I'm a Millennial Rewatching ‘Buffy’—and I'm Obsessed with the Show’s Whimsigoth Fashion
By Stephanie Maida,
1 days ago
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Nothing sets the mood for fall quite like a nostalgic binge-watch. Last year I tackled Gilmore Girls (arguably the most quintessentially autumn-coded series out there), but this time around I’ve traded the shenanigans of Stars Hollow, Connecticut for the slightly more fantastical goings-on of Sunnydale, California. Yes, that’s right—I’m deep in a Buffy the Vampire Slayer rewatch. I’ll be honest, though, the supernatural conflicts and vampire entanglements so far have felt a lot more low-stakes than they did when I originally watched it as a pre-adolescent (you know, when it was actually airing). But there is one thing about the series that has me completely hooked: the clothes . More specifically, the wonderfully whimsigoth wardrobes of the show’s butt-kicking heroines.
Feminine yet edgy, dark but dreamy—such is how I’d describe the series’ thematic undertones, as well as the essence of the so-called “whimsigoth” look I’m referring to. It’s a little bit bohemian, a little bit gothic and 100 percent a product of the late-'90s/early 2000s convergence of Lilith Fair and dELiA*s catalog. And it is forever preserved in all its glory in the delightfully bonkers world of Buffy .
As a millennial, I’m obsessed—and I’m not the only one. According to Google Trends , searches for the term “whimsigoth” have risen steadily over the past two years, since it was officially coined by architect and design archivist Evan Collins . But lately I’ve been seeing it everywhere . In fact, Architectural Digest recently dubbed it a home interiors trend and Target just curated an entire collection around it . Whether it has something to do with the return of spooky season or the seemingly consistent cultural yearnings for the '90s, whimsigoth is on the rise, and it’s definitely my favorite aesthetic for autumn.
As you may have guessed from the combination of the words “whimsical” and “gothic,” the whimsigoth look isn’t quite the all-black-everything aesthetic of a moody teenager à la Lydia Deetz or Wednesday Addams. There’s a romantic earthiness to it that softens the edge. Think: bell sleeves, long skirts, crochet, crushed velvet and touches of lace and mesh. Motif-wise, fairy-like florals, butterflies and celestial bodies reign supreme, as do nods to astrology and, of course, witchcraft.
Indeed, while Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Buffy Summers has her whimsigoth moments when she combines floral skirts and lacy camisoles with her ever-present cross necklace and leather jacket, it’s really Alyson Hannigan’s Willow Rosenberg who perfects the aesthetic—especially in later seasons when she (spoiler alert!) embraces her witchy powers. On a related note, the term whimsigoth is also often applied to the magic-wielding characters in Practical Magic , Charmed and Sabrina the Teenage Witch , solidifying its synonymy with good witches of the '90s.
As you can see below, I’ve already been busy cultivating my collection of Buffy- ( and Willow-) inspired staples, so to help you get the look, I’ve rounded up a few more whimsigoth pieces that have totally cast a spell on me.
An ode to the oh-so-'90s slip dress, this slinky number is overlaid with mesh and features a smattering of delicate dark florals fit for your inner witch—or vampire slayer (I could totally see this number on Buffy herself).
Is fellow '90s teen star Katie Holmes a secret whimsigoth? Maybe not, but she does own this 18 karat gold-plated necklace, which features a reversible medallion displaying all the signs of the zodiac. Willow would totally appreciate it, and, as an astrology junkie , I certainly do.
Even if it's not vampires, you’re sure to slay in this velvet-accented LBD. Don it with knee-high boots , Buffy-style, or opt for strappy heels for a dressed-up moment with a touch of nostalgia.
Buffy had quite the selection of slinky camisole tops in her rotation, and this lace-and-tulle trimmed pick from J.Crew totally fits the bill. It’s even made with a pre-crinkled finish, so you don’t have to worry about wrinkles when you’re roundhouse kicking a demon.
Brown-suede-everything is currently trending thanks to the boho-chic revival , and it happens to fit right in with the whimsigoth look. Made with genuine suede, this kitten-heeled pair of knee-high boots is the perfect pick for wearing under flowy skirts and dresses.
The patchwork paisley and earthy florals of this satin midi skirt would look right at home in Willow’s closet (or in that of her similarly magically gifted girlfriend, Tara ). Basically, if you could picture it on your high school art teacher, it’s probably whimsigoth.
A sheer lace top is a whimsigoth’s secret weapon come chilly season, as it can instantly supply some decorative coverage beneath a low-cut style or be worn on top of fitted camisoles and bandeau tops. This long-sleeve one even has a high mock neck and tuckable length, so it was basically made for layering.
Between its puff sleeves and moody floral print, this twisted-front frock is serving whimsigoth princess (very Drusilla for those who know)—I’m obsessed.
From the ruffled neckline (which can be worn off-the-shoulder) to the dreamy scene of blooms, this mesh top looks straight out of a fairy circle. Peak whimsy. Pair it with jeans for a subtle nod to the aesthetic, or go all out by styling it with a billowy, boho maxi skirt. Speaking of…
Flowy silhouette? Asymmetrical hem? A touch of lace? Check, check and check. This lace-paneled satin skirt is figure-skimming in all the right places while still providing plenty of twirl-worthy movement.
“Festive,” “comfy” and “soft,” is how reviewers describe this flared velvet peasant top, which features a button front and elasticized cuffs to give the sleeves some enchanting volume. Great for holiday parties and spell-casting sessions alike.
PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.
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