Women's Gothic Clothing

The gothic subculture is fairly new. What is characteristic about it is that Its members dress in dark, dramatic clothing with pale skin, and dark hair and makeup. This style and type of dressing were first inspired by early horror novels and films. In those terms, it has roots that connect it to the beginning of the punk subculture. As time has passed and the style evolved, developed, and changed, more branches of gothic style appeared. These branches were especially popular in terms of fashion. The gothic fashion and gothic style are now very popular subcultures that can be seen both on and off the runway. However, the members of this subculture often deal with criticism and judgment from the general population. Although this should not be the case in modern times, goth clothes are becoming more and more accepted and there is quite a big offer of gothic outfits on the market.

Gothic fashion comes closely connected and inspired by gothic art. Gothic art is exaggerated, asymmetrical, peculiar, light, complex, and multi-decorated. It is characterized by the frequent use of long extending lines. The main elements include black dresses, bats, roses, orphans. Fort, crow, cross, blood, black cat, etc.

The origins of the gothic style

The gothic subculture first became noticeable and developed in the 1980s in England. It was at the same time when the punk wave started to form as a separate subculture. Gothic subculture was originally a subset of the British punk invasion. However, as time passed, this subculture started to shape and define itself. That is why the gothic and punk scene and styles have lots of similarities. However, they are not so connected today as they used to be. When the gothic subculture was still young, it was defined by certain marks such as teased, black dyed hair, graphic eyeliner, black (sometimes bright red) lipstick and nail polish, and extremely pale skin. The traditional (or Trad) goths lovers wore leather, fishnets, and lots and lots of piercings. The original style icons for the gothic subculture were Siouxsie Sioux, Robert Smith of the Cure, Maila Nurmi, and Elvira.

Besides these people, many others had a large influence on the development of the gothic style and subculture. Nonetheless, the ones previously mentioned are some of the more well-known and popular names, especially when it comes to gothic fashion.

Music is a huge part of the gothic subculture. Rock music is one of the biggest and most important factors that have influenced the birth of the goth culture. Through this, many goth-style icons are also members of the popular goth rock bands.

Types of Gothic fashion style

The gothic fashion style has evolved into different sub-branches, each of them unique because of particular and signature details. This type of deviation from the traditional gothic style recognizes few different branches, among which, the most popular today are:

Romantic, Victorian, and Medieval Goth style

These three styles of gothic fashion are unique in their styles but also very similar. Those who prefer these gothic styles take the inspiration from the respective eras (Romantic Goth from the romantic era, etc.) and mix those styles with the trad Goth style. That is how this style of goth outfits is created. This special style and the wearers can be set apart according to their deep admiration for the darker side of these eras. Strangely, this particular style of gothic fashion looks remarkably similar to the mourning attire from those times.

Pastel Goth style

Pastel goth is relatively new. It became more popular in the late 2010s. What makes this fashion style separated from the traditional gothic style is the use of lighter, pastel colors rather than the traditional gothic preference for darker colors and black. Female gothic lovers see the pastel Goth fashion as a mixture between Japanese "Fairy Kei" fashion and traditional gothic fashion. Pastel gothic outfits are based on light pinks, lavenders, baby blues, and pastel greens. This creates a cuter note to the gothic fashion. To keep the dark element to the style, pastel goths use morbid fashion accessories to keep in the gothic culture. Upside-down crosses, skeletons, bats, and Ouija board references are popular choices among those in the pastel goth culture.

Cyber Goth style

The cyber Goth style was formed in Germany in the late 1980s. It was the ravers, a unique group of Cyber Goths with a preference for this style. Cyber Goths not only take huge steps away from the traditional gothic fashion but also has a different culture. While most in the gothic subculture enjoy gothic rock, Cyber Goths prefer to listen and dance to EDM and electronic music. Cyber Goth fashion is characterized by neon colors, thigh-high studded boots, dreaded dyed hair, masks, and goggles. The highest peak of the Cyber Goth trend was in the late 90s and early 2000s. Since then, it has been gradually losing its popularity.

Lolita style

Lolita fashion style is very popular today. It was formed in Japan. It is a style where women wear clothing that reminiscents the clothes of dolls or children's clothing from the late Victorian and Edwardian periods in England. This style often includes Victorian-era dresses like hoop skirts, stockings, and heels, bows, lacy gloves. When Lolita fashion is paired with gothic fashion, it comes as a mixture of styles, but with a greater accent and focuses on black, dark greens, blues, and maroon shades.

