Gothic fashion

80s style post-punk goths

Goths imitating Victorian fashion

Gothic makeup and piercing

No matter how Gothic evolves, two basic elements remain unchanged: the predominant black color of clothes (sometimes with elements of other colors (pink, gray, dark blue)), as well as exclusively silver jewelry - gold is not used in principle, as it is regarded as a symbol of ordinary, battered values, as well as the color of the Sun (silver is the color of the Moon).

In terms of image, the early Goths differed from punks only in the predominant black color of clothes and hair (with inserts of white, red, blue or purple) and silver jewelry. They wore torn clothes and even Iroquois, although the Ikroz was usually black in the Goths and much wider than the punks (shaved only on the sides, at the temples). Many called them Dark Punks (Dark Punks) for the external similarity and at the same time a grim difference. Also, the Goths often used a net in their clothes (as a rule, sleeves for men) and had the original make-up style: a very white face with a lot of black eyeliner (both men and women).

Initially, men had short and combed hair, but towards the end of the 80s, long black hair became more preferable, and now ready-shaved hair on the sides and sticking up is much less common than long, flowing hair. Make-up remained a part of the image, and clothes became more diverse: now some wear clothes with the influence of the 18th - early 19th centuries, while others prefer vinyl, leather and mesh. Some wear both, although rarely at the same time. Black and white remain the dominant colors, although sometimes red, blue, magenta or, occasionally, green (more often with cyber-ready) still appear. The most used materials are silk, wrinkled velvet, leather, vinyl and mesh.

Although all Gothic clothing is characterized by a predominance of gloomy colors, in its manifestations it is very diverse: from an ordinary leather skirt for a girl to a jesterly harlequin outfit for a young man. The general context brings together many styles and styles of clothing, although leather remains the most common and versatile material. The general style of clothing, as a rule, is catchy, but at the same time strict, often with a certain eroticization (elements of fetish clothes may also appear in the image ready). Often in the Gothic image these or those romantic elements of past centuries appear - such as lace, frill , velvet, corsets , etc. For example, the Gautesses (Goth girls) often wear corsets and long dresses. According to the work of the photographer Viona Yelegems , various directions in this style are clearly visible.

The hairstyle also plays a very important role in the image of the ready of both sexes. It can be just straight long hair, or they can be lifted with a gel or collected in large bundles. Iroquois are rare. Often hair is dyed black, red, purple and white, dyeing with strands of one color against the background of another is also possible (for example, red locks against a background of black hair). Makeup remains one of the main signs of belonging to a subculture: a dense layer of white powder on the face, black eyeliner and lips.

Gotesses gained widespread use of the bright and impressive “ vamp ” style - dense black cosmetics, eyeliners, a range of lipstick and nail colors from bright red (bloody) to black. Goths, working in an environment where one cannot afford an extreme or individual approach to image, developed the Corporate Gave style: black business clothes, discreet jewelry, restrained make-up.

We can only add that in Russia, not all Goths dress like the representatives of this subculture in Western Europe. Sometimes it is very difficult, and sometimes it is impossible to get the right clothes; often Goths, working or studying, replace black cloaks with simple clothes. In most cases, the clothing of the “Tru Goth” is appropriate only at concerts and gatherings.

Directions in Gothic fashion and movement ^{[1] [2]}

Antique Goths

Also called Antiquity Goth, Renaissance Goth, Romantic Goth, Victorian Goth. This trend in Gothic fashion was inspired by the Neo-Gothic period in Europe of the 18th-19th centuries (English Neo-Gothic). The ideals of the appearance of that time and pieces of clothing characteristic for that time, such as a three-piece suit, various elements of aristocratic fashion, etc. are cultivated. Musically, neoclassic, ethereal wave and gothic metal with characteristic keyboard arrangements resembling an organ and harpsichord are popular. In modern times, this direction is perceived in the world as the most stereotypical idea of ​​the Gothic subculture.

Vampires (Vamp Goths)

The image is cultivated by Gothic novels, anime and horror films about vampires , such as " Vampires " and " Interview with the Vampire ." Stylistically, they are not much different from the antique trends, only with a large bias in vampire themes. Often serve as an object of parodies within the subculture itself and are portrayed in popular culture as people who consider themselves vampires and drink wine or tomato juice as blood. Nevertheless, supporters of this trend should not be confused with representatives of a separate subculture , which has an extremely superficial connection with Gothic.

