The Gothic style of clothing belongs to the category of extraordinary. It always attracts the attention of passers-by; it is difficult to confuse it with something else. The Gothic style requires a lot - usually it consists not only in the features of clothing, but also presupposes its own philosophy. It would be more true that with the help of an external image, Goths try to manifest their inner state. Gothic style clothing came to modern world from the Middle Ages. Today it has acquired its own characteristics and has been somewhat transformed.
Features of the Gothic style
The Gothic style of clothing first appeared in the 12th century in Europe. Then it gradually developed and transformed until the 16th century. After this, in the same Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries, there was a fashion for “neo-Gothic”. It was precisely this that served as the basis for the modern Gothic style, which began to spread in the late 70s of the last century.
Such clothing is typical for people belonging to the Goth subculture, which replaced the punks. In this order, a pattern is clearly visible. After violent anarchism and a challenge to the state system, depression sets in due to the fact that all attempts to change the world were fruitless. Both of these styles are characteristic of young people, and they carry within them rather an internal state that manifests itself in such an open way. The gothic style, like punk, is inherent in youthful maximalism. They contain challenge and disagreement. Usually, over the years there is a rethinking and change of style. Therefore, Goths over 30 years old are rare.
Among the features related to appearance clothes in the Gothic style, one can highlight primarily color preferences. The dominant color in the entire image is black. It is present in clothing, makeup, and accessories.
The Gothic style has strict boundaries and limitations, but this does not prevent you from creating unique images. Each goth looks special and unique, and at the same time adheres to specific rules, making it impossible for a representative of this subculture to be confused with someone else.
A distinctive feature of the Gothic style is also sophistication and aristocracy, which can be seen in various elements - these are headdresses, corsets, and fluffy skirts. The whole image as a whole, with all its originality, looks harmonious and stylish. In particular, this can be explained by the fact that Goths are mostly creative people. It is for this reason that they can afford to wear such extravagant outfits and hairstyles.
red accents and sheer skirt
How is the Gothic image created?
In order to create a complete Gothic image, it is necessary to move in certain circles or have the same mood and attitude towards the world that is inherent in the Goths. In this case, all that remains is to express your emotions in clothes. However, there are certain rules according to which the Gothic image is created.
Materials
The first thing you should pay attention to is the materials. Clothes in the Gothic style are most often made of velvet, satin and other materials on which the black color looks most deep and noble. There is often a trim made of lace and light transparent materials. Goths often use leather in jewelry and clothing items.
Wardrobe
Corsets are almost always present in a woman's Gothic wardrobe - they are most often worn over other clothes. Dresses and skirts can be of any length, but the most common are midi or maxi models. Sometimes girls wear trousers.
Black stockings or fishnet tights are a characteristic attribute of the Gothic style. In addition, long lace gloves, a stylish hat and a black veil can complement the look.
As for shoes, in this case, high, heavy boots, decorated with metal elements and straps with high flat soles, would be appropriate - they are worn by both girls and boys. Representatives of the fair sex who adhere to the Gothic style often use boots and high-heeled shoes. In general, their images always look seductive and feminine.
Moreover, many elements are universal. In addition to shoes, representatives of both sexes can use old, shabby T-shirts, vests, and jackets in their wardrobe.
In the cold season, Goths wear cloaks and coats - mostly long, exclusively black. However, their image looks most vibrant in the summer, when it is possible to create a unique multi-layered outfit that, despite its complexity, always looks stylish, harmonious and holistic.
Accessories, hairstyle, makeup
Clothing in the Gothic style is unthinkable without certain additions. As for accessories, leather items with metal spikes, silver pendants and chains, and rings are most often used as jewelry. In this subculture, gold and colored colors are never used. gems. Each element should be made in cool, predominantly black colors. That is why jade, pearls, agate, black opal and similar stones would be appropriate. Decorations are most often made in the form of ornaments, a crucifix, an Egyptian cross.
