What is it about the desolation of abandoned spaces that fascinates and captivates us so? The architectural corpses of feral homes, deserted temples, ghost towns, dilapidated castles, drifting shipwrecks–whether it’s run-down, ramshackle structures or their derelict surroundings, humans can’t seem get enough of their own oblivion.

There’s an eerie, inherent beauty in decay and abandonment, in the decrepit, ghostly aesthetics of what was once thriving and pristine, now fallen to ruin, suspended in time and place. So many things vanish, yet these decaying buildings, these vestiges of places that once existed, remain in the landscape, reassuring our minds that death might not be the end.

If that’s all just a little too deep to contemplate on an early morning, perhaps then, consider this: in the grim gloom, bleak debris, and phantom shadows we conjure of those who once populated these spaces, there is much in the way of unusual and thrilling imagery to be found.  Why not consider incorporating these spectral stories and eerie, distressed, decayed motifs into your seasonal wardrobe shifts?

Whether you’re a natty urban explorer poking about an abandoned asylum or a lounging quaintrelle with a penchant for tea parties in dusty turrets, no doubt you will find a bit of inspiration in the four ensembles I have compiled for you below.

Please note: This post was originally created in 2016 for Dirge Magazine, a site that no longer exists on the internet (except in some form or another at archive.org, probably.)  I have not included the items used for these ensembles because these were created four years ago and everything is most assuredly out of stock! If you have questions about anything though, please leave me a comment, and I will try to find the answers for you.

Danvers Asylum

 

Corfe Castle

Prambanan Temple

Roosevelt Smallpox Hospital

 

Bonus! For your ears: ominous aural accompaniment to these ensembles in the form of a Spotify playlist , inspired by Roland Torpor’s The Tenant.

Well, you knew I was eventually going to do this sooner or later!

Also, this is a small announcement that the publish date for The Art of the Occult has been shifted from September 20, 2020 to October 6, 2020. With the world being in such a state right now, I wouldn’t be totally surprised if that shifted again, but if I find that out, I will update you immediately.

Mary Katrantzou Colour-Block Maxi Dress Aw19 // Nutsa Modebadze NM8087 boot // bralette and knickers from Journelle // Erie Basin Etrucan Revival Bracelet // Swarovski Dream Eye Clutch // Gucci The Voice of the Snake perfume, from The Alchemist’s Garden collection // Julie Nolan brass snake ring at Catbird NYC // Antique Amethyst and Opal Ring // Vint & York Rare Bird cat eye glasses // Bloodmilk jewels The Torch Bearer ritual strand // Sofia Zakia Medusa’s Veil Ring // Christian Louboutin Goldomania nail color  // The Art of the Occult preorder

…I mean, we all have that one friend, don’t we?

Mimosa Gathered Taffeta Gown by Aje // Miu Miu Embellished suede ankle boots // Area tie-fastening Crystal Necklace // Diamanda Sunglasses by Adele Mildred // Lonely Lingerie Delilah bodysuit // Blow Me statement fan by Khu Khu // Tom Ford FUCKING FABULOUS perfume // 10.5 carat L’Amour diamond ring // Marchesa Glitter Box Clutch Bag // Achlys ring from bloodmilk jewels // Christian Louboutin ‘The Noirs’ nail colour

Sadly I did not engage in my annual tradition of watching one horror movie a day, every day during the month of October. I didn’t have the time! I’m so sorry! If you missed them in previous years, here are the links for my 31 Days of Horror in both 2018 and 2017. I’m definitely going to go for it again next year, so stay tuned.

(Although! In the first days of the month, I did watch one beautiful giallo-style horror movie with a cast almost entirely populated by queer characters, and that I highly recommend–Knife + Heart, on Shudder right now.)

So…maybe fill the void with something else, then? I gave it some thought and realized that over the past decade of assembling little fashion collages (see my How To Wear category both on this blog and over at my other home, Haute Macabre) so many of them, at least half, probably more, are horror-inspired! How fun would it be to gather up some of my favorites, dust off the cobwebs, and present them as…How To Wear 31 Days Of Spooky Attire! Apologies in advance for the double-vision; this same post is going up at Haute Macabre tomorrow, but I thought I’d get a head start and share it here, first.

A small disclaimer: many of these sets were made using a site that no longer exists. Whereas I used to have a list for every item I included for each ensemble, sadly that is no longer the case and I cannot link to any of the items used. I know–it’s a travesty! Some of them I might remember though, so feel free to leave any questions you might have in the comments and I am happy to try and guess! If you have any questions about the art used or the films or literature referenced, I am happy to address those as well.

