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Ramya Yandava's avatar

I once came across the term "whimsigothic" when I was writing a post about the lovecore aesthetic and about aesthetics in general and filed it away as something I wanted to look into more, so I'm so happy to have come across your explanation of it here! I recently went to Salem and read a lot about the horrible ways that accusing someone of being a witch was used to persecute people who didn't fit in, so I'm really glad you mentioned that history.

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MacKinley Jade's avatar

so happy this came across you at the right time! i visited salem last year, such a cool town with so much rich (albeit tragic) history. thank you for reading!

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Sheila (of Ephemera)'s avatar

Another excellent article!💕 I loved Sabrina in the Archie comics (was a huge fan as a kid), and my husband watched the show in the 90s, lol. I wore ALL those looks back then, and worked in a clothing store then. Ally McBeal was also a big clothing influence in addition to the other shows you note, like Buffy.

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MacKinley Jade's avatar

thank you!! did you two watch the netflix reboot too?? ally mcbeal + the x files had such great '90s workwear looks!

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Rebecca's avatar

YET ANOTHER SPELLBINDING PIECE FROM YOU!!!

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MacKinley Jade's avatar

the BEST adjective to receive THANK YOU!!

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Rebecca's avatar

so WELCOME!! 🧚🏻🧚🏻🧚🏻

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SarahT's avatar

Loved this! The word whimsigoth was long overdue to be invented. It must have been floating in the ether and how clever of the first person to perceive it. Also, I never knew that that that particular shape was called dagger collar. So good!

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MacKinley Jade's avatar

right!? i was elated when i first heard it, so much easier to search for things with a clear name!!

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Beth Eakman Re's avatar

As a halloween birthday girl, this has always been one of my favorite overall vibes. I don't think I ever stopped wearing the Practical Magic look. Sandra Bullocks's character has a couple of looks that I consider underrated perfection, including the olive and white slip dress and cardi combo and her epic denim cutoffs with wellies. On the number line continuum of whimsi to Goth, Practical Magic hits the perfect center. I mean, it was the 90s and The Matrix, The Craft, and a whole kickline of horror flicks were holding down the Goth-y-er thing with ankle-length leather coats and all things metal-spiked and studded. Great piece with perfect timing!

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MacKinley Jade's avatar

you were born for the practical magic look!!! wish i could've raided your closet back then!

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Faith Amenn's avatar

SO good (as a kid I thought the short-sleeve turtleneck was revolutionary)

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MacKinley Jade's avatar

i still think that tbh!!

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Hugh McAlpine's avatar

I really enjoyed this. The witch I think about most is Selena Gomez’s character in Wizards of Waverley Place (don’t ask me why!)… it’s a little lighter because it’s Disney but still some interesting Boho-leaning whimsigoth examples in there 🧙🏻‍♀️🔮✨

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MacKinley Jade's avatar

yessss! so happy you said this i was thinking so much about alex russo while writing. she was always my favorite disney lead! (and hannah montana, of course)

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