Arabella Channeling Izzy's Goth Style

Okay… I did a thing.

A very different thing from my usual pastel, girly, cozy vibe.

I’ve been obsessed with my friend Izzy’s dark, edgy, completely badass goth/alt style for months now. Every time she posts a new look I find myself staring at it thinking, “Could I ever pull that off?” So this weekend I decided to stop wondering and actually try it. I dove headfirst into the dark side… and honestly? I kind of loved it.

Image by Geoff, edited and published by Arabella Imagines

The inspiration came straight from Izzy — that perfect mix of soft grunge and dramatic alt energy. I started with this super dramatic black off-the-shoulder top that’s been living in my closet for ages (I bought it on a whim last year and never had the courage to wear it). Then I paired it with my favorite ripped black denim mini skirt and fishnet tights. The finishing touches? Heavy smoky eyes, black lipstick, a silver fake nose ring, and my chunky black choker. I felt like a completely different version of myself the second I looked in the mirror.

The whole look felt powerful in a way I didn’t expect. There’s something so freeing about leaning into the darker, moodier side of fashion. The ripped details, the fishnets, the dramatic makeup — it all came together to create this confident, slightly dangerous energy that I’ve never really explored before. I kept catching myself smirking in the mirror like, “Who even is she?”

I took these photos in a friend's bedroom with the purple and red LED lights glowing, My Chemical Romance and Bauhaus posters watching over me, and the lava lamp doing its slow hypnotic dance in the corner. The whole atmosphere felt like the perfect setting for this new version of Arabella. Dark, moody, and a little bit rebellious.

I have to admit… I was nervous at first. This is so far outside my usual comfort zone of pinks, pastels, and soft feminine looks. But the more I got into it — the more I played with the pose, the makeup, the attitude — the more I realized how much fun it is to experiment. Fashion should be playful, right? Why not try on different versions of yourself every once in a while?

This goth/alt look made me feel strong, mysterious, and a little bit untouchable. There’s a quiet power in dressing like you don’t care what anyone thinks… even when you secretly do. I loved how the black made my red hair pop and how the dramatic makeup made my eyes look intense. It was like putting on armor made of eyeliner and attitude.

Now I’m really curious what you all think.

Would you ever try a full goth or alt look? Or do you already have a dark side in your closet that you love? Be honest — I want to know everything. Do you think this style suits me, or should I stick to my usual pastel shorts and polka dots? 😏

Drop your thoughts in the comments! I read every single one and your opinions always help me decide what to try next. Should I do more alt looks? Maybe a full emo revival? Or should I go back to soft and sweet for a while?

Thank you for always letting me experiment and share these little style adventures with you. Whether you’re team pastel or team goth, I’m so glad you’re here.