CorpGoth's Basic Shopping Tips

This post is inspired by some friends discussing online how much they hate shopping because they can't find anything they like in stores right now. Which I understand to some extent, but then I also think, "but hey, there's so much *choice* out there, I bet you can find something you'd like, you just have to hunt for it!"

Shopping for clothes isn't easy, & if you've ever watched "What Not to Wear" or other makeover shows, you realize that immediately. It's not just difficult for "hard to fit" women -- let's face it, we're all hard to fit because clothing is manufactured in arbitrary sizes that vary from one brand to another, & that is simply not going to correspond to the myriad of shapes that actual human beings come in! No, no, shopping is difficult for everyone because we have a huge variety of needs, wishes, desires, budgets, time available, *and* sizes to deal with, not to mention we have to take the current trends into account since that will affect what's available in many stores or online (& may or may not affect how we wish to present ourselves to the world).

Still, with all those caveats, it's possible to find clothing pieces that will suit you at many shopping venues, in a range of prices, most of the year. You have to keep an open mind & be willing to work at it, however.

Here are some of my tips, specifically for ladies interested in gothic/alternative styles & needing office-appropriate fashions...

Start with the basics. Every woman needs items like straight skirts, simple blouses, layering pieces (like long-sleeve & short-sleeves tees & camisoles), classic trousers, a good jacket, cardigans, & maybe some jeans & leggings. These are wardrobe building blocks. A goth gal might have them primarily in black, with a few in grey, white, & jewel tones.

Look for the structured pieces like skirts, jackets, & pants at department stores & higher quality boutiques & chains. This is where you shop very mainstream -- think Talbots, Loft, NY & Company, Express, Macy's, Dillards, Nordstrom. You want simple, classic garments that will last for 5-10 years & will go with anything. You can pair a black pencil skirt or A-line skirt with a million different tops, it could go from the office to a nightclub, from lunch with your parents to cocktails with your pals, it will be a true wardrobe workhorse. Don't skimp on price or quality!

On the other hand, you can go cheaper with tops, especially layering pieces. Buy a half-dozen T-shirts & camis at Old Navy or Target -- black, white, every dark shade, & any dark stripe. You can wear these under sweaters, jackets, & dresses or wear them alone with skirts & pants. They'll go with work outfits & with weekend gear.


Get creative with the top layer.  Sweaters, blouses, & jackets are a good place to add fun to your outfit. Look for patterns, prints, & details like ruffles & pleating, even sequins or metallic threads. Go for unusual or rich fabrics such as velvet, velveteen, silk, & leather, either in whole garments or in accents. Dark, rich colors will be more common in the stores during fall & winter, & they'll be on clearance after Christmas / New Years.

Consider all styles of dresses. While skirts & pants are wardrobe workhorses, dresses can be lifesavers on busy mornings. Just throw on a dress, & you're essentially done. So it pays to find out what dress styles suit your body shape & personal preferences. Unfortunately, this means trying on a ton of different dresses!

You may think that you're not the "dress" type or that only certain dresses work for you. But maybe the real issue is that you haven't tried on enough dresses, pure & simple. A-line skirts, empire waists, sheath dresses, tunics, V necks, scoop necks, different sleeve shapes, etc., etc. -- all of these details look different on different bodies.

Don't forget to accessorize. Interesting belts, scarves, hair do-dads, jewelry, & shoes can really complete an outfit & make it personal. Plus, you can draw attention towards the best parts of you & away from whatever you might not be as interested in. For example, a belt can define an hourglass figure, a statement necklace can point towards fabulous cleavage, earrings can show off a delicate neck, scarves can elongate a short frame.

Don't forget that different types of accessories work differently -- wide vs. skinny belts, belts placed at different spots on your waist, long vs. short scarves, scarves tied in various ways, etc.

Bonus point: Accessories can be cheaper than clothing pieces! Buy wacky, fun accessories at Forever 21, Hot Topic, & Claire's, or find unique stuff on Etsy or ArtFire, or make your own from craft-store parts. For a few bucks, you can change an outfit from plain & simple to snazzy & wild.

Consider alterations. Yeah, it's expensive to have a garment tailored. But it's not crazy-stupid expensive. It's not like buying-a-designer-handbag-or-shoes expensive. You can pay $10 to $20 to get pants or skirts or jacket sleeves shortened or $50 for more major alterations. Add that to the price of the original clothing item, & sure, you've paid more, but then you'll have something that fits well & flatters your unique shape.

Did you know that most everything celebs wear & all the stuff on those makeover shows is altered to fit? It's true, & Clinton Kelly admits it. For that matter, all the clothes worn before about 1920 were custom-made or at least finished to fit -- mass-produced sizing is a pretty new concept. So if you want a truly good fit, no matter your size, the best bet is to make changes to the garment. If you're petite, have hemlines & sleeves taken up & waistlines snugged up. If you're tall or busty, buy a larger size & have the garment fitted to you by a pro.

Obviously, this is a better investment on higher quality garments, not cheap stuff from Target. But tailoring a few good dresses, jackets, & skirts, will give you some awesome go-to outfits for any day of the week.

All of these basics will give your wardrobe a grounded place to start from for an artsy, creative, yet office-appropriate look. It's not simple or fast, of course, because it does require a lot of shopping & trying many things on, including things you may not think will work for you. But experimentation, looking at items & in stores you might never have looked before, is how you'll discover what really works & where you can shop in the future.

Related Links:

• Styling a Single Piece Multiple Ways -- Sal of Already Pretty shows how a basic black skirt can look totally different just by combing it with other wardrobe items.
  
• How to Find a Blazer Jacket That Fits -- Excellent tips from Alterations Needed on what to look for in a great jacket, plus ideas of what reasonable alterations might be needed in even the best of them.
• How to Buy Good Trousers -- Super-detailed analysis of the construction details that separate high-quality pants from poor quality ones, from No Signposts in the Sea. Once you recognize good trousers, those are ones worth alterations too.

What I'm wearing: Black piped jacket, Spiegel | Black T-shirt, Target | Black & white print skirt, White House Black Market | Black tights, Hue | Black kitten-heel pointy shoes, Aldo | Black & white beaded necklace, made by me

CorpGoth Guide to Summer in the Office

Summer can be difficult for goths -- let's face it, wearing black velvet in 90 degree Fahrenheit weather isn't smartest thing one can do. So we trade our favorite garb for plainer gear & dream of cooler seasons.

But we don't have to suffer, especially those of us working in professional situations. If you're in a climate-controlled office all week, you might think, hurrah!, wear black all year round! To some extent, this is true. Yet we still have to commute to and from work in sweltering temperatures, plus it's more appropriate to give a nod to the current season. Balance is the key.

Here are some of my tips for dressing office-appropriately in summer with a gothic or alternative twist (note: any shopping links are included for reference only, I don't make money off of them) --

Mix black with color. OK, I do this all the time, but it's especially important in summer. Try black & white & also try black with soft shades such as lilac, plum, grey, pink, heather blue, seafoam green, etc. Not just black & brights or jewel tones. Also look for patterns such as florals & dots, which read as summery. Here are some of my favorite outfits: black with plum & flowers, black with pink & stripes, black & grey, black & white, even all white (I'm nuts, I know ;-).

Go with the flow, in proportion. In really hot weather, it's tempting to wear lots of loose garments. Which is fine for the weekends, but that's not a very professional look, even in a casual office (trust me, those long, flowing skirts get caught in the rolling wheels of your office chair very easily!).  But you can get some much-needed air flow on a stifling hot day by balancing your look with half flowy, half sleek. As in: Wear a knee-length, cotton dirndl skirt, & a crisp fitted blouse, or wear a trim pencil skirt & a drapey bat-wing or angel-sleeve top. Try it out! White House | Black Market has this gorgeous (if spendy) black & white stripe bat-wing top, for example.

Opt for sleeveless tops, but keep a cardigan or jacket handy. Go sleeveless for your commute, & keep a long-sleeve option at your desk for that overly air-conditioned office. A simple black cardigan will go with most every outfit & is also handy to cover up for an unexpected meeting. If you have arm tattoos, you might particularly want a cardi or jacket in case company bigwigs who don't know you come by (first impressions are important). I inadvertently had a whole week of sleeveless summer outfits, starting here.

Try going bare-legged or use patterned hosiery. If you work at a very conservative office, you're going to have to wear hosiery with skirts through summer no matter what. But in more casual offices, bare legs in summer can be OK, as long as your skirts come to the knee. Another option is using lightweight patterned hose such as lace or micro-fishnets or even spiderweb tights (if your workplace is very casual). Again, this looks most professional with to-the-knee skirts, no shorter. Here I go bare-legged with a full skirt, & these are some lace tights.

