When you think of Halloween, your mind probably jumps to wacky costumes, iconic movies, and mountains of candy. All that stuff is tons of fun, but we at Retro Stage think it’s high time we acknowledge a darker side of this holiday’s heritage—that is, the dedicated gothic fashion enthusiasts who were among the first to show their love for horror, dark romance, and bloody mysteries. Without them, these crucial aspects of Halloween wouldn’t be nearly as popular as they are now, so today, we’re looking back at our roots for some eerie inspiration.

Elements of gothic aesthetics, including luxurious fabrics, lacy trims, and dramatic silhouettes, are derived from classic fashions and trends seen all throughout history, evoking a nostalgic intrigue perfectly suited for Halloween. Here, we’ll be walking you through some ideas for goth-inspired looks that you can put together for costume parties, fun fall events, and even everyday wear. Ready to embrace the spirit of the season and get spooky with us?

Black 1960s Vertical Stripe Strap Pencil Dress

Accessories: 3-Piece Green Spider Necklace & Earring Set, Vintage Solid Satin Long Gloves

There’s not a goth fashionista on the planet who doesn’t love Beetlejuice, so of course we had to take some inspiration from our favorite bio-exorcist to start off this list! This slinky little striped dress is perfect for casual costume parties or upscale cocktail events. Pair it with green spider jewelry and long purple gloves for a look that is both eerie and stylish. After all, goth doesn’t ever have to be limited to just black and white.

White 1960s Halloween Blood Pencil Dress

Accessories: Halloween Gothic Blood Drop Tassel Necklace & Blood Drop Pearl Tassel Earrings

Sometimes simple is the way to go, and this ruched white pencil dress is a fantastic example of that. While its overall construction is pretty minimalist, the real star of the show is the pattern of red spatter and handprints that cover it from top to bottom. If you’re planning a fun little Halloween get-together and want to take on a murderous persona, this piece will go perfectly with a pearl-beaded blood drop choker and matching earrings.

Red 1950s Strap Poker Costume Dress

Accessories: Red 1950s Halloween Lace Trim Velvet Cape, Rabbit Magic Hat Contrast Earrings

Darker takes on characters from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland have been done time and time again, but they don’t have the retro flair that this version has. Our 20th-century interpretation comes complete with a built-in double-lacing corset, double spaghetti straps, and a flowing swing skirt with printed playing cards to bring the ruthless Queen of Hearts to life. With some creative gothic makeup and our hand-picked accessories, you can make a stunning look out of this piece for Halloween.

Black 1970s Plaid Cowl-Neck Dress

Accessories: Halloween 3D Rose Flower Lace Necklace

This particular piece leans more on the punk side of things, but that doesn’t mean you can’t goth it up for a gathering with friends. The bodice is made of a smooth, fluid black fabric that creates a fun textural contrast with the soft flannel skirt and sturdy grommet belts. To give your look a more classic gothic vibe, experiment with dark makeup and add a lacy choker or other accessories with soft floral motifs.

Black 1950s Halloween Lace Belt Dress

Accessories: Retro Leather High-Heel Boots, Black Halloween Skeleton Dangle Earrings

Don’t worry—we know the Wednesday craze is far from over. If you want to put on your own Rave’N dance, this stylized recreation of the titular character’s dress is a great place to start. Its flouncy layers of black tulle, button-up collar neckline, and lace and leather belts hit the nail right on the head to help you channel the goth icon herself. It may not be show-accurate, but you can personalize your outfit by finishing it off with some pointy high-heeled boots and dangling skeleton earrings!

Black 1970s Cow Spots Patchwork Dress

Accessories: Halloween Dalmatian Cosplay Gown Cape, Vintage Solid Satin Long Gloves

How about going a little old school with a legendary villainess like Cruella de Vil? While Emma Stone’s version is definitely more punk, you have to admit, there’s something undeniably goth about her original black, white, and red look! This quirky dress is, of course, split down the middle and features solid black on one side, dalmatian-esque spotted print on the other, and a chic red belt to bring the two together. If you think the full ensemble with the cape and gloves isn’t “goth enough,” consider this a challenge to rein it back in with some truly inventive makeup.

Halloween Gothic Steampunk Lace Dress

Accessories: Halloween Retro Gothic Tulle Hooded Cloak, Black Skeleton & Rose Headwear

This quintessential gothic-style halter dress has it all, from a lace bodice overlay to a ribbon-tied neckline to a faux lace-up corset. The skirt is constructed from layer upon layer of sheer black chiffon, creating a beautiful mix of volume and movement as you walk. Paired with a tulle cloak and a spiked headband, this wonderfully eerie piece is every dark romantic’s dream come true.

1950s Halloween Skull Rose Lace Mesh Dress

Accessories: Black Retro Pearl Lace Gothic High-Heel Shoes, Black Spider Western Necklace

You’re probably tired of hearing about how everything is to die for as Halloween approaches, but you can’t blame us for saying it when this dress is just so breathtaking. Its gorgeous off-shoulder bodice is overlaid with intricate black lace that flows effortlessly into a faux underbust corset. From there, the skirt explodes outward with vibrant illustrations of skulls and roses, really embracing that gothic vibe. To continue the trend of mixing the unconventional with the elegant, we recommend our chained black spider choker as well as our chunky black heels with red lace and pearl string accents.

Deep Red 1960s Halloween Spider Web Dress

Accessories: Retro Rose Flower Velvet Necklace

We adore this seductive red-and-black dress and think it has huge potential for something like a murder mystery dinner party. The spaghetti straps and body-hugging silhouette combine with the intriguing spider web lace and ribbon-tied leg slit for a spooky yet sultry look. Add a thorny rose choker and you’ve got a recipe for a freaky femme fatale.

Halloween Gothic Steampunk Bat Lace Dress

Accessories: Black Bat Vintage Pendant Necklace, Halloween Diamond Spider Web Bat Bag

This dress serves as a slightly more holiday-forward version of the lacy black dress we looked at earlier, featuring a similar halter design with lace overlay and a faux corset waistline. The main difference is that the skirt on this piece is covered in countless lacy white bats that look like they’re ready to swarm the night in an ominous cloud. You can really lean into the theme by accessorizing with our ethereal Victorian-inspired bat pendant necklace and bedazzled bat-shaped purse.

Conclusion

Fall has officially started, and we’re so excited for the Halloween festivities to begin! In the meantime, we hope our goth outfit concepts inspire you to be adventurous with your fashion this season. This is the perfect time of year for retro clothing lovers to strut their stuff, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to mix some vintage personality into your fall wardrobe or costume plans. Have fun, look fabulous, and embrace the fright!

Ready to start building your gothic wardrobe? Head over to the Retro Stage website and discover even more hauntingly beautiful pieces that will elevate your Halloween look.