DAY ONE // DAGON

DAY TWO // SALEM’S LOT

DAY THREE // LURID PAPERBACKS

DAY FOUR // SATAN

DAY FIVE // CRIMSON PEAK

DAY SIX // COVEN

DAY SEVEN // MORTICIA ADDAMS

DAY EIGHT // CARMILLA

DAY NINE // VAMPIRE SQUID

DAY TEN // WITCHES

DAY ELEVEN // A MOTLEY MENAGERIE

DAY TWELVE // JUNJI ITO (TOMIE)

DAY THIRTEEN // VIRGIL FINLAY

DAY FOURTEEN // FEMALE CENOBITE

DAY SIXTEEN // SPOOKY CHATEÂU

DAY SEVENTEEN // THE HOUSE ON THE BORDERLAND

DAY EIGHTEEN // PENNY DREADFUL

DAY NINETEEN // WENDIGO

DAY TWENTY // MADAME DE LA ROUGIERRE

DAY TWENTY-ONE // AN OCCULT ENDEAVOR

DAY TWENTY-TWO // TERRIFYING TOTS

DAY TWENTY-THREE// SPIDER BABY

DAY TWENTY-FOUR // GOTHIC ROMANCE NOVELS

DAY TWENTY-FIVE // OBSESSED HORROR FAN

DAY TWENTY-SIX // PEEPHOLE

DAY TWENTY-SEVEN // TWIN PEAKS

DAY TWENTY-EIGHT // A SPOOKY SCENT

DAY TWENTY-NINE // CARNIVAL OF SOULS

DAY THIRTY // ABANDONED AMUSEMENTS

DAY THIRTY-ONE // PET SEMATARY

 

Featured image: George Ziel for the cover of Shorecliff by Marilyn Ross

Some silliness and fancies at Haute Macabre this week: How To Wear Your Cup Of Stars, featuring the Her Cup Of Stars pendant from Sofia Zakia.

…as an FYI, playing with fancy frocks and jewelry is one of the cup of stars-iest things that I do!

A Walpurgisnacht agenda: fly east from the dying sun over spring fields to conduct unholy business under the deepest shroud of darkness. Rule the night skies with an unruly entourage of familiars, demons, and unbaptized children. Gather at Brocken’s peak for nameless rites and deeds, review and/or renew a pact with The Devil, flood surrounding forests with wild magicks, terrorize ignorant villagers. Check, check, check.

…hold up. Drop that sacrificial baby. What’s this? Are we dancing naked around this goddamn bonfire? Are we frolicking frockless? What the actual fuck, Satan? Were we not promised we’d live deliciously? Did you not specifically spell out that we were to have new dresses?

Listen, witches. Walpurgisnacht is an important event on your calendar and it just won’t do to go starkers, no matter what those antiquated copper etchings and Faustian carte-de-visites reveal. Don’t wait for Lucifer to deliver on that dress promise; dude is the prince of lies, you know that. A witch worth their salt has got to make this shit happen for themselves–I mean, what’s witchcraft for, if not extravagant sartorial gain?

Mirror the cloak of night in your evening’s ensemble, festoon yourself in potent symbolism, swath your bod in shadowy silhouettes. Accessorize with winged creatures and woodland-inspired jewels. Leave an infernal fragrance, redolent of spices, herbs, and venom in your wake. Incorporate the sabbat’s myriad magical motifs, as seen below, into your ensemble and next year you’ll be sure to bring the hexennacht hotness to your wicked Walpurgis revelries.

 

Ann Demeulemeester Short Dress $235 // Mise en Cage Ionesco High-Waist Harness Brief $148 // Mise en Cage Aldridge Soft Bra $112 // Sergio Rossi Elastic corset suede thigh high boots $1145 // Zana Bayne SS15 Mini Signature Bag $575 // FabMeJewelry 3D Printed tiara $50 // Burial Ground Pentacle pendant from $45 // Kathula blackened ring by BlueBayerDesignNYC $100 // Burial Ground Seer ring $165 // Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Witches $20 // UNUM Symphonie Passion perfume Extrait de Parfum $220

Elie Saab Lace-paneled silk-blend georgette gown $3450 // Damaris Da Vinci High Waist Knicker $100 // Damaris Da Vinci Triangle Bra $140 // Fluevog Pilgrim $299 // Derercuny chain clutch $890 // Elaine Ho Brutalist pendant $90 // Ann Demeulemeester 5 Signet ring set $730 // Dolce & Gabbana Satin-twill and lace veil $966 // Urban Decay Moondust eyeshadow $21 // Serge Lutens La Religieuse $150 // HVNTER GVATHERER Sybil necklace $250 //  HVNTER GVATHERER X Lycanthea cuff (limited) // Rituel de Fille Forbidden Lipstick in Shadow Self $23

BONUS ENSEMBLE (sorry for the lack of details, blame polyvore*)

(This content was originally published at Dirge in 2016. The site no longer exists.)