Dark romance / gothic glam – how to tame the gothic aesthetic with jewelry?
Dark romance, also known as gothic glam, is an aesthetic that elevates classic gothic style to couture. It's not a Halloween costume, but rather a nostalgic elegance straight from a Victorian novel, filtered through modern, sensual fashion. Black becomes a mood marker, and lace becomes the basic language. Learn how to create a look in the spirit of subtle soft goth or classic gothic glam!
What is the dark romance / gothic glam trend?
Dark romance is an aesthetic based on historical styles, such as petticoats, corsets, and capes, but reinterpreted contemporary to be elegant, sensual, and sophisticated. It's not about the costume, but the aura. It's about looking like a heroine of a literary tragedy who, instead of a Gothic cathedral, ends up at fashion week. Unlike classic Gothic, dark romance isn't about exaggeration or the subcultural "heavy look." It's purer, softer, and more conscious of the quality of the fabric and detail.
Where Does Dark Romance Come From? Pop Culture, Runways, and Social Moods
Dark romance is the result of parallel cultural phenomena. Screens, TikTok, luxury fashion, and the need for aesthetic escapism converged, creating the dark romantic wave we see today on runways and streets.
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TV and film icons of darkness
Although Gothic as an aesthetic never truly disappeared, it was television and cinema that gave it a second life, this time more sublime, sensual, and luxurious. The series Wednesday played a significant role here , presenting a refined, haute couture-like Gothic style instead of the typical "goth teenage costume." Simple black dresses ceased to be costumes and became symbols of style, especially when seen in Jenny Ortega's interpretation. Similarly, Frankenstein , Nosferatu , Beetlejuice II , and the upcoming Wuthering Heights refreshed our visual experience. Images full of fog, lace, and historical cuts reminded us of a romanticism that is both catastrophe and delight. Fashion quickly translated this to the street. Velvet dresses, velours, and jewelry reminiscent of relics began to return to the wardrobes of women seeking a broader narrative in fashion.
Musical muses: from Lady Gaga to Billie Eilish
The music scene is also a significant driver of darkness. Lady Gaga brought back theatrical gothic in a glam version a decade ago, but it was her return to more expressive, darker outfits to promote her album Mayhem that elevated the aesthetic to high fashion status. Billie Eilish, especially on red carpets, shares this sentiment: her style is a blend of melancholy and rebellion, often built around heavy chains, gothic cuts, and metallic jewelry that speaks louder than words. Artists like Doja Cat, Olivia Rodrigo, Charli XCX, and Halsey continue this trend, balancing between delicacy and aggression, between girl and witch. Lace petticoats, capes, leather chokers, and hairstyles inspired by vampiric glamour are all appearing on red carpets.
TikTok, BookTok and Romance
If cinema and music ignited the spark, the internet ignited the fire. Hashtags #darkromance , #softgoth , #whimsigoth , #witchy , and #romantasy changed the algorithms. Suddenly, feeds were filled with GRWM videos featuring long black dresses, petticoats, pearls, and oxidized silver. BookTok de-demonized gothic, imbuing it with a new narrative: dark yet delicate, sensual, even fairytale-like. Users began styling themselves like fantasy heroines, but not in a costume-based way, but rather in a romantic-subversive spirit.
What distinguishes dark romance from other aesthetics?
Dark romance isn't a simple return to Gothic codes, but rather romanticism dressed in black, technically and emotionally refined. This aesthetic differs from the trends that have dominated recent seasons; it is intense, conscious, and deeply symbolic.
Contrast instead of sweetness
The trend's foundation is tension: light versus dark, softness versus structure. Dark romance uses contrast as a compositional tool. Silk juxtaposes patent leather, tulle with metal, burgundy with alabaster leather. Unlike pastel aesthetics, the romanticism here is not delicate, but sensual, profound, and often slightly dramatic.
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Less horror, more glamour
Dark romance breaks away from the stereotypical image of goth as a costume. It's about selection, not literalness. One well-chosen piece can make an entire look; just choose accessories like a structured ring, a jet-black slip, or an oxidized bracelet. Materials should be high-quality, but not overly showy. Velvet instead of polyester. Real metal instead of plastic. Breathable lace instead of imitation. This is distilled, edited goth, closer to Dior and McQueen than to a Halloween costume shop.
