WORDS BY JOSEPH FURNESS
Why does it feel so good to be bad? We’re not sure, ask your psychiatrist. But we do know that embracing your dark side is hot as hell right now as AW19 is all about rocking horror-inspired fashions.
To inspire you to embrace your inner-goth, we’ve ranked this season's key pieces in order of scariness — from the totally frightful to the trick or treat friendly. We see you shiver with antici…………..pation.
Horror Fashion Scary Scale
At the top of our list is a Michael Myers-esque mask from Japanese streetwear brand Neighborhood (an accessory that we’re just as surprised as you that we stock). All we’d like to ask is: Neighborhood, everything ok at home?
I’ve got a feeling, somebody’s watching me. These Haculla eyes are giving us serious TJ Eckleburg vibes (for the uncultured readers, that's a ‘The Great Gatsby’ reference). Second on our list as there's nothing more horrifying than an omnipresent threat.
3. Neil Barrett Horror Toys T-Shirt
As much as we love Neil Barrett (and his twisted imagination), we’re extremely glad his new ‘horror toys’ didn’t make it into Toy Story 4. They did make it to third place on our scary scale though.
4. Yohji Yamamoto Vampire Ring
An accessory made for the Edward Cullen's among us; this fangy vampire ring by Yohji has big ‘bite me’ energy, guaranteed to make others thirsty.
5. Alexander McQueen Spider Earrings
Become Buffy the Fashion Slayer in a pair or spider, skull and Swarovski crystal earrings by Alexander McQueen. Horror fashion at its finest.
6. Walter Van Beirendonck Tops
Like a sartorial science teacher, Belgian designer Walter Van Beirendonck uses human anatomy as inspiration for his designs. The result? Creepy, colourful and educational attire.
7. Aurelie Bidermann Scissor Necklace
If you’ve seen Jordan Peele’s Us (a true cinematic masterpiece), you already know what’s up.
If fashion is a form of communication, then what message does a ‘The Vampire’s Wife’ dress connote? It says “I’m a grown, sophisticated woman who counts Wednesday Addams as my spirit animal.”
9. Nike Air Force 1 '07 Skeleton
A Nike sneaker fit for the "Alexa play Billie Eilish and download all episodes of Stranger Things 3 on Netflix’’ generations of today.
10. Marcelo Burlon County of Milan Sketches Trousers
Fun but slightly unsettling, these out-of-this-world Marcelo Burlon trousers evoke enough uncanny feelings to make it to tenth place on our scary scale.
11. Phillipp Plein Skull Stilettos
Make all the passers-by say Dammit Janet in these (potentially lethal) killer stilettos by the new king of bling, Phillipp Plein. Who said horror fashion couldn't be glamorous?
12. Nike x Off-White 'All-Hallows Eve'
The most frightful thing about these Nike x Off-White 'All-Hallows Eve' sneakers is their appreciated price point. They’re so worth it though.
Smothered in a blood red hue, this horror-inspired Off-White denim jacket is more dead cool than scary.
About as scary as Nicole Kidman’s witch in the 2005 reboot of Bewitched (don’t get catty about her performance, we mean ‘scary’ in a literal sense); this Prada shirt — adorned with a monster mash-up of prints — is a PG take on the horror fashion trend.