Evolution of Goth Outfits Throughout the Years
Are you curious to know how Goth outfits throughout the years? From Goth subculture to extravagant Gothic style the journey is long. Gothic King has been at the forefront of gothic tone for decades, watching styles evolve and change while maintaining that quintessential dark allure. Let's take a journey through time to explore how our beloved goth has transformed over the years.
Birth of Goth: Late 1970s and Early 1980s
Goth subculture was derived from post-punk goth and with its arrival came clothing motifs that would shape gothic clothing. Originally, some of those outfits were even combinations of punk and goth fashion styles, at least partly.
Key elements of early goth outfits included:
- All-black clothing
- Leather jackets
- Fishnets
- Band t-shirts
- Ripped tights
- DIY accessories
Most Gothic accessories were simple and installments of jewelry were limited to crosses and anklets. Many of our gothic rings and pendants were silver in color, which edited a bit of sparkle to all that darkness.
Romantic Goth Outfits: Mid to the late 1980’s
With the development of the subculture, taste in clothing also expanded. Thus, the romantic goth look emerged in the middle to late 1980s as a reaction to the Victorian and Edwardian styles. This era was a return to smoother and more mysterious styles of dressing.
Characteristic elements included:
- Velvet and lace fabrics
- Corsets
- Flowing Goth Wedding Dresses and skirts
- Poet shirts
- Platform boots
The gothic makeup was made to be either pale or dark; foundation was made to be pale. The lipstick was dark; and makeup for the eyes was huge. While earrings became more decorative, they might have some elements of filigree work on the earrings’ silver or cameos.
Industrial and Cyber Goth: 2000
Then, there was a bifurcation of gothic fashion beginning mid 1990s. Some of us remained with the aspect of the romantic view while others went for the futuristic and industrial view. This period witnessed creation of such things as Cyber Goth Style which is the mixing of Rave and Gothic darkness.
Industrial and cyber goth outfits often featured:
- PVC and vinyl materials
- Neon accents
- Chunky platform boots
- Goggles
- Synthetic dreadlocks or falls
- Mundane features such as straps and buckles
Our jewelry evolved into something that suits this kind of style, at least less of the old-school romantic and more metallic and space-age kind of look. Elaborate and simplistic rings were transformed to have thicker and dowager looks and gothic pendants had industrial or sci-fi themes.
Mainstream Goth: Early 2000s
The turn of the millennium saw gothic fashion seep into mainstream culture. This led to a wider variety of goth-inspired styles and a broader interpretation of what constituted a goth outfit. We embraced this diversity while staying true to our dark roots.
Popular elements during this time included:
- Striped tights and arm warmers
- Band t-shirts (now mass-produced)
- Studded belts and accessories
- Fingerless gloves
- Chunky, colorful plastic jewelry
The goth makeup became more accessible, with brands offering a wider range of dark lipsticks and eyeshadows. Our gothic earrings and other jewelry pieces began to incorporate more color, especially deep purples, reds, and greens.
Nu-Goth and Pastel Goth: 2010s
The 2010s saw a revival and reinterpretation of goth fashion. The nu-goth movement brought a more minimalist and fashion-forward approach to our Goth outfits, while pastel goth introduced softer colors to the traditionally dark palette.
Nu-goth outfits often featured:
- Oversized, flowing garments
- Geometric shapes and patterns
- Witchy elements
- Chokers
- Black lipstick
Our gothic jewelry adapted to these new styles. For nu-goth, we created sleek, minimalist rings and pendants. For pastel goth, we introduced softer-colored gemstones and enamel work into our pieces.
Contemporary Goth: 2020s and Beyond
Gothic as it is entering further into the decade of 2020s changes its styles and tendencies. Gothic Wedding Dresses today can be as elaborate as the clothing in all other previous goth sub-periods, but qualitatively different as they contain new aspects.
Some trends we're seeing in contemporary goth fashion include:
- Gender-neutral styles
- Integration of cultural values into the current fashion.
- High-fashion goth looks
- Digital and virtual fashion components
That is why in Gothic King we are waiting for developments of these trends in gothic makeup and jewelry. New materials and new designs are being infused to our rings and pendants because true to its form, goth fashion is evolving.
