Being a goth at the office - my corporate goth experience

Today I talk about what it is like being a goth at the office and my corporate goth experience.
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What is goth series: • what is goth ? (2018)
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[@ASMRyouVEGANyet]

It's absolutely sad that people control our appearance so we can get a paycheck.

[@TI2_EvilTwin]

Not only that, here in the USA, there are companies that control our lives OUTSIDE of work - so even during our off hours out on the street or at home, we are still at the mercy of these BIG BOSSES just so that they can continue 2 cut us a paycheck. On top of that, a lot of people around where I live are ACTUALLY OK with that too. (AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!) It's another form of Control and Manipulation.

[@anagomezgutierrez3461]

Make & build your own company with your own rules,

[@mumblesandwool1243]

I went from being a childs cosmetologist to a registered behavior therapist. I had always worked with special needs children and when my salon was shutting down permanently during covid, one of my clients who has a special needs son offered me a job as a behavior therapist at her autism clinic. She hired me with purple hair, giant spiderweb decorative eyelashes, over the top dramatic makeup etc several piercings and tattoos. That day I had chunky combat boots and a corset and fishnets etc. Despite this, after getting certified and going through all my training and getting registered, the first thing I did was flip my septum up and dye my hair black, to show her I was serious about this job and respected her reputation as the clinic owner and was grateful to her. She didnt even recognize me when I showed up for the onboarding paperwork at the company 🤣 she asked the center director if I showed up and when she said "yeah, shes right here" the owner did a double take and said I didnt even recognize you! We wear scrubs so most of the time im in black, grey or navy scrubs. I now wear most of my piercings but I always had my septum flipped up for the most part even under the mask. Now I keep it down the majority of the time. I've added in my extra earings and keep my plugs/tunnels in rather than having hangers. I keep my makeup (if wearing any at all) neutral and my hair pulled back for safety when working with aggressive littles even if it shows the tattoo on the back of my neck. I love my job. And I know that if the issue ever arises, the owner would be in my corner because she hired me knowing how I dress and look prior to the job and I am REALLY good at what I do. (I am also like 98% sure this is why none of the directors has never approached me about my piercings or visible tattoo as well). Sometimes being an adult is finding a compromise. I can still find ways to be me, but work appropriate.

[@Holy-Guacamoly101]

First of all: your Intro is dope! I wouldn't consider myself very alternative looking but I like extravagant braids, like Viking style. And I have piercings in my nose and ears. One day a colleague came to my office and said (with a smiling face) you always look like you're at war 🙈

[@Orphea333]

I would love to be able to braid my hair, its a skill I dont always have the patience for. I'm sure you look amazing!

[@Holy-Guacamoly101]

@@Orphea333 thanks :) it sure takes a lot of practice and I don't do it every day super extravagant. And I strongly agree with you on the point : what does your appearance/piercings/tattoos/ etc got to do with how good you are at your job? Very sad, that our society isn't that modern in all areas. But I don't have a problem to tone down a bit at work . It's important to keep a good job that pays for the roof over your head and to buy you all the fancy goth stuff you want :)

[@CreightonChaney-io4xv]

Your outfit has an Addams Family vibe to it 🖤💀😈🕸🕷🦇

[@Orphea333]

thank you! I love this blouse so much (it's by HellBunny)

[@CreightonChaney-io4xv]

Orphea Banned is another great clothing name brand 🖤

[@nmindergh2976]

My wife likes wearing all black , has never been a goth but this is helpful for being your authentic but perhaps toned down self for stuffy conservative work environments when one needs to pay their bills. She Thanks you for this 🖤

[@MistressoftheBleedingSorrow]

So glad your experience has been mostly positive. Unfortunately, there are several cases when a company won't even consider hiring a person with tattoos or giving them a chance to prove they're worthy and capable of doing their job.

[@Orphea333]

that is discrimination, but I too have faced it when working with companies, its ridiculous...

[@whoareyoutoaccuseme]

Just cover your tattoos, it's simple. I'm not even working right now but prefer to keep mine covered as much as possible when out in public. I am SO much more than my tattoos, and you are too!

[@whoareyoutoaccuseme]

@@Orphea333 it's technically not discrimination. It took me a while to realise it, but it's not.

