GOTH PROM DRESS: ALTERNATIVE, EDGY DIY GRADUATION PARTY DRESSES, GOTHIC PROM GOWNS.
Ah, prom… the defining event of a young person’s life. A night of rejoicing, of romance, to be cherished in our hearts, always.
In other words, stab me in the eye.
I don’t have a single memory of my high school prom – not because of excessive drinking, but because teenage La Carmina was the only one in her class who refused to attend. I dug out my grad yearbook to see what went down. Rows of smiling girls in strapless A-line gowns, pastel shawls dangling from their elbows. Identical up-dos with curled strands framing either side of the face, like two limp rotini noodles. Boy, I sure missed the boat!
Come to think of it, I did lose out in some respects by not going. I wasn’t able to gawk at the Miss America makeup firsthand. I never saw the boys bumpin’ and grindin’ to rap songs, or the girls quarrelling over who stuffed her bra. If I could turn back time, I’d say yes to the prom. But don’t expect Pretty in Pink. Brace yourself instead for Stephen King’s Carrie.
Prom dresses are traditionally long, sparkly affairs wrapped in layers of tulle. If you’re anything like me, your immediate reaction (besides gagging) is to break out the cyber-dreads and PVC miniskirt. But you can take subversiveness a step further by taking a generic gown – and gutting it beyond recognition.
So let’s go shopping for the Motherload! I’m talking pink foof, beadwork, giant bows, maximum glitter. I found several contenders at the shopping mall for $150-250. Vintage shops are full of bridesmaid disasters from the 1980s; nowhere else can you find such a high concentration of scalloped necklines and puffed sleeves. For $50-100, you can probably buy something similar to my monstrosity. A mostly-black dress is easier to work from, but since we’ll be ripping it apart, the color doesn’t matter much.
Before buckling down, I couldn’t resist the urge to play dress-up. (You know you want to.) Dig out your old bronzer and crimping iron, and take a “Before” photo in your prom dress. Don’t forget to cock your head and strain a grin.
Now gut the thing. Slash anything remotely cheery; in my case, the sequins and poofy pink skirt. I was left with a corseted top and three layers of white crinoline: not a bad skeleton to build upon. Here’s how the Goth-ification went down. Goodbye Princess Toadstool… hello Mistress of the Dark!
CORSET
† Black silk: at least 1 yard (1 metre). You can also use black satin, lining, or a similar light, opaque fabric.
† White ribbon, 0.4 inch (1 cm) wide: at least 2 yards (2 metres). For decorating the corset with ribbon crosses.
† Two snap buttons: for the back of the corset.
† Needle, black and white thread, dressmaker pins
I. Drape the black fabric over the corset on the bias (along the diagonal grain, which will allow it to stretch). Using black thread, sew the fabric to the top of corset. Leave the back of the corset open.
II. Using black thread, sew the two snap buttons to the fabric at the back of the corset. This allows you to put on the dress and then close up the back.
III. Pin the white ribbon to the front of the corset, folding it over to form three “X”s. Using white thread, sew the ribbon in place.
SKIRT OF SCARVES
I can’t get enough of the just-rose-from-the-grave look, so I decided to drape long, sheer scarves over the crinoline. First stop, my favorite spot on Earth: Daiso, the Japanese 100-yen ($1) discount mart. I found mesh scarves that looked like fishnets, and silky black ones printed with white skulls and polka dots. You can find something similar at discount clothing stores or Chinatown markets. Look for black, translucent fabrics with white and red accents, and Goth prints such as skulls and bats.
I hung the mesh and long, thin pieces from the waistline, knotting some of the ends. I wrapped the skull shawl around to make an asymmetrical skirt. Between the tatters, you can peek at the crinoline underskirt.
I wanted the corset to have structured appearance for contrast, so I positioned a red/white/black skull scarf around the waist and along the sides. Finally, I twisted a scarf into an X-shaped shoulder strap. When I was satisfied with the arrangement, I sewed the pieces in place.
What do you think of my DIY transformation? Did you go to prom, and if so, what did you wear? Please pass along this blog post to anyone who might get a kick out of it! Tomorrow: I answer a Reader Question and announce the winners of the Basil Farrow blog contest…
Song of the Day #116: Macho Gang – Naughty Boy (Please subscribe to my YouTube channel if you haven’t!)
