Summer is a season filled with melted ice cream coating sticky red-painted nails, bright bathing suits stained with tanning oil, and an endless palette of vivid, lively colors. But even in this heat wave of light and leisure, there are those who slip through the cracks, shadowy silhouettes lounging under black lace parasols, sipping iced espresso with chipped noir polish, unbothered by the glare.
Gothic is often misunderstood as a winter feeling, wrapped in velvets and draped in moody candlelight. But at its core, goth is not a season but a lifestyle. A devotion to the romantic, the melancholic, the unapologetically dramatic. It lives in contrast, in paradox, like wearing head-to-toe black in 90-degree weather just because it feels right. And what could be more gothic than wearing veils to the beach or patent leather in a heatwave? Dive into L’abbeye’s Guide to a Gothic Summer, our curated approach to embracing the heat without abandoning the romance of the avant-garde.
1. Find Your Signature Sunglasses
A good pair of sunglasses is a staple for any summer, but essential to a brooding mysterious look. Icons like Mary-Kate and Ashley mastered the nonchalant, intimidating chic of giant black frames. Gentle Monster is the perfect destination to find your go-to pair in shades of wine red, noir, stone, and even some lightweight wire frames to spice things up.
2. Add a Splash of Color to Your Go-To Black
Plum purples laid against bright green grass, or shades of grey flowing into the blue summer sky, is as romantic as it gets. Do not stick purely to the comfort of black, but try other shades to embrace the hot sticky season. There is something refreshing about layered shades of white and ivory. Master the art of mystery in lighter colors that will not have you passing out in the stuffy summer shadows. Check out Aenrmous for some lightweight, beautifully constructed pieces.
3. Perfect the Gothic Hairstyle for Heat
The key to summer hair is simply FKA Twigs. A brilliant and playful array of braids and slicked-back buns is the perfect way to keep your hair off your face. Collect an array of accessories to stick into your braids and buns. Glue buttons onto pins, find mesh ribbon to braid into your hair, or incorporate hair jewelry for dramatic flair. For those with short hair, experiment with sculptural hats, studded headbands, or zig-zag headbands. The world is your oyster, so why not add pearls to your ponytail?
4. Curate Your Summer Reading
Nothing screams summer like reading your favorite copy of The Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson under the hot sun. Another captivating read is The God of the Woods by Liz Moore, a tale that transports you to a sweaty summer camp to solve a suspicious missing persons case. If you want a kitschy, part-gothic horror, part-satirical fever dream, try Bunny by Mona Awad. This cult novel follows a lonely MFA student who descends into a pastel, blood-soaked sorority of madness. For a more classic read, go for The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides. A dreamy, obsessive narrative perfect for reading in a haze of nostalgia and heat.
5. Nail Your Gothic Summer Manicure
Go for chipped black polish, rusty reds, or deep purples. Add subtle gold or silver flakes like little secrets hiding in the shadows. Long, sharp almond shapes are a great option for a femme fatale look, or try an ombre of bruised pastels to bring some color into play. Check out the artful looks by All Hail Thy Nail. Adding piercings to the ring finger to match your septum is an inspired detail.
6. Choose Your Gothic Swimwear
Ditch the neon bikinis for strappy avant-garde black one-pieces. Bonus points if you add a velvet kimono cover-up or a silk scarf to tie your hair back. Dilara Findikoglu offers the best pieces for a dark, sensual summer. If you are seeking something more vintage, scour resale sites for Jean Paul Gaultier swimsuits and prepare to be the coolest person at the pool.
Whether you are splurging on Balenciaga shades or hunting through Depop for the perfect vintage swimsuit, the gothic summer of your dreams is calling. Follow L’Abbeye on all socials to keep up with the avant-garde.
Credits
Written by Bethany Suarez @16bethy