[@tachacubbins5221]

As a psychologist who works in a school with kids from 6 to 18 years old, I've tried to adapt the way I look at work, so that I don't look threatening or scary to children. Building this corporate goth outfits has been really fun and, the most important part is I've got to dress in a way that I'm comfortable with and don't feel in a disguise (as I felt when I started to work because I tried to look "more standard"). I also hid my tattoos at the beginning, covering them with long sleeves or lace sleeves, however, when the heat was too much to cope with, my coleagues and the kids saw them (teenagers and children were specially interested in the tattoos). As long as I do my job in a good way, they don't care if I look "dark" (although, in a non judgemental way, I've received jokes from my colleagues saying they would expect the psychologists to look cheerful and colorful and not so funeral-like).

[@juliotizon8039]

I thought you were going to talk about The Office, for a moment. I didn't remember any Goth character in the series 😂

[@Orphea333]

that would have been so cool XD shame they didnt have one!

[@richardjones7984]

The IT Crowd has a Goth and that is a hilarious series.

[@arcanumazrael9335]

Hi there! I worked as a civil engineer, since my graduation. Most of the time, I had some kind of "light dress-code", but because most of the time my work is pure chaos no one give a really close look to me. As long as you can solve the problem, you can look as you want. Most of my time I look as walking dead, exhaustion is my make-up and something simple gray/black/purple for outfit. If yoga pants were allowed, I would be lived in it. But nah, sportswear is banned almost everywhere. And in other days, a have a little more brain energy for my appearance, I wear some kind of monochromatic clothes with "weird" jewelry, I don't wear skirts only pants or dresses. I rarely wear make up, because I don't think I am good at it, but more important it gives me about 30-60 minutes per day for extra sleep.

[@tiaraono7668]

I'd love to see some recomendations on where you get alternative clothes that you wear to your office. I've been playing it safe in my work enviroment (I work in a chemistry lab) and I'm slowly working more of my "true style" into my workware, but sometimes its hard to find stuff. I'd love any of your recommendations!

[@Orphea333]

I would love to make a updated lookbook with more alternative pieces!

[@whoareyoutoaccuseme]

The majority of my clothing is purchased from regular, inexpensive retailers. I have no piercings save for a nose stud, and keep my tattoos covered as much as possible when out in public. I wear minimal makeup. My wardrobe is more conservative than hers in this video (I don't work in any sort of professional environment, I'm just an adult attempting to look grown-up and fairly 'normal')... Yet people still give me the "gothic" label all the time, and I honestly don't even try (if anything I try and tone it down). So I don't think one needs to buy specifically "goth" clothing to achieve the look.

[@KreeZafi]

I'm still in university but I'm honestly lowkey excited about how I'm going to dress when I start working after I get my degree 😅 I think it's fun to have a bit of a challenge, and it's also a chance to experiment with clothes that are a bit outside of my normal style

[@Orphea333]

You got this! good luck with your studies!

[@pastel902]

This is absolutely a great video I am about to start vocational school and at this vocational school they make you wear sort of a office dress code for the training that I'm entering this helps a lot

[@NonkelGans]

I'm not working in an office but at a production unit in a pharmaceutical company. Tattoos are no problem were I work, not even for the office jobs. Piercings however are not allowed in the production unit or the packaging unit because they can come loose and fall into the products we make. It's not specifically because my company is against piercings (because it's allowed in the offices) but rather because of safety and hygiene, after all, nobody likes to find a piecing in their ointments or syrups :). Things are slowly coming more accepted because the old tarts retire and newer generations are taking over. Of course it's still important to realize that certain types of tattoos will make your life more difficult. Having a facial or neck tattoo is still a stigmatic thing and so are certain political influenced tattoos like swastika's. Think before you ink is quite an important thing. A skull might perhaps be off putting for the older generation but the younger generation has as least some feel for the fact that you live the Goth lifestyle, even if they don't fully grasp the lifestyle or what it entails. For the older generation it's often confusing and usually not understood what it means to be in a certain lifestyle. I've been a Goth for some 27 years now and my parents (who are like 70 now) still haven't got a clue what it's about, even after all this time. Which in a sense is odd because I'm pretty sure my father was a Greaser when he was young and lived that lifestyle for some time (although he rarely speaks about it and when asked about it he usually steers the conversation in a different direction). I'm sure as time progresses the acceptance will only increase.

[@Orphea333]

I think so too, acceptance will grow because so many people have piercings and tattoos. And I fully agree that if for safety and hygiene reasons you cant have piercings or need to cover them with a band-aid or something, that's what I needed to do in one of my student jobs as well. Fun to read about your dad! next time we see each-other I'd love to hear more about it ^^

[@whoareyoutoaccuseme]

Anyone with a swastika tattoo deserves to be stigmatized, come on now. They're a bit more than "politically influenced". Also loads of people have skull tattoos, it's not a "goth" thing.

