Blending In: 6 Golden Rules of Gothic Fashion

Gothic fashion is based on elegant Victorian styles with a spooky twist.

Goth culture started in the 1980s and gave fans of heavy metal and gothic rock a brilliant way to express themselves through fashion.

Some of the gothic fashion styles come from eras in which horror novels originated, such as Dracula.

Individuals who follow the culture today have intertwined the gothic fashion styles with more modern choices emerging from the newer Steampunk style.

For those who are interested in the style and want to blend in, here are 6 golden rules of gothic fashion.

1. Wear Choker Necklaces

A staple in more gothic styles is leather choker necklaces. The styles often include cameos and pentagrams that are a part of the culture and include occult and supernatural elements. The chokers are worn as close to the neck as possible and accentuate pale skin well. When examining the chokers, it is important to choose options that offer a little extra chain to provide plenty of room to breathe and adjust according to the wearer’s neck size. If it is hard to find a variety of choker necklaces, adinasjewels.com has more from which to choose that accommodate traditional gothic fashion guidelines.

2. Wear Black Clothing

Gothic fashion culture includes black clothing primarily. It isn’t the same as emo where black clothing is worn, but it is often accentuated by more modern clothing. The goth clothing is more Victorian and often includes customs that look similar to the fashion worn during the era. Women often carry black parasols, wear lace or operate gloves, and wear hats or veils. Men wear sophisticated suits that are all black and match the fashion of the era for men. Some gothic styles coordinate white and monochrome accents into the outfits, but it is without bold colors that are a part of emo fashion.

Goths who want more authentic styles could turn to a custom designer. Today, there is a multitude of designers who create full wardrobes for gothic musical artists. For those that have the budget to get the styles might find better and more old-world choices. Several fashion lines also offer beautiful styles specifically for the gothic culture. The dresses include a built-in corset to create a better shape and offer bustles and crinolines that hold the skirt outward in elegant Victoria designs.

3. Dark Makeup is a Necessity

Dark makeup is a must for any goth woman or man. Black eyeliner and a smoky eye or black or gray are common makeup styles for those participating in gothic culture. Women often wear black lipstick, and everyone has their nails painted black. Some gothic women wear crimson lipstick as an accent to represent their favorite version of Vampira or other gothic characters. The makeup styles are dramatic but not as punk as the concepts used by emos. Pale faces and dark eyes are the staples of the gothic community.

There is a wide array of tutorials online that show great ways to create an authentic gothic makeup style. The step by step instructions help any aspiring goth to create a better look and avoid common mistakes. For some, the smoky eye look isn’t the easiest look to master. For goths, it is an everyday makeup look that keeps them looking glam and spooky. When reviewing makeup tutorials, it is easier to find better makeup options for long-day wear that won’t run all over the face or create an unflattering look. Aesthetics are important in gothic fashion and knowing how to create the thick eyeliner and smoky eye look correctly is absolutely vital for everyone.

4. Corsets are a Must

Corsets are popular in goth fashion, too. Victorian women wore corsets underneath their clothing. However, in goth culture, the corsets are often worn as outerwear with large flowing skirts. The corsets feature drawstrings and are often solid black or pinstriped. However, today’s gothic styles feature skulls, roses, and a variety of patterns to meet the expectations of the culture. Some corsets have spaghetti, lace, or ruffle style straps. The clothing is worn as tight as possible to lift the breasts and create an hourglass shape.

5. Coordinate Steampunk Elements

Top hats, skirt suspenders, and even goggles are often added to today’s gothic styles. Steampunk also features Victorian styles and gives goths more of a variety of styles to wear. Women and men are likely to wear top hats with goggles attached to the rim. Long flowing dresses and skirts are lifted with suspenders to reveal thigh stockings connected to garters. The new accents are beautiful and fun giving the traditional gothic styles a new and more modern spin.

6. Jet Black Hair

Unlike emo, gothic fashion culture requires jet black hair. Both women and men have black hair without pops of color like emo styles. Some individuals who follow the style have a gray stripe in their hair to add a more vampiric look and appear more spooky. The bold colors, such as pink, blue, or green are often choices including in emo fashion cultures. Goths have long hair with long bangs that flow passed the face. Emos, on the other hand, have the short choppy bangs or bangs that frame the face.

Maintaining the hair color is vital for anyone who wants to be goth, and it is necessary to add color to the eyebrows if the individual is naturally blond. Adding black hair to the overall look makes the skin appear paler and gives the skin more of a glow. Goths prefer to look almost vampiric and preternatural. Emos, on the other hand, follow more punk styles and don’t focus so much on the pale, glowy skin look.

When reviewing gothic fashion culture, it is easy to confuse it with emo styles.

A primary difference between the fashion style is the music that each group prefers.

When matching the styles of the bands, it becomes simpler for anyone to emulate the gothic fashion style. Wearing black clothing, chokers, and the right amount of eyeliner is essential for creating a true gothic look.

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