GOTH! What is Goth?

GOTH! What is Goth?

Good question! I don’t know much about this phenomenon, but I’ll try to find as much as possible about this subject.

Wikipedia describes the phenomenon like a contemporaneous subculture that appeared in United Kingdom, at the beginning of the ‘80s, under the patronage of gothic rock, a branch of the post-punk culture. The punk movement was known for rejecting the social moral values, or any other law or rule. Once, punk movement gone, Goth took its place, inheriting some of the punk fashion and hairstyle. The punk’s believe of rejecting the social values evolved into Goth movement of opposing to the blindly acceptance of the society values. „The goth subculture has survived much longer than others of the same era, and has continued to diversify. Its imagery and cultural proclivities indicate influences from the 19th century Gothic literature along with horror filmsand to a lesser extent the BDSM culture.” (wikipedia.org).

Goth subculture has different branches and forms in music, art and fashion. “The music of the Goth subculture encompasses a number of different styles including Gothic rock,Deathrock,post-punk,darkwave,Ethereal, and Neoclassical. Styles of dress within the subculture range from deathrock, punk and Victorianstyle attire, or combinations of the above, most often with dark attire, makeup and hair”(Wikipedia).

There is no mandatory rule to define the Goths (maybe only the black clothes). The Goths have different background, different jobs, hobbies, taste and religion who feel comfortable within each others company.

There are many false believes and rumors about Goth. Because of their radical and “unorthodox” music, fashion and life style, the Goths were very often misjudged by society, calling them satanists or part of some kind of cult.

Some of those who were rejected or didn’t find their place in society chose goth, for the freedom of choice, speech and thought. The Goths can’t find their place in a very strict society, limited by too many laws, where the rules can’t be negotiated or interpreted. Of course that not all of them have these believes and some were attracted towards Goth because of the good quality music, clubs and friends.

That is what I found at a quick search on the internet. I will continue searching and sharing with you what I will find.

Goth fashion

Goth style originates from the Victorian cult. Goth fashion is dominated by black clothing, hair and make-up and it emerged in the 80s on the rock stages.

Gothic fashion is a clothing style worn by members of the Goth subculture; a dark, sometimes morbid, eroticized fashion and style of dress. Typical Gothic fashion includes dyed black hair, black lips and black clothes. Both male and female Goths wear dark eyeliner and dark fingernails. Styles are often borrowed from the Punks, Victorians and Elizabethans. BDSM imagery and paraphernalia are also common. Goth fashion is sometimes confused with heavy metal fashion.(wikipedia.org).

Simon Reynolds describes it being „deathly pallor, backcombed or ratted black hair, ruffled Regency shirts, stovepipe hats, leather garments, spiked dog collars, the ensemble accessorized with religious, magical or macabre jewellery (bone earrings, rosaries, pentacles, ankhs, skulls), typically made from silver.”

„Goth is a revolt against the slick fashions of the 1970’s disco era and a protest against the colorful pastels and extravagance of the 1980’s. Black hair, dark clothing and pale complexions provide the basic look of the Goth Dresser. One can paradoxically argue that the Goth look is one of deliberate overstatement as just a casual look at the heavy emphasis on dark flowing capes, ruffled cuffs, pale makeup and dyed hair demonstrate a modern-day version of late Victorian excess.”(Maxim W. Furek)

Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to dye or even excessively style your hair to be goth. There are many who represent the epitome of dark goth fashion yet keep their natural hair color. If you do chose to Dye your hair start by figuring out what colors look good ON YOU. Not all colors will look good on everyone! Next try looking at examples of hair styles used by various goth bands for inspiration. Some like to spike, clump or make their hair messy. Remember, Goth is an offshoot of Punk, so many Goths do backcomb their hair into huge explosions, or style their hair into mohawks or huge frizzy spikes or whatever else they can think of. (wikihow.com)