[@NonkelGans]

@@whoareyoutoaccuseme Of course skulls are not only Goth per sé but if you see Orphea you know she is living the Goth lifestyle, even in daily life. Skull tattoos can have different meanings depending on who you are and in what circles you move around. Even if I didn't know Orphea personally and I would see her skull tattoo I would immediately know she is Goth, not by the tattoo but by the way she does here make up and the clothing she wears, even if she wasn't going to a party.

[@pierslh]

That’s awesome you’ve had mainly good experiences! Mine have been very mixed, the only piercing I’ve ever hidden is my septum which I have a straight stopper bar for and that’s the only because it attracts the most attention. The main issues I’ve had are people who give you the negative goth stereotype, don’t take you seriously or think it’s an excuse to mess with you. It all leads to personal growth in the end though.

[@Orphea333]

It's made me work harder to give them opposite proof, but I feel they should take us all seriously as professionals, because it's not looks that determine that.

[@pierslh]

Orphea very true, but as you said I think it’s in part a generational thing. On another note though, it’s awesome that you’ve moved up through the company! Congrats ☺️

[@sweethomechicago]

Your intro is the BEST on KZbin. I loved it.

[@teresalandhamilton8476]

Thank you thank you thank you!!! I would consider my style alt and it’s always hard to find outfit ideas for those that work in the professional world. I’m excited to watch all of your videos!

[@CyborgTecnology18]

I am one of the people who believes that appearance does not change one's ability to work. But I do understand that the way we choose to dress can be uncomfortable for the person one has to attend to. I always think that one can keep one's own tastes and blend them into the day to day work.

[@Akishimatsu]

Hello from UK :) I just found your channel as I was told I can finally do smokey eyes makeup for work -so i googled how to do it (haven't done it for years) and found your other video! YAY! I also work in the office. Currently in IT and though I don't have contact with external people and when I joined I was told I could keep my changing-hair-colour-too-often-currently-neon blue hair and my piercings (two under my lip, one nose and 10+ in my ears) they had a lot to say about my makeup that wasn't even that smokey. a bit more than what you have in the video. There were older people (55+) that had a lot to say about my hair but they wouldn't tell me that in the face and wouldn't complain about it officially as it doesn't affect my work and I'm not customer based, but they would make sure I heard it when they commented behind my back. I told by boss about it and he said that my hair is part of my personality and being forced to change it to more "natural" colour would made me feel less comfortable with myself and he wants his peeps to be and feel comfortable. I really love your clothing choice for the office and I think I have the same shirt/dress with roses that you have. I found a lot of punk rave and Dark in Love clothing suitable for office work - especially dresses. I always struggle with shoes tho. Any ideas where I could get good quality office friendly shoes?

[@richardjones7984]

I used to work in a big bank technology department. So I would go to work in a suit trousers and tie and be "normal" all day and at the end of the day I went to a bar across the road. There I would go into the toilet and change into my Goth clothes and then go clubbing. I wore Doc Martins as normal shoes and so there was no problem there. One Saturday there was an emergency at work when there were very few people in the office and so I went into the office in Goth clothes. People I knew well reacted in a stunned fashion and were obviously shocked that their stereotype view of me was shattered. It wasn't a good career move.

[@Orphea333]

I don't think I'll ever go in my 'goth' full on clothes etc to my office, even if they know how I dress in the weekends etc. I'd rather stay kind of neutral as I now do, even with some visible tattoos and piercings

[@dulcimermelody3302]

I’m so glad I stumbled on this channel, you’re so down to earth

[@-RONNIE]

I know what you mean I work in an office but I wear suits the only way I can kind of express my goth style is with pins, brooches, accessories, vest & socks. I know a lot of older people don't like it but they should not say anything if it don't directly affect your job. A lot of people were shocked when they saw my tattoos because they didn't know I had them for a long time.

[@Orphea333]

I always dress up for my job, like corporate with blouses etc. Now in summer they see more of my tattoos, and I don't think anymore at my office knew about what I had. They know I have tattoos, because most of my days off work are for tattoo appointments and I tell my direct boss what I need the leave for ^^

[@-RONNIE]

@@Orphea333 that's what I'm doing thinking about my back piece I have half still don't know what to do about the rest yet

[@whoareyoutoaccuseme]

It's very easy to express your gothic style with suits & accessories though. I don't even have a job right now yet prefer to wear skirts and blouses with a blazer over (if I weren't so fat I'd wear vintage dresses as I used to nearly every day). I try and keep my tattoos covered as much as possible. I feel so much of the "goth" attire is very immature and I'd look absolutely ridiculous in it. The majority of my clothing is bought from regular retailers yet people still often give me the "gothic" label. It's odd when I see people talking about goth dressing in an office/ professional setting, because my wardrobe is even more conservative than theirs is and I don't work in any such environment.

