AskAGoth

I know what the really early goth bands were (the smiths, banshees, etc) and how it started primarily as post punk, but outside of that im pretty confused on what bands/genres are a part of goth. It doesn’t help that there are a lot of bands (usually alternative metal) that are liked by/associated with goth but have nothing to do with the actual subculture. (Learning about goth so far has felt like the inverse of learning about emo, where I started out knowing mostly newer bands and understood the genre more as I learned more about the early foundational bands, whereas with goth I only really know the early bands and am completely lost from there)

Does anyone know of any online thrifts or alternative - gothic clothing stores? I’ve been trying to thrift a lot of my wardrobe as I always have but in terms of accessories, corsets, shoes, etc I haven’t been able to find anything I like or at least in my size. I’ve been trying to get more crafty and alter my clothes but have only gotten so far with the scissors. I’m pretty new to all of this but want to do it right and would like to know what people in this community are leaning towards in terms of online shopping for clothing. Thank you for any kind of feedback!

As I've researched, the term gothic was originally meant as a put-down when certain Renaissance people wanted to associate what had been medieval gothic architecture with uncouth, barbaric Goths/Visigoths. But then gothic "crossed over" when Horace Walpole came out in 1764 with The Castle of Otranto, which he called -- for the first time -- a gothic novel. (Just before, Britain had seen a type of dark, doomy poetry, but it got called The Graveyard School.) So yes, Walpole was the first to use gothic to describe a medieval period story of gloom and doom -- which then lots of people started duplicating. But just the other day I was looking at pictures of the Cologne Cathedral -- a gothic architecture masterpiece -- and it struck me that these people in Cologne who struggled over 600 years to see it built definitely wanted a dark, eerie mystique thing, i.e., they wanted to stir the dark regions of your psyche -- which they did not see as anything bad or evil, of course. Another interesting thing is the whole Gothic Revival, a 19th century architecture movement that brought back medieval gothic visuals (e.g., the Palace of Westminster or Parliament building in London). By then gothic was unmistakably about the dark mystique, no? So I can't help but think there is a connection, a thread running through gothic architecture, gothic literature/art, and now goth the movement. In other words, nobody "stole" and redefined the term gothic, it just continued snowballing and "gaining friends." But then your average "scholar" hates it when gothic architecture is connected to gothic novels or goth or anything dark and eerie. What's your opinion?

One nice thing about the goth scene, as opposed to the other scenes I grew up a part of (punk, ska, etc) is the goths seems to respect one another’s relationships and aren’t sleeping with each others partners, or going haywire on the groupie sex thing, etc. The scene is just more sexually respectful. Or maybe it’s just really geographically dependent?? Discuss!

What's a goth music group you really like that's underrated in your opinion? I want to discover as much of them as I can (sorry I'm not english)

My friends think that goths going graveyards for dates are some kind of inside joke but i personally would take my girl (if i even find one) to graveyard date at some point. What do you think?

I don't have anything gothic in my closets and drawers but I'm getting closer to the gothic subculture and doing my research and diy is a big thing and I'd like to say I'm pretty creative but my mom also says that keeping stuff for potential diy is hoarding, I don't have any sewing machines or even know how to sew I do art tho! I tried to make my own Sioux and the banshees shirt it did turn out well, any advice?

Note this question is only ment with curiosity not propagating any ideologies

Me and a friend of mine recently went into a discussion "hole" about hatefull versions of subcultures as most subcultures are left-wing. Punk has Nazi Punks, Skinheads have Boneheads, but did Goth ever have such "variant"? The closest iv come to discover such is Military goth and the point of that style is to purely send a dark message about war, nothing political.

Kinda curious on what the subculture a character is meant to lampoon thinks of the actual character.

I’ve been Intrigued by this subculture ever since I was 11 and getting into the alt community in general, But I had stopped for awhile because, I had no Idea where to look, where would I even find goth music and literature/art? The fashion is what drew me in at first, but I really want to go deeper and really get into some music, and learn more about the goth subculture and if it’s for me. Im Not entirely sure if this is the right tag to post this under so feel free to correct.

