A Survey on Gothic Fashion... (it's for a final exam)

I’m currently working on m final paper for a class I’m currently taking on material culture and folk life. For our final exam, we were asked to examine an aspect of material culture, and I chose to examine the typography of gothic fashion and how such fashion relates to the subculture as a whole.

As such, I need to gather some in-depth data from people in the scene. Hence why I am posting this here.

Feel free to skip any questions you don’t want to answer and just answer what you’re comfortable with.

When you’re done, email this to Kathleen.Ravenia at gmail.com or simply re-post it here.

If anyone is interested, I can re-post my final paper (with personal information such as names and locations edited out, of course!) once it's been completed.

Thanks in advance to anyone who fills this out!


What is your name or alias?

What is your age?

Where are you from?

At what age did you first get involved in the gothic subculture?

What drew you to it? Music, fashion, friends, aesthetics, etc.

Do you wear gothic clothing? Why or why not?

If so, what style(s) do you wear, and why?

How does such clothing make you feel?

In your eyes, what makes clothing good or aesthetically pleasing?

How have you seen the fashion change over time?

What are your feelings on the following:

Hot Topic
Cloaks
Using costumes as a part of one’s wardrobe

Are you a part of your local goth scene?

Does your clothing reflect your relationship with this scene? How?

How does your choice of clothing relate to or influence your interactions with other people? Does this make you more comfortable or less comfortable with your choice of fashion?

Aside from work or school uniforms, do you often wear clothing that isn’t gothic? How often? Why?

Is there anything else you want to mention that may be relevant to this study?

I don't mind posting this here.

What is your name or alias?
Mary A. (Mary is my real name, I just use a lot of pseudonyms). The pseudonyms I do use are usually derived from movies or literature.

What is your age?
22

Where are you from?
southern middle Tennessee

At what age did you first get involved in the gothic subculture?
I was closet goth since 14 but finally embraced it when I was 18

What drew you to it? Music, fashion, friends, aesthetics, etc.
A friend come into school as a goth, so that hooked me on the fashion. Ever since I was a young girl, I was always into the darker aspects of life.

Do you wear gothic clothing? Why or why not?
It depends on if someone views them as gothic. I usually dress up whenever I go out--not so much when I stay at home.

If so, what style(s) do you wear, and why?
I tend to have an affinity for the romantic fashions due to the materials (lace, velvets, satins, silks, etc), so I mix that with typical black jeans.

How does such clothing make you feel?
Mysteriously dark with a tinge of whimsy

In your eyes, what makes clothing good or aesthetically pleasing?
The cut/pattern and how it actually fits/lays on a normal person really does it for me. It has to lightly hug the body to show of it's figure but without highlighting all the lumpy contours.

How have you seen the fashion change over time?
There is definitely a change over the decades when dealing with the overall gothic fashion, which does coincide with the rest of the conventional culture and media. The current trend seems to go for the cyber/industrial feel, even in the steampunk fashions.

What are your feelings on the following:

Hot Topic
Hot Topic still has its plus sides in that they still somewhat carry the darker more gothic fashions, but it's a bit impractical considering they have such limited sizes.

Cloaks
Cloaks are beautiful and sumptuous and really good at keeping you warm, but the fabric can get caught in doors.

Using costumes as a part of one’s wardrobe
As long as the costume itself is well made and is comfortable for all day wear, it can be a good thing. I sometimes derive inspirations directly from Halloween costumes.

Are you a part of your local goth scene?
I am the scene, considering the small size of my area.

Does your clothing reflect your relationship with this scene? How?
My clothing reflects a certain amount of my mentality--my own inner self of which I try to squeeze out.

How does your choice of clothing relate to or influence your interactions with other people? Does this make you more comfortable or less comfortable with your choice of fashion?
Those influences would have to be on their part and how they view me--clothing may be my choice in costume, but it does not dictate how I interact with people. I try to hold myself to this by not having other people's choice in who they adorn themselves dictate how I interact with them. If people choose not to interact with me based on how I am dressed, then perhaps I do not wish to interact with them based on their superficial judgments, so their negative perceptions do not make me feel any less comfortable about my choice in costume.

Aside from work or school uniforms, do you often wear clothing that isn’t gothic? How often? Why?
Again, it would depend on if someone views my clothing as gothic or not, but since it is based on my own judgments, I usually spend time in "non gothic" clothing since I spend most of my current time at home--but this does change to varying degrees depending on how many classes I have in any given semester.