The makeup, which is typical for both sexes, also predominates in black tones against a background of pale skin. The tone is created using light powder; blush is not used. Eyes are lined with black pencil; shadows are not always used. Lips can be painted with either black or dark burgundy lipstick.
Hair should be predominantly long - both for girls and boys. The color is naturally black, sometimes with coloring applied. As for hairstyles, goths often leave their hair loose or make original haircuts, shaving their temples and making intricate patterns on them.
Goth manicure is most often done with black varnish, but other dark, cool shades are also appropriate. At the same time, slight negligence is not prohibited, which will add color to the image.
In general, the Gothic image is unique and original. He is chosen by bright personalities who carry a challenge in their attire. Not every person can muster the courage to try it on themselves. If you like this trend, but are not ready to take such steps, then you can add a small accent to your usual wardrobe with a fluffy black skirt middle length, corset or matching jewelry. To add a special mood, choose all other elements in cool, soft colors.
The Gothic style in clothing of the Middle Ages came from the French, during the rampant “Dark Age”. Gothic represents "fearsome majesty" and fits the description of a dark style. Thus, the Gothic style represents a certain severity and. Dresses are tailored to the figure, but it is still emphasized thanks to lacing.
Clothing of medieval Europe
The clothing of both men and women emphasized elements such as jagged edges in outfits, high waist with laces, as well as pointed headdresses, and shoes with the same points. Fashion includes long coats for men and trains for women. It is worth noting that the longer a woman’s train was, the higher her position in society she occupied. Gothic clothing in the Middle Ages involved the use of fabric such as velvet, but bright colors and floral patterns prevailed as colors. Black, a popular color for modern Gothic, was not relevant in those days.
Medieval women's clothing was a kota and a kamiza. Kota is a narrow top, wide skirt and lace-up. As stated earlier, the elongated waist was the main feature of the Gothic style. The skirt should have a train, and the skirt itself consisted of folds. It was very fashionable to have draped fabric in the belly area. The sleeves of dresses could be either narrow or wide. They were decorated with inserts from other fabrics, fur or a bell covering thumb hands. Semicircular or round raincoats with a buckle-like fastening on the chest were used as outerwear. Also, one of the elements of the Gothic style of clothing in the Middle Ages was a headdress. Women wore a gorge, which in appearance resembled a pipe, with a slit at the back and an increased width at the bottom. The gorge was created from fabric. In addition to this, ladies wore “two-horned” caps.
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The very concept of “Gothic” means a movement in art that reigned from the thirteenth to the fifteenth centuries. Initially, this is an architectural style and when traveling around European countries, you can see many historical buildings in this style. Its distinctive features are multi-colored stained glass windows, large openwork towers and the noticeable elongation of all structures. The interior design also has noticeable features of the Gothic style. He is characterized by grandeur and grace. The characteristic features are openwork patterns, pointed vaults, stone lace carvings, and the main decoration is a stained glass window - a rose. This style was called dark and gloomy already during the Renaissance, which came to replace it in the fifteenth century.
During the Middle Ages
However, the Gothic style is present not only in architecture, interior design, but also in clothing. This style became popular among young boys and girls who were passionate about the Goth subculture. It should be noted that the style of clothing that modern Goths adhere to differs significantly from the clothing of medieval Europe. Gothic fascinates with its gloomy majesty, coldness and severity. This style of clothing originated in France in the Middle Ages and then spread throughout Europe.
The medieval style was characterized by a clear division into the classes of feudal lords, peasants and townspeople. Each outfit was characterized by contrasting differences depending on social status. The feudal lords' clothing was made of silk with long trains. The main features were an elongated silhouette, and, consequently, pointed hats and the same shoes. Black color had not yet taken over fashion and mostly bright shades and different patterns with images of plants prevailed.