[@lonesparrow]

I am a teacher and teaching tends to be even more conservative than "normal" office culture. At my previous school there was a period of time in which we weren't allowed to show tattoos AT ALL and one of my coworkers had full sleeves that he always had to figure out a way to cover. Now I work at an "art academy" so they are a little more lenient with things like tattoos and alternative hairstyles, plus I teach science so I can get away with some things like bones and skulls that would seem strange elsewhere. Advice I would give, especially if someone is looking into working in education, is to see if you can visit the school or office you are interested in working at to get an idea of what the culture was like. At my previous school, the dress code was more strict even for students, but at my current school, even though there is a "uniform dress" code, a lot of the students have vibrantly colored hair and wear platform boots and things like that so I figured the dress code would be more flexible for teachers as well. Also I love how you talked about working hard and not being a rebel for the sake of rebellion. If you make yourself valuable as an employee your boss is less likely to care how you look. Is this the Vault lip color? It is a very pretty shade.

[@lilithshoneybun8096]

Your so Gorgeous, times are changing and the open mindedness and acceptingness it's the new norm. :)

[@dawnriddler]

I stopped wearing jewellery a while ago, but I have a chest tattoo and it's quite difficult finding tops that are closed (that aren't simple t-shirts) and also "fit" into my style. I don't want to spend money on clothes that I normally wouldn't wear just because of work, so it's definitely a struggle. 😩

[@g0d5m15t4k3]

Thank you for your video! The less face-to-face with customers, the more lax the dresscode seems to be. In my experience as well anyway. That made me sad that someone commented somewhat negative on your lip piercing. Sounds like you handled it well though. Serious bummer about your nose piercing! :/ At a very corporate job I held for a long time, skulls and spiders were specifically not allowed. As jewelry or clothing... And now that I think of it, probably also tattoos. Thank you again for your video! As a fellow corporate goth person, I support you!

[@angelagreen7388]

This has been very helpful. I don't work in office at this time of my life, but you never know! These were very helpful pointers, especially how to address issues like piercings without creating drama. I have 3 piercings and two small gages per ear. My question for you is, if you had to wear beige/nude pants in the work place, how would you incorporate them into your style?... I know, it's very unlikely that anyone with alternative taste would do such a thing, but I'm curious by nature lol

[@skye-bluescottmoon8721]

Useful video (thank you!) and your tattoos are cool :)

[@Orphea333]

thank you!

[@MartyrDJ]

Really like your advice in this video! It's good to start small, and work your way up to seeing what you can get away with LOL. I was hired with my nostril piercing, drawn on eyebrows and mostly black clothing. 4 years later and bunch of dreads gone, I am finally comfortable to wear my natural hair at work, dreads and all. No one has said anything. I still don't think I'd ever wear my septum down, but maybe one day if I am not the first point of contact for my office, I will be able to! For the people in the US, I get a lot most of work clothing from Poshmark.

[@Orphea333]

I remember how you would always wear wigs and they would be super hot! glad you are able to be more 'you' at your workplace as well.

[@kylemurray8662]

I've been in the professional public sector (business like attire) in the US for the past few years and I have hand tattoos and full sleeves. It definitely was a common talking point early on, and people will still kind've do a double take, or might say something to me about them, but it really has diminished in the last couple of years. (Don't get me wrong I still will get the ignorant comment, or comment that someone tries to put themself above me, but just occasionally.) It can absolutely feel a bit isolating when someone gives you a look or comment and it makes you have to consider that maybe your credibility or maturity or intelligence is subtly questioned just because you have body art; but that said, I feel really proud that I can be who I am and still hold my own in that atmosphere. I like that my character, intellect, and work ethic are able to shine through beyond the superficial misjudgments of others. Honestly, it is one of the reasons that I chose to get my hands tattooed. People need to realize that judging someone by their gender/color/ethnicity/looks etc is just flat out wrong. I like the idea of making people re-evaluate their biases. I have a university education, and consider myself to be well read. By dressing a certain way or looking a certain way and presenting myself in a professional manner that makes people second guess their own biases I believe we are doing a service to everyone who looks or acts a bit different. The message is 'Don't be so quick to put other people below you or in a box!' It sounds like you have achieved the same type of 'cred' at your job. I will admit that I feel a real sense of community and identity with alternative people who have 'made it' so to speak, in terms of maintaining a 'normal' job while still holding onto their sense of self. Congrats to you. You are super cool, and I am envious of the person who gets to hang out with you off of youtube! Greetings from the USA.

