster jackets are a beautiful way to keep the sun off your back whilst looking wistfully back in to the 1930's when you were hip and eternal and bitten by that Vampire.
Sunscreen and Sandals:
This one goes without saying, or at least it should; Socks and sandals aren't cute so please slather your feet in sunscreen before slipping on those Platform sandals you're gonna break your ankle in. No, I am not speaking from personal experience, honest, why do you ask?
Your feet rarely see the light of day in the Northern Hemisphere, so remember that the skin is much less capable of coping with the UV rays and is more susceptible to burning.
Tie it up:
Hair is a key element of our styles, but it's also hot, sticky and nasty when it's on your face, melting your makeup off in the heat. There are many ways to tie your hair up and retain your vibe, be it a simple backcombed ponytail or beehive, or a more complex braided elven get up, getting your hair off your face is one less thing to worry about when you're out and about in the summer sun. Again, scalps can burn so be careful and wear a sun hat if you have one.
Good luck in your sunny adventures fellow mistresses and masters of the dark, here's to holding out til Winter comes again!
~Amaris~
