October is here! (A guide on shopping for the spookiest day of the year)

The leaves are turning color, the wind is starting to become colder, and the sunny days of yore are now replaced with cloudy days.  It's October of course, the biggest shopping time of the year for goths.  I'm sure you've noticed it by  now, shopping centers being overtaken by the creepy holiday, selling spooky trinkets to celebrate the coming of Halloween.  If you're like me, then a week (or more) before October first, you were antsy at the passing days, impatiently waiting for the best time of the year (and I don't mean Christmas).  The wait is over, and the time is now!  

But wait, what if you're new to the goth scene, and you don't know where to start?  Below, I have a few tips and tricks to help.  

1. Stay away from cheap products

    This includes anything that looks like it'll fall apart if handled too much (like cheap metals, etc...).  This can be frustrating, especially if you buy the said object for a hefty price, just to have it fall apart on you.  Some mass produced products (not just Halloween, but most products as a whole), are made of cheap materials, and sometimes will break easily.  Anything that looks like it will break if handled too much, stay away from, even if you have to spend a few dollars more to get the better made product.  It'll save you in the long run.  

2. Don't limit yourself to just Halloween stores

I can't tell you how many times I went to Kmart, or the dollar store, and found an accessory that I just had to have.  If you only shop at Halloween stores, then you are limiting yourself to the other possibilities of finding products that can either enhance your look, or give you new ideas.  I know what some of you are thinking.  "Kmart and most dollar stores only sell massed produce items, so why are you telling us to shop there, when you  just told us to stay away from products like that?"  Because, not all products that Kmart, and stores alike sell, are cheap.  There are a lot of cheesy looking costume pieces yes, but sometimes you can find a gem of an accessory to go with your outfit, or something that you can use.  You have to be willing to hunt, if you want to find them though.  

Also, not all Halloween stores sell five star products.  Some of it is mass produced anyway, which means no matter which store you go to, you'll have to hunt to find what you want, and not limiting yourself to just one store, you can find a better range of Halloween goodies.

3. Be Inspired

With any goth outfit, one must be inspired to make it work.  Always look for inspiration, especially around Halloween time.  If you're inspired around this time of year, the sky is the limit, and the accessories that you need, or are inspired to use, will be easier to obtain, and can really make your outfit pop.  With goth fashion, one should be inspired anyway (though I know it's hard sometimes.  I'm just starting to get inspired again myself), but even if you are in a bit of a fashion rut, going shopping for Halloween can be a fun way to become inspired.  

4. Fall is also a good time to shop for clothing

Besides shopping for the latest spooky Halloween accessories, fall is a great time to buy the essentials that any goth should have in their closet.  In the fashion world, goth will at times become popular among society, and fashion will draw inspiration from the dark subculture.  Sometimes it can be aggravating  seeing the subculture of darklings in the spotlight, and every trendy person striving to wear what goths have been wearing for decades, with no knowledge of the subculture.  However, this is the time of year that we have the clothing advantage.  It's a lot easier now to find clothes more suited for one's dark image, rather than having to buy off the internet, or go to specialty shops.  We can now go to a mainstream store, and find goodies that can even make Elvira squeal.

Another note:  When looking for clothing, try to find clothes and don't look like a costume.  It's important that you do this, because one of the things that set goths apart from goth  look a likes, is how well put together someone's outfit is, as shallow as that seems.  Now, that doesn't mean that you can't buy Halloween items anymore.  That is't what I'm saying.  What I am saying though, is that if you wear something that looks like a costume (or is a costume) as a goth outfit (especially when it's nowhere near Halloween), you won't be taken seriously, which may result in hurt feelings.  The less your outfit looks like a costume, the better you'll be put together.  So, what I am saying is that if you are looking to do some shopping for your gothy closet, stick to clothing that look like...clothing, and stay away from pieces that look like costumes.

5. Have fun

Above all else this October, have as much fun as you can.  Halloween is a celebration of not only dressing up and getting candy, but also the wiccan new year.  I urge you on your adventures of shopping, don't forget to laugh and have fun with the holiday.  Have a happy and safe Halloween everyone!