Myths and Truth about the Gothic Fashion

Myths and Truth about the Gothic Fashion

One of the main misconceptions is that gothic clothing must be black. Indeed, black color prevails in the Gothic style but it is totally wrong to believe that this is the only shade Gothic accepts. There are many examples where a completely white outfit could be attributed to the Gothic style, whereas a complex black dress can remain just a black dress. In this regard, it is important to know which features make fashion Gothic.

Gothic style appeals to the past or future

Long vintage gowns, hats with feathers, and corsets are one of the main attributes of the antique Gothic style. It is a no-brainer to understand that they draw inspiration from fashion trends of the past. On the other hand, protective masks and goggles, massive chunk-soled shoes worn by cyber Goths are an appeal to the post-apocalyptic future of our world.

Gothic style does not tolerate warm colors

Gothic fashion is cool and aristocratic. As they position themselves as “children of the night,” Goths do not wear pastel or ablaze colors with rare exceptions. They do not sunbath to remain pale and prefer accessories made of white metals such as silver, white gold, or, most often, low-cost metal alloys. Traditionally, white color symbolizes the cold deadly light of the Moon. It perfectly emphasizes the mourning Gothic attire and pallor of their faces.

You can rarely see precious stones in Gothic accessories. Perhaps, this is due to the fact that most jewelry adorned with jewels is made of gold and this metal is unacceptable for Goths. Moreover, in terms of color, gemstones are not suitable for gothic attire either. The only exception is sapphires and diamonds.

This said, semiprecious stones are a popular choice for Gothic jewelry. Cold-colored topaz, black opal, agate, jade, and other gems of black and white colors are welcome. You will also notice many accessories embellished with pearls, both natural (sea and river perals) and artificial ones.

The most popular color choice of Gothic fashion is all shades of black. The black color symbolized mourning for a life imbued with pain and suffering. Gothic clothing is normally made of velvet, satin and other materials that emphasize dark hues and make them look deep, noble, and dramatic. Gothic attire is frequently adorned with lace and light transparent materials as well as leather that is often used in accessories.

Gothic style is romantic and promotes individualism

For the followers of Gothic, this style is more than a set of clichés that associate Gothic with spikes, rivets, skulls, and vampire symbolism. For them, Gothic is foremost a way of self-expression. Hence any Goth has a huge number of homemade, handmade and bespoke-crafted items in his or her wardrobe. Gothic clothes act as a visual label via which people with a certain emotional mood can tell the other members of their community who they are. Through this peculiar and out of the ordinary  style, Goths simultaneously assert themselves and “cure” their own sense of alienation.

Gothic style is tough and revolutionary

According to Valery Steele, an American fashion historian, the word “Gothic” is an epithet historically associated with images of death, destruction, and decay. This word was abusive in its nature, implying something dark, barbaric, gloomy, and creepy. Ironically, such negative interpretations made it an ideally suited symbol of rebellion. Therefore, it is a perfect fit to describe this gloomy and rebellious subculture.

Gothic style is artistic

Gothic fashion attracts artistic, free-spirited, and open-minded individuals. The gothic community, in fact, consists of creative people - artists, dancers, musicians, designers, actors, etc. This is the reason for certain pomp of the Gothic fashion, its courtly mannerism, excessiveness and theatricality, as well as a scornful attitude towards naturalness and simplicity. Gothic clothing is complex in cut, replete with details and embellishment. Gothic hairstyles are like works of art, be it the fountain of the Louis XIV era, the combed lilac mohawk or a bush of green cyber gothic dreadlocks.

Gothic style appeals to mourning

The Gothic community is curious about the death, or rather, the philosophical and socio-cultural aspects of this phenomenon. Hence, the constant appeal of Gothic fashion to mourning motifs and black colors. Gothic style is panache and decadence of Dracula. Just like Dracula is considered to be both a dandy and a dark prince of elegance, so is a gothic person carries an image of a dandy and a vampire aristocrat. The image of the vampire introduces the idea of "erotic Macabre" into gothic fashion. There are stunning examples of the vampire sex appeal of modern fashion, for instance, John Galliano’s voluminous blood-red robe created for Dior.

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