10 tips for a pastel gothic style

Looking for a pastel gothic style? Gothic Pastel combines some traditional gothic imagery with cute and colorful elements. Sometimes confused with the very similar style of soft grunge, Gothic Pastel refers to a style that mixes the hard edges of gothic fashion with the soft pastel tones more associated with the kawaii fashion subcultures.

Pastel gothic clothing is a relatively new trend, but it seems to be here to stay. Just check out Pinterest and Tumblr for tons of inspiration on how to create a gothic pastel look! New alternative trends come and go, but gothic pastel seems to be here to stay, which is a good indicator that it's a great style if you're looking to update your image in 2023!

Read on for up-to-date tips on how to create a stunning new look this year. With these tips, you'll be pulling off head-to-toe pastel goth style in no time.

1) Choose your gothic pastel colors

Unlike the traditional gothic style, gothic pastels welcome color, but there is still plenty of black, as this color forms the base of the gothic pastel style. Add pastel pinks, blues, purples, and greens, and don't be afraid to mix and match different shades. The combination of pastels, black, and bold gothic accessories makes for a beautiful pastel goth style! A notable addition to this style last year was the use of holographic fabrics - so think about incorporating these elements into a pastel goth look!

2) Play with patterns

The motifs are perfect for adding texture, color and detail to any pastel goth outfit! Some popular motifs include sugar skulls, bats, crosses or even typically "cute" things like cats or candy. A pair of patterned leggings or a graphic printed t-shirt are a great base for a soft goth look . If you prefer more subtle patterns, try something more subtle - perhaps a pattern on a pretty scarf or a hat.

3) Never neglect the accessories

Accessories are essential for the pastel gothic style as they can add color to a dark outfit or, conversely, darken a cute, colorful outfit.

The most common accessories in pastel gothic style are hair accessories. A bow in the hair - especially in a pastel color - looks elegant and complements the contrast with dark and cute styles. Chokers are also very popular. You can wear a classic black choker or choose a colorful one - the choice is yours. Thick or beaded bracelets, gothic necklaces and rings are also very popular in pastel gothic style. Arm warmers are also ideal as an accessory and for warming up and go well with dresses with short sleeves or straps.

4) Style your hair (pastel colors are a plus!)

Many pastel goths dye their hair, with pastel pink and blue being some of the most popular colors. There are no strict rules about the hairstyles that suit a pastel goth aesthetic; you can wear your hair long or short, but a long, unstructured style is very common. If you don't want to dye all of your hair, consider partial dyeing. This way, your hair will be less damaged. You could also try wigs if you change your hair frequently and want to have an instant, striking pastel goth look. Synthetic wigs are ideal for this particular goth look, as they often come in bolder and less natural shades than human hair wigs.

Hair accessories are also great, especially if you can't dye your hair, because they can add the pastel tones that you really need if you're going for a pastel gothic look. Clips in the shape of a skull or a raven, or even flowers and bows look really nice, especially if you mix hard tones with softer colors.

5) Wear contrasting makeup

Gothic pastel makeup draws heavily from traditional gothic makeup; black lipstick is popular, but is often offset by bright eyeshadow. Remember that pastel goth outfits are based on the contrast between darkness and lightness! A light pink or purple, for example, will add some softness to your look, but contrasts well with thick eyeliner and well-defined eyebrows.

You can also opt for a natural, everyday gothic makeup with a touch of originality. Try a neutral eye makeup

6) Find dazzling shoes

You can have a lot of fun with the shoes! Any classic gothic shoes will do - creepers, thick heels and boots. If you want, you can add colorful laces to a pair of black shoes you already own. Of course, you could also choose a pair of platform boots in a pastel color of your choice - quite a popular look in the pastel gothic aesthetic.

If you're not a fan of massive shoes, you could opt for a pair of ballet flats with pentagrams or skulls and pair them with high socks to create a more kawaii-oriented gothic pastel outfit. This type of look is also reminiscent of the Harajuku style, so feel free to borrow ideas from different alternative fashion subcultures to build your pastel gothic style.

7) Wear a pretty pastel gothic top

There is a wide variety of pastel gothic tops, so the possibilities are endless. One thing to remember is that you should choose either pure gothic tops (which you can combine with pastel accessories), pastel colored tops, or cute " kawaii" tops which you can combine with more traditional gothic elements.

For a more traditional look, wear a black corset and pair it with pastel accessories. You can also opt for a printed t-shirt and darken it up with gothic or dark accessories like a gothic halter neck or leather cuffs. The key is to create contrast, so find pieces that clash and make them work together!

8) Look for pastel gothic dresses

Dresses are an easy way to create a pastel gothic outfit as they can be the centerpiece of your look.

For example, you could wear a pastel Claudine collar dress with black tights and high pink boots! For an edgy style, find a gothic pastel dress with printed motifs, like cute ghosts, hearts or bones. Most gothic pastel dresses have a modern style that emphasizes cartoon-style prints and bright colors. Flared dresses or short trapeze dresses are popular, but hi-lo dresses with pastel chiffon details also work well.

9) Add earrings and body jewelry

Imposing earrings are another essential element of pastel goth fashion. Large rings or pastel colored shapes are excellent. Ear expanders are also popular in the pastel goth world . If you like piercings, wear pastel goth jewelry that matches your style! Lip piercings and septum piercings are popular in the pastel goth community. You can wear more delicate, cute jewelry, like a small buckle or flower, or go for daring spikes and nails. If you don't want to commit to a piercing right away, keep an eye out for a fake piercing! You can easily find fake septum rings.

10) Collect the whole thing with a jacket

Finally, complete your outfit with pastel gothic-style outerwear. Cardigans are a great addition to your wardrobe and they come in many different styles and colors that can perfectly match this particular subculture.

But if you want to make a bold statement, look no further than leather! Leather jackets in pastel colors like mint green or blush pink instantly add a touch of gothic pastel glamour to any outfit - so keep an eye on these! Denim jackets are also very popular in pastel goth fashion; a lightly dyed or washed denim jacket will complete your outfit and provide a perfect opportunity to try your hand at fashion DIYs. Using studs, safety pins and cute patches, you can create a gothic pastel look that is truly unique!