Steampunk Goths

A kind of compromise between Victorian and cyber-goth. Representatives of this trend are passionate about the work of Jules Verne and other writers who wrote in the steampunk genre. The music is dominated by industrial and EBM like Abney Park . In fact, they are very similar to the Victorian goths, but with a big bias in the steampunk theme: a large number of leather, brass and wood imitation accessories made in the form of gears, machine parts and pipes. Usually, Victorian England fashion is taken as the basis, but regardless of the type, the main element of the style is the steampunk-style Goggles (welding glasses).

Jeepsey Goths

Goths using the mystical image of gypsies in the folklore and art of Western Europe and the Balkans (as people who know how to curse and anticipate fate, who are friends with vampires and werewolves or who are vampires and werewolves, etc.). Dressed with gypsy and pseudo-gypsy elements in a suit. ^[3]

Cyber ​​Goths

It manifests itself in the same way as the Goths, a passion for the dark, but in combination with bright, acidic colors. Also loved: fetish, piercings , artificial dreadlocks , Gothic accessories (crosses, ankh , extreme makeup, etc.). Musically, cyber is popular with dark electro , EBM , darkwave , sometimes syntypop , futurepop . Some cyber-Goths deny the involvement of their subculture in the Gothic scene, considering themselves a separate trend.

J-Goth

The Japanese trend is distinguished by a peculiar aesthetics of Gothic culture. Characteristic elements are the strong use of androgynous elements in the image and clothing, and a fascination with Japanese musical trends in rock music , Gothic metal (Japan has the most developed gothic metal scene on the planet) and darkwave . Women wear a lace dress in the style of "Alice in Wonderland", heavy shoes in the style of Mary Jane and a light walking umbrella; Men are a top hat, a cane and a long black coat. In the West it is also called androgynous Goths / Loliths.

Corporate Goths

Corporate goths (business goths) are employees of companies, corporations, or government agencies where a specific dress code exists. In view of such restrictions, these Goths use a minimum of makeup, accessories typical of business suits, but in the Gothic style (for example, gothic cufflinks , hair clips), the corresponding models of the suits themselves.

Isolation of this corporate is ready in a separate form is doubtful, since any goth of a different direction who wants to "match" his style at work can apply the above methods.

Gothic aesthetics are extremely eclectic in terms of the set of frequently used symbols; here you can find Egyptian, Christian, Celtic, occult and other symbols. There are no universal signs or symbols used by all Goths - the esthetic preferences of a particular Goth are decisive. Jewelry in the vast majority of cases is silver, less often - from other, cheaper white metals ( cupronickel , zinc ). Yellow metal is not traditionally used. The shape and type of jewelry is very diverse, the most common pendants, brooches, rings and rings.

The main symbol of the Gothic subculture is traditionally the cross ankh , the Egyptian symbol of eternal life. Ankh entered the subculture after the release of the movie “ Hunger ” with David Bowie and Catherine Deneuve in the lead roles. Other Egyptian symbols, such as Eye of Ra , are also often used. These elements are worn both as traditional jewelry, and as stripes on clothes or in makeup.

Christian symbolism is used less often, and for the most part - in the form of ordinary crucifixes , only in a more "stylish", "Gothic" version. In particular, the cross of St. Jacob (cross-knife). Widely used are Celtic crosses and various Celtic ornaments ( triquetra , etc.). Occult symbolism is quite extensively represented - pentagrams are used (both ordinary and inverted), inverted crosses, eight-pointed stars (occult symbols of chaos), etc.

Many different symbols of death are also used - decorations with coffins, skulls, and the like. Bats can be attributed to purely Gothic symbols - many of their various images (the connection with vampires and the "Gothic worldview" is obvious) are placed on hundreds of pages connected to the Goths on the Internet or serve as decoration for the Goths themselves.

•   Wikimedia Commons has gothic fashion related media files
• Goth Fashion Cultural Researcher Paul Hodkinson
• The Origins of Gothic Fashion
• Gothic makeup
• Gothic clothing
• Gothic decorations