Creating A Darker Alternative Fashion Wardrobe ⛓🖤🧷 Method and Lookbook PLUS 9+ DIY Projects

Is it goth? Is it punk? Is it creepy cute? Is it pastel goth? Yamikawaii? Honestly I don't know and I don't really care.

For the last year and some change I've been experimenting with some darker alternative outfits in addition to my usual pastel kawaii style. I decided that since I enjoy wearing multiple aesthetics so much, it would be a lot easier and more fun for me to break my wardrobe up into a few essential capsules that can mix and match with each other - that way I can wear whatever style I feel like wearing on any particular day. Planning actual capsules also helps me create wardrobes that actually mix and match, maximizing the number of outfits I can get out of (hopefully) fewer overall garments. I love having a big wardrobe, but it's also important to be mindful of budget and physical space constraints.

This isn't necessarily intended to be a tutorial, but rather an explanation of what I did and what works for me. However, I hope sharing my process is helpful or inspiring to anyone who may be building their own wardrobe. ^-^

Other Videos You Might Find Helpful:

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Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:08 Overview, How To Build a Wardrobe
1:33 Step 1, Gather Inspiration
3:49 Step 2, Plan Basics
5:26 Step 3, Slowly Acquire What You Need
5:43 What I Already Owned (Try On)
6:43 Overview, The Process of Buying New Things
7:49 What I Bought Secondhand (Try On)
9:30 Getting Ready to DIY

9:51 AD BREAK

10:01 Refreshing the Dye on Thrifted Clothing
11:13 Project 1, Adding a Patch to a Shirt
12:20 Project 2, Painting a T-Shirt and Installing Extra Long Sleeves
15:11 Project 3, Painting a T-Shirt and Adding Sleeve Patches
16:25 Project 4, Turning a Blazer into a Punk Jacket
20:47 Project 5, New Patches for a Denim Vest

22:06 AD BREAK

22:12 Project 6, Adding Patches and Spikes to Skinny Jeans
24:00 Project 7, Distressing and Adding Patches to Skinny Jeans
25:38 Overview, Accessories
25:57 Legwear Collection
26:21 Shoe Collection (Try On)
26:50 Project 8, Painting Shoes a New Color
28:13 Project 9, Painting a Colorblock Purse
30:48 Jewelry Collection (Try On)
33:19 Step 4, Enjoy Your Wardrobe
33:35 Outfit 1
34:01 Outfit 2
34:23 Outfit 3
34:45 Outfit 4
35:06 Outfit 5
35:28 Outfit 6
35:53 Outfit 7
36:14 Outfit 8
36:37 Outfit 9
36:57 Outfit 10
37:23 Outro

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🧸🎀 Music 🎀🧸

Intro: Meet Cute by Peter Sandberg
Cushy by Coupe
Like This by spring gang
Purple Clouds by Sarah, the Illustrumentalist
Delusional by spring gang
Marble Ink by Giants' Nest
Killing Time by Craig Reever
Go Blind by spring gang

Licensed by Epidemic Sound

Thanks for watching!
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🌸🧺 Contact and Socials 🧺🌸

Instagram: @the_stitchess

(remember to remove the spaces)
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This video has not been sponsored.
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[TheStitchess]

If you saw any typos no you didn’t ^-^

[veeravedenpaa]

i've always been interested in alt fashion in general, but only in last couple years have been purposely trying to dress more punk/grunge/alt and diy stuff, also been trying to make my own battle/patch jacket and it's going along slowly(very slowly), but surely:D

[cusstard]

it's kinda hilarious (not in a bad way ofc) how a style that's supposed to be extremely low-effort and made chaotically out of junk, is approached with such nerdy thoroughness here 😄 almost like science

[DieAlteistwiederda]

I've been doing the whole mixed aesthetics thing for a long time now and it's so much fun to switch between full on goth and rainbow the next day when I feel like it. I also have some in-between styles.
Definitely not a thing I just did overnight and I don't call my style anything particular either.

[mariek.]

Meanwhile, I've had a dark style since high school and I'm incorporating more colorful things lately lol

I kinda envy people who have a very stable and defined personal style, but I'm enjoying the little journey until I find mine ❤

[thetachiban]

I've done the long insert sleeves trick with several sweatshirts and hoodies and they always look more cute and fun afterward almost without fail. Those long baggy sleeves make you feel like you've stolen the garment of your parent, or older sibling, or significant other. It's very playful and comforting.

