Gothic and romance are two mega trends that come back to fashion season after season. In fact, we seldom part with them thanks to designers like Ulla Johnson. The Manhattan, New York based designer serves us gothic in modern and very feminine interpretations.
Transparent blouses, dresses and shirts with ruffles are her speciality, and the high demand for such projects proves that romantic gothic still holds strongly in trends. Therefore, styles with a black, gothic-cut dress will be perfect for the upcoming winter months.
The recent season trends clearly indicate that combining different motifs, textures and materials results in the most interesting effects. Hence, a gothic dress made from a transparent fabric will look great paired with a light, fluffy faux fur, for example from the All Saints collection. A black lace dress and cream fur is an unexpected combination that stands out with an original approach to this year's trends. It is also a way to survive the winter months, during which a lace gothic dress may not provide a sufficient dose of warmth.
Pair this set with expressive shoes with a flat sole, for example these brocade ones with decorative buckles, or if you prefer, high lace-up boots with a heavy style. This combination of delicacy and grunge is the best way to an unexpected, unique style. Complete the ensemble with a red bag, which will beautifully stand out against the cream faux fur. Red and black is a combination that bursts with romanticism and femininity.
1. Ulla Johnson lace dress, 2. All Saints fur jacket, 3. Givenchy brocade boots with studs, 4. Tory Bunch shoulder bag.
What else can a black lace dress look good with? Gothic styles perfectly combine with leather elements of the outfit. This season, long leather coats in the style of Matrix are still fashionable, hence it's worth to pair a transparent dress with a leather coat imitating crocodile skin. Does it seem like too strong a contrast and two distant worlds? Fashion has seen a lot, hence it's worth to go for unpredictable solutions.
Styles with a black dress and a leather coat will pair well with high boots, for example suede ones, which will somewhat soften and warm the dominating character of the leather coat. After removing the outerwear, the black lace dress, suede boots and a suede Chloé bag with a decorative chain will create a very coherent and elegant style. This is a perfect choice for any evening occasion. Don't forget about jewellery, which plays an equally important role in the gothic style as black does.
The last proposal is the most classic version, in which the main role is played by a black gothic dress. Styles with lace as the lead do not need competition, especially if you care about exposing the dress as the main element of the whole outfit. Pair it with suede boots, for example those from Philipp Plein with a decorative heel, and a classic coat. The one with a tie from Acne Studios will work perfectly. Modern classics and a bit of nonchalance is an idea for a successful style with a black dress. An elegant bag in a bloody shade is in turn an addition, with which the Ulla Johnson gothic dress creates a dark, but at the same time very romantic pair.