Is there anything else you want to mention that may be relevant to this study?
Possibly the early early influences (from centuries past) that have had influence on current gothic clothing including attitudes from the varying cultures.

What is your name or alias?
"Spooky" Robert F.

What is your age?
28

Where are you from?
New Jersey

At what age did you first get involved in the gothic subculture?
12

What drew you to it? Music, fashion, friends, aesthetics, etc.
My family has many musicians and artists in it, and their many tastes in film, music, fashion and art exposed me to a lot more then most children; one of the styles I had an early affinity for was the late 1980's punk/goth.

Do you wear gothic clothing? Why or why not?
Yes, though it has evolved as I have aged.

If so, what style(s) do you wear, and why?
A more reserved style of goth, with a hodgepodge of punk, metal, and formal fashions. I feel some clothes that I wore ten or fifteen years ago, just don't fit someone my age. My interests in a gothic look and style has matured, with clothes that are neat and clean but still fun, comprising of a fair amount of hard edges and lines in outfits.


How does such clothing make you feel?
Comfortable


In your eyes, what makes clothing good or aesthetically pleasing?
Each piece of clothing should be considered as one part of an outfit, not just some individual item. Clothes should be interesting and fun, but bought and worn because their comfortable first and foremost.


How have you seen the fashion change over time?
Every 12-17 years the trends recycle, I'm seeing the scenester kids today wearing the same fitted pants, eyeliner, nail polish and creepers that I was wearing in 1996. Though back then, I was sort of an outcast of outcasts, because in the mid to late 90's, the wide-leg pants were in.


What are your feelings on the following:

Hot Topic Haven't shopped there in at least 7 years, most of the clothing seems a bit too juvenile too me, and I mean that in no way as an insult to anyone who shops there.
Cloaks I had an ex who made her own cloak, which was fun, but I don't see any reason for myself to have one or wear one.
Using costumes as a part of one’s wardrobe I'm a man who's all about dressing up, and if your involved in the right scene or party, go for it. However, rocking a pirate outfit or cloak everyday dances the fine line of silliness.

Are you a part of your local goth scene?
I think I pre-date the goth/punk scene of my area.

Does your clothing reflect your relationship with this scene? How?
No, wherever I've lived, I've carried myself and my own sense of style and fashion with me.


How does your choice of clothing relate to or influence your interactions with other people? Does this make you more comfortable or less comfortable with your choice of fashion?
I think the pop culture movement of boys with eyeliner, nail polish and skinny jeans have made it more socially acceptable, but I've been dressing like this for nearly two decades, so my likes and dislikes aren't effected by peers or strangers.


Aside from work or school uniforms, do you often wear clothing that isn’t gothic? How often? Why?
Any clothing I wear, always has a touch of my goth/punk interests; I wouldn't purchase anything that I didn't think conveys my sense of style.


Is there anything else you want to mention that may be relevant to this study?
Like any fashion or genre, it's hard to truly define what is or is not "gothic", "punk" or "pop", but it's fair to say that any trend or style is both internally dictated by those within the scene, as well as being changed by trends outside of its' core cliches.

What is your name or alias?
- SPF

What is your age?
- 21
Where are you from?
- stl MO
At what age did you first get involved in the gothic subculture?
- I have always had an interest in mystery, death, and dark aesthetics....I didn't know that it was called goth until I was 10
What drew you to it? Music, fashion, friends, aesthetics, etc.
- as a young kid aesthetics was the first thing that drew me in. I would always watch the addams family and aspire to have a family just like that and live in a creepy house. Then in high school I started listening to post-punk music and other bands from the 80s. I decided that that was my favorite type of music and learned that is was also termed "goth." Eventually I put the music and aesthetics together as a young teen in high school.

Do you wear gothic clothing? Why or why not?
-I wear clothing that has gothic aesthetics, but they are not specifically labeled gothic because I dont shop at specific gothic clothing stores. This is a tricky question to answer. Over all I can look gothic, but my individual pieces of clothing are usually purchased from Macys or Forever 21.

If so, what style(s) do you wear, and why?
- I try to incorporate Victorian styles of gothic clothing. I also enjoy putting a gothic twist on 1920s, 1960s mod and 1950s style of clothing

How does such clothing make you feel?
- I feel comfortable in a style that I think is aesthetically pleasing.

