a line lace wedding dress with sleeves Plus Size A-Line Sweetheart Neckline and Long line Wedding Dress Sylvette

The dress can totally be dressed up or down

Why Neckline Choice Matters Most For broad-shouldered brides, the neckline does more work than any other design detail

On the other hand, if the blouse has a more minimal design, you can incorporate more volume in the bottom half, such as a full-circle skirt or wide-legged pants

Dark lip deep red, burgundy, plum, or near-black is the signature gothic prom move Smoky eye charcoal or black eyeshadow, blended and defined Pale or matte base a foundation slightly lighter than your natural tone adds to the aesthetic Do not combine a dark lip AND a heavy smoky eye pick one as the focal point Skin finish: matte or satin finish, never glittery Hair Sleek, straight styles low ponytail, poker straight, or dramatic part Soft updo with loose pieces romantic and gothic without being too severe Deep, rich hair color if your hair is dark naturally, let it work for you Avoid overtly sweet or princess-style curls they conflict with the gothic mood Shoes and Bag Black heeled sandals or ankle-strap heels in matte or satin finish Block heels are practical and period-appropriate for the dark-romance aesthetic Small structured clutch in black, deep burgundy, or matte silver Avoid rhinestone-covered bags with a heavily detailed dark dress Gothic Prom Looks by Body Type Petite Frames A full gothic ball gown can overwhelm a smaller frame

Many women gravitate toward above knee length dresses for their adaptabilitythey can be dressed up with a pair of heels and statement jewelry for a special occasion or worn with sandals and a sun hat for a breezy weekend outing