Download Article
Everything you need to know about nailing the gothic aesthetic
Download Article
Gothic fashion originally emerged from the post-punk scene in the United Kingdom in the early 1980s, [1] X Research source and it shows no signs of dying out any time soon. Thousands of people around the globe indulge in this unique sense of style, to the point that it has become associated with a few signature traits. If you want to get into the goth scene, you should first learn the basics of this popular style.
Things You Should Know
- Pair a cute black oversized T-shirt with combat boots and ripped black jeans.
- Or, wear a black dress with chunky black shoes. Finish the look with a black leather jacket.
- Accessorize your goth outfits with a choker, pentagram jewelry, and a black beanier or wide-brimmed hat.
Steps
-
Buy lots of black staple pieces of clothing. This color has long been considered a staple of gothic fashion. Work it into your new wardrobe as the main color of your outfit. Invest in plenty of plain socks, pants, tops, and skirts during your first shopping trip. You can’t start building outfits you like if you don’t own the essential pieces of clothing.
- T-shirts are a great piece of clothing to start building your wardrobe with. They are easy to find, inexpensive, and come in many styles. For a more feminine style, buy an over-sized T-shirt and pair it with high socks or fishnet stockings, boots, and jewelry.
- It’s perfectly acceptable to not want to wear all black all the time. Add a bit of variety to your outfits by mixing in other colors, such as red, grey, white, violet, blue, or pink.
- Pick out black clothes in velvet, lace, leather, silk, PVC, and/or cheesecloth for a classic goth look. [2]
X
Expert Source
Regina Dunn
Goth Subculture Enthusiast Expert Interview. 12 July 2021. - Goth fashion is based on creativity and DIY, so try looking for clothes at second-hand shops, flea markets, indie shops, and car boot sales. [3]
X
Expert Source
Regina Dunn
Goth Subculture Enthusiast Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
-
Stock up on distressed clothing. Distressed, or ripped, tops and bottoms are one of the most commonly worn styles across almost every gothic subculture. Look for denim jeans or shorts with tears on the legs, or tops with tearing along the body or frayed edges.
- Consider wearing distressed denim jeans with a black T-shirt, combat boots, and studded bracelets. [4] X Research source
- Wear fishnets underneath your distressed bottoms for an extra gothy look. [5]
X
Expert Source
Regina Dunn
Goth Subculture Enthusiast Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
Advertisement -
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. Accessorize with moon- and star-shaped jewelry and black lipstick.
-
If you wish to identify with a scene known as "Nu Goth", look for plaid items. Plaid is one of the most popular types of patterns in this emergent subset of the goth scene, and can be found as outerwear, tops, bottoms, and much more.
- Red, blue, purple, green, gray, and black plaid are all great to incorporate into your wardrobe.
- Pair a black top with a plaid skirt or pants.
- Alternatively, you can layer plaid flannel over your favorite top or dress with high socks and boots.
-
Buy collared shirts in black or other dark colors. Collared shirts are a great unisex option, and can be found in a wide array of styles. You can find them in solids, patterns, or even in color-blocked designs—though you should be careful with colorblocking. Stick to dark colors or shades of black with subtle accents in neutrals or white. Wear a collared shirt with dark denim or a black skirt of any length. [6] X Research source
-
Wear corsets for a dressy touch. Corsets are a staple of the feminine side of gothic fashion. They are also flexible enough to be worn in either a formal or casual outfit, and can be found in a wide range of sizes and styles. Wear a corset over a simple dress, or with a top and skirt or jeans. Corsets will also look great layered over a formal dress or a lacy blouse and ruffled skirt. [7] X Research source
- Corsets are popular in the "romantic goth" style. Romantic goth also includes long skirts, laced boots, elbow gloves, ruffled new romantic shirts, "gothic" beaded collars, and soft makeup in colors like red and purple. [8]
X
Expert Source
Regina Dunn
Goth Subculture Enthusiast Expert Interview. 12 July 2021. - Lydia Fortner, Diva Destruction, Two Witches, Suspiria, and Requiem in White are a few artists who dress in the romantic goth style. [9]
X
Expert Source
Regina Dunn
Goth Subculture Enthusiast Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
- Corsets are popular in the "romantic goth" style. Romantic goth also includes long skirts, laced boots, elbow gloves, ruffled new romantic shirts, "gothic" beaded collars, and soft makeup in colors like red and purple. [8]
X
Expert Source
Regina Dunn
-
Buy black leather clothing in any fit you like. Leather is another popular choice of materials in the gothic scene, and is quite versatile. It can be worn in the form of jackets, pants, shorts, or skirts. You can even find it in distressed and non-distressed styles.