In your eyes, what makes clothing good or aesthetically pleasing?
- If it flatters the body, is creative, uses good use of color and line, and matches with the overall look (makeup and accessories)

How have you seen the fashion change over time?
- It went from awesomely 80s to incorporating different eras from the past and future, and using dark pop culture references such as tim burton movies.

What are your feelings on the following:

Hot Topic - not gothic. Hot topic displays clothing that is popular for the alternative scene. Right now the popular atl scene is the whole "hipster" neon colored "scene" thing.
Cloaks - ewwwww not flattering, but if you like it go for it. I think they are for ren fairs only.
Using costumes as a part of one’s wardrobe - I try to avoid looking like a Haloween costume, and if your outfit does then I think it looks ugly. But if it makes you happy then go for it. I would only do it if I didnt look like I just went shopping at Leg Avenue.

Are you a part of your local goth scene?
- not really, i am in college at a small town. I dont have time to go to clubs, but I want to b/c i enjoy the music.

Does your clothing reflect your relationship with this scene? How?

- well i usually wear PJs to class, but when I go out I have gothic influences. This shows that I am comfortable in my "gothness" not to always have to look goth all the time. Personally I think my look is more fashion forward than what most goths I see wearing. I do this because of my general interest in high fashion.

How does your choice of clothing relate to or influence your interactions with other people? Does this make you more comfortable or less comfortable with your choice of fashion?
- I usually wear what I want despite who I hang out with.

Aside from work or school uniforms, do you often wear clothing that isn’t gothic? How often? Why?
I wear non goth clothing all the time. I am a college student and I want to wake up in my PJs then go right to class. I love hoodies and sweat pants

Is there anything else you want to mention that may be relevant to this study?
Goth is such a diverse term that is always interpreted in many different ways. Overall I think goth taps into the darker and mysterious side of life. One may choose to interpret that in what ever way they want.

What is your name or alias?
Heather B. "RedAngel" or "Red"

What is your age?
32

Where are you from?
Newington, CT; now Raleigh, NC

At what age did you first get involved in the gothic subculture?
I'll say 16. I remember going to the drugstore with a guy friend, and getting a magazine with a White Zombie interview, as well as bottles of Wet N Wild Black and Denim Blue polish. I had to sneak the black into the house.

What drew you to it? Music, fashion, friends, aesthetics, etc.
Music to some degree, but more fashion and aesthetics. I had no goth friends. After some years of trying to fit in/blend in with others (non-goths), I went for my own aesthetic, a goth-hippie blend. I was drawn to a darker look I guess because it was beautiful with an aggressive edge. I still wanted to be beautiful, but on my own terms -- and I found comfort in all things dark and loud.

Do you wear gothic clothing? Why or why not? If so, what style(s) do you wear, and why?
Depends on your definition. Much of my clothing consists of either clean lines with strategic cutouts, or elven-style flowy designs. So, corporate goth and elven goth, I suppose. I do appreciate all aspects of gothic fashion, and would dip a toe in each if I had the means.

How does such clothing make you feel?
Wonderful! Beautiful. Strong.

In your eyes, what makes clothing good or aesthetically pleasing?
Its ability to complement the wearer, and to appeal on a subconscious level -- to evoke a fantasy, or to project confidence or glamour. Also, if it's an accurate expression of a person's aesthetic or cultural values. And it helps if it's well-made!

How have you seen the fashion change over time?
I'd say it's expanded. It now encompasses many individual interpretations of goth. I'm in favor of that, as I object to being a walking stereotype.

What are your feelings on the following:

Hot Topic
I miss the days when it was good (circa 1996-98)!! I liked the accessibility it offered -- it became a lot easier to find really gorgeous clothes -- and again, this was back when you could get a black rose-pattern burnout velvet slipdress or a men's wine satin button-down shirt. Nice to have been able to get those a short drive from campus rather than pay shipping.

Cloaks
They can be beautiful, especially hooded and in deep jewel tones, but they're not quite my thing.

Using costumes as a part of one’s wardrobe
No problem at all. Use what you have to in order to achieve your look. It's a damn sight better than wearing "juicy" written across one's a$$.

