Gothic Clothing

A very short essay on gothic clothing, with links to examples around the net. By Carmilla, Drac-in-a-Box Gothic Clothing.

 

Note - if you hover over words of interest you will find that many have web links to photographs or pages of interest.

 

Gothic clothing is an aesthetic which grew out of the punk movement in the late 1970's. The style reflected a need to disengage from mainstream values and ethics. Music was a huge part of the gothic sub culture, and still is, although the music has become far more diverse since the middle of the 1990s, a wonderful history of goth and the music can be found here, and is so worth reading if it is of interest to you.

 

But this page will focus on the clothing aspects of the gothic scene. Gothic clothing has changed subtly over the years, from a punky start of Bat Cave fame, with fishnet, lace, leather and piercings being quite prevalent. Hair was invariably crimped and backcombed and the smell of hairspray almost intoxicating. To a more diverse range of styles including the romantic and the quirky. The Victorian and the Cyber Goth, the extreme and the subtle, the stylised and the easy to wear.

 

Basically in a nut shell gothic clothing is about what gothic people choose to wear and can be as diverse as any other sub culture, but in my opinion anyway, is far more creative and exciting than that of any other culture. Gothic clothing is about refusing to conform to the mainstream, it's about asking questions which can't be answered. It's about being yourself.

 

That said, if you are starting out in what you perceive as a minefield of gothic clothing styles there is help at hand. There are lots of pages dedicated to the art of gothic make-up. Gothic make-up is incredibly important if you wish to stand out and look uber gothtastic. Mooky chick has a guide to gothic eyeshadow with some beautiful photographic examples of what can be acheived, but it is important to remember that the style should be your own, so get inspiration from other people's styles but never copy them. Gothic men can also play with make-up. What other scene accepts men in make-up? Very few, I LOVE the gothic scene.

 

Gothic hair is great fun too. The old 80's style of dye it black, crimp and backcomb it to great effect still works, an undercut (where the hair underneath is shaved off on both sides and part of the back, less than with a mohican) or single shaved side on women or men can make the big hair look even more dramatic and punk rock. But that isn't the only gothic way. Colour features heavily in Gothic hair, not only black but also white, red, blue, pink, purple and more. Hair colours can be acheived by bleaching and dying your hair or colour and or volume can be added to gothic hair by weaving in hair extensions or by wearing a hair piece.

 

Gothic clothing is available all around the Drac-in-a-Box website, but if you are just starting out I can happily recommend a few key pieces which will transform your wardrobe.

 

Goth Boi's

Big boots or winklepickers

A flouncy shirt or a gothic t-shirt.

 

Gothic girl's

A tight corset, starter version or amazing shape.

 

If you don't look gothic after adding those few key pieces into your wardrobe, applying your make-up and changing the colour of your hair, I'll eat my pixie boots.

 

Gothic clothing can be adapted from second hand shop finds, it can be made by your own sweet hands, or it can be purchased from online shops like yours truly. Take a look around our many categories of gothic clothing, choose an entire outfit or mix and match pieces in your own creative way. It does not matter. First and foremost gothic clothing is about being you, about feeling good about the way you look and not worrying about the opinions of people too blinkered to see your exquisite beauty. Have fun.