Black Fashion By Javii: My Gothic issues.

Gothic Fashion is a dark, and sometimes erotic style of dress. It usually includes but is not limited to, a pale complexion, dyed black hair, black lips, black eyeliner and black clothes. Goths borrowed most of their style from Punks, Victorians, and Elizabethans. BDSM influence on Goths relationships also influence their taste in accessories.
In his book "The Death Proclamation of Generation X: A Self-Fulfilling Prophesy of Goth, Grunge and Heroin" Maxim W. Furek stated that "Goth is a revolt against the slick fashions of the 1970's disco era and a protest against the colorful pastels and extravagance of the 1980's."If you weren't aware by now I love black clothing and as of late I've been immersed into the Victorian era of corsets, 50 lbs dresses and the twilight saga (Vampires with pale faces). And I too have spent time rebelling against the bell bottom pants of the 70's disco era. Knowing that, you'd think I was already half way to being a Goth, but I'm not.Images via Black-and-African-American-Goths

While I find Gothic culture and fashion visually appealing there are many things about it I don't understand that google just won't give me the answer to like:

Are spiked dog collars or dog collars in general in reference to their BDSM meanings or has modern times made it into a simple accessory?

Why do so many Goth of colors wear blue contacts?

Why is modern Goth fashion overtly sexual?

So next week I'm getting a full head to toe goth makeover and hanging with the Gothic scene in hopes to bury my ignorance and prejudice feelings towards the Gothic culture

If you have any questions you want answered let me know and I'll update in my next post.

Tags: Accessories, Black, By, Fashion, Hats, Javii, Style, Week

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Comment by Jordana LeSesne on October 24, 2012 at 8:12pm: Thank you Jasmine. I read that the first time and re-read it cause surely someone on this site must be more enlightened than to use the whole "Well look how she is dressed" nonsense. Sadly even AfroPunk.com is not immune to it.

It was an odd post in general. One part anger, one part envy and and one part chauvinism.

Comment by Jasmine on October 24, 2012 at 5:00pm: "unless you like being trailed by barking dogs. If you dress like a bone you must want the attention. Dave Chapell is right, it's confusing as hell..." It saddens me to see such anti feminist things like that said here.

Comment by Spookycreep on October 24, 2012 at 7:46am: Second thought: I haven't looked for a while. I'm going to put together a decent slide show of some cool male gothic images. I know we are out there. Also, I was lying. I'll never get sick of goth chicks...but still...

Comment by Spookycreep on October 23, 2012 at 7:29am: Nice pictures but I'm getting sick of goth chicks. Where are the guys at? This just proves something I've known for a long time: girls have more fun than we do. There are a few websites devoted to goth girl of the week or the month but I've yet to see a website like this devoted to gothic males.

And Ms. Lunakiss: I really hate those tiny-ass hats and I'm not too crazy about the lipstick that only covers a portion of the mouth either....

I tell you this though: fashion is not the core of the goth aesthetic. Many goth bands don't look goth at all but fashion, being as visible as it is, tends to get all the attention. First and foremost, goth is a state of mind and it sounds to me Ms.J that you're already there but you haven't found the spot that is just right for you. You will. I think when you get to the point of no longer worrying if other goths think you're goth or not then you come into your own. Looks to me like a large part of being goth is to reject the collectivism of the subculture. A robot is still a robot even if it's dressed in black.

Also I think the authors definition of goth as a revolt against mainstream fashion is nonsense. It's a revolt against mainstream, period. Mainstream too, is more than fashion.

I think the fetish influence accounts for the overly sexual look in goth styles but you don''t have to follow this trend if it's not comfortable for you. That's what I mean about rejecting the collectivism. I read a book on artist many years ago and it made the point that the most creative one's are governed by an internal vision while the less creative are only concerned with reaching the aestheic ideal set by others_ those that follow their own visions. I think the subculture is like that, you either conform to what the subculture says is goth or you create a gothic style that expresses you. No one can do this for you. I guess it's just the nature of the beast: you have to find your own way. I think that is what you're busy doing.

I personally like the black and white picture the best. Now that's sexy to me. I think long, flowing, granny dresses are hot too. The overly sexual stuff? I say keep it in the bedroom, unless you like being trailed by barking dogs. If you dress like a bone you must want the attention. Dave Chapell is right, it's confusing as hell...

Comment by Lunakiss on October 19, 2012 at 5:55pm: Hey Jasmine Don't forget about the Steampunk Goths or Gamer Goth look and subculture too.

On clothes you probably look into the material being used like PVC is a most differently hot, fauz leather(aka pleather aka patent leather),

Also in some circles I've seen long sleeve gloves and the tiny hat look...

Gothic Beauty is a great source for a wide spectrum of goth culture

Comment by Jordana LeSesