The old warm world: 1920s Great Gatsby Night

In which there is fashion, heartbreak and lots of dancing.

Bizarrely, despite studying Fitzgerald's novel for my higher English and retaining a fondness for the decade as a whole, I never really dabbled in the twenties fashion wise. It was partially a belief that it never suited me, having neither short hair nor a boyish physique, but also I just never thought to. When people think of vintage fashion the fifties and the forties tend to spring to mind, and the jazz age is neglected in favour of the current rockabilly craze.

However, I had to put these preconceptions behind me when my swing dance society announced that they were hosting a great Gatsby fundraising night - if twenties was the theme, then by god I was going to be a flapper for the night. Swing dance is something I've been doing since last term, but only started properly this year. I am not a natural dancer. I can barely walk in a straight line without finding something to trip over, have no sense of rhythm and struggle to keep in time. My PE teacher thought I had a motor problem in aerobics. Nonetheless, that's why I decided to take up swing, and it's been going okay so far; I'm not nearly confident yet to go to any proper events (this was mainly attended by those who have never swing danced before), but I'm getting there. And there's no dance I love more than a good Charleston.

It was a good evening; I don't mind normal club nights with friends, but there's something about an event where everyone makes an effort to dress up, there's good music and a opportunity to dance properly. I'm sad that I didn't get a chance to actually swing dance more, but more practice is in order anyway!



Photos courtesy of DUSA.

Make up was far easier than the rest of my outfit, which was pulled together from my staples - simple grey eye shadow and kohl, with red lipstick (in a cupid's bow shape, naturally) was fine, and it was all topped off with a pair of gloves (my attempt at a twenties manicure was disastrously bad), a string of beads and a scarf wrapped around my head. Apparently, despite all my fussing and worrying it was pretty effective, as I ended up winning best dressed! It capped off an all around excellent night.



Just after I won - pictured with the lovely Ben, who actually slicked back his mop and left the nerd t shirts at home for the night.

From a fashion point of view it really made me think about my style; it turns out I actually suit the twenties aesthetic a lot - in the words of the boy, I have an 'old-fashioned face' that suits vintage make up, and I love making the effort. Maybe a new section for my wardrobe is in order? In the words of Fitzgerald himself, "life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall."

Stay safe.




Fee

Highstreet Halloween: Skulls and Skeletons

Claire's Filigree Skull Drop Earrings  |  ASOS CURVE Skeleton Print Skater Dress  |  Claires skeleton studs

ASOS Cheap Monday Skull T Shirt  |  Topshop X Ray Ankle Socks  | NewLook Skeleton Dress

Is it bad that I half intend on buying most of the items I feature here? I love the filigree earrings, and the Aztec style skull on the Cheap Mondays t shirt, and I've been looking for a skeleton dress as above for ages. It makes me sad how little skeleton hosiery there is right now, though - I would have thought it would be the obvious design choice.

I'm also fond of ASOS' skeleton hand print top and Urban Outfitters' skeleton tank top (I know, I know, but they have some nice things in now), but if you're looking for inspiration for your DIY efforts, ASOS' Skeleton back tee and this 'stay spooky' tank are my pick of the shops right now (though a lot of the other ones I've mentioned look pretty easy to make). Halloween should be celebrated, regardless of one's clothing ethic.





Fee

Highstreet Halloween: Bats

NewLook 'Let's Hang Out' Sweater  |  ASOS Bat Novelty Sunglasses  |  Topshop Bat Patterned Treggings (print available in skirt)

ASOS Bat Print Unitard  |  Topshop Bat Socks  |  ASOS LUPO slippers



When I posted a feature on my bat patterned leggings, a few people commented saying that they were struggling to find anything batty other than online - whilst goth shops tend to have the odd item, they're all but impossible to find elsewhere. Halloween, however, is the one time of the year that more spooky motifs creep into the mainstream shops, and to celebrate this I'll be posting my pick of the high street's take on our everyday wear.

Happy shopping!



Fiona

Music: Bauhaus 'Boys'

'Boys' is the lesser known B side of Bauhaus' first and most famous single 'Bela Lugosi's Dead'. I love it for two reasons - one, it's actually quite good, and two, as the top voted comment on the youtube video points out, it really shows how heavily they were influenced by Bowie, which is amusingly ironic considering the lyrics.

Fee

P.S. I may be feeling it, but I'm not dead. I didn't have the energy to get together a post about my dorm room for today, as my health has been poor, but I'll resurface from my cocoon like a butterfly, sticky, confused and suffering total amnesia, next posting day.
 

Wardrobe Feature: Bat Leggings

Now, I shouldn't really fill the stereotypes. But I do love bats. As well as having several bat boxes outside my house (unfortunately not yet filled), my wardrobe is stuffed full of the only mammal that can truly fly.

And it's back to my horrifying phone photos. :( I'll update this when I get a proper photograph of them.