- Pair a leather jacket with a T-shirt and jeans, or over a dress. Complete the ensemble with combat boots.
- You could also wear leather pants with a cotton T-shirt and creepers.
Advertisement
-
Wear hats in dark colors. Hats are a common element in goth wardrobes, perfect for bad hair days and/or cold weather. There are all sorts of styles you can choose from.
- Beanies are a popular choice for basic gothic styles. They are easy to wear and customize. If you like, you can sew on skull or hexagram patches, or stick on button pins from your favorite bands.
- Bowlers are another great choice if you’re into a retro look. Wear them with a button-up shirt and pants or a cute dress.
- Wide-brimmed hats will give you a witchy look that fits perfectly into gothic aesthetics. This type of hat pairs best with your favorite dress, a top and skirt, or a shirt and jeans.
-
Acquire pentagram-shaped jewelry. Pentagram symbols can be found in most goth styles. You can most easily fit them into your wardrobe as a necklace, earrings, or even as a bracelet charm.
- Pentagram jewelry looks great with many outfits. Combine a choker with a pentagram-shaped pendant with a black dress, tights, and creepers. [10] X Research source
- Goth fashion takes inspiration from cultures and iconography like ancient Celtic, pagan, Egyptian, Asian, and Christian. Ankhs; rosaries; bangles; colored fishnets; chunky jewelry featuring bats, coffins, skulls, and/or bones, and fishnets are other accessories you could try. [11]
X
Expert Source
Regina Dunn
Goth Subculture Enthusiast Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
-
Buy chokers. Choker necklaces have recently gone up in popularity and are very common in goth wardrobes. They look especially great with T-shirts and low-cut tops. You can buy plain black chokers, studded chokers, or chokers with pendants attached. Look for crosses, skulls, crystal pendants, or stars. [12] X Research source
-
Wear wristbands. Wristbands go perfectly with casual outfits, and can be worn with long-sleeved, short-sleeved, or sleeveless tops. Pick cotton wristbands with hexagrams, pentagrams, logos from your favorite bands, or leather wristbands decorated with studs or spikes.
-
Cut up a pair of black tights or socks. Many gothic outfits feature socks or tights. You can buy a pair of plain black tights (solid or transparent) and add stylish tears across the legs with a pair of scissors.
- Alternatively, you can buy a pair of patterned tights or socks. Skeleton bones, occult patterns, and lace are popular choices.
-
Add fishnets to your wardrobe. Fishnets are another longstanding component of goth fashion. If you don’t want to wear fishnets on your legs, you can opt for a fishnet shirt to wear over an undershirt, or even fishnet gloves. [13] X Research source
- Fishnets have become very popular to wear with ripped jeans. Combine the fishnets-and-ripped-jeans look with a crop top and a choker necklace.
- You can wear normal tights or stockings if you wanted to. Sheer stockings or tights would be best to add a hint of class to your outfit or to show your legs off.
-
Buy a pair of boots and/or creepers. Both boots and creepers (a type of low-top sneaker with flat platform soles) are essential to the gothic wardrobe. [14] X Expert Source Regina Dunn
Goth Subculture Enthusiast Expert Interview. 12 July 2021. A great pair of boots will prove especially handy during the colder months of the year. Look for lace-up boots or a pair decorated with belts to match the aesthetic.- You could wear black motorcycle boots as they are popular part of gothic fashion. Also, they have zippers on them which are handy if they need to be removed in any situations. [15] X Research source
- Doc Martens are also a good shoe option. [16]
X
Expert Source
Regina Dunn
Goth Subculture Enthusiast Expert Interview. 12 July 2021. - Goth winklepickers are another great shoe to consider. Usually made in black, they can come with a heel, multiple buckles, and length. [17]
X
Expert Source
Regina Dunn
Goth Subculture Enthusiast Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
Advertisement
-
Get a new haircut or style. You can choose from all sorts of hairstyles to wear in the gothic scene. For a feminine look, get your hair cut into a bob of shoulder or chin length. You could also sport a cute pair of double buns or braids . Great masculine hairstyles include undercuts and mohawks .
- Goth hair is often cut in layers, backcombed, and dyed a funky color. It can also be shaved, crimped, or left long like Patricia Morrison. It's usually unruly, like Robert Smith's or Siouxsie Sioux's, and fluffy with hairspray to hold it up. [18]
X
Expert Source
Regina Dunn
Goth Subculture Enthusiast Expert Interview. 12 July 2021. - Deathhawks are also an option. Jonny Slut, Specimen's keyboardist, made this look popular. [19]
X
Expert Source
Regina Dunn
Goth Subculture Enthusiast Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
- Goth hair is often cut in layers, backcombed, and dyed a funky color. It can also be shaved, crimped, or left long like Patricia Morrison. It's usually unruly, like Robert Smith's or Siouxsie Sioux's, and fluffy with hairspray to hold it up. [18]
X
Expert Source
Regina Dunn
-
Dye your hair neon. You’re already wearing black clothing, so black hair could make you look monotonous. Neon colored hair is common in goth fashion, especially in shades of white, grey, green, purple, pink, blue, and red. [20] X Research source
- Natural hair colors work just as well in goth fashion. Consider going with dark brown, a soft shade of light brown, or platinum blond.
-
Pierce your septum. A septum piercing goes through the center of your nostrils. You can recognize it as a hoop going through both nostrils, sort of like a bull. Septum piercings have become popular in the goth scene, and can be adorned with a wide variety of jewelry. Hoops with swirled or star-shaped ornaments are most common. [21] X Research source
- If you aren’t comfortable getting a real septum piercing, you can wear a false piercing instead.
- Look for jewelry with crosses, skulls, chains, and coffins on them. [22]
X
Expert Source
Regina Dunn
Goth Subculture Enthusiast Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
-
Get tattooed if you’re 18 or older. Tattoos have always been part of the goth style, so now is the perfect chance to get one if you aren’t tattooed already. Any location and style is fine. Birds, roses, pentagrams, skulls, and other macabre images are the most popular styles. Be sure to wear clothing that puts your tattoos on display, such as short-sleeved tops or black denim/leather shorts.