Clothing for women of the Middle Ages was also characterized by an elongated waist silhouette and a tight corset with lacing on the side or back. The bottom of the dress was completed by a wide skirt with a train. Its length depended on the social status of the lady. Draping on the skirt in the abdominal area has come into fashion. The cloaks were rounded and fastened with a buckle at the front. Basically, the edges of the clothes had a pointed shape.
Men's suit at that time it existed in two forms. The first option was loose-fitting and very long, the second, on the contrary, fitted the figure and was quite short. Short suits were mainly worn by young men. Gradually, a short jacket with tapered sleeves is coming into fashion; in addition to it, pants in the form of stockings began to be worn.
Men from noble families also wore a similar suit, but it differed in the shape of the sleeves. The narrow bodice was complemented by flared flaps on the sides. The cloak model was very simple and consisted of a piece of fabric with a hole for the head. This cloak was called an amice. This model was usually not sewn on the sides, but if it was stitched and there were holes for the arms, then such a cloak was called a surcoat. Similar models were available in both long and short versions.
Revival of style
The era of the Renaissance and the Renaissance is replacing the Gothic style of clothing. Gothic can only be revived a short time at the end of the eighteenth and beginning of the nineteenth century. But this period will be very fleeting.
Gothic will manifest itself more brightly and catchily in the late seventies of the twentieth century. In our concept, the Gothic style is the style of the Goths, the youth subculture. Only distant characteristic features will remain from the images of the Middle Ages. The style will contain cold gloom, excessive severity, and an interest in mysticism. Modern clothing is more reminiscent of Gothic cathedrals, i.e. architectural direction.
Music and fashion for a long time have a huge influence on each other. So with the advent of a new direction in music - gothic rock, the style gained a second wind.
By the beginning of the eighties of the twentieth century, its own Gothic style and fashion was formed. The main characteristics of this trend to date are black color and voluminous silver accessories. One more distinctive feature is the style of applying makeup for both girls and young people - whitish powder and a thick layer of eyeliner on the eyes. Everyone's hair must be black.
Clothing is stylized during the short revival of the style in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Required elements in modern clothes are Long Dresses black, satin or leather gloves, lots of lace. Men have hats in the form of cylinders and tailcoats in their wardrobe.
Sometimes the clothes of the Goths resemble metalheads - a lot of leather clothes, chains and an abundance of metal jewelry. On modern Goths you can see collars and bracelets with metal spikes, which act as jewelry. Goths love to use the vamp style in their makeup, which involves red or black nail polish, black eye shadow and eyeliner.
Fans of this style can also be seen in the office. Basically, such people stand out by wearing black clothes and the presence of discreet metal jewelry.
Distinctive features in clothing
If we summarize all the special features of this style, then it is possible to see the characteristic features of this direction.
- The predominance of clear lines in clothing.
- Clothes with a straight silhouette.
- Availability of outfits made of velvet, satin, taffeta, leather and brocade.
- The predominance of plain black clothing with a microscopic presence of burgundy, purple, blue and green colors.
- Various lengths of skirts and dresses. From ultra-short to maxi options.
- Presence of vintage items.
- Leather clothing in the form of trousers and jackets - leather jackets.
- Black hair and emphasis on the eyes.
- What does a modern goth's wardrobe consist of?
A modern person does not even have a question about how to dress, because mass market stores and showrooms abound in the presence of various textures and styles.
- Trousers made of leather or fabric. Such models are preferred by girls with ideal proportions.
- Corsets are perhaps a classic of the genre for every self-respecting goth. This piece of clothing perfectly emphasizes the waist, making the image sexy and attractive. It is worn over a blouse or on a naked body.
- Lace dresses serve as an excellent outfit for a festive occasion or a special celebration. The length of such a dress can be absolutely any, but the waist and neckline area must be emphasized.
- Everyone knows T-shirts with images of bones, skulls, crows or spiders. Every self-respecting goth has such a wardrobe item.
- Suits are perhaps the most standard option, consisting of a pencil skirt and a fitted jacket.
- Outerwear is leather or fabric raincoats, flared to the bottom and with a large hood.
