Beach Goth

Fashion Case Study: Morse

Morse, for those who don’t know, was/is an 80s/90s detective drama TV series set in Oxford. Based on the Colin Dexter novels, it features a snowy-haired detective who digs crypic crosswords, beer, luxury vehicles and seducing hot middle aged babes. Oh and justice. He’s big on that. If that description didn’t win you over I think maybe you should do the replicant test because it's hectic.

I personally find it incredibly soothing to watch – something about its unflinching internal logic and the predictability of genre TV, plus the Oxford obsession I have which is still in full swing – but lately I have also been noticing that there is some pretty great fashions involved too. The golden era of normcore! Not only are the tourists and characters peak upmarket 80s perfection, the students provide head to toes that get me taking notes. A few case studies, for your consideration.

Morse does gothrave:

This episode is a golden triumph on multiple levels, (special mention to Sergeant Lewis who would've thrown some sick shapes, glow sticks and furry pants etc, if he wasn't on duty). But I was most interested in a particular gothrave look which is ON POINT, and comes direct from a goth 90s raver etsy seller. The screen grabs don't do it justice, but imagine: velvet choker, chain backpack, brown lipstick, body con mini skirt and witch boots. Plus lob. Would wear.

Stuff: Vintage Chanel backpack, Etsy
Velvet choker, also Etsy
Dress, Matches
Blazer, Etsy 
Boots, Etsy


Morse does normcore:

We need to talk about everything here. The hot pink, oversized tshirt, the patchwork overalls (in a star pattern no less), a loose 80s french braid with a friggen velvet scrunchie. Add white sneakers. They also ALL rides bikes. This chick could work at Vice. From this episode.

Overalls, Etsy
Shoes & sunnies, ASOS

Long hair life

Do anything you want with your hair. Grow it out, cut it short, dye it, curl it, straighten it. Whatever.

I feel most myself with hair that tickles the small of my back. Hair that only needs a bi-annual cut. I like to feel it soft curling around my neck, a portable scarf against the cold, or a portable cushion on long hauls. Winding around my head in snaking braids. Pushed back by the summer wind like a lover’s touch. It takes at least three hours to dry. Black as midnight, heavy as sun, soft as a pillow. Hair that hides and reveals. Metal dudes, hippies, models, bikers, medieval princesses, surfies, Jesus freaks, cult members, Amish chicks, vikings… fellow long hairs, I salute you.

L.A. Witch

Holyshit YES. Tarot on the beach vibes, blissed-out reverb, lots of black. Listen/look.

The Case for Flares

Don't you hate your shoes? And tight gripping shit on your ankles? And clean hems? If you answered yes to any of these things, have I got some information for you. FASHION INFORMATION. They're called flares and your mum and dad probably wore them, and if you were a teenager in the 90s you probably did too. Erase those memories. (Unless your dad was George Harrison). And replace with these newer, better flared pant times to come.

Oracle foxiness.

All Emmanuelle, all the time

Refer to the above caption. I SAID ALL THE TIME

Shoe hatred: the solution.

...unless you kinda like your shoes, then pull this manoeuvre. CASUAL.

These aren't so much flares as wide leg pants but who are you, fashion Stalin? Cool off.

I said COOL OFF.

Colour is a thing they make clothes in now, apparently.

Is this your dad? Or mum? You get a free pass. Good day sir.

(Side note: street style poses are incredibly boring, oui? Phone clutched to face, striding off somewhere important. Tres puke. But let's think of the greater good and try to ignore said posery.)