Experiment with up-dos if you have long hair. Nothing feels better in summer than a breeze on the back of your neck, so keep yourself cool by putting your hair up. This can look chic & elegant or sassy & casual -- there are tons of up-do styles, so experiment & find some that work for you. Get a few clips or hairpins from the drugstore to help hold your hair up. You can also add decorative hair flowers (I'm a huge fan of these) or sparkly clips. If your office is conservative, wear small, subtle pins at least at first. Here's me with a nice big flower, plus earrings that match. If you want to get creative, Ruffles Not Diets has excellent examples & a video on braids & updos for work. What I Wore 2Day also has a nice variety of summer updos including buns & ponytails.

Consider crochet. Black crochet garments are lovely, gothic, & comfortable this time of year. Skirts with a crochet overlay can add a lighter look yet have goth flair. And there are tons of options for crochet cover-ups -- cardigans, shrugs, even blouses, that would be office-friendly worn with an opaque camisole, tank, or tee underneath. Also look for openwork & lace details, just make sure there's a lining or throw a cami or slip under for modesty. Here's my fave. crochet skirt & a long crochet duster.

Look for lighter shoes. Yes, I mean putting the boots away for summer. You'll look & feel more comfortable, honest. I love boots as much as the next goth gal, but I also hate having sticky, stinky, sweaty feet! Hunt down some black sandals that are office-appropriate. Look for slingbacks, peep-toes, ankle-straps, & other varieties of heels with cut-out spaces so you get a little ventilation. I'm not a huge fan of super-strappy shoes, & but if you work in a casual environment & can find strappy shoes without a high heel evocative of strippers, give it a shot. My preferred summer shoes include these black satin sandals, black slingback pumps, & yes, I occasionally wear some fancy flip-flops to work (when it's crazy-hot only!). These strappy sandals from Zappos would fit the bill in all but a very conservative office.

Go for stripes. Our favorite Tim Burton-esque pattern is in abundance at stores during summer, masquerading as "nautical" or "Breton" stripes. True, some of these may be navy & white stripes, but you'll find plenty of suitable black & white, & you might consider branching out to the "Sweeney Todd" red & white stripe too. Striped tank dresses, cotton tops, full skirts, & similarly breezy pieces will add a summer flair to your outfits while retaining a punky edge. Macy's has a crisp black/white stripe plus-size blazer on sale, plus tons of stripey dresses & tops. Nordstrom has a nice black/white blazer with 3/4-length sleeves.

Swap the broomstick skirt for a maxi. I know it's a staple of many goth girls' summer wardrobes, but leave the broomstick skirts for the weekends. They don't look very professional, even in casual workplaces, & they're not that practical (see above, re: office chairs). If you love the long skirt, instead try a more modern maxi-length skirt which is still comfy & casual, but sleeker & less airy-fairy. Bonus: You can find them in black & white stripes at just about every price (Target to NY & Company to Ralph Lauren).

How do you deal with summer in the office? Share your tips in the comments!

Related links:

• Ask Allie: Summer Office Attire -- While not aiming for alternative style, Allie does have excellent advice on comfortable summer clothes that are appropriate for the office. You can find these styles in dark colors too! If you work in a more casual environment, check out her recs for stylish casual summer attire.
• Dressing Professionally for Summer -- Corporette.com speaks to women working in law & finance, so it's very conservative, but these tips are also practical, such as knowing the fiber content of your clothes so you'll be more comfortable in the heat.
• "Comfortable Casual" for a Heat Wave -- Another from Corporette, interesting tips especially in the comments.
• Casual Shorts, Dressy Shorts -- Already Pretty rounds up some great options for wearing shorts, including ideas that could work for a casual office.
• Summer Style Minus a Tan -- While Already Pretty isn't thinking of goths, this advice is excellent for us, particularly in the workplace.
• Sweaty Gal Style -- Already Pretty tackles the taboo topic of how to dress well when you perspire! C'mon, you know we all need this kind of info. 
• Summer at the Morbid Fashion -- From planning parties to finding the perfect swimsuit, the Morbid Fashion has various posts on the topic (but alas, nothing explicitly work-friendly!).
• The Summer of Goth -- Classic advice from Gothic Charm School, not exactly for the office, but heed it none-the-less.
• Summer: A Survival Guide for the Intrepid Gothling -- Stripy Tights & Dark Delights has some good general tips for the darkly inclined, tho' not necessarily work-oriented.
• Gothic & Alternative Swimwear -- From Sincerely Boots, ideas for your much-needed vacay from the office.
• How to Stay Cool During Summer -- Juliet's Lace offers useful fashion tips for the hot season.

