How to be Gothic is something that at some point has been desired by many, especially in adolescence, whose style, personality or identity are undefined in many cases, and we are looking for a style of our own that often ends up being a potpourri. Not being very clear about how to be gothic, we have made mixtures between rocker, heavy or punk.
But the difference with these last styles is that they put colors on many occasions, both in pendas, as in accessories and makeup. Gothics are basically monochromatic. There are no contrasts between garments, accessories and makeup.
The Gothic movement was born in the United Kingdom in the late 70s and early 80s. In that area they have always felt a certain nostalgia for the medieval, and probably from there comes the Victorian style in the clothes and consequent evolution to what we now call Gothic.
The gothic style can remind us of vampire movies, some rockers or heavy singers or the punk world. But it really has nothing to do with it. Although it has inspired.
In fact, piercing piercings, chokers and skewer bracelets were inspired by punk fashion.
Being Gothic is a different subculture, although it may seem disturbing, sinister and gloomy because of the dark clothing that characterizes them, they are still people with the same feelings, ideologies, intelligence … than any of the people with another style.
In fact, The Goths don’t like us to address them with the term “terror,” because they don’t see themselves as such.
At a scientific level everything is evolving, the methods, the ideas, the lifestyle … On the catwalk, fashion also evolves… And the Goths have too.
If we go back between ten and fifteen years, you will see that the Gothic style was more aggressive than now, the sharp metal complements, for example, were initially worn by the punks, until they were also adopted by the Gothics.
However, at that time, dressing in Gothic could either belong to someone whose style was innate and spent seven days a week dressing as such, or it became the clothing of the weekend.
Currently the Gothic style has diversified. If we see some collections of Marc Jacobs or Versace, for example, we can see that the Gothic style is an element that is often repeated.
The current Gothic style is much more subtle. Of course there is the pure Gothic that is still seen on occasion, although the Gothic has become a trend that is often seen on the catwalks, especially in the autumn / winter collections or as a night look.
Having said all this we will see how to be Gothic, and also with style.
Instructions for being Gothic
- To be Gothic or Gothic, you should not sunbathe to be perfectly brown, since one of the characteristics of the Gothic is the paleness of their skin.
- If you are already brown in itself, play with light powders (almost white) and black shadows to give it that vampiric characteristic, goths do not put on colored eyeshadows or pink blushes, and it is not necessary that you have completely black hair. You can be blonde, chestnut or redhead.
- You can be yourself without punishing your hair, unless you feel like that clear change.
- Formerly to be goths it seemed an obligation to have black hair, in fact, there was a plague of heads with jet black hair in the late 80s.
- Currently, as we have said before, the Gothic style has also been able to adapt to the times and has evolved.
- Be clear about the Gothic style that goes with you, you know that the Gothic style has several levels and depending on how you are, you can opt for a more romantic Gothic style in which you can make special emphasis with lace, a cheeky Gothic style (this would be the sexiest) playing with leathers and transparencies, the vampiric Gothic style or the hard Gothic style (that of skewer necklaces)
- The Victorian Gothic style has probably been the one that has inspired the most in the world of the catwalk whose successor is the chic Gothic style… are those that are so fashionable today, and also in this last style we can see how they have been introducing some new color, such as old pink for example, among others.
- To be gothic, you can mix and do whatever you want, as long as you don’t get out of the dark color and/or context.
- To be Gothic, black is recommended as the main color, but we repeat, any other dark color or the new ones introduced without leaving the context, are also valid. Eye shadows should be dark. Don’t get out of black, dark gray or dark brown.
- Cheekbones and features are also pronounced with dark shadows for a harder look and, in addition, by the way, it has become fashionable for any style, perhaps not so dark but the marked shading is tenure. The Gothic person has a particular character that proves to be tough.
What do you need to be Gothic?
To be gothic you need to renew your wardrobe. Try to have a diversity of models for each occasion. Don’t just limit yourself to black pants and t-shirts, focus on your style and buy everything based on it.
Of course you can go elegant or casual, remember that gothics have also evolved and are fashionable.
- Have dark clothes, to be able to be black, although it can also be garnet, eggplant, dark gray, navy blue …
- A corset for the girls.
- Garments with lace.
- Some dark torn garment.
- Victorian style clothing, for both men and women.
- Foundation of a light tone or white powders.
- Ash gray blush.
- Black, dark gray, or dark brown eyeshadow.
- Very dark lipstick and if it is black better, although it can also be medium red.
- Black nail lacquer any other that is dark or medium red.
- Gothic accessories, which will lack striking colors, prints out of context, colored flowers, etc. (The hippie style we leave for another article).
- Dark cross belt, for both men and women.
- Black or dark shoes, can be boots, shoes or sandals.
- You have forgotten the lingerie… also dark of course.
- Be clear about your style, very important.
Tips for being Gothic
Whether you are a man or a woman, the eye shadow should be dark on both the upper eyelid and the lower eyelid (on this eyelid it can also be black stripe). With the eyeshadow you give an enigmatic and dark appearance, and that particularity should not be missing if you want to look like an authentic Gothic.
Keep in mind that you are wanting to define a style that goes with your character and personality. You can’t be Goth if you just dress in black, or only do it when you have a special occasion.
You have to give it that Gothic characteristic if you want to be really Gothic (worth the redundancy). You do not have to be all your life, but some time to be defined as Gothic, otherwise you would be chameleon, a person who likes to investigate and change according to their mood or a person with an uncertain identity, or they would take you for an “amateur”.
