Understanding Goth Style

How do you define the Goth style? First and most importantly, it's about freely expressing your individuality. The Goth lifestyle is very popular. Teens are into it, but you may be surprised to learn that people in their twenties and older are adopting it too. The three main aspects of this style are clothing and accessories, hair, and make-up.

Black is a predominant color. In fact, most people associate all or mostly black outfits with Goth fashion. It's usually combined with dramatic accessories such as velvet or fishnet tights and chunky silver jewelry. Black remains the most commonly used color for Goth clothing, but other colors are used as well. Dark and bright jewel tones add a feel of punk rock, which is fitting since that is the culture that the Goth style originated from.

We can't forget the hair, another important aspect of Goth style. As the part of the body most easily adapted to style and expression, it has a lot of potential and can be worn in endless ways. Goths tend to dye their hair and/or wear wigs.

Colors vary widely, ranging anywhere from black to pink, but typically the hair is limited to a single flat color… or else a color that contrasts sharply with big highlights. "Subtle" is not a word that applies to Goth hairstyles. What kind of hair styles will you see? You'll see Mohawks, bobs, blunt cuts, angled cuts, and shaved heads. You'll see everyone from girls, boys, women, and men wearing these hair styles.

Now we move on to make-up. Goth makeup includes a lot of black, not surprisingly. Black eyeliner, black mascara, and even black lipstick are commonplace in the make-up kit of Goth style. Wearing make-up to enhance one's originality is something done by men and women alike. Some Goths will inject color into their make-up with dark red lipstick or even colored fake eyelashes. Many use a white foundation or cheek color for the sake of contrast.

In to Goth Fashion? Visit Goth Clothes and get tips and advice on everything Goth. We even talk about Goth Dresses.

- Sydney Jaclyn