CorpGoth's Care & Feeding of Velvet

Image: Pyramid Collection

As the weather warms up here in the Northern hemisphere, it's time to put away the velvets for the season. As we move these lovelies toward the back of the closet or into a storage space, it's a good idea to clean them carefully so the garments are fresh & in good condition when the temperature drops & we're ready to wear them again.

So I've resurrected & updated some advice I wrote eons ago for the original alt.gothic.fashion.faq, which I was the original mistress of, back when the Internet was shiny & new & the most social we got was on Usenet.


Care and Feeding of Velvet
Velvet can be a very delicate fabric that requires special care. It is more difficult to care for than an old T-shirt, but it looks so pretty that it's worth it.

Types of velvet: 
Velvet, crushed velvet, burnout velvet, devoré velvet, velveteen, stretch velvet, panné velvet, and velour are all types of velvets used in clothing. "Velvet" typically refers to cut velvet, that is, a fabric with a thick pile (that's the little 'hairs' that stick up, perpendicular from the fabric), which faintly resembles fur.

The highest quality of cut velvet is made of silk -- this can be somewhat hard to find and is always  expensive. Most velvets used in ready-to-wear clothing and found in fabric stores are made of rayon or another synthetic blend. Velvet is also made of cotton, which has a more matte look, and that is often heavier and stiffer than rayon or silk velvets.

Velvet should be dry cleaned to preserve the lush, thick feel of the pile. Some cotton velvet can be machine washed, but check the label first and beware of shrinkage.

Crushed velvet is regular velvet that has been embossed with an irregular, crumpled texture. Crushed velvet should also be dry-cleaned.

Burnout or devoré velvet is regular velvet that has patterns etched into the fabric, which dissolves and removes part of the velvet's pile. This velvet should be dry-cleaned.

Velveteen has a much shorter pile, which gives it a dull, soft look, and it is often made of cotton, which can make it heavier and less drapey. Velveteen can sometimes be machine-washed (as long as the fabric has been pre-shrunk -- remember, cottons are prone to shrinkage). Dry cleaning is always a safe bet for velveteen.

Stretch velvet has an extremely short pile and a matte appearance. It's made of synthetic fibers, which gives it stretch, and can usually be machine-washed.

Panné velvet is stretch velvet with a shiny, slightly crushed appearance. Panné velvet is sometimes also called "crushed velvet," so when shopping online, be careful to look for "stretch" in descriptions and "lycra" or "spandex" in fiber content. Panné velvet is made of synthetic fibers and can usually be machine-washed.

Velour is a stretchy, velvet-like fabric with a very short pile and a dull, soft look. Velour is made of synthetic fibers and can be machine-washed.

Image: eBay (sold!)

How to treat velvet: 
Because most velvet must be dry cleaned, you want to do as much as you can to keep those velvet items looking and smelling fresh as long as possible.

Air it out -- When you remove a velvet garment, air it out for at least 24 hours. Do not immediately stuff it back into the closet or drawer. Put it on a hanger and hook that on the back of a door or chair, somewhere the garment will not drag but will get a bit of air circulation.

Use a spray -- If the garment is sweaty or smoky, turn it inside out. Spray all the smelly areas (armpits, neck, crotch, wrists, feet, etc.) with Febreeze, BioKleen Bac Out (or similar enzyme-based odor eliminator), or a three-to-one mixture of vodka and water (this is an old theater technician trick). Lightly mist the garment with one of these cleaners, don't soak it. Let the cleaner dry and air out for at least 24 hours, and then store the garment as usual.

Spot clean -- Carefully inspect velvet garment for spots and stains. Remove by patting (not rubbing) with a clean, damp cloth and a gentle soap. Once the spot is dry, you'll have to revive the velvet pile with steam and a stiff brush (see next section).

Never iron -- Don't press velvet with an iron at all -- you'll crush the nap. If your velvet garment gets wrinkly, you can steam it with a travel steamer or a steam iron held near the item (see next section). While you shouldn't need to, definitely don't iron stretch or panné velvets, primarily because the synthetic fibers may be prone to melting under the heat.

Wash carefully -- If a velvet garment has a "dry clean only" label, your best bet is to have the garment dry cleaned. If you must wash a velvet garment at home, do so in cool water with gentle detergent and lay the garment flat to dry (the big exception is stretch velvet, which can be treated like any delicate washable item). After washing, you'll need to revive the velvet's pile (see next section).


