How to Dress Goth

Steps

1. Ease into goth. You shouldn't completely change your look in one day -- friends & family will freak out and nag you about it. If you have the personality for it, you will gradually look more goth over time.
2. Determine what style you are aiming for. Some people like a romantic look with tailored velvet jackets, lace and period items, while others prefer punk, with bondage pants and a spiked collar, and still others go cyber/futuristic with goggles, yarn extension, latex, and big industrial boots. There's not one single goth fashion, there are many branches.
3. Browse goth pictures and movies for inspiration. Look around and try to see what you want to incorporate into your wardrobe. Avoid copying someone else unless it is Halloween.
4. Go to thrift stores for cheap, original clothes, instead of buying manufactured goth clothes from a store like Hot Topic. They have nice items, but getting your entire wardrobe there is expensive, and way too commercial. Even mainstream clothing stores have basic pieces, (like pinstriped pants, black sweaters, and such), that will undergird your wardrobe much less expensively than specialty store buys.
5. Make your clothing, or at least consider altering the clothes you already have with bits of lace, ribbons, etc. You can get a good deal at a thrift store, but the cheapest clothes to buy are the ones already in your closet. Go crazy; make it artistic and unique.
6. Try tight clothes (both girls and guys). Boys, do not try wearing tight clothes unless you like looking a bit more feminine. also always make sure it fits your body right and looks good, if you aren't skinny or in shape its most likely not for you. Be warned, tight pants may get you called emo, but keep in mind emo scenester boys wear women's jeans, Goths and Deathrockers don't fall for that lame stuff, they buy cheap black jeans and alter them to fit tight or buy quality looking/fitting black stretch tight jeans from Lip-service, DogPile clothing or Tripp Clothing brands. If it doesn't work for you, stick with normal or loose fit clothes.
7. Wear band shirts. Try shirts by bands such as Cradle of Filth, Christian Death and Bauhaus. (only bands you ACTUALLY like, buying band shirts JUST because it is "Goth" makes you look like an idiot)
8. Consider boots. Many goths have high, black boots. There are many different styles of boots, look around and choose a style you like! Or don't -- boots are not required, for Goth is all about being original. However some romantic goths wear dress shoes every day.
9. The hair. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to dye or even excessively style your hair to be goth. There are many who represent the epitome of dark goth fashion yet keep their natural hair color. If you do chose to Dye your hair start by figuring out what colors look good ON YOU. Not all colors will look good on everyone! Next try looking at examples of hair styles used by various goth bands for inspiration. Some like to spike, clump or make their hair messy. No matter what color you chose to have your hair or how you chose to style it, remember it is all about expressing YOURSELF! SO be creative!
10. Color coordinate. Black isn't the only color that exists in the goth lifestyle. Dark reds, violet, blue, green and white are often used as side colors to the general color black. Cyber or industrial goth accepts neon colors.
11. Wear makeup appropriately. Goth makeup is often dramatic: heavy eyeliner, red lips, and dark shades with heavy application. Cat-eye eyeliner is practically a cliche, but it looks fabulous. Black lipstick is much less popular than it used to be. Regardless, there are no rules.
12. Complete your look with accessories. It could be an elegant choker, lace gloves, an SM bracelet, goggles, bat earrings, ribbons, etc.

[edit] Tips

• Be yourself; don't just follow what some other goth does.
• A few good quality items are much better than a large wardrobe of things you hate. Think quality over quantity. Get the basics: skirt, pants, boots, jacket, and then build from there. Don't buy something unless you love it and it fits perfectly. You will look and feel confident, which is essential in maintaining self esteem and defending your clothing style.
• Being Goth isn't all about the clothes, though the dark clothing has a lot to do with it, its mainly about how you act. It's hard to explain but if you watch Goths for a while I think you'll get the idea.
• To try learning how to act goth try listening to goth music, reading gothic literature, and going to gothic clubs.

Allikas