Are you a part of your local goth scene?
No. I don't even know if there's a scene here. I met a couple goths here some years back, but I ran into the same trouble I did in high school and college -- they had way too much attitude; no warmth or sense of humor.

Does your clothing reflect your relationship with this scene? How?
Most days, yes. I'm not a hardcore traditionalist. My clothes reflect that: I have a dark aesthetic, but I don't want to be unapproachable b/c I'd rather encourage dialogue between alternative and mainstream people. Even if that means being an occasional spokesperson (on my less misanthropic days).

How does your choice of clothing relate to or influence your interactions with other people? Does this make you more comfortable or less comfortable with your choice of fashion?
Oops, I think I covered that above.

Aside from work or school uniforms, do you often wear clothing that isn’t gothic? How often? Why?
Sometimes. I have a hippie/blues side; I was raised by... a very unique person who happened to be a hippie. Also, my grandmother's influence has informed some of my '40s-style fashion choices.

Is there anything else you want to mention that may be relevant to this study?
Yeah. I think everyone who identifies as goth does so for their own reasons; it's not the same for all. For me, my early years were tempered 50/50 with happiness and pain, such that I started tossing more and more of "the rules" -- the accepted standards when it came to music, fashion, and values in general. I found greater comfort in a life that acknowledged both light and dark, without judgment. Beauty with strength and warmth, even when I felt cold and weak -- this is what I saw in Goth. That's why I identify with the community -- I feel at home here.

What is your name or alias? Lauren (real)/Morwenna (alias)

What is your age? 22

Where are you from? Montana

At what age did you first get involved in the gothic subculture? Towards the end of high school, mostly my senior year

What drew you to it? First it was the friends and fashion, they in turn introduced me to some of the music. I knew System Of a Down and AFI first, and then I was directed to the original goth bands-Bauhaus, The Damned, Siouxsie, etc. I no longer listen to those first two bands.

Do you wear gothic clothing? Why or why not? Yes,

If so, what style(s) do you wear, and why? I don't wear gothic style to an extreme degree usually. I tend to stick to plain black clothes and gothy jewelry

How does such clothing make you feel? Comfortable, invisible

In your eyes, what makes clothing good or aesthetically pleasing? fitting well, not revealing too much skin, nothing tacky like sequins, no bright colours or obnoxious patterns

How have you seen the fashion change over time? I haven't really, I'm too young, but I see a variety of fashions both old and new.

What are your feelings on the following:

Hot Topic: Worked there, hated it. Will buy things that I like there but for the most part I find their clothing to be accommodating to teen trends, not my style.

Cloaks: Nice, but they tend to get in the way. I will wear mine if the occassion calls for it, but it usually doesn't.

Using costumes as a part of one’s wardrobe: Depends on what mood I'm in, usually I don't.

Are you a part of your local goth scene? No, it's mostly non-existant and those who do associate themselves with goth to a minor degree are usually trashy drug-addicts.

Does your clothing reflect your relationship with this scene? How? Yes, it's humble.

How does your choice of clothing relate to or influence your interactions with other people? Does this make you more comfortable or less comfortable with your choice of fashion? Most people think my style is cool, but usually it's not mentioned and most people aren't afraid to talk to me or anything.

Aside from work or school uniforms, do you often wear clothing that isn’t gothic? How often? Why? I wear PJs around the house a lot.

Is there anything else you want to mention that may be relevant to this study? Nothing that hasn't already been said by others.

I emailed my responses a few days back....I figure I shuold post them here too. It's interesting how much we have in common!

What is your name or alias?
Ileana

What is your age?
30

Where are you from?
The Bronx, New York City, NY

At what age did you first get involved in the gothic subculture?
I knew I was “dark” way back in elementary school. I did not know Gothic was the name for it until I got to high school.

What drew you to it? Music, fashion, friends, aesthetics, etc.
The fashion, esthetics and the music drew me to it. My oldest brother was/is Goth, so he was an influence, though I didn’t know it until much later.

Do you wear gothic clothing? Why or why not?
Yes and no. I tend to wear almost only black, but I don’t always wear stereotypical Gothic clothing.

If so, what style(s) do you wear, and why?
I tend to prefer a more Romantic or Victorian style, but this is not always practical, so I don’t wear it often. I would describe my Gothic style as eclectic. I tend to wear business type skirts with all types of different style tops, from frilly blouses to button down shirts. In the summer I wear mostly dresses, in different styles, but almost always black. I have never worn anything purchased from a Goth store. I get most of my clothes from department or discount stores.

