As a long-time fan of the weirdness-infused Austin BatBox (a subscription highlighting the goods and wares of funky Austin, Texas), I had Major Feels when I got my hands on an exclusive prelaunch mailer from BatBox creator Amber GoDarkly’s new subscription, Adorned.
Adorned Box is a monthly subscription for gothic jewelry, makeup, and accessories. As someone who grew up in a small town where gothic fashion options (read: non-Walmart fashion options) weren’t super available, I would have loved to have an option like Adorned Box to deliver unique, hard-to-find style items to my door.
This affordable package arrived in a minimalistic blackmailer, which I kind of loved. Like, oh yeah, you know, just picking up my bills, my Amazon packages, my UNDERCOVER PACKET OF AMAZING GOTHY GOODNESS, nbd, carry on with your day, you nosy mailman.
And now, on to the good stuff.
Adorned Item #1: Purple Leather Heart Collar
This cute faux leather choker necklace blends the edgy bondage punk look with an adorable heart, dwelling in my favorite liminal shadowy-squee space. It’s adjustable to three different lengths and is comfortable to wear, with the point of the heart highlighting that lovely hollow at the base of the clavicle—dangerous-looking but also elegant.
Adorned Item #2: Witchy Nomad Earrings
These were my favorite accessory in the box! These feather-light silvery spike earrings make me feel like a fearsome ice empress, and make gentle music when I walk. They go great with the choker, but can also be used to dress up any other ensemble—I get tons of compliments when I wear these.
Adorned Item #3: Black Dahlia Vegan Nail Lacquer
This glittery dark purple polish goes on shiny and dries matte… but like so much in life, it reveals itself to be more than it seems: when it hits sunlight, it unveils a deep, multi-faceted universe of rainbow shimmer. A+ for being vegan and cruelty-free. Plus, unlike many vegan polishes, it’s durable and chip-resistant.
Overall:
What I really love about this package is that while any of these accessories can easily be mixed and matched with my existing wardrobe to add a dark splash to any outfit, all three items also come together to create a complete look. The motif of this package is a glorious wine-stained/dark/punk, adding just a bit of edge and shadow. It’s obvious Amber has an eye for fashion curation, which makes me really excited for the promise of future months of Victorian, steampunk, pastel and nu-goth accessories.
The Verdict:
For the fashion-forward goth who embraces a wide range of styles and thrives on the challenge of a monthly surprise, Adorned is a beautifully curated, affordable treat. I’m looking forward to my next month!