Favorite decorations of modern goths.
The style is ready, easily recognizable by the predominance of black in it.
The Gothic outfits that can be seen on modern representatives of this subculture are far from the real Gothic images that appeared in Europe during the Middle Ages. The Gothic style of clothing is only part of a worldview filled with suffering, darkness, and melancholy, which is clearly expressed in music and other areas of art.
A little history 
The history of the Gothic style goes back to the Middle Ages.
Gothic art is about cold restraint and solemn sadness.
Fashion always keeps pace with its era, so changes in the military equipment of medieval knights marked the beginning of the emergence of new views. Chain mail was replaced by armor, loose shirts replaced things tailored to the figure.
Tailors took steel scissors into their hands and began making patterns, which made it possible to sew clothes from individual parts connected by seams.
Appeared female models, in which the narrow bodice and wide skirt were cut separately. Cutouts on the chest triangular shape, cuffs, long sleeves, the pointed shape of the shoe - these details stylistically intersected with the architectural elements of the Gothic style. 
All this became the basis for the development of Gothic fashion and its various variations. In the late 70s, the Gothic movement was very popular among young people who met in cemeteries and gravitated towards the secrets of the afterlife. Time passed, and various branches appeared in this subculture, but aristocratic images and depressive moods are characteristic of all manifestations of Gothic.
Typical goth outfit 
Extravagance and the color black are the main characteristics of the modern Gothic look. The materials used are completely different: silk and velvet, lace and denim, leather and taffeta.
A goth's wardrobe usually consists of leather trousers, raincoats, long skirts, black T-shirts, platform shoes, black leather ankle boots. 
A tight black leather corset is a mandatory attribute of a costume, which gives a girl’s image a sexy look, which is welcomed in this direction. The corset can also be worn on top of the dress. It is very different from the ancient, rigid models. The modern corset is made of elastic materials and seductively emphasizes the figure, as shown in the photo: 
Skirts, capes, and various robes made of black fabric, whose texture resembles a fishing net, are often used in Gothic images.
There is also femininity in the male appearance. A typical representative of this subculture wears black trousers and a shirt, a leather coat or robe, a hat and heavy lace-up boots.
Accessories 
For girls of this look, gloves made of lace, umbrellas, handbags made of velvet fabric, different kinds hats Particularly popular are small, elegantly shaped hats that are decorated with a veil, or, conversely, hats with wide brims. 
Sad looks are often complemented with white metal accessories. Most often it is silver. It is rare to see white gold jewelry worn by Goths.
Such elements symbolize the coldness of the Moon, and further emphasize the contrast of black clothes and white skin. 
Crosses, skulls, the bats, spiders, dragons, chains, bracelets, spikes - all these elements can be found in the modern image of the goths. The face and torso of young people are often decorated with piercings. 
Create a Gothic look 
Some tips for those who want to embody a modern gothic look in their clothes.
Trousers
Leather pants or black skinny jeans will be a good buy. If your figure does not allow you to wear tight clothes, then loose-fitting black trousers will fit perfectly into your look.
Corset
This necessary attribute of the image of a sad maiden can be combined well with a multi-tiered full skirt or jeans. An off-shoulder shirt complemented with a black leather corset on top looks bold and, at the same time, feminine.
Blazer
Made of velvet, it will add rigor and solidity to the image. 
T-shirts
You can choose with different images or symbols. They can also be simply black. T-shirts often feature elements that reflect goth's musical tastes 
Shoes
Massive, heavy leather shoes, mainly flat boots or platform boots and high heels. The color is mostly black, but sometimes you can find red models. 
Makeup and hairstyle
Makeup uses black eyeliner or eye shadow to highlight the eyes. Black lipstick, which looks contrasting against a pale face, can be found on the lips of both women and men. Don't forget about your nails - coated with black varnish they will complete the look. In manicure, as in hairstyle, negligence is encouraged. To dye your hair, you can use dark shades in any combination. 