There’s a new mood in the air, and no—it’s not just the scent of SPF and chlorine. It’s Baby Goth season. Part Summerween, part Gen Z rebellion, this playful-yet-punk aesthetic is proof that you don’t need a dark castle or October chill to lean into your shadowy side.
Baby Goth has taken that midsummer goth-glam energy and spun it into something softer, cheekier, and more wearable for fall. Discover exactly what Baby Goth is and how to explore this trend.
What Is Baby Goth?
Baby Goth is Goth Glam’s younger, slightly sunnier sibling—less moody cathedrals, more haute couture. It mixes gothic silhouettes and dark romanticism with unexpected whimsy. And while the Schiaparelli runway or Tish Weinstock is our perfect sounding board for the trend, it translates to everyday life in the form of pastel skull hair clips, corsetted apparel paired with jelly sandals, or inky eyeliner alongside a healthy glow.
It’s a fusion of high-contrast moods and sometimes high-fashion fixtures—where black velvet lives happily next to glitter lip gloss, and a sheer babydoll dress somehow makes sense over fishnets.
How Baby Goth Translates to Beauty
Hybrid fashion codes like crop tops with Victorian puff sleeves, combat boots with frilly socks, and chokers stacked over charm necklaces define the wardrobe side of Baby Goth. The look thrives on contrast—softness against edge, romance against rebellion. That same tension carries into beauty, where a play of light and shadow takes center stage when it comes to how this trend translates to hair, makeup and nails. We’ve got a few ideas.
- Dark-but-dainty hair: Pair sleek pigtails with glossy black bows, mini braids threaded with silver ribbon, or add blue-black streaks to your hair and style with soft curls.
- Gothic beauty: Heading into fall 2025 where skincare trumps all else, add a smudged liner to your dewy skin or a jet-black manicure with candy-pink nail art; merlot lips with gloss instead of matte.
- The classic black mani: From glossy patent-leather shine to matte velvet finishes, the darkest shade in the spectrum is as sleek as it is timeless. And for Fall 2025, black nails are the It Girl manicure you can rock to nail the baby goth trend.
Why Baby Goth Is Trending Now
We’ve seen it building: the rise of Summerween, the gothic inflection on summer runways, the Wednesday effect in beauty campaigns. But Baby Goth adds a twist—it refuses the all-or-nothing choice between “clean girl” minimalism and full-scale vamp.
Instead, it’s a joyful juxtaposition—a way to embrace goth culture’s depth and drama without giving up playfulness. In a summer dominated by nostalgia-driven trends, Baby Goth borrows from the soft grunge and mall goth energy of the early 2000s, filtered through a TikTok lens that’s equal parts romantic and ironic.
How to Nail Baby Goth This Fall
1. Pick One “Goth” Anchor
Start with a core dark element—a black slip dress, deep plum lip, or heavy eyeliner—and let the rest of the look stay airy.
2. Play With Contrast
Layer tough with tender: a leather mini with heart-shaped sunglasses, or a ruffled skirt with studded boots.
3. Add a Quirky Detail
Baby Goth thrives on visual surprise. Swap the expected crucifix pendant for a gummy bear charm, or choose a lavender satin ribbon over your black ponytail.
4. Keep Hair Sleek—or Softly Dishevelled
Either go for glossy, sculpted styles (baby braids, space buns) or tousled, doll-like curls. The key is making it feel intentional.
5. Don’t Shy Away From Shine
Glossy hair, gleaming skin, patent accessories—Baby Goth is never dusty. Think shimmer over shadow.
Your Moodboard
Imagine Wednesday Addams at a pool party hosted by Marie Antoinette, with a soundtrack of early Paramore and Olivia Rodrigo. It’s a little spooky, a little sugary, and impossible to take too seriously. It’s goth, but make it giggle.
