The Goths were a tribe of people that existed in Roman times and were looked on as Barbarians due to their fierce nature. Over time, as with most things, ideas of the Goths were romanticised and led to a fashion trend, albeit accidentally. This changed them from something that was originally seen as nasty and ugly to a thing of beauty, where followers try to see the beauty in the darker side of life.
In a bid to be different and non-conformist, some people have followed the typically Goth fashion after becoming fascinated with the dark and mysterious. Goth clothing was worn long ago in a much more simplified form than it is today.
The early Goth clothing consisted of quite elegant dress. Tight sleeves, few trimmings, deep necklines and long dresses all in shades of red, blue, green and gold were marked features. During the latter half of the Goth era, black became more popular, girls would grow their hair longer, skirts became shorter and more detail was added to the Goth clothing to make them stand out from the crowd more than usual.
Sometimes, the need for Goth followers comes from a deep need to be seen as different, or to embrace the way they feel different or it can be a way of finding a group of like-minded people that they feel an affinity to rather than mixing with people that wear 'normal' clothing. It can stem from a religious point of view or simply an urge to look different and individual.
Unfortunately, this has backfired somewhat. In a bid to be different and not fashionable, Goth's have become fashionable and many people look at them as being daring and different in a good way.
For those who wish to be identified as a Goth, there are a few key items that you need to source:
Surcote: this is traditional Goth clothing for women. It is a dress with the sides cut away from arms to hips to reveal the cote-hardie below.
Cote-hardie: A tight fitting, short garment worn around the torso and is laced at the front or back.
Houppelande: A man's Goth garment that was traditionally long, fitted on the shoulders and worn with a belt. A stand up collar and long decorative sleeves that have slits at the elbows to put the hand through are essential features.
Pourpoint: This is a short jacket worn under a cote-hardie. It is a short jacket with tight sleeves and often fur lined. This was also known as the paltock.
Of course, there are variations these days on what constitutes Goth clothing and everybody is welcome to their own interpretation of it - indeed, this is what makes it so different. Most people will keep key pieces in black that they can then add to. Tight fitting corset tops are still popular among the girls as are long skirts and lots of velvet for both sexes.
Boys are easier with black trousers and white shirts
with as much freedom to diversify as they want.
Male and female Goths wear make-up which is often black and bold with a very pale pallor, giving them that gaunt, other worldly aura. Both sexes will often wear black nail varnish too. Having made this look fashionable, it's a two edged sword. Goths can now find their styles pretty much anywhere so it's easier for them but the downside is that many more people are doing it without conviction.
Shaun Parker is a leading historian with many years of experience in the fashion industry. Find out more about Goth clothing at http://www.subculturewear.com
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