Gothic styles today

Today, goth lovers have hundreds of different goth styles to choose from. This gives modern members of the goth community lots of freedom to express their own personal style in the way they like. Modern fashion designers have gone the way to even brand this style of goth, called Haute Goth, or Runway Goth. This style of gothic fashion isn’t typically worn out of fashion shows, but it brings gothic style to the center stage, something that hasn’t been done before.

Modern gothic

The modern Gothic fashion style has a cleaner look than traditional gothic fashion. Modern Gothic’s key style element appears to be polarity. That means the comparison here and the contrast is light versus dark. As a fashion style, it is still edgy and eye-catching. It has the same ghostly eeriness without being extreme or ‘fringe’ as Goth fashion. Additionally, it is starker in its detailing.

The Gothic fashion style has evolved and changed because the world is changing. The mainstream culture has embraced many style elements that were once seen as ‘otherly’. Body modifications are seen as acceptable and cool, music is more accessible, and alternative style is no longer considered fringe. With that, there has been a significant development in the quality of the music and fashion industry.

Modern Gothic fashion outfits and garments

Wear black

The most classic and timeless style of all Goth staples is the black color. The black is the color of the night, the raven, and the dark soul.

Body modifications

Body modifications are not a necessity, but ones such as tattoos and piercings are always popular with alternative subcultures. The case with the Goth fashion outfits and style is no different.

Mystical symbols

The symbols with the modern Gothic fashion have all meaning, which means they are linked to faith.

Ethereal or supernatural accessories

Same as with the mystical symbols, the ethereal or supernatural accessories are a big part of the modern Gothic style and fashion.  The long, flowing fabrics and hoods are a no-miss.  

Footwear: DMs and New Rocks

During the cold winter months, Dr. Martens and New Rock boots have always been the favorite look for Goth lovers. They look good and are easy to incorporate into any outfit.

Fishnet tights

Anything fishnet-y was especially popular with the traditional Goths of the 80s. Even today, they still hold that extraordinary popularity and effect Fishnets, whale nets… They can all be worn day or night, dressed up or dressed down.

Essential Garments For Conveying A Gothic Look

While there can be many different directions that one can go when shopping for a gothic type of apparel, here are some essential items that will bring freshness and fashionability to the expected Gothic look.

Faux Leather Pants

When it comes to pants, leather pants are a fixture in the gothic scene. This means that there are several options for those who want to add this type of garment to their gothic outfits and wardrobe. There is simply nothing wrong with a plain pair of black leather pants. However, some styles have different decorative elements on them. For example, at Punk Design you will find leather pants that have buckles, studs, mesh, or other details in various places. Some gothic leather pants have openings down the sides that have lace, thin rope, or other materials spread across the openings. You can buy your leather pants tight or loose, depending on the specific look that appeals to you.

Overbust Corset and underbust Corset

Many women who are into gothic outfits and lifestyles love to wear corsets. The common color for this garment is black, although sometimes the corsets can come in other colors such as red. The corsets are made of a wide range of materials. Often, gothic corsets will have multiple materials on them. For example, one garment may include synthetic leather and lace. A corset is a versatile garment because it pairs well with many other types of gothic clothing, including pants, skirts, and leggings.

Trench Coat

Regardless of the clothing that the gothic lover is wearing, the gothic-style trench coat is a great option for the cooler temperatures. This full-length garment is typically black and it can be found in real or synthetic leather. Just like with other gothic apparel, the trench coats can have a plain design or have various decorative elements. Buckles and metal zippers are common and popular on many trench coats. Some gothic trench coats even have tall collars that stand up behind the head.

Why choose Punk Design gothic clothing shop and gothic fashion style?

The Gothic culture in women’s clothing represents the darkest element present in the human spirit. As a spiritual, the gothic connects the physical with the higher powers of pain and suffering. However, the gothic clothing rattles the nerves, and the fashion sector desires to connect the forces of nature with finding the match of dresses as an innovation to live it up at a personal level.

Punk Design as a shop that offers goth clothing fashion garments, has an abundance of choices. each gothic collection for women is specifically designed to meet the essential characteristics of the free spirit. The darkness is visible and hidden in black. Women have black as one of their favorite colors. They prefer wearing black on all occasions in life. The texture brings a haunting appeal to the dress. The fabric, which is velvet and satin, in most of the cases casts a spell and hypnotizes the mind of the onlookers for a few moments. The dramatic effect is what it aims for. Women wearing a black gothic dress hold a mysterious charm and edges the other person closer to falling into the trap.

Goth fashion lovers are often seen as outsiders, having a very unique sense of fashion style, which some people don’t understand and think of as strange. The fact is, Goths are often sensitive and thoughtful, and the reason for their unique fashion style is expressing themselves creatively. Not only the fashion style, but also poetry, art, and movies are a big source of creativity for most Goths.