What I'm looking for is what I would describe as a goth-lite ethereal short dress.

November 9, 2010 7:09 PM

I am a small woman in need of an interesting little dress for a performance with a band in a bar. Help me find some less obvious, inexpensive, alternative/gothic/victorian clothing stores in New York City.

I know this probably sounds like a ridiculous question, as clearly NYC is filled with alternative clothing stores and I should just be able to walk down some random street in the east village to find them, but I'm actually having a really hard time finding the sort of thing I'm looking for. I don't even know what category it would fall into. And online, I've looked at a lot of websites, but the sheer amount of information is overwhelming to sort through, a lot of information seems to be outdated, and the goth clothing sites are generally more hardcore than I want.

What I'm looking for is what I would describe as a goth-lite ethereal short dress. Color is less important, but I'd prefer it to be dark, and I'd like it to have an interesting style and texture to it. I want to be able to wear it with a pair of funky boots. I would like it to have some sort of straps or short sleeves (long sleeved would be fine if the sleeves are sheer). I want it to have some character, but I don't want to look like I just walked out of Hot Topic.

What seems to complicate things is that I am a very petite and slim woman with a small chest, and the best dresses I've found seem to be designed for more voluptuous females. And also, I don't want to spend more than $100 on this dress.

As for a couple of the stores I've been to: Trash & Vaudeville was cool, but that's a little too heavy-duty for me. Top Shop had a couple neat dresses, like this one, but I couldn't stand the uneven straps at the top (I did like the asymmetrical hem, though). I looked at every single other dress in the store and nothing was suitable.

So.... I know this is probably confusing, but I'm hoping someone knows of stores anywhere in New York City that might have the sort of thing I'm looking for, without being a mall chain.

TL;DR: Where can a small female in New York City find a somewhat goth/ethereal inexpensive short dress that would look good on a singer fronting a band?

posted by wondermouse to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (11 answers total)

This might sound a little wacky, but have you tried Forever 21? I know it's aimed at fast fashion for the young crowd, and you kind of have to buck up and ignore the terrible music and atmosphere, but I was there recently and they had an interesting assortment of dresses.

Here are some that might fit the bill. Lacy. Velvety. Zippered.

The quality can be a little hit and miss (I have dresses from there that have lasted 3 years, as well as ones that have busted a seam or unraveled in 2 months) but the price is certainly appealing.
posted by rachaelfaith at 7:45 PM on November 9, 2010

Yeah, I agree with rachael concerning F21, especially their twelve by twelve line, which has more "fashion-y" styles than the standard F21 line. But in general, you'll probably be able to find something good. They have a lot of clothes that are a good balance between edgy and elegant.
posted by joyeuxamelie at 8:30 PM on November 9, 2010

Response by poster: I actually have scoured Forever 21 several times already, though I don't recall seeing that Lace Tier number in the store, which actually might work if it doesn't look terrible on me. I'll have to look again this week.

Mostly I'm looking for a store that might not already be well known, hence the desire for a non-mall chain. Cause otherwise I've been to just about every relatively affordable chain in the city.
posted by wondermouse at 8:50 PM on November 9, 2010

If you don't mind looking online, try ASOS. Shipping is really fast and returns are easy.

Maybe some ideas out of their, like, 1500 dresses:

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posted by houseofdanie at 9:17 PM on November 9, 2010

Also, Urban Outfitters might have something that interests you:
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posted by houseofdanie at 9:24 PM on November 9, 2010

You might try beacon's closet in Williamsburg. They have an amazing selection of things at thrift prices - you can find a dress and shoes for unter $100 - easy.
posted by pearl228 at 9:48 PM on November 9, 2010

i don't know how available they are in the US - but the pearl lowe xmas dresses i think would look awesome with more goth-y type boots and jewelery and such.
posted by nadawi at 10:15 PM on November 9, 2010

You may have some luck in the Union Square area... at 825 Broadway is Ibiza NYC, which has goth-lite and upscale bohemian stuff. They are not too cheap but you may have luck with sale stuff. Next door to them is a similar place called Calliope or Callalily or something like that. Then, at 108 4th Ave (also around 11th St) is Gothic Renaissance, basically like T&V but I think they have a cuter selection. You could also try Vampire Freaks on Ave A around 12th. I haven't been in there and it looks a little ratty, but you never know.

Oh, and Free People! You can check the listings online before going to a shop, but there's a location on 5th Ave and 16th St that could work with a Union Square shopping excursion.
posted by xo at 8:50 AM on November 10, 2010

When do you need it? Velvet Garden might have what you need.
posted by divabat at 2:22 PM on November 10, 2010

Response by poster: These are great! Thanks! Hoping I can find something at one of these stores this week... at any rate, keep the recommendations coming as I'll be checking back here and will reference this in the future.
posted by wondermouse at 4:30 PM on November 10, 2010

H & M always has nice little dresses. And they're all over the place in NYC. And they're cheap.
posted by supercoollady at 1:54 PM on November 28, 2010