Other Clothing

For this month’s Q&A we thought we would have a chat with Kates Clothing about the Alternative Fashion scene for women, and we discussed which brands stand-out from the others, and even got a tip on dying your hair!

What are the current Alternative Fashion trends for women?

At the moment, with Summer approaching, retro styles like swing dresses and bright prints are popular, but always with an alternative twist. Bright flowers might have skulls heads or spooky eyeballs!

Is there a women’s Alternative Fashion brand that really stands-out?

At the moment for Summer Hell Bunny have some amazing light summer dresses with unique prints, including bright new plus size styles. Necessary Evil have new skirts and dresses with a bit more attitude for girls who love to wear black through the year!

What item of clothing and footwear would you recommend?

The new Necessary Evil Alpheto blouse is a nice light shirt that can be worn from day to night, and would fit with Gothic, Steampunk and retro styles.

These new shoes from Pin-Up Couture are gorgeous. A retro design with pvc trim!

Do you have any tips for women’s hair dye?

ALWAYS do a strand test. hair dye changes with each persons hair so you should always test it first. If you stain your skin with the dye, nail varnish remover will remove most things but a bit of Vaseline on the tops of your ears and around your hairline will hopefully stop it staining in the first place!

Dry shampoo can help prolong a colour, but a bit of dye in your shampoo will give it a boost.

Shop the full range of women’s alternative clothing and footwear at Kates Clothing now.

This month we thought we would have a chat with Kates Clothing about the Alternative Fashion scene for men, and we discussed which brands stand-out from the others, and even got a tip on men’s hair dye!

What are the current Alternative Fashion trends for men?

Steampunk fashions like waistcoats and tailored trousers are still very popular among alternative men who like to make a bit of an effort with their style. Printed t-shirts are an easy way for guys to show some sense of fashion without having to worry about trends too much.

Is there a men’s Alternative Fashion brand that really stands-out?

Necessary Evil always have a good range for men unlike a lot of alternative brands that focus on women only. They have everything from hoodies and baggy trousers to steampunk waistcoats and smart shirts. Akumu Ink make very wearable and affordable logo t-shirts for Gothic and heavy metal fellas to wear easily.

What item of clothing and footwear would you recommend?

It depends on the individual’s style really as the choice for men is expanding all the time but you can’t go wrong with a classic black shirt. The Necessary Evil Slaine shirt has a twist on the norm with it’s oversize cuffs.

For footwear it has to be a classic pair of New Rocks – hard wearing, full of attitude and they go with just about anything. These boots have a little twist on the traditional boots as they have flaming skull buckles!

Do you have any tips for men’s hair dye?

Lots of guys dye their hair these days but if you want to change your hair colour but aren’t sure where to start (and are maybe a little bit nervous!)

Manic Panic temporary hair colour gel is a great place to start. It comes in 10 colours and you use it just like ordinary gel, it just gives hair a vibrant colour that washes out in one wash.

Shop the full range of men’s alternative clothing and footwear at Kates Clothing now.

As we continue our look through all different Gothic styles, this month we feature Industrial Gothic and its not just about studs, spikes and buckles as we find out more from Kates Clothing about this amazing style.

What are the origins of Industrial clothing?

Industrial, as a style, is difficult to pin down as there are so many cross-over items from other styles. Some aspects of Cyber and Steampunk, pieces of original punk fashion, minimal or full of details it is a tricky thing to define. There are two, very different, general looks. Many industrial bands stick to clean lines, sharp black shirts and ties, or take ‘industrial’ literally with metal spikes, chains and workwear goggles, outfits heavy on accessories and detailing. Think either Mad Max (but more black less brown, otherwise you’re getting into steampunk) or The Matrix.

Does the Industrial style differ from other Gothic styles?

It has less of a romantic feel to it, if that makes sense! Harsher and sometimes with a post-apocalyptic feel it is much less delicate than the traditional Gothic fashion, some would say not Gothic at all.

Which brands are associated with Industrial?

Necessary Evil is good brand for clean cut shirts with subtle industrial details like chrome buttons and epaulettes. Criminal Damage ‘Blacklist’ have also got some tailored black items with industrial metal details like their bondage jackets.

What would be the must-have Industrial item of clothing and footwear?

Footwear would be either a pair of shiny steel toe capped military style boots or, if you’re going for the detailed nuclear-future look instead of a matrix-style one, beaten up New Rocks with chains.

Clothing is more difficult, as I said before the style is hard to define. A tailored but interesting shirt or slim line leather coat

or go for heavily detailed items like these Criminal Damage trousers to evoke a feeling of industry and metal.

Shop Industrial Gothic now.