What to do about unintentionally crushed velvet: 
If the velvet's pile is crushed down from wear or washing, you can revive it. You will need a steam source and a small brush.

Get a steamer -- The most affordable and portable steam source I've found is a travel steamer. You fill this small appliance with water, then turn it on, and once the steam starts, you can point it directly at the fabric. A steam iron will also work, but you must be careful not to let the iron touch the fabric at all. In a pinch, you can hang a velvet garment in the bathroom and take a really hot shower to steam the velvet.

Brush out the velvet -- Once the garment is soft and steamy (but not damp), use a small brush (like a nail brush or a clean toothbrush) to gently lift the pile up. Do this very softly and always in brush in the same direction. The whole process should restore the look of the velvet.

Use velvet-on-velvet or a towel -- Another way to revive velvet is to use a scrap of velvet or even a very thick terry towel on your garment. Steam the creased section of the garment, as above. Then lay the scrap of velvet or towel down on an ironing board or other padded surface. Next, put your steamed velvet with the creased portion, pile side down, onto the velvet/towel. Hold a hot steam iron over this velvet "sandwich" (without touching the fabric) for 30 seconds or until the steam penetrates both pieces of fabric. Check the creases, and repeat the process until the creases are eased out.

If you find your velvet garments are often getting crushed, or perhaps you love rescuing damaged vintage items, you can invest in a needle board, Velva-pad, or velvet ironing mat, available at specialty fabric stores. This expensive tool will allow you to perfectly iron velvet while also preserving the nap. (Note: I don't have one, I just use a brush or a scrap of velvet; but I'm adding this to be thorough ;-).

How I Learned to Stop Worrying & Love the Empire Waist

For many, many years, I thought empire-waist dresses made me look pregnant (when I am not, have never been, nor ever will be pregnant; no offense to those who are or wish to be pregnant, but the fact is, most women only want to look pregnant when they are actually carrying a fetus inside their womb).

The empire-waist-dress-makes-you-look-preggers concept was not just my fear, it is shared by many women, & when I started reading fashion blogs, I came across it again. Heck, look at these maternity dresses from Old Navy, you'll find a ton of empire waists! Perhaps there was some truth to the idea.

Especially being a plus-size gal, I was self-conscious of looking any bigger than I am, thus empire-waist dresses seemed like a big no-no. However ... a couple years ago, I found myself trying on some casual knit dresses at Target. Just some simple things to wear with leggings, perhaps ... and what's this? They all had empire-waist styling? And they looked pretty darn good. Bonus, these dresses were great for layering & mixing & matching. Surely this was an aberration, just some perfect magic fit dreamed up by Target's design mavens.

But no. I started trying on more empire-waist dresses from other stores. I realized something important: Every empire waist is not the same. A slight variation in exactly where the waist hits you will make a big difference, the fullness of the skirt matters a lot, & accessories can make or break the overall look.

Let me explain how I learned to stop worrying that I looked pregnant & instead love the empire-waist dress for how lovely & pretty it can be on this plus-size lady. Note that these tips are based on my experience as a 5'2" short, pear-shaped gal. Your mileage may vary, but if you've been hesitant to try empire-waist styles, follow this advice as a way to start...

ShopRuche.com

1. Wear a good, supportive bra. OK, this should be a no-brainer, you need a good bra no matter what you're wearing. But this is crucial for an empire-waist gown. Those girls need to be hiked up into place! Any sagging, & your boobs may appear to meet your belly (especially on us plus-size women), which looks wrongity-wrong.

TMI: I've found that, as I get older, my bras need to be replaced more often. The elastic & nylon & other stuff they're made of just can't take the stress! Remember, it's not you, it's the garment, so buy new, buy better quality.

2. The waistline should not hit exactly under your bustline. This is most important if you have any amount of belly protruding -- if the dress waistline starts right under your boobs, it can utterly remove any waist you might actually have, & all the eye sees is round boob, round belly. Even in slimmer profiles, the very high waistline may shorten the torso unnaturally & can look weird (I'm talking about you, 1810s Jane Austen fashion!).

Dresses with a high waist & a wide band below this are going to be the most flattering & more proportional. Note: You can fake this effect easily with a wide belt!

3. Look for empire-waist dresses with A-line or straight skirts. The less fabric that's gathered around your waist, the less fullness is added, the less of a maternity look. Avoid "babydoll" dress styles completely, like the horrible plaid example pictured at the top of this post (ditto babydoll tops/tunics, yuck), & be wary of pleats at the waist (even what may appear to be just two small pleats -- that's gonna bulk you up in exactly the wrong spot; this placement is notorious on structured dresses & dresses with tulip skirts).