These leggings were my first recognisably goth item; I bought them in the Glasgow alternative shop Cyber, and though I don't wear them as much as I used to, they've remained loyally in my wardrobe as my love letter to all things small, furry and flying.

Are you guilty for sticking bats on everything you own? Can you remember the first goth item you purchased? Let me know in the comments!





Fee

September blog round up

The first month of university has passed quicker than ever, and it was a shock to realise that my birthday is in two weeks. It's been a difficult September, but also rewarding; although I'm still stressed and harried as ever, I do feel more prepared and organised, and have a stronger support group than I did when I started university.

September hasn't been quiet on the blogging front either; there's been plenty of good posts this month -

• The Green Fairy of 'If Only I Were a Goth' posted about her trip to a taxidermy art exhibit, which looked amazing; I really want to see more of a revival in the art, as it can be used to such great effect.
• Stuck for blog post ideas? Fear no more, as The Everyday Goth has compiled a list of 50 gothic blog post prompts, some of which have given me ideas (though lord knows I have too many ideas to post about already).  
• I only recently discovered Haute Macabre, which has made me wonder where I've been all my life, as this blog is gorgeous. They posted a nail art collection inspired by the evil eye of Turkish origin, which I want to try.
• Also by Haute Macabre, they have a feature about the work of artist Choi Xoo Ang (TRIGGER WARNING: artwork featuring body parts), whose macabre yet beautiful sculpture pieces look at the human body and human rights abuses in Korea. Haute Macabre also published an article on the work of Fuyuko Matsui  you should read, because I cannot recommend this blog enough.
• The Mutant Stomp Friends recently posted about the harness trend that went crazy after the 2011 Alexander McQueen fall show (love that designer), and reminded me that I very badly want a harness of my own to wear over dresses and stuff. Excellent craft project to give a go.

As for me? I will remain busy this month as I'm starting a new block of teaching, but in the future keep an eye out for my Halloween plans, a review of Body Jewellery Shop's products and plenty more. I am so excited for October!




Fee



P.s. - If you're looking for something for my birthday, I'm loving the jewellery by Arthlin, who Coffin Kitsch featured a bit ago. Just saying.

P.p.s - Fiftieth post!

Scottish Goth Resources

Due to Scotland not being necessarily as big as some of the cities in the US, it's often difficult for the Scottish spookster to find goth shops and clubs in a new place; indeed, it's nearly impossible in some places (looking at you, Dundee). As a result I've decided to compile a list of all the resources I know of in the main Scottish cities for goths and alternative folks -

 

GLASGOW

Club Nights
Asylum @ QMU, last Saturday of every month.
Cathouse Rock Club @ 15 Union Street, various club nights.
Cryotec @ Classic Grand, first Thursday of every month.
Danse Macabre @ Classic Grand, first Thursday of every month.

Alternative Bars
Nice and Sleasy, 421 Sauchiehall Street.
Solid Rock Cafe, 19-23 Hope Street.

Shops
Cyber Alternative Clothing, 107 King's Court, King Street.
Hellfire Couture, 46 Queen Street.
Inferno and Wonderland (same owner), 86 Queen Street and 72 Queen Street respectively.
Osiris, 51 Queen Street.

Good Secondhand and Vintage Shops
Starry Starry Night, 19 Dowanside Lane (just off Byer's road).
Mr Ben Retro Clothing, 101 King's Court, King Street.

Places to Visit
Glasgow Necropolis, Cathedral Square, Castle St (open days and tours available). 


Other
Glasgow Ubiquitous E. Steampunk Society (G.U.E.S.S.) - not a goth society de jure, but somehow filled with goths anyway.

 

INVERNESS

Shops
Beauty Box - Inverness Victorian Market.
Far Fetched - 8 Drummond St, Town Centre.

DUNDEE

Club Nights
Beat Generator @ 70 North Lindsay Street (various gig nights). 
Distorted @ DUSA, Dundee University Campus, every second Friday.
Kage @ 4 St. Andrew's Lane (various club nights).

EDINBURGH

Club Nights
Ascension @ Jekyll and Hyde, 112 Hanover Street, every second Saturday of the month.

Shops
Underground Nation, 41 Candlemaker Row.

Alternative bars
Jekyll and Hyde, 112 Hanover Street.
Frankenstein, 26 George IV Bridge.



ATTENTION - I will attempt to update this page as and when any changes to the below clubs, bars and shops take place, and when I find a new goth-friendly establishment. Some of these resources aren't necessarily goth oriented, but have been included as they may be of interest.

I currently only have more details for resources in Glasgow and Dundee due to having lived in both locations (Edinburgh is patchy as I usually only get to make day trips there and know little of the clubbing scene, and Inverness I only know about through word of mouth), and hope to get resources up for other cities soon. I also hope to do reviews on each of the establishments and club nights featured below in future, which I will link to in future when completed.

If you notice that any of this information is out of date or have a suggestion, please let me know!