This entry was posted on Sunday, May 17th, 2009 at 23:41 and is filed under Fashion, How-Tos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
May 18th, 2009 at 01:59
Sophie says:I'm with you. The whole traditional prom thing wasn't my style either. Us Aussie kids here have balls (well that's what I got) but it was pretty fun. Girls didn't bicker about whose bra was stuffed, it was more like which girls should be stuffing their bras or at least try to wear one. And boys were less concerned with grinding and more concerned with not getting caught with their hip flasks. My wonderful private education taught me how to not get caught in said incidents. Totally worth it.
My ball dress was lovely. I had mine made by a friend of the family which didn't set me back too much in comparison to what other girls paid for their dresses. It was steel grey silk with beautiful black lace over the top. I had long fitted lace sleeves to the wrist, heart shaped bodice with boning. The dresses over all shape was a fishtail to accentuate my figure.
While most girls were blairingly bright and struggling with awkward straps and trails, I had a relatively comfortable dress that matched my personality.
May 18th, 2009 at 03:16
Whocares. says:Hi, your blog is kind of a disgrace to the lolita fashion world.
Thanks
May 18th, 2009 at 07:09
Naka says:oh i love it ^^
i;m planning on making my prom dress ^^
May 18th, 2009 at 10:00
Lhene says:You're kidding, right? I really hope you're kidding, because this is a wonderful blog. Lolita isn't about rules and structure, like most Westerners seem to think. It's about taking a template and using it to create your own look, one that matches your personality. La Carmia has done just that, and she provides ideas and methods to personalize one's own Lolita look.
Take a look at Japanese Lolita. You know, where the fashion actually started?? They don't follow any stiff guidelines, they take the basics and do what they want. That's what makes it fun, the amount of variety. Latching onto rules just makes it tedious.
/rant
May 18th, 2009 at 11:28
lacarmina says:You're welcome, hunnybunny! <3 <3 <3
May 18th, 2009 at 11:29
lacarmina says:Nice! That's the way to go – DIY!
May 18th, 2009 at 11:30
lacarmina says:That sounds like a dress I'd wear – I love black lace over grey. This article is actually from something I did a while back, hence the snarkier tone (I've chilled out, I guess, hahaha).
xoxo
May 18th, 2009 at 11:41
Bambi says:Ooooooooh how happy I am that my prom dress is PVC!!!
Most of the girls in my school bought ugly dresses for about $600! They'll never ever ware them again.
I, however, spent $100 (including shipping) to get a wicked awesome PVC goth club dress that I will wear over and over again.
http://www.artificeclothing.com/em/shop/Scripts...
Thats it there : )
I'm also having braided black hair, big clunky TUK heels, white stockings with vertical black stripes and really cool makeup!
I can't wait!
May 18th, 2009 at 11:48
Nikora says:I never went to my prom either because I was dedicated to the dramatic arts at the time and wanted to play the best Dorothy the Wizard of Oz had ever known, so getting drunk and staying up all night was not an option. However if I could go to one now I would love to steal your fabulously, out there gown ^^.
May 18th, 2009 at 11:48
Ayriel says:wow, it looks amazing!
yeah, i went to my prom night because my dad wanted me to follow the tradition… it wasn't bad, but my parents refused to buy a black dress… so i got a wine dress that has somehow a goth feeling…
Here's a pic =P
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a320/AyrielDa...
yeah, i covered my face because i look awfully tired, it was already 1 am D:!
May 18th, 2009 at 11:49
Louise says:There was no prom night at my school. At university, the official prom night was boring and expensive so a few girls decided to have our own and I wore a black chiffon dress.
May 18th, 2009 at 11:49
Dragonswyng says:god I went to like 4 of em, mostly cuz folks wanted me to go with. but my senior prom I literally stayed at for less than an hour. I walked in, took a pic, stole a balloon and one of our glasses and went out to party lol. my dress was a black stretchy velvet tank mini. you can imagine the looks I got since my usual attire at the time was a pair of tight jeans (the kind you lay down to put on) and black tees with boots. :-P
omg that was SO long ago
May 18th, 2009 at 11:49
Lauren says:I love your DIY transformations. i want the pink dress so badly!
i went to 2 proms :] my boyfriend an mine.
at my school, i cannot dance, so its kinda like i went to one.
i wore a very pretty princessy/ballerina dress. the colors on it were gold and cream with little decorations of light pink and gold. I also wore a crown to one and hair barrettes to another.
May 18th, 2009 at 11:57
lacarmina says:WOW!!! That is WICKED!!!! Nicely done, my friend!
May 18th, 2009 at 12:00
lacarmina says:Oooh, Goth Dorothy would be a fantastic prom outfit…
May 18th, 2009 at 12:03
lacarmina says:Oooh, like something out of a vampire film… looks great!