- Band logos are another possible option for a goth tattoo. [23]
X
Expert Source
Regina Dunn
Goth Subculture Enthusiast Expert Interview. 12 July 2021. - Make sure you really want a tattoo before you get one. [24]
X
Expert Source
Regina Dunn
Goth Subculture Enthusiast Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
- Band logos are another possible option for a goth tattoo. [23]
X
Expert Source
Regina Dunn
-
Apply dark makeup . You can go as heavy or light as you want with your makeup, though heavier styles look better with some outfits than others. Blue, violet, red, and black shades of lipstick and eyeshadow all fit into the gothic style. [25] X Research source
- Goth makeup is very elaborate, dramatic, and in some cases, extreme. You could try brightly-colored block eyeshadow in silver, blue, or purple, along with minimal eyeliner, or go for an Egyptian-inspired/Kabuki look with triangular eyebrows. [26]
X
Expert Source
Regina Dunn
Goth Subculture Enthusiast Expert Interview. 12 July 2021. - Black or purple contour is a popular option, along with black or red lipstick. [27]
X
Expert Source
Regina Dunn
Goth Subculture Enthusiast Expert Interview. 12 July 2021. - If your outfit is going to be more formal or ornate—like a dark evening gown or something in the Gothic Lolita style, with lots of ruffles and frills—try bolder eye makeup. Think smokey eyeshadow with swirl designs at the outer corners of your eyes, or violet, blue, and black blended together in an ombre pattern. [28] X Research source
- Lighter makeup styles work best with casual outfits. If your look for the day is a casual dress or T-shirt and jeans, match your makeup to the look with some simple, winged eyeliner (with or without a dark eyeshadow), and lipstick. [29] X Research source
- Goth makeup is very elaborate, dramatic, and in some cases, extreme. You could try brightly-colored block eyeshadow in silver, blue, or purple, along with minimal eyeliner, or go for an Egyptian-inspired/Kabuki look with triangular eyebrows. [26]
X
Expert Source
Regina Dunn
-
Get a stiletto manicure . Stiletto nails are a type of manicure that features long nails filed into claw shapes. They are a popular choice for a feminine goth style, especially when painted black. If you like, you can add decals shaped like pentagrams, stars, or skulls.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Search
-
QuestionWhat accessories do goths wear?Regina has been passionate about the goth subculture for over 10 years. She studied goth fashion and subculture in school and she has worked to fight misinformation and misappropriation about the goth subculture within the media. Regina is active in a range of online communities and wikis, continuing to educate and get exposure for goth music and subculture.Goth accessories can include an excessive amount of bangles, chunky rings and bracelets inspired by cultures and ancient iconography like Celtic and Egyptian. Though it isn't vital to understand or believe in the imagery you’re wearing, you can come across as offensive to people who do believe in it, so I’d probably warn to be careful.
-
QuestionWhat is the difference between goth and emo?Regina has been passionate about the goth subculture for over 10 years. She studied goth fashion and subculture in school and she has worked to fight misinformation and misappropriation about the goth subculture within the media. Regina is active in a range of online communities and wikis, continuing to educate and get exposure for goth music and subculture.While they both look similar on the surface, they have vast musical and subcultural differences. Goth is a subculture which grew out of 70s and 80s British post-punk whereas emo is an off-shoot of mid-80s Washington D.C. hardcore punk, standing for “emotive hardcore”. Both scenes are alive and well today.
-
QuestionWhat happens if someone comments on your lookCommunity AnswerIf someone says something negative to you, just ignore them. As long as you like how you look, that's all that matters.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Video
Tips
- Don’t be afraid to experiment! One of the best and most important aspects of goth fashion is its encouragement of individuality! Play around with different subcultures and types of clothing until you find a look that really represents you. [30] X Research sourceThanks
- Browse thrift stores for your initial items. You should be able to find clothing that is cheap but reliable through most local thrift outlets. Shopping this way will help you to get more into the scene, as many goths shop secondhand and even donate their old clothing through these outlets.Thanks
- Create a wishlist of your favorite items. As you research, you may run into examples of clothing you love but realize you won’t be able to buy immediately. You can instead file away the name (and brand, if applicable) of the clothing piece to buy later. Having a wishlist in mind can provide you with a great roadmap for building your wardrobe.Thanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
Warnings
- Avoid splurging on fancier items right away. Hold off on your wishlist until your new gothic wardrobe has a better foundation. Once you have the essentials, it will be much easier for you to build attractive outfits with your wishlist items. If you shop the other way around, you may end up stuck with gorgeous pieces of clothing you can’t match to anything else in your wardrobe.Thanks
- Never hide behind your style choices. Only wear goth clothing if you really feel like you resonate with the style. Otherwise, you'll just feel unsure of yourself. [31] X Expert Source Natalie Tincher
Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist Expert Interview. 13 August 2020.Thanks
Not all shades of black are created equally, due largely to undertones in clothing dyes. Try to find items in matching shades of black during your initial shopping trip.
