The term “Goth” refers to a subculture that emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s, characterized by a preference for dark, morbid aesthetics. Goths are often associated with wearing dark clothing, dark makeup, and liking dark, moody music. However, like any subculture, Goths have an “opposite” – groups that aesthetically and stylistically contrast with the Gothic fashion and attitudes. In this article, we will explore the history of the Goth subculture, its key characteristics, and some of the stylistic opposites to Goths that have emerged over the years. Understanding the Goth aesthetic and its origins allows us to better understand its apparent contrasts and opposites.
The History of Goths
The Goth subculture has its roots in the post-punk music scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Goth grew out of the punk movement in the United Kingdom, blending punk’s anti-establishment attitudes with influences from Gothic rock bands like Bauhaus and The Cure, and horror films and literature. Early Goth bands included Joy Division, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and the Sisters of Mercy.
As Goth music spread, fans of the genre began adopting a distinctive style of dress and aesthetic. Common Goth fashion included black clothing, black hair and makeup, capes, corsets, and religious symbols. The look was inspired by Victorian mourning dress, vampires, the undead, and horror characters. Lyrically, Goth bands focused on dark, existential themes of romance, religion, and death.
By the 1990s, Goth had spread worldwide as a subculture and aesthetic. The scene diversified into different styles like Gothic metal, Goth punk, and medieval folk Goth. Today, the Goth subculture is still going strong in many countries, although it remains an underground scene.
Key Goth Aesthetics
The Goth subculture is perhaps best recognized by its affinity for dark aesthetics. Some of the key Goth fashion and style elements include:
– Black clothing – From black shirts to black capes, the color black dominates Goth fashion. Other dark colors like blood red, purple and gray are also popular.
– Pale complexions – Goths often wear white foundation and powder to achieve an undead, vampire-like pallor. Dark smokey eyes and black lipstick also contribute to the pale Goth look.
– Gothic jewelry – Spiky chokers, ankh necklaces, pentagrams and inverted crosses serve as Gothic accessories. Jewelry may be silver, leather or black materials.
– Gothic hairstyles – Dyed black hair styled in unconventional ways is common in the subculture. Crimped, teased, spiked or dramatically backcombed hair helps complete the Gothic horror look.
– Gothic make-up – Heavy black eyeliner and eyeshadow, sometimes extending into tear drops shapes, provides the morbid dark style. Black or extremely dark purple lipstick is favored. Fingernails may be painted black.
– Gothic clothing styles – Options include black capes, poet’s shirts, winklepicker shoes or boots, bustle gowns, lacy garments, tailcoats, and kilts for male Goths. Hair is sometimes crimped or teased for an “undead” look.
By adopting these aesthetics, Goths display their affinity for the dark, supernatural, melancholy and morbid. It allows members of the subculture to artistically express their unconventional tastes.
Opposite Aesthetics to Goths
Now that we’ve explored the distinctive Goth aesthetic, what are some opposing aesthetics and styles? Several subcultures and fashion looks can be considered the stylistic opposites of the Gothic look.
Pastels and “Soft” Looks
Pastel colors like powder pink, mint green and lilac are the complete opposite of the harsh blacks favored by Goths. Pastel Goth does blend Gothic elements with lighter tones, but overall pastels represent purity, innocence and brightness – contrasting with the darkness of the Goth subculture. Other soft looks such as natural, minimalist styles also differ starkly from Gothic dramatics.
Preppy Styles
Preppy fashions like polo shirts, khakis, cardigans and boat shoes have an upper class, country club vibe that diverges from Gothic grittiness. Preps often wear bright, primary colors while Goths stick to dim, secondary darks. The clean-cut preppy look contradicts Goth edge and extravagance.
Hip Hop and Streetwear
Hip hop fashion features sports jerseys, baseball caps, hoodies and sneakers – comfortable athletic wear divergent from Gothic romanticism. Streetwear like oversized graphic t-shirts and flashy basketball shoes also contrast with Gothic sophistication. Hip hop style’s golden jewelry also differs from Gothic silver.
Neon and Rainbow Brights
Neon colors like hot pink, lime green and electric blue are the very opposite of Gothic darkness. Similarly, rainbow bright colors in rainbow order thoroughly contradict Gothic gloom. Hypercolor clothing that changes color with heat or other rainbow-bright garments make a strong contrast.
Glitter and Sparkle
Although glam rock did influence Goth, generally glitzy, sparkling looks oppose the Gothic vibe. Sequined disco outfits, glitter makeup and jewelry with lots of rhinestones and shine don’t mesh with the Gothic affinity for gloom. The flashy vibe of sparkle doesn’t pair with Gothic subtlety.
Ruffled Romantic Looks
While Gothic fashion does feature some Victorian influence, ultra-feminine ruffled and lacy looks hearken more to 1980s romantic style. Puffy sleeves, ruffles, high necklines and floral prints contrast with Gothic edge and gender fluidity. Dark romance differs from light and feminine romanticism.
Boho Chic
Relaxed, earthy boho or bohemian style avoids Gothic severity. Flowing peasant skirts, embroidered tunics and patterned maxi dresses fit better with camping at music festivals than haunting dilapidated castles. Boho chic embodies bright, casual freedom – diverging from Gothic structure and intimacy.
Athletic and Casual Wear
Goth style stands at odds with athletic wear like yoga pants, running shoes and workout tops. Similarly, casual fashions like jeans, t-shirts and flip flops don’t fit the Gothic aesthetic. Activewear and casual look’s practicality contrasts with Gothic dramatic fashion and impracticality.
While certainly not exhaustive, these examples demonstrate some of the major stylistic differences between Gothic and opposing aesthetics. They highlight how Goth fashion purposefully diverges from conventional style for dramatic effect.
The Appeal of Opposing Aesthetics
Why might someone be drawn to pastel, preppy, hip hop and other aesthetics that contrast sharply with the Gothic subculture? There are a few factors:
– Finds dark Goth style depressing or unsettling – Some find Gothic fashion simply too dark, morbid or weird for their tastes. Lighter, more conventional aesthetics feel more uplifting.
– Wants to stand out from Goths – Adopting highly contrasting styles helps individuals show they’re aesthetically independent with different tastes from the Gothic scene.
– identifies with different subcultures – People naturally gravitate toward the fashions of groups they identify with, so preps dress preppy while hip hop fans embrace streetwear. Style is an expression of identity.
– Rebellious impulse – Dressing in opposition to Goths allows youth to feel rebellious and flout the nonconformist nature of the subculture by conforming to social norms that Goths reject.
– Finds other styles more attractive or beautiful – It simply comes down to individual preferences on beauty and attraction. The all-black Gothic look may seem drab, uninspired or distasteful to outsiders.
While Goths stand out for their striking dark aesthetic, individuals find appeal in opposing styles for diverse reasons. Fashion is deeply personal, and no single style universally appeals to all. Difference in tastes leads to the rich diversity we see across various aesthetics and subcultures.
Conclusion
The Goth subculture has a signature high-contrast look emphasizing black clothing, pale complexions, and Gothic accessories and style. However, many alternate aesthetics take an opposite approach, from pastel color palettes to athletic wear to rainbow brights and preppy classicism. Reasons for diverging from the Gothic look include wanting brighter styles, identifying with different subcultures, aiming to rebel, and simply finding other fashions more visually appealing. While the Goth look make resonate with some, style remains highly individualistic at heart. Understanding Goth origins and influences however allows us to better analyze its place among fashion’s spectrum of aesthetics.