May 18th, 2009 at 12:05
lacarmina says:Very cute!
May 18th, 2009 at 12:08
lacarmina says:Yeah, official school parties tend to be a bore – better to do your own thing!
May 18th, 2009 at 12:50
Lilith says:I went to prom on Saturday. It was extremely tacky, at least until one of my friends dressed up in her rented gorilla costume.
I went more traditional, on my mother's orders, and wore a slinky knee length black dress with dark red lipstick and dark eye makeup. It was either that or wear the lolita dress I got while in Japan.
May 18th, 2009 at 13:01
lacarmina says:GORILLA costume = brilliant!! The photos must have been hilarious!
May 18th, 2009 at 16:02
Lilith says:We got our history teacher to waltz with her.
May 18th, 2009 at 16:20
Aeres says:Junior prom was more “traditional”. Still my thing, though. I managed to find a dress for $17, while everyone else was wearing $100+ dresses. It was pretty cool, actually, a black halter top with an asymmetrical, tiered bottom. Kind of like Rodarte's 2008 dresses with that filmy, traily look? Looked good with fishnets and lots of jewelry!
I had a short, layered haircut then, so a messy, slightly spiky hairstyle was in order. :)
Senior prom was more fun, as I put more effort into it – my best friend made me this HUGE black, tiered ballgown skirt with loads of tulle beneath it for my birthday, so I bought a corset and wore them together. I then gave myself a rather dangerously long faux hawk (I like spiking my hair, what can I say…), and with some jewelry I had (I wear fancy jewelry on a daily basis, so no extra shopping necessary for this!) I was all set!
May 18th, 2009 at 18:40
mimi says:ha, you should have seen my school prom, dreads, curly Mohawks, dresses made by girls themselves. a lot of people at one point just kicked off their shoes and danced to some techno barefoot. then again I wouldn't be surprised if a game of hacky sac commenced on the dance floor. I guess my school is filled with weirdo's?
May 18th, 2009 at 19:02
LiTtLe_MiSs_PsYcHo says:LOL! Very nice dress. Well, I have my year ten prom coming up towards the end of the year, and I wasn't planning to go since my clothes aren't exactly *mainstream*, and I can't stand those stupid gowns that look the same and everyone looks like clones!
But this is giving me some ideas…….
hehehehehe
May 18th, 2009 at 20:54
queenty-ty says:i went to prom too. i actually got on my schools prom court (no idea how the HELL that happened). i was more happy that a bandie got on the prom court (since i was the only nerd on the court /high-five!) i just got a black and white dress with some sequin things on it. it wasnt bad but the stupid straps broke halfway through (around 10:30) and i had to spend the rest of the time holding my dress so my boobs didnt fall out! (it ended at 12).
i wouldve LOVED to go to prom in that! hell…its sooo cute and just flatout amazing! i want it! and that crown too….XD
May 18th, 2009 at 23:12
lacarmina says:If I went to prom, I'd wear something like that too…. ah, in my next life!
May 18th, 2009 at 23:13
lacarmina says:Excellent! I'm sure you'll come up with something original. :)
May 18th, 2009 at 23:18
Ni Kawaii says:i'm going to prom next year -___- lol ahh these are great! thanks for ideas :D
May 18th, 2009 at 23:20
lacarmina says:My pleasure! I'm sure you'll have something rockin' for next year!
May 19th, 2009 at 00:09
Kat says:I rocked up to my prom (we call it a 'formal' or 'ball' in Australia) in a black suit. I was going to make my own dress but ack! I changed my ideas so many times that I just gave up in the end. :)
May 20th, 2009 at 00:45
Ayame says:I remembered wearing a yellowish prom dress to my junior prom, I took my PVC skirt with a goth top to change when i reached the ballroom. all the girls were wearing sparkly or extra short slutty cocktail dresses. or should i say, a piece of cloth. hmm, people stared at me with disgust. but, i enjoyed the awkward situation xD
May 20th, 2009 at 17:09
MissMercurial says:I had actual fun at my prom and didn't go goth-y…although I did score my dress at Goodwill (it was a latte-colored David's Bridal in basically new condition :D) Mostly it was fun because no one I know cares about who wears what or anything – the only thing we cared about is enjoying the event itself.
I dressed in the theme of Old Hollywood instead of going goth~
I adore goth style but often don't wear it simply b/c I'm too lazy/cheap to revamp my entire wardrobe of Catholic-school approved wear and don't have the je-ne-sais-quois to be satisfied with how my “after” would look :/
And as much as I like the idea of redoing a frilly dress, I would like to make a note that it would be even cooler if the dress was a repurposed one (ie thrift store, Goodwill)
No reason going goth can't be green, too (okay, you can shoot me for the alliterative crime now).
