When I dress Gothic Lolita, I’d much rather look like I stepped out of Vogue than Jane Eyre. The armband is one of my favorite accessories because it adds an avant-garde touch to antiquated cuts. Below is a image of a Harajuku teen, whose armbands (likely hand-made) are the focal point of his inventive outfit. The rest of the pictures show matching armband designs from Japanese label Black Peace Now.

You can make your own armbands using good ol’ nylons. Mine were formerly knee-high fishnets from a department store in Barcelona.

Corset: vintage Dolce & Gabbana
Nail polish: Chanel Black Satin
Skirt: H&M

Here’s a fashion-ized version by Ronan Farrow.

Perhaps what I love most about Gothic Lolita is the way it juxtaposes “eww” and “aww.” What more fitting way to play than with creepy-crawly toys?

You too can have an insect stuck to your chest. Assemble the following: 1) hardcore glue (Krazy works); 2) thread (black, or whatever is least distracting); 3) an unwanted flat promo button/pin (“Al Gore for President”); and 4) a plastic toy insect (preferably Insecta or Arachnida). I found my cockroach and spider in a Canadian dollar store.

To make the accessory: 1) apply glue to the surface of the button; 2) firmly press the insect on top; 3) create a seatbelt by winding thread around the pin and the insect’s torso.

The brooch can be heavy, so it works best on sturdy fabrics. For extra fun, remove the pin before meeting friends and throw it on the table at an opportune moment. Naughty, naughty!