Strega , deriving its name from the Italian word for "witch," is a gothic -influenced fashion style that emerged as a distinct offshoot of Dark Mori in 2014. Its origins trace back to the layered, nature-themed aesthetic of Japanese Mori Kei , with Dark Mori serving as a transitional phase.

While Mori Kei favors lighter, earth-toned palettes, Dark Mori and Strega incorporate darker shades, including black, dark gray, and rich earth tones. Strega fashion draws inspiration from the cultural perception of witches, featuring symbolic elements like pentacles, long, flowing garments, and gender-neutral clothing. The style emphasizes loose, layered clothing, often paired with high boots, reflecting a practical, medieval -inspired aesthetic. Accessories incorporating moon, sun, and feather motifs are common.

Despite its inspiration from witch culture, Strega fashion is distinct from the attire of practicing witches. The style was created and coined by Mai Magi, formerly known as shortcuttothestars, on Tumblr.

The Goth subculture always embraced witch-inspired style but also has recently gained recognition outside of the scene. While Strega fashion is influenced by the witch culture, its roots trace back to the dark variant of the Japanese Mori Kei style.

The major purveyor of this in the 80s , both lyrically and visually, was Siouxsie and the Banshees, who moved from grotesque Steven King fare to the more mystical and dream-like in songs like “Spellbound”, “Red Over White”, and “Green Fingers”. (Even going so far as to filming their own version of Alice in Wonderland.)

Meanwhile, Bauhaus wrote the song “Hollow Hills” in reference to Brian Froud and Alan Lee’s Faeries. The album covers and music videos of 4AD’s This Mortal Coil featured ethereal , often forested imagery. Danielle Dax potrayed Wolf Girl in The Company of Wolves, based on Angela Carter’s The Bloody Chamber.

The literary influences came full circle as the fey side of the Goth scene began to influence the fantasy , fairy tale retellings, and urban fantasy of the day. In art, Brian Froud adopted gothic visuals for the movie Labyrinth. In books, Terri Windling’s Borderland anthologies and Emma Bull’s War For the Oaks were overtly a hybrid of fae mythology with proto-Goth imagery.

The influence of this then-nameless movement-within-a-movement has persisted in literary, artistic, and musical works up into the modern era and on social media.

Styles used by certain Strega-type bands helped to originate 90s Hippie Goth and Romantic Goth . But while Hippie Goth is often just boho clothes with dark colors and makeup, Strega tends towards Pre-Raphaelite influences and color schemes as well as the distinctive use of brocade, velvet, and glitter.

The Strega aesthetic tends to feature darkly dream-like imagery, such as:

External links to help get a better understanding of this aesthetic.