Gothic
aka Goth, Trad Goth, Romantic Goth
"Beauty in darkness, romance in death"
Dark romantic subculture emphasizing Victorian aesthetics, melancholy, and death romanticism through all-black attire.
Atmosphere
The sensory world of Gothic
Candlelit chambers, graveyards, gothic clubs, foggy nights
Philosophy
Darkness is beautiful, death is artistic, melancholy is profound
Who Lives Here
The character archetypes that embody Gothic
The Vampire
The Romantic Poet
The Mourner
What It Rejects
Gothic exists in opposition to:
Brightness
Cheerfulness
Mainstream culture
Daily Rituals
The practices and behaviors that define this way of living
Cemetery photography
Dark poetry
Night wandering
Collecting Victorian items
Origin
Emerged from late 1970s post-punk scene in UK, defined by bands like Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and The Cure.
Era
1979-Present
Regions
London, Berlin, Global underground
Trend Score
Key Elements
Key Garments
- •Black lace
- •Corsets
- •Fishnet
- •Platform boots
- •Velvet
- •Victorian blouses
- •Chokers
- •Long black coats
Silhouettes
- •Victorian
- •Dramatic
- •Romantic
Color Palette
Darkness with romantic Victorian depth
Primary Colors
Secondary Colors
Accent Colors
Key Brands
Materials
Cultural Context
Death romanticism, Victorian revival, outsider identity, dark beauty