Go Goth On A Budget
by Kassadee Marie, HSM team writer
Goth is not a style for everyone, in real life or on Home, but it’s been around since the 1980’s and it’s still growing and altering. If you find yourself drawn to the fashions and wondering what your avatar would look like with black hair, you might want to consider a few inexpensive purchases which will help you develop this style. You will want clothes, including some special items, and several hairstyles. Some companions in Sidekicks are suitable to the mood and have their own appeal. You may also want to buy a personal space and furniture, including something to provide suitable music.
Of course, your clothes will essentially need to be black, and wings and horns are nearly a requirement. You could go straight to the “Gothic” store, but those clothes are on the expensive side. Check the Costumes Originals store for some older items that still have 
great appeal, such as The Goth Suit, Red Raven (either for $1.49) or Male High Fashion ($.99) outfits for guys.
For the ladies, there are the Gothic Suit bundle or Paris Modern outfits for $1.49 (to get those over the knee black boots) and the Silver Spike outfit on sale for just $.99. The fallen wings top has attached black wings also for the ladies. Try Threads Originals for some inexpensive items also. This would be the store where you should pick up your basics, such as black leather pants for guys ($.49) or girls ($.25). You will find items such as black enamel shoes ($.25), cyber goth shoes ($.49), a mesh top ($.49) and skull stud earrings for the guys here.
For the ladies, in addition to the black leather pants, there are items such as the Playground shirtdress and tights top, the black fantasy torso, black ripped skinny jeans and the lace trimmed skirt with skull pattern, all for only $.49 each. If you’re looking for wings as hand items to be added to any top, Lockwood offers the Evil Dragon wings for $.49 and the open and close versions of the Fallen Angel wings for $.99 each or both in a package with the Fallen Angel halo for $1.99. Horns can be won at Hudson in blue and red, as well as at the Neptune Suite personal estate in a more natural color. Mass Media also offers a variety of horns for you to purchase, including a red colored pair and natural colored pair that sit further back on your head.
Almost any hairstyle looks good in black. There are three styles on sale right now that are especially good for a female goth look. The “Short and Spiky” hairdo makes a cute young, goth look and the “Pinned up Loose Curls” hairdo makes an elegant goth look. They are both only $.49 each. For only $.25 you can purchase the “Playground Truly Outrageous” hairdo for a long-haired goth look. For guys there are the “Slicked Back” hairstyle for a vampire goth look, the “Long Shaggy” hairstyle for a werewolf goth look (both for $.49 each) and the “Playground Short Bangs” style for a messy, causal goth look for only $.25.
There are many other great styles at higher prices if these don’t suit you; turn your avatar’s hair black and try on a few hairdos at the Shears store, such as The Punk Rocker for guys or the Long Curly hair for females.
The best deal in a Goth companion can be found at the Dead Nation Safe House, where you can purchase a miniature zombie companion for only $1.49. For slightly more ($1.99) there are two other fitting companions: the Hannya Mask or black cat companion. The Giant “black widow” spider that makes a web, the two-headed snake that strikes, the pet dragon that flies, and the chimera with three heads all sell for for $2.49 each. The Li’l Reaper is nearly irresistible, but not a bargain at $2.99.
For a personal space, I recommend that you purchase the Wizard’s Den, which is on sale for $1.99 at this time. Although this is a small estate with no “extras” such as a game or gift for your guests, it is wonderfully atmospheric. You will find this two-story stone tower to be filled with dragon columns, eerie windows, a golden cauldron and many interesting features such as the flags hanging high above from the ceiling and the pentagram-like markings on the floor in several places. There are spots for six picture frames to add your own goth pictures. The Zombie DeadQuarters may be more your style and is is on sale for $2.99. Although small and dark, this estate offers a rattling door, sound effects and a full zombie outfit for your guests. A few other estates, such as the Gothic Manor, are available for $4.99 each.
Black furniture can be found in many of the furniture stores, but Mass Media offers a bundle of four items for $1.99 called the “Mix It Up Collection” that’s a great deal. Then pick up the shelves (free standing and wall hanging styles) called the Black Modern shelves and Black Modern Wall shelves from Loot for $.39 and $.49, respectively. Don’t forget the free Tall Visari chair from the Home Originals Furniture Store. Hopefully you’ve picked up some free ornaments along the way also, such as the black roses from the Lockwood Showcase or the small statues from Edo, such as the Cyclops or the Starving Ghost, or the goblet from the Gothic Manor or Red Pyramid statue from Konami to complete your decorating.
For music, try the Novus Prime Stereo – the perfect goth music maker – and enjoy listening to otherworldly musical sounds for only $1.99. The 8-Bit Weapon may also have songs you’d enjoy and the Scary-achis Band may have a look you like, but the music is a bit livelier. Both of these items also sell for $1.99 each.
After decorating, be sure your hair is black, and so is your makeup. Try one of the new hairstyles on, drop your skin tone a few shades paler and put on your best black outfit. When you’ve put this all together, you will be ready to hang out in Siren with the vampires, werewolves, witches, ghouls and all the rest of the Goths, make some new friends and invite them over to your new Goth Place for a party at a wonderful place and with great music. No need to tell them that you did it on a budget!
May 8th, 2012 by Kassadee Marie | 3 comments
Home is endlessly entertaining to this California girl. Kassadee has been in Home for about four years, and loves almost everything about it (with a few notable exceptions). She spends way too much money there, and perhaps too much time... Someday she will travel the world and write about the people she meets and the places she sees.
This is a question I have longed to ask: do the Goth girls in Home also dress that way in real life? Is this common in California but not in the Midwest? I do occasionally see black nail polish but no outfits like the ones sold in Home. Or is this for parties and dates, but not for street wear or school? I can imagine some very shocked parents reacting to some of the Home outfits if their 13 year old came downstairs for breakfast in head-to-toe Goth gear. But I assume this is acceptable wear around other teens? Do other teens assume, “if she dresses that way, she must be really into Twilight movies”? I make no judgments either way -- I always say, if you like it, wear it. And to hell with what other people think. And Home is the perfect place to act out fantasies -- so, you go, girl!
Goth wear has been around for a long time and has gone through many phases. I have a very good male friend who used to be Goth in real life and still likes the style. To answer your question Granny I believe Goth can be found anywhere in the USA. The friend I mentioned lived in Chicago area. I myself have created a Goth girl that I saved to a slot in my wardrobe a long time ago, just for the fun of it. My Goth friend helped me. Another thing that is considered mandatory is to have your skin look very white as well as the black hair. Interesting article Kass.
Thanks for the tips. I like black clothing, not necessarily Gothic.