[@Orphea333]

This comment just made my day, thank you so much for sharing 🖤 I bet you are an amazing badass as well ^^

[@kylemurray8662]

@@Orphea333 Thank you!

[@themoonflowerfaerie]

I loved all your outfit ideas at the end and the blouse you were wearing was so cute 🙂. I know what you mean about being careful how you dress. I used to work in a secure office and never saw customers. Even though I followed the rules I still got sent home five or six times for my clothes. It is important to follow the dress code, but even then, if you work with people who are not open minded and are judgmental, you may get written up or sent home. Thank you for all of your great suggestions to people out there working now 🙂

[@spencerfaithfull9247]

I wonder if you can make a video about goth men’s outfits in both in office and public please? Besides, I love all your outfits ideas ♠️

[@fistbumpbros]

Im glad you opted for a lavalier mic! But is it on in this video though?

[@Orphea333]

yes it is! something wrong with the sound? I did not put up a massive amount of blankets (as I sometimes do)

[@fistbumpbros]

@@Orphea333 It sounds 'tinny', normally a lavalier produces and outputs a more 'warm and fuller' sound. Did you see the volume levels go up and down on the camera with the lav plugged in?

[@Orphea333]

I can't see them, my camera is too far...

[@fistbumpbros]

@@Orphea333 Good trick (as i always do) is to 'mic yourself up', walk towards the LCD screen of your camera, and watch the levels go; say random words to see the spikes go. Also, if i'm not sure if the sound is correct, i record like 15 seconds, stop the recording, take out the memory card and watch the recording fullscreen on my laptop. It's a drag, but i also don't like doing the same take twice :D

[@eville_boy]

You look amazing! Could you please tell what lipstick is this?

[@Orphea333]

Vault from Notoriously Morbid

[@shaunipieheyns6169]

Love the looks!! Ikzelf werk als poetsvrouw bij mensen thuis en kleed mezelf toch nog steeds redelijk alternatief. De ene keer meer dan de andere, hoewel ik het ook intoom, bij de ene klant ook meer dan de andere. Maar het zijn allemaal lieve klantjes dus heb ik er geen problemen mee.

[@Orphea333]

da's echt ideaal :) ik heb het geluk dat ik niet echt klantencontact heb , dus dat ik enkel met meeting hogerop mij 'deftig' moet kleden

[@waitwhat9337]

@@Orphea333 is goth nog in nl of is het wat minde populair

[@neilbyrne2783]

omg vince 'your fired' made me lol my hardest of the year, this is why i 💝 U

[@LittleVaniLolita]

Do you have some specific shops where you buy your kind of business clothing? :) Would love some recommendations in that regard!

[@Orphea333]

I get most of them from attitude Holland, the Gothic shop or Kate's clothing (or directly at hell bunny), since I'm located in Belgium, there's no actual stores selling them.

[@dark_baphomet]

I just asked my managers if it was ok to get the piercings I wanted and they weren’t psyched but they didn’t exactly disagree with it either and I haven’t had issues with them, my lip hangs over the skin underneath a bit so if I wear a Albert you can’t see it most of the time anyway

[@neilbyrne2783]

i like your outfit i saw beetle juice wear something similar 😁

[@Orphea333]

that's the main reason I got this shirt ^^

[@hayleyalena5556]

Where is the black and red top near the end from? 😍

[@Orphea333]

do you have the timestamp? id be happy to look what it is for you :)

[@marcusl1426]

I think about getting my eyebrow pierced... Shall I talk to my superiors about it? I have tattooes; they are not an issue. What do you think?

[@Orphea333]

it all depends on what job you do and who you are in contact with. Honestly, if it's something you really want, go for it! I did it with my lip piercing after waiting about 5 years...

[@marcusl1426]

@@Orphea333 It's an office job, a bit like yours. I rarely have customer contact. When I do, just via phone

[@AngelandDevil]

cool

[@jessicabelda7735]

From goth 2 boss!

[@christallaktorides6904]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@levenisingewikkeld]

Work work work work work 😅

[@Orphea333]

and after 'work' work some more on personal projects! =D

[@powerupshow484]

Goth’s undead