[dragonfireartistea]

The punk blazer is honestly my favorite. I've dabbled in punk aesthetic for a while but demin & leather can often give me sensory issues, but I *adore* my blazers. I never thought to combine the two by I'm definitely going to work on a "battle blazer" soon!

[profoundlymorose]

too many people confuse grunge fashion with y2k and e-girl fashion, but this was a great video!

[MewWolf]

I found a bunch of antique military buttons in my grandmother's button box this year and found others just like them for sale online. Even if the buttons from your blazer aren't antique, I wouldn't be surprised if someone would want them.

[alex-wedj]

I love how your personal style shines through with all the pastels and cute details! As I have been dressing in dark/alternative clothes since forever, I have some tips for people wanting to try it out:

- Don't be afraid to pair different shades of black. Many thrifted clothes are washed out, but pairing them can really look great - the grunge look never dies. Alternatively: Bleach or dye them

- build your wardrobe slowly. I gradually have been building my wardrobe for 10 years now. Since black works with everything, just use what you have until you have enough pieces to achieve your desired darkness. Don't rush :)

- many black shirts with a print on them should not be ironed, since the print will start to crackle!

- Leggings are amazing. Wear them under ripped jeans when it's cold, wear them with oversized shirts (that now look like tshirt dresses!), Wear them just as a more comfortable and durable substitute to tights.

- Try to find not only basics, but also weird looking pieces that are interesting to look at. Patched up pants with pops of color, Colorblocking pieces, asymmetrical shirts, dresses that can be layered upon. When thrifting, try weird shit on, i often bought things that I originally did not like, but ended up LOVING, because it just worked with other pieces.

- Juxtaposition looks SO good. I love to pair business wear like white buttonups with dark punk style.

- Layering is everything

- honestly, learn how to repair holes in your shirts and trousers. On black clothes, the stitching won't be visible at all.

- aaand: Thrift your clothes, Upcycle them, DIY as much as you can. Old clothes last longer, you can repair nice pieces by sewing or patching them up. It looks more interesting and personalized. New stuff from fast fashion brands is often that low quality that you can't even repair it because the fabric is so thin.

[gabrielajunqueira]

I made a choker from a purse strap and two keychain clasps that is literally my favorite piece ever

[shannonbananan]

I LOVE this!! I primarily dress in fairy kei but there’s a bunch of other styles I want to start dressing in (grunge and pastel goth being a couple of them). This was such a great guide on how to put together a new wardrobe, how to make unique pieces, and also it’s just really cool to see someone bring new life into basic clothes! This inspires me to go work on getting my capsule wardrobes together.

[shivendetta]

Pro tip if you want an awesome pair of black baggy cargo pants buy used camis (or reallly any military trousers) and dye them. It works really well. I felt really good not having to toss/donate any of my ABUs or my husbands' OCPs

[xDeydeyxtartelette]

I love your take on darker style, it's so unique and different from the typical whirl/goth we see these days (which is also cute)

Btw, nail polish is a great paint to use on metal. I use that to cover up jean buttons and studs all the time and it works great! I find that sanding the metal down with a nail file first and finishing with a clear top coat makes it last very long without needing a touch up.

[therationalseamstress]

You have the best how-to-make-a-wardrobe videos I've found! I don't dress much at all like you, but your videos on building wardrobes and thinking about fashion are so clear, and applicable to so many styles. Anyway, I always learn something when you post a video, and I'm so excited to see this!

[lizhasasthma]

I feel like this came out at the perfect time for me because I'm in the middle of my own style evolution right now! Mostly it's been involving me trying not to go on ridiculous shopping sprees (especially since I recently got a new job and having more money makes me want to spend it), but you definitely gave me some great DIY ideas!

[tuttiFrutiikawaii]

Oh I'm in love! And I'm so glad you're back. It doesn't matter how long it takes, I'm always happy when you upload.

[sennatjuhh]

im happy im not the only one who loves pastels but also black clothing 🥰

[plushdragonteddy]

i’ve been resisting the pull of darker alt fashion in favor of building my sweet/pastel wardrobe, but the other day i saw a pair of black shoes that made me think “i’m ready” and then this video popped up. fate lol

[lovelylilo]

OOOH so exited! As someone who dresses in both cute and darker alternative fashion this is surely gonna be an interesting video :)