Blending 'Matrix' sleekness with goth whimsy, this dress combines a ball skirt, fitted bodice and cropped short-sleeve leather top for dramatic effect. Photo: Balenciaga
Fashion can be scary sometimes. Not in a terrifying way, but in a way that challenges our comfort zones. Say hello to the whimsigoth trend, part goth and part bohemian whimsy.
Think gothic elegance meets carefree creativity.
This fad is said to be a refreshing revival this year as a response to the somewhat cold and impersonal minimalist aesthetic that’s dominated in recent years.
Mysterious, romantic and a little bit moody, the whimsigoth spirit is what you would expect from a dreamer with a dark side. It lends the wearer a playfully gothic charm.
For this style vibe, we adore one of Dior’s Spring/Summer 2026 looks comprising a loose, black silk blouse with a fringed tie-on detail paired with a denim skirt featuring layers of denim fabric for volume.
An oversized white bow injects playful contrast into this black pleated number, while red beribboned shoes deliver a bold splash of colour. Photo: ValentinoRead more: How fashion breaks the rules by embracing authenticity over standard practice
These are complemented by a large, origami-like headpiece that could pass as a witch’s hat that has been flattened and transformed for maximum impact!
The footwear is equally quirky, featuring checkered fabric designed to resemble a large rose flower on each shoe. The bag is a squishy leather piece in oxblood red.
A mix of the Matrix and glam goth whimsy, Balenciaga’s all-black creation includes a voluminous ball skirt with a fitted bodice layered with a cropped short-sleeve leather top.
Sunglasses with lenses so dark they’re almost opaque add an air of mystery.
Giorgio Armani, known for elegance, sophistication and luxury, offers a dress that is almost celestial in its beauty, what with sparkling deep blue, green, and clear tiny sequins that dazzle in the light.
Making the attire mystical and intriguing is a necklace of many layers made of the same material as the dress, minus the shimmer.
A design that would surely win the heart of Wednesday Addams comes from Valentino.
The short, multi-tiered number made of black pleated material is simply spellbinding.
A big, white bow adds contrast and quirky flair to the overall look, while beribboned footwear in red lends a lovely pop of colour.
Part of Stella McCartney’s latest collection is a black tailored suit that exudes timeless elegance, and it is softened by an embroidery of flowers scattered across the fabric.
Read more: Menswear leans classic at the recent fashion weeks, but with bold twists
This gives the look a darkly romantic, mystical soul.
A bit of Midsummer Night’s Dream for the modern woman.
Presenting a his and hers design is French brand Sandro, where a dark suit with a shawl lapel for him spells sophistication, while her ensemble, a rusty gold suit complete with a matching shirt, necktie, and shoes is just as striking.
What’s more, the brand’s lookbook features the models posing with a vacant stare and standing stock-still, with the male talent wrapped in string lights like a cool Christmas tree. Beautifully eerie, no?