Also: DAISO FTW
thank god there's a branch near me.
So, yeah, enjoyed the post even if it was more notably acerbic than usual~
May 20th, 2009 at 19:59
lacarmina says:I love Old Hollywood too, especially 1930s starlet fashion… Louise Brooks!
Hahah yeah, I was writing in a more biting voice a while back… thought I'd post this anyway. :)
May 22nd, 2009 at 11:39
Anonymous says:I didn't go to my senior prom, but to Junior Prom I wore a bright green dress from H&M with a huge bow at the waist and a full skirt that came to my knees. It had a boned top covered in ruched emerald green dot tulle…and I got it on sale for about $30. Cute and edgy, but not too outlandish. I was able to wear it again, to my work Christmas party and to a friend's birthday party.
The other day I was at the mall and caught sight of a group of girls in their prom dresses. One of them really stood out: asymmetrical haircut, streaked with flaming red, long dark vampire-ish gown…but her rolls of fat were bulging over the top and through the corset lacing at the back. She was a skinny girl, too! I was very embarrassed for her…she was dressed as though her dress was about two sizes too small. Just awful.
As for your DIY outfit…it leaves something to be desired. It seems poorly constructed in areas…the white cross lacing on the bust is uneven and doesnt seem to fit in with the style of the rest of the dress (red might have been better if you insist on having the corset laces at all), the bodice itself is baggy and unflattering, and the overlyer of black skull-print is just plain awkwardly draped. I think the skirt looks great…minus that wierd swag of skullprint. The idea and image you intended I can understand…but that dress itself is a real monstrosity.
May 23rd, 2009 at 16:46
kagitsune says:Carmina, this is about the awesome-est thing you've done to a piece of clothing. Props.
I, too, completely skipped my high school prom. I spent the night cosplaying and having fun with my friends at an Anime convention!! m/>o<m/
May 23rd, 2009 at 17:09
lacarmina says:Sounds like much more fun (and memorable) than any old prom!
May 24th, 2009 at 19:41
lacarmina says:I wish I went to that school… haha
May 28th, 2009 at 15:24
xXVampiricHearts says:I love it! It's like saying, “I hate standard glamour pretty. How about the undead with some edge? Or a vampire that can look pretty and kick butt all at the same time?” When promtime comes up, I'll be ready to rock the house!!!
May 28th, 2009 at 18:55
lacarmina says:XD !!
September 2nd, 2009 at 12:40
Name says:Man, these are swell =D Although, our prom had plenty of grinding and junk… And at half an hour into it, everyone left to go get drunk–except my pals and I. There were 7 of us remaining and it was great! Sadly, it was only fantastic after all the others left haha
September 2nd, 2009 at 12:40
Name says:Man, these are swell =D Although, our prom had plenty of grinding and junk… And at half an hour into it, everyone left to go get drunk–except my pals and I. There were 7 of us remaining and it was great! Sadly, it was only fantastic after all the others left haha
September 2nd, 2009 at 12:40
Name says:Man, these are swell =D Although, our prom had plenty of grinding and junk… And at half an hour into it, everyone left to go get drunk–except my pals and I. There were 7 of us remaining and it was great! Sadly, it was only fantastic after all the others left haha
September 2nd, 2009 at 19:40
Name says:Man, these are swell =D Although, our prom had plenty of grinding and junk… And at half an hour into it, everyone left to go get drunk–except my pals and I. There were 7 of us remaining and it was great! Sadly, it was only fantastic after all the others left haha
September 2nd, 2009 at 19:40
Name says:Man, these are swell =D Although, our prom had plenty of grinding and junk… And at half an hour into it, everyone left to go get drunk–except my pals and I. There were 7 of us remaining and it was great! Sadly, it was only fantastic after all the others left haha
September 2nd, 2009 at 19:40
Name says:Man, these are swell =D Although, our prom had plenty of grinding and junk… And at half an hour into it, everyone left to go get drunk–except my pals and I. There were 7 of us remaining and it was great! Sadly, it was only fantastic after all the others left haha
March 27th, 2010 at 17:34
sarah's smile says:Very cute and thanks for the FYI about how to do a corset back. You are a sweetie for posting your ideas for the world to see. Thanks hon. You're going places girly.
March 28th, 2010 at 01:13
lacarmina says:Wow, thank you! <3