Gothic clothing is a method of wearing dress by members of the Goth subculture. It is normally a dark, sometimes morbid fashion and style of dress and the ideal Gothic fashion is dyed black hair, black lips and black clothes.
Normally both male and female Gothic wear dark eyeliner and dark fingernails. Styles are often borrowed from the Punks, Victorians and Elizabethans. Imagery and paraphernalia are also common. Some of the renowned couture designers such as Alexander McQueen and John Galliano, have been associated with the Gothic style.
Gothic style flourished particularly during the high and late medieval era. The style evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture. Gothic styles can be recognized by the Gothic Clothing, Gothic Shirts, Gothic corsets and Gothic costumes that he or she wears. Such dress codes are liked by males and females even today and they go for such dresses on some special occasions.
This style can be traced back to the 12th century France and over a period of time after evolution reached its apogee in the 16th century. In the late medieval period, the Gothic style was known as primarily the French Style. In fact, the term Gothic appeared first during the latter part of the Renaissance.
According to Wilson, the roots of the contemporary Gothic clothing are found in the Victorian cult of mourning. Gothic fashion can easily be recognized by its stark black clothing (or hair or makeup). This style emerged alongside the Gothic rock scene in the 1980s. Gothic styles are also characterized by deathly pallor, back-combed or black hair, ruffled Regency shirts, stovepipe hats, leather garments, spiked dog collars, the ensemble accessories with religious, magical or macabre jewelry (bone earrings, rosaries, pentacles, ankhs, skulls), typically made from silver etc.
In the words of Ted Phloem’s, a Gothic costume is a “profusion of black velvets, lace, fishnets and leather tinged with scarlet or purple, accessories with tightly laced corsets, gloves, precarious stilettos and silver jewelry depicting religious or occult themes.”
In fact Gothic style was a response against the slick fashions of the 1970’s and a protest against the colorful pastels and extravagance of the 1980’s. Black hair, dark clothing and pale complexions give the basic look of the Goth Dresser. However, Gothic clothing shouldn’t be misconstrued with heavy metal fashion. Gothic style is a blend of modern and traditional designs.