Kiyonna.com

4. Try a V-neck or surplice/wrap-dress style. These can be cleavage-tastic (particularly on us larger gals), so you may want to layer the dress over a camisole or a T-shirt. But that "V" shape at the neck is elongating. Enhance it with an awesome statement necklace or a long scarf.

Don't bother with bandeau bust styles or spaghetti straps, as they won't emphasize anything positive on most shapes unless you're a flat-chested teenager. Scoop necks can be OK, but they border on maternity territory, so tread carefully. High necks such as cowls, turtlenecks, etc. add bulk & can look weird imnsho combined with an empire waist.

Be wary of dresses with a twist-front at the bust or a flowing knot right below the bust because this can add extra gathered fabric falling directly over your belly (causing the same problem outlined in tip #3).

5. Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize!  The more simple & basic the empire-waist dress, the more you need to add to it to make it look like something special. The style can emphasize your cleavage & your waist, particularly if you heed tips #2 and #4, but you still need accessories. A great necklace or earrings will do wonders (either big earrings & a delicate necklace or a big necklace & delicate earrings; don't go big on both).

You can add detail with your belt too -- add a flower rosette, get a belt with an interesting buckle, find a belt with corset detailing, or look for a belt in an attention-grabbing material like shiny patent or metallic. Just having a belt in a contrasting color is a good idea. A colored or print dress with a solid black belt defines the even waist more.

Also consider layering. A pretty camisole with lace edging looks great under empire-waist dresses, & in cooler temperatures, a thin, long-sleeved T-shirt adds interest, especially in a contrasting color or pattern. Throw on a cardigan over the dress, but make sure to leave it open so you don't lose the lovely "V" line (for this reason, I don't recommend jackets unless they're ones that look great hanging open). Leggings & boots can look good with empire-waist dresses, as do tights & pumps, depending on the outfit.

A few examples to buy right now:   

• Target ruffle-neck dress 
• Torrid black dress 
• Boden print dress 
• Sonsi burgundy dress,
• Macy's long-sleeve dress
• Plus the examples linked above

My examples: 

• I wear this black knit dress from Target a lot (here it is again & here worn two ways). It's one of the first empire-waist dresses I bought.  
• Can't quite see this purple dress with a darker purple belt, also from Target, but it's empire waist. 
• A rare-for-me blue knit dress from Ruche, layered under. 
• Empire-waist print dress made by Donna. 
• Empire-waist floral-print dress from April Cornell. 
• Another Target empire-waist dress, this one in red. 
• Empire-waist sundress from Target, worn winterized. 
• A different empire-waist sundress from Target, also winterized.

Some examples from other bloggers:

• Vanessa -- black & white polka-dot dress, brown dress worn with red, black & white print dress, grey & black print dress with belt
• Le Professeur Gothique -- black & white print dress, purple print maxi dress,  grey print dress, black cotton & lace dress

Ask This CorpGoth - New Feature!

Please send a question!

Hello there, all my fabulous readers! In the upcoming year, I'd like to start a new feature on my blog, if you are interested. I'd like to write about common (& specific) issues that goths & other artsy, subculture, less-than-mainstream types have when it comes to fashion in the workplace. I have a few ideas, but I'd really love to answer your questions a la an advice column.

So I'm inviting you to start now & send your questions to me at corpgoth@trystancraft.com.

What can you ask? Just about anything even tangentially related to fashion & work!

For example ... What goths could wear (or shouldn't wear) on an interview. Recommendations for work-appropriate but steampunk-inspired winter coats. Are PVC, leather, fishnets, or lace ever appropriate at the office? Recommendations for classy skull-themed jewelry (that doesn't break the bank). What industries don't care about obvious tattoos & piercings & in what workplaces should you cover them up? How can I wear vintage clothes to work without looking too costumey? Recommendations for plus-size goth & artsy work attire. Tips for buying a classic black suit. Will stilettos, platforms, & buckle boots impact your chances of a promotion?  How can you keep black clothes dark, wash after wash? Decorating your office/cubicle/desk, CorpGoth style. What are some good, long-lasting black eyeliners? Is blue hair OK outside tech support jobs? How much of your non-work life can you share with your coworkers without negatively impacting your career? What's the best way to care for vintage clothes?

That's just my brainstorm -- let me know if any of it is appealing. But I want your ideas even more. So start emailing me or post your questions in the comments below!