What are Goth Clothes? (with pictures) (2024)

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Tara Barnett

Tara Barnett Last Modified Date: February 07, 2024

Goth clothes, in their most common incarnation, are black clothes paired with goth-style accessories and makeup. The clothing itself is typically made in one of several gothic styles, but black is almost always the most common and dominant color. Women's clothing may include vintage and highly feminine skirts, or it may be as modern as other styles of clothing. For men, both historical and modern styles are also popular. Thematically, death and dark icons are often a large part of what makes goth clothes appear gothic.

Almost any primarily black outfit can be considered goth clothing if a person who is part of the goth subculture is wearing it. Features that make goth clothes more strikingly gothic are not shared across all sects of the goth subculture. For example, some members of this culture wear goth clothes that are designed to resemble period pieces from a Victorian era, sometimes with modified macabre accessories or anachronistic fabrics. On the opposite end of the spectrum, goth clothes can be made entirely out of synthetic fabrics and zippers.

Goth clothes are black or dark-colored clothes that are paired with goth-style accessories and makeup.

Usually, black and silver are the most common colors for goth clothes and jewelry. Highlight colors may be used in an ensemble, but what makes an outfit look goth is a primarily monochrome clothing arrangement with silver or black jewelry. Straps and belts are common parts of goth outfits, even when these items are non-functional.

Often, goth clothes express an interest in certain goth ideals and philosophies. Death, for example, is a common theme in gothic subcultures, so coffins and other death-related imagery are often seen on shirts and jewelry. Spiders, bones, and spikes are often part of goth clothing as well. Clothing related to goth bands or artists is also considered acceptable in most goth subcultures.

Both punk rock and Gothic rock can trace their origins to the 1970s.

Women's clothing is often more elaborate than clothing for men, but this is not always the case regarding Victorian goth clothing and some other sects. Fishnet, lace, and other otherwise feminized materials are often worn by men. Some gothic men wear skirts or utility kilts, and many wear leggings and tight shirts. These clothing choices do not reflect sexual orientation in this case.

Goth individuals typically have a love for all things morbid.

Men and women who are members of goth subcultures often work to coordinate outfits to express a relationship. Chains connecting partners, for example, are common in some sects. Otherwise, matching fabrics or themes may be used to make a pair seem more like a couple. These dressing habits are somewhat unique among fashion movements and may be disturbing to onlookers.

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What are Goth Clothes? (with pictures) (12)

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Discussion Comments

anon1003865

Whoever put this much effort in writing the fashion articles on this site, thank you very very much. It's really helpful and appreciated.

afterall

I wish that cool punk and goth clothing was available at places other than stereotypical goth clothing stores. I am someone who likes looking for things that are a little different, and the things that are "goth" seem to me to be just as fake as "preppy" or any other clothing type. Sometimes I can find cool things at thrift shops, but I think if I really want to keep experimenting with my style, I might have to even start making my own clothes.

DentalFloss

@elizabeth23- I can relate. Especially when I started dyeing my hair from brown to black a few years ago, my mom and some of my friends thought I was trying too hard to be "different" in some way. While I do like some "goth" clothing for women, that was never my intention. I think black clothes can look chic and timeless, for me it's not at all about being cool or alternative.

I think that especially for teenagers, and even for adults sometimes, we're so used to thinking black is a sad color that people are turned off from wearing it.

elizabeth23

Not everyone who wears a lot of black wants to fit into the goth culture. I have always worn a lot of black, but mostly because I just think it's a good color for me. It goes well with my skin and brings out my blue eyes.

When I was in high school, though, which is when I started wearing a lot of black, some of this was seen as me trying to "be a goth" and I was criticized by some people.

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    What are Goth Clothes? (with pictures) (2024)

    FAQs

    What are typical goth clothes? ›

    Goth fashion can be recognized by its stark black clothing. Ted Polhemus described goth fashion as a "profusion of black velvets, lace, fishnets and leather tinged with scarlet or purple, accessorized with tightly laced corsets, gloves, precarious stilettos and silver jewelry depicting religious or occult themes".

    What is a goth vs emo outfit? ›

    The Key Similarities of Goth vs Emo

    Black-based fashion – both feature black heavily in their colour palettes. However, goth clothing takes this to an extreme whereas emo encourages pairing bold colours such as red, purple and green with a black base colour.

