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Alternative formal wear is all they rage on my for you page on TikTok. If like me you are feeling super inspired to create new outfits and are looking for some new alternative formal wear items to add to your wardrobe then keep on reading.
Trying to find stylish alternative formal wear items can be very time consuming and if you are on a tight schedule you simply might not have the time.
Luckily for you I have compiled a list of the best alternative formal wear items ranging from romantic goth, victorian goth to steampunk and more.
Here are my top picks for Alternative Formal Wear
Best Women’s Alternative Formal Wear Items
Romantic Goth
A perfect dress for a date night or wedding is this For Love & Lemons dress. The lace detailing on the dress adds a beautiful romantic touch. The length of the dress also makes it appear more formal.
This dress can be styled with boots, or strappy heels. You can also throw on your favorite oversized blazer or jacket for more coverage.
Looking for a dress with some color? The Vampira Love Maxi Dress by Jennafer Grace is a stunning goth dress with a romantic vampy vibe. It is absolutely perfect for any formal event.
These two lace tops are perfect for work, meetings, or date night. They are lightweight enough that they would make for great summer corporate office attire ( just make sure you wear an appropriate top underneath).
When picking out items with a romantic goth aesthetic think about lace and ruffles. I find that those two things really can make a clothing item pop.
Rock and Roll Aesthetic
If you are going for more of a rock and roll aesthetic with your alternative formal wear then this black and white blazer by Monarh would make a great addition to anyones wardrobe. The puffy sleeves make it stand out, and it looks like a really fashion forward item.
This blazer can be styled with high-waisted dress pants, leather leggings, skirt or over a dress. Keep your bottoms of choice simple to really make this blazer the focus point.
If you want something a little bit more simple and timeless then this blazer by Blvck Paris is a really great option. It has a subtle closure with a snake which adds just the right amount of edge to the blazer.
When styled in just the right way velvet can really make an outfit come together. This green velvet blazer will add a subtle touch of color to your outfit. This is a great item to wear during fall and winter.
Wide leg pants and flare pants are really having a moment right now. These two wide leg pants are great options for office wear, a work event, or even date night.
Faux leather or leather dresses scream rock n roll in my opinion. They are sophisticated but also edgy at the same time. All three of these dresses are pretty timeless. They can be worn to a variety of different events.
(Related Post: Stylish Items That Will make Any Rocker Chick Outfit Pop)
Victorian Goth
The perfect victorian top for the office is a high neck long sleeve top with lace. These two tops are perfect for any office job or meeting. They will pair well with any dress, pants or skirt. They also have a very romantic vibe to them with the high neck and ruffles on the sleeves.
Are short sleeves more your thing? These three tops with short sleeves are stunning. They all have delicate button detailing, lace and subtle ruffles on the sleeves. All of these tops come in different colors so you can definitely find one that will fit your aesthetic the best.
You can style these tops with nice dress pants.
Whimsigoth
Whimsigoth is another style that is super trendy right now. There are so many pretty options online but these three dresses are my top picks. All of these dresses are lightweight. They almost have an effortless look to them which makes them feel a bit more whimsical.
These dresses would be great for date night, parties or weddings. They can be styled with strappy heels or chunky boots for a more edgier look.
These two tops definitely give off a strong goth vibe with the overall structure of the items. The flowy sleeves and the cinched in waist makes both of these tops look fun and whimsical as well. They will look great with dressy pants or skirts.
(Related Post: What To Wear To A Wedding: 30+ Stunning Outfits)
Steampunk
This black and white stripped top from Scarlet Darkness is a really great option for anyone looking for a steampunk top for work. Although the stripes do make it stand out the overall shape of the top is very simple and classic.
This top will look great with with black pants or leather leggings.
Depending on where you work you might be able to get away with wearing this stunning steampunk skirt. This skirt would be perfect for any event taking place in the fall and winter.
You can style this with some great knee-high or thigh-high boots and a form-fitting top.
Steampunk goth is such a cool style. Tailored jackets with a very cinched in waist like the ones above are great to throw on over any outfit for any formal event. I personally think they will look stunning thrown over a dress. Perfect for any events during the fall and winter.
Grunge
For a grunge look with a hint of goth this plaid dress is perfect. You can definitely wear this to work with your favorite pair of knee-high or thigh-high boots. Chunky boots would also look great with this dress as well as black tights.
Dressing grunge for work or formal events can be quite simple. Loose dress pants or pants with a plaid or checkered design are a great options like the ones above. Depending on where you work you might be able to wear a graphic tee. If so, layer one on with a blazer for a chic work grunge look.
A lot of dresses can be made to look grunge with the right shoes, accessories and layers. These three dresses have a little bit of a grunge vibe with the color and prints they have going on. For an even grungier look you can style them with chunky boots.
These dresses would be great for parties, date night or a wedding with a darker theme. For more grunge outfit inspo check out my blog post on How to Achieve The Grunge Outfit Aesthetic.
(Related Post: How to Achieve The Grunge Outfit Aesthetic)
Pastel Goth
Pastel goth is such a cute aesthetic. Think about mixing pastel colors with black or darker colors. This pink and black dress is the perfect dress for date night, parties or weddings.
Unfortunately, there are not that many options when it comes to corporate pastel goth attire. However, color blocking will be a great way to incorporate your pastel goth style with any alternative formal wear.
These two pastel tops will look great with any black bottoms. The color contrast will really make your outfit stand out.
I was pleasantly surprised to find so many pastel dress pants that can be worn to any professional setting. Again, think about color blocking and wearing your favorite black blouse, sweater, or blazer with these pants for a corporate friendly pastel goth outfit.
These pants are super cute and will also look great with a nice top to a wedding or party. They are perfect for spring and summer events.
Alt Accessories
Corset belts are a great way to make any outfit a bit more alternative. You can literally have a simple dress on and once you throw one of these corset belts on your outfit will look so much edgier. They really do make a big difference; I am obsessed with these.
These corset belts will particularly look really good with victorian tops or dresses, and steampunk tops or dresses.
Another belt option that will make a big difference to your outfit are chain belts or belts with chains. Again, you can have a simple outfit and once you throw one of these belts on your outfit will look super chic and edgy.
Chain belts are great over dresses and jumpsuits; they can be layered over almost any clothing item and look great.
Who doesn’t love accessories? These stylish bags are super cute and will go with most items on this blog post. They’re not too big but they still have enough space to fit all of your essentials.