The dark sister of balletcore and old-money
If old-money represents classical elegance and balletcore represents ethereal lightness, dark romance is their nocturnal, more emotional variant. It retains the lines and femininity but enhances them with darkness, eroticism, and symbolic drama. Where balletcore tells of innocence and soft fantasy, dark romance weaves a story of enchantment, mystery, and passion.
The most important wardrobe items in the dark romance trend
Dark romance is distinguished by its form. The clothes aren't merely a backdrop for jewelry, but create a stage where darkness and sensuality play in unison.
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Corset – shapes the waist like a sculpture, building strength and femininity in one gesture.
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Satin slip dress – fluid, luminous, sensual; it works with light like a surface of night water.
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A petticoat peeking out from under the skirt – a conscious styling move, softness with a touch of decadence.
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A cape or fur coat – a source of drama and movement, a “shadow behind the back” effect.
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Tulle, organza, velvet and silk – soft, skin-warm fabrics, romantic and sensual.
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Leather, suede, patent leather – counterpoint, coolness, anxiety; these are the weapons of the dark romance aesthetic.
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Metal and chains in accessories – weight and structure that give the silhouette strength.
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Platform ankle boots – a stable foundation for styling, visual gravity.
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Lace-up heels – a corset transferred to the foot, sharp and seductive.
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Biker boots – the energy of rebellion, a response to “too polite” trends.
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Mini-bucket with a metal chain – like a reliquary, an amulet of power.
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A heart-shaped handbag – romanticism with a wink, gothic with irony.
Dark Romance Color Palette
Total black is the foundation of this trend, acting like a blank screen; every detail is more striking against its backdrop. Black satin reflects light differently than matte cotton, while velvet absorbs it, creating a sense of depth. Dark romance doesn't end with black, however; quite the opposite. The second pillar is deep, sensual, and saturated colors: burgundy, navy blue, and green. Used in satin or velvet, they gain a three-dimensional effect, in lace, they become ethereal, and when paired with gold or silver, they are absolutely hypnotic.
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Dark Romance Styles – How to Combine Clothes, Fabrics and Jewelry?
You can build a dark romance in layers, starting with a classic base and adding elements that gradually increase the intensity of the darkness. First, color, then texture, and finally jewelry. The goal is balance: the softness of fabric versus the coldness of metal, a dark palette broken by shine, and a detail that catches the eye like a point of light in shadow.
Soft-goth basics: velvet shine vs. raw leather
A satin-trimmed slip dress and a brown lace skirt create a soft, everyday base. A leather jacket adds a contrast of textures, and suede ankle boots keep the look in a muted, chocolate palette. Smooth black resin earrings and a set of bracelets bring order without overload.
Urban goth: rock rhythm, gothic soul
A lace top paired with a black bomber jacket and loose trousers creates a more street-ready version of gothic style. Buckle ankle boots enhance the rock vibe, while a mini chain bag adds a bolder touch. A chunky gold- plated ring and ear cuff enhance the rock vibe, making her look confident, edgy, and ready for a night on the town.
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Romantic Gothic in the premium version
A wine-colored fur coat and lace top are a closer evening aesthetic. Loose, satin trousers with a slight sheen and a burgundy handbag create a cohesive color scheme, complemented by enamel jewelry .
Night outs to the rhythm of dark romance
A draped black top and fringed skirt look their best when in motion, on the dance floor, at the bar, or at a concert. Platform ankle boots add weight to the silhouette, a burgundy clutch adds a pop of color, and large hoop earrings , a wide black resin bracelet , and coral necklaces create a focal point. It's a dynamic, powerful look, ready for the afterparty.
Total black with a difference in textures: monochromatic darkness in a high fashion version
A long black dress with a lace top pairs with a fur scarf and boots for a look based entirely on black, yet distinct thanks to its textures. A patent leather heart-shaped bag adds shape, while silver earrings and a black geometric stone ring add a subtle metallic glint to the monochromatic look.
Silver geometry and a burgundy accent – dark romance in a sculptural version
A draped black dress paired with a burgundy scarf creates a simple yet modern look. Spiral sandals and a futuristic clutch continue the "modern goth" trend, while a silver jewelry set, featuring an earring as the centerpiece, cools the look with a metallic accent.