    What did goth people look like? ›

    The Gothic fashion style draws influences from punk, new wave, New Romantic fashion and the dressing styles of earlier periods such as the Victorian, Edwardian, and Belle Époque eras. The style most often includes dark (usually solid black) attire, dark makeup, and black hair.

    What to wear as a goth? ›

    Play around with graphic prints. Occult patterns are a staple for gothic fashion. Keep an eye out for any patterned/graphic clothing featuring pentagrams and pentacles, moons, stars, skulls, or crosses. You can wear a moon phase-printed casual dress with long black socks and black creepers.

    Is wearing all black considered goth? ›

    A common misconception of gothic fashion is that you have to wear all black all the time in order to achieve a gothic look. Gothic fashion, however, often incorporates colors such as white and red –– whether through the outfit, shoes, accessories or makeup.

    How to look cute goth? ›

    Popular Elements of Goth Fashion
    1. Corsets and petticoats.
    2. Long, swinging sleeves or romantic blouses.
    3. Tight and structured fabrics.
    4. Dark colors such as black, deep scarlet, forest green, etc.
    5. Lacey accents.
    6. Platform boots.
    7. Mini skirts.
    8. Trench coats.
    Oct 24, 2022

    Is emo just goth? ›

    Goth and emo are two different styles of music that have been around for a while. Goth is more rock based, while emo is more punk based. Emo has also been called "emo goth" because it borrows some elements from the gothic style of dress and make-up.

    Is goth just a style? ›

    Goth is a music category, a fashion style, a lifestyle, and is often characterised by an affiliation to a 'dark' aesthetic. Goth developed from various other youth subcultures, including punk, and evolved from these underground origins in the late 1970s to a more commercial visibility in the 1990s.

    What does emo short for? ›

    Short for “emotive” or “emotional” (depending on whom you ask), emo being amorphous enrages those loyal to their version.

    What are the rules of the goth? ›

    Goth : [Goth explains the "rules" of being a Goth] Rule number one; embrace the darkness. Rule number two; kill your fear. And rule number three; live for death.

    What is the point of being goth? ›

    Some say that Goth people are introverts and keep to themselves while others say that Goth people are depressed and obsessed with death. Goth people may fit any of these descriptions, but also they may be social, happy, creative, intellectual, optimistic, and a host of other characteristics.

    What does a goth girl like? ›

    Many goths appreciate the sharp contrast of black and white, so they'll often wear light colored makeup with dark accents on the lips and eyes. Compliment special flourishes, like elaborate cat eyeliner or intriguing colored eye contacts. Musical involvement.

    Can goths wear hoodies? ›

    Gothic hoodies are true all-rounders in the wardrobe and are so popular because of their versatility. Simply combine your goth hoodie with your favourite clothes and stay uncompromisingly true to your style.

    Do goths wear baggy clothes? ›

    Gothic girls flaunt in blouses with wide sleeves and leather corsets. Common fabrics are velvet and lace. Preferred colors are dark blue, scarlet, burgundy, purple, dark green, and black. All the clothes are rather baggy.

    Why do goths wear fishnets? ›

    Fishnet is commonly worn on the legs and arms by practitioners of goth and punk fashion, but is also commonly worn by the mainstream as a fashion statement. Similar to the lingerie, fishnet is generally considered to be a sexually attractive garment and is typically associated with adult entertainment.

    What are the trends in goth? ›

    They rock voluminous skirts, both mini and maxi; Their clothes include jabot, lace, and mesh elements; They flaunt corsets and harness belts, mostly on top of their outfits; The main materials for Gothic clothing are silk, velvet, denim, leather, lace.

    Do goths always dress goth? ›

    Since goth is a music-based subculture, all one really needs to do to be classified as goth by modern standards is listen to the music and immerse themselves into macabre aesthetics that goth is all about. No goth has to dress up, but we do anyways, to further show our love for the subculture.

    Is Wednesday Addams goth? ›

    Wednesday's gothic nature is also vital to her character. Aside from her black and white attire and moody attitude, her obsession with all things dark and dreary sets up her interactions with people outside of her family.

    What is bubble goth? ›

    Bubble Goth is a type of gothic-inspired fashion that was created by the Estonian pop singer Kerli Koiv. She aims to "make the beautiful, creepy and the creepy, beautiful", something that "takes light and dark and puts them together".

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