I see a lot of discussion in online spaces about what is and isn’t considered goth music (especially on certain subreddits). For example, I see people say that anything outside of goth rock isn’t “goth music.” Are dark wave , cold wave, etc “not goth?” Is it because they stem from post-punk? I guess I am just confused where the line is drawn because the bands playing at many of the goth venues I have been to have synths and drum machines.

Sincerely,

A confused baby bat

As a long time anthropological observer of migratory Goths, I have noticed that you always find large colonies around Chinatowns. I have noticed this in different cities, on different continents.

What attracts Goths to Chinatown? Is it the harmonious interplay between black clothes and red lanterns, or something more subtle? Are you even allowed to tell me?

By: u/Professional_Sink586

I've been useing my now ubundent spare time to accessories what I wear.

I'm getting a bunch of studs to add to a bunch of things, including my boots.

I plan to use them sparingly so they don't overwhelm the boots.

But is there any other accessories that would go well with the boots.

Has anybody seen any gothic or quite different kilts?

I love wearing mine but would like to go a bit deeper.

Or a sporran, of course!

Anyone know of anywhere I can find cute gothic car accessories that’s not Amazon or Shein?

I’m specifically looking for seat covers, but I don’t know of any businesses that specifically make what I’m looking for if anyone has suggestions or knows somewhere I can buy from please lmk.

I get called goth a lot because of how I dress, but the only remotely gothic band I listen to is Evanescence.

Anyway, I am very curious about the music, because I don't even really know what qualifies.

Plus if, as I've seen said here, the music is what defines membership in the subculture, it would be another step towards my goal of being more connected to actual alternative culture, cause as it stands I mostly only look the part.

I'm mostly a metal girl myself, if that helps.

By: u/Chereisurgirl

I've looked into the Gothic subculture and am currently trying know more and be better informed but I'm seeing that I can only be alternative and religious because it conflicts with goth beliefs and I've recently made it to the new testament of the Bible (aka Jesus) but when I see the teaching of Jesus wasn't he considered radical for his time as people hated him for his ideas and so forth crucified him now I will say I don't wanna be a poser or be considered a poser because I don't want to be offensive to anyone of the subculture but I also think people makes assumptions about me because of it (which I'm not foreign of that) so when I get asked what I think on LGBTQ rights it's like of course they deserve rights they're human beings and I'd say myself personally I'd never had a same sex relationship because of MY beliefs but if that's what other choose is best for them I can only love and accept them for who they are and they're are many other topics I would cover but I also like only woke up a few hours ago and I'm hot as hell down here in the south anyway I just want y'all's opinion on it because if I genuinely can be goth and and Christan I'm fine with just being alternative I just down want to offend the actual people who've decaded themselves to the subculture

By: u/Chereisurgirl

Like I tried telling her even if it has satanic undertones that not how it started out, to my knowledge it stems from punk but she has no problem with me wanting to learn or be apart of the subculture when she was also a literal goth back in the day she thinks it's satanic because it darkness what do you guys think (Not sure if this is the right tag)

Off the top of my head of what ungoth things about me is that I don't wear too much makeup, partially because I'm scared to use eyeshadow or be extra with eyeliner.

I have these boots (the ones that go up to your shins) in my closet that has not seen the light of day since I've first tried them because I was too lazy to practice walking in them.

I hate pink, but I love pink food, it's the most visually appealing and usually tastes the best.

I like warmer seasons over cold, I just don't want to move anywhere if I'm cold end stay in my bed forever.

I am someone who prefers to rebel (punk) or be angry (deathcore).

Sometimes I love emo music as well.

I do like post punk it's good, but it's nothing I am too crazy about.

I really like this band and I just want to know, i read that they are both, mainly emo, but I wanted to confirm.