whimsigoth
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
Blend of whimsical + goth. The earliest known use of the term is a tweet posted on August 6, 2020 by Twitter user @KaiserBeamz (see quotation below), possibly as a back-formation from whimsigothic (itself from around April 2020). The aesthetic was originally referred to "Whimsical Mystical Gothic Celestial", a term which may have originated in an image posted on April 10, 2020, also by @KaiserBeamz.[1]
Noun edit
whimsigoth (uncountable)
- (neologism) An aesthetic incorporating historical (particularly medieval), neo-Gothic, and mystical elements, influenced by modern neo-pagan movements such as Wicca.
- 2020 August 6, @KaiserBeamz, Twitter[2], archived from the original on 2 March 2024:
- Mall Gothic desired to return goth back to its roots after the overly-commercial Whimsigoth style of the 90s. Stark blacks, whites and reds, alongside inky, sketchy lineart, the popularity of nu metal and emo kept Mall Gothic alive for all of the 00s.
- 2022 September 13, Jake Smith, “Meet Whimsigoth, the Witchy Aesthetic That's Taking Over TikTok”, in Glamour[3], Greenwich, C.T., […]: Condé Nast Publications, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2024-01-18:
- The whimsigoth of today emphasizes rich textures (velvet, lace, leather), bold colors (ruby reds, shimmering purples, cosmic blues), and plenty of jewelry, layering each element like brushstrokes in a Millais painting.
- 2023 February 13, Mary Frances Knapp, “The Best Y2K Home, Style, and Decor Items Inspired by Enya”, in VICE[4], archived from the original on 2024-02-28:
- But Enyacore leans away from the fussier Whimsigoth stylings of, say, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and towards a more spartan, adult take on the esoteric.
- 2023 March 2, Jessica Lindsay, “Enyacore interiors to give your home a hit of Orinoco Flow”, in Metro[5], London: DMG Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2023-03-27:
- It merges Celtic and Medieval influences befitting of the star's signature style, proving a real hit with fans of whimsigoth and cottagecore.
- 2023 October 3, Rosa Sanchez, “Anya Taylor-Joy's Dior Wedding Dress Is a Dream for Whimsigoth Brides Everywhere”, in Harper's Bazaar[6], New York, N.Y.: Hearst Magazine Media, Inc., →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2024-01-22:
- The Queen's Gambit actor put her own whimsigoth spin on bridal fashion in a dreamy beige princess dress, custom-made by Dior.
Related terms edit
See also edit
References edit
- ^ @KaiserBeamz (2020 April 10) Twitter[1], archived from the original on 31 July 2021: “Screw political compasses! Where do you stand in the compass of 80s/90s aesthetics!”