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goth_subculture
- ↑ Regina Dunn. Goth Subculture Enthusiast. Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
- ↑ Regina Dunn. Goth Subculture Enthusiast. Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
- ↑ https://www.outfittrends.com/how-to-dress-goth12-cute-gothic-styles-outfits-ideas/
- ↑ Regina Dunn. Goth Subculture Enthusiast. Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
- ↑ https://www.outfittrends.com/how-to-dress-goth12-cute-gothic-styles-outfits-ideas/
- ↑ https://www.outfittrends.com/how-to-dress-goth12-cute-gothic-styles-outfits-ideas/
- ↑ Regina Dunn. Goth Subculture Enthusiast. Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
- ↑ Regina Dunn. Goth Subculture Enthusiast. Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
- ↑ https://www.mookychick.co.uk/indie-fashion/gothic/what-is-modern-gothic-style-a-goths-guide-to-undated-dark-fashion.php
- ↑ Regina Dunn. Goth Subculture Enthusiast. Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
- ↑ https://www.mookychick.co.uk/indie-fashion/gothic/what-is-modern-gothic-style-a-goths-guide-to-undated-dark-fashion.php
- ↑ https://www.mookychick.co.uk/indie-fashion/gothic/what-is-modern-gothic-style-a-goths-guide-to-undated-dark-fashion.php
- ↑ Regina Dunn. Goth Subculture Enthusiast. Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
- ↑ https://www.mookychick.co.uk/indie-fashion/gothic/what-is-modern-gothic-style-a-goths-guide-to-undated-dark-fashion.php
- ↑ Regina Dunn. Goth Subculture Enthusiast. Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
- ↑ Regina Dunn. Goth Subculture Enthusiast. Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
- ↑ Regina Dunn. Goth Subculture Enthusiast. Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
- ↑ Regina Dunn. Goth Subculture Enthusiast. Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
- ↑ https://gothicdecor.net/introduction-modern-gothic-hairstyle/
- ↑ https://www.mookychick.co.uk/indie-fashion/gothic/what-is-modern-gothic-style-a-goths-guide-to-undated-dark-fashion.php
- ↑ Regina Dunn. Goth Subculture Enthusiast. Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
- ↑ Regina Dunn. Goth Subculture Enthusiast. Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
- ↑ Regina Dunn. Goth Subculture Enthusiast. Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
- ↑ http://www.outfittrends.com/how-to-dress-goth12-cute-gothic-styles-outfits-ideas/
- ↑ Regina Dunn. Goth Subculture Enthusiast. Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
- ↑ Regina Dunn. Goth Subculture Enthusiast. Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
- ↑ http://www.outfittrends.com/how-to-dress-goth12-cute-gothic-styles-outfits-ideas/
- ↑ http://www.outfittrends.com/how-to-dress-goth12-cute-gothic-styles-outfits-ideas/
- ↑ http://www.complex.com/style/2013/10/street-goth-style-tips/jan-polack
- ↑ Natalie Tincher. Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist. Expert Interview. 13 August 2020.
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To dress goth, stick with basic black pieces, like a black dress, black pants, or a black over-sized t-shirt. You can also try out some distressed clothing, like a pair of ripped jeans or a shirt with frayed edges. To accessorize your goth outfit, try a black hat or a choker. Pentagram jewelry is also a popular goth accessory, or you can wear a few black wristbands. To top off your outfit, throw on a pair of black boots or black low-top sneakers. To learn how to style your hair and do your makeup so you look goth, scroll down!
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 767,621 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "I followed it and figured out what I needed to make my outfits complete. I also got the courage to be myself at school and I did get called emo but I liked the look, so it didn't matter." ..." more
Advertisement
85%
of readers found this article helpful
.
Click a star to add your vote
% of people told us that this article helped them.
"I followed it and figured out what I needed to make my outfits complete. I also got the courage to be myself at school and I did get called emo but I liked the look, so it didn't matter."
..."
more
"I've been wanting to convert to goth ideology and fashion. This has given me a great idea of where to start!"
"I wanted to help my friend expand into her new goth style, and this helped us a lot."
"The being yourself part was helpful. It helped me a lot!"
"This is so real. I used this and now I am hot and goth."