How does such clothing make you feel?
Comfortable.

In your eyes, what makes clothing good or aesthetically pleasing?
For me, clothing has to be well made and comfortable. I absolutely hate cyber goth clothing. It’s cheap and feels uncomfortable.

How have you seen the fashion change over time?
A few years back cyber goth was all the rage, now steam punk has become more popular.

What are your feelings on the following:

Hot Topic
HT used to have interesting stuff, but their merchandise is completely different now. Their stuff is more trendy now.

Cloaks
Cloaks are ok, but just not practical to wear out, except to certain Goth events.


Using costumes as a part of one’s wardrobe
I’ve never done it, and considering how cheaply made and crappy costumes are, I don’t see why anyone would want to.

Are you a part of your local goth scene?
Not really. Recently I’ve been attending some local Goth events.

Does your clothing reflect your relationship with this scene? How?
I just wear whatever I want, I’m not influenced by the Goth scene.


How does your choice of clothing relate to or influence your interactions with other people? Does this make you more comfortable or less comfortable with your choice of fashion?
Most people find it odd that I wear so much black. They’re curious and ask a lot of questions. I’m comfortable with my clothes. It sets me apart from everyone else.

Aside from work or school uniforms, do you often wear clothing that isn’t gothic? How often? Why?
On occasion I throw on something bright and colorful, for no reason. I own a couple of brightly colored dresses, for the summer. But I always find a way to Goth up these outfits.

Is there anything else you want to mention that may be relevant to this study?

nsanelilmunky wrote:

By the by... how much to cloaks/capes cost anyway?

Most of the time they are massively overpriced (used $20 worth of fabric and charge over 100). Cloaks are pretty easy to make, so just get a costume pattern and sew away.

What is your name or alias?
Catie/shortpsycho/trinkette

What is your age?
21

Where are you from?
Washington state

At what age did you first get involved in the gothic subculture?
Around 11. Got more heavily into it in high school

What drew you to it? Music, fashion, friends, aesthetics, etc.
Fashion definitely is what drew me in the most. My music taste is very varied. At first my "gothic-ness" made people not like me (I think I was the only one at my school at age 11 that dresses in a lot of black), but in high school people are attracted to others that look like they can relate to.

Do you wear gothic clothing? Why or why not?
Sometimes. I like a lot of different things, like music, my taste in fashion is also very varied.

If so, what style(s) do you wear, and why?
I just like black as a color and i like the way it looks on me. i love lace, chains, pvc, velvet, the color red. I don't really know why I like it. I just find it pleasing to look at. Like a hot guy ^.^

How does such clothing make you feel?
Schmexy =D

In your eyes, what makes clothing good or aesthetically pleasing?
Again, extremely varied


What are your feelings on the following:

Hot Topic
Not a huge fan of their selection. (except for their plethora of fairy T's) every once in a while I find something I like. I saw this rainbow-y petticoat a while back I really wanted.
Cloaks
I prefer a really gorgeous coat/jacket. something a little more functional
Using costumes as a part of one’s wardrobe
I personally wouldn't
Are you a part of your local goth scene?
not really. Just moved back to WA from FL and don't really know anyone

How does your choice of clothing relate to or influence your interactions with other people? It doesn't really on my end. But when I'm feeling a little dark one day and someone calls me names I just figure they're filth and not worth my time =D

Does this make you more comfortable or less comfortable with your choice of fashion?
Doesn't really matter. I am happy with how I look, and I believe people who are quick to judge are generally worthless. So I guess it kinda helps me weed out the baddies.

Aside from work or school uniforms, do you often wear clothing that isn’t gothic? How often? Why? I do. Very often. My dress usually depends on my mood in the morning.

Is there anything else you want to mention that may be relevant to this study?

How did the final paper go?? Can we read it? I wrote a paper on gothic culture my freshmen year. Id be willing to share that as well

SPF wrote:

How did the final paper go?? Can we read it? I wrote a paper on gothic culture my freshmen year. Id be willing to share that as well

Good Call. How did it go?

Oh darn, wish I'd seen this in April, I love taking surveys.

^ You still could if you want. It's always interesting to read.

I would really like to see the report/final that came out of this survey.

What everyone else said >.<