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Gothic, punk or vampire: choosing a dress
What separates a gothic dress from a punk one
Gothic dresses lead with fabric and line. Velvet, brocade and lace, a fitted bodice, and a skirt with weight to it, often floor length. Punk dresses lead with hardware and cut: shorter, tartan or PU, with buckles, D-rings and zips. Vampire styles sit between the two, gothic in fabric but sharper at the shoulder and collar, usually in black with red or wine detailing.
| Length | Falls at | Reads as | Typical fabric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini | Upper thigh | Punk, everyday | Denim, PU, tartan |
| Midi | Knee to calf | Gothic, wearable | Velvet, mesh |
| Maxi | Ankle | Gothic, romantic | Velvet, chiffon |
| Gown | Floor, with train | Vampire, occasion | Brocade, satin |
Sizing
PunkRave uses the manufacturer's Asian sizing, roughly one size below EU and US, and dresses are cut close through the bodice. Measure your bust and waist and read the centimetre table on the product page. Corset-back styles give several centimetres of adjustment; fitted zip-back styles give none.
Frequently asked
- What is the difference between a gothic dress and a punk dress?
- Gothic dresses lead with fabric and length, in velvet, brocade or lace. Punk dresses lead with hardware and cut, shorter, in tartan, denim or PU.
- What makes a dress vampire rather than gothic?
- A sharper shoulder and collar, and black with red or wine detailing. The fabric is gothic; the tailoring is closer to nineteenth-century evening dress.
- Can you wear a gothic maxi dress in summer?
- Yes. The chiffon and mesh maxi styles are unlined and cut loose, which is what the summer range is built around.
- Do PunkRave dresses run small?
- Yes, around one size below EU and US, and more through the bodice. Order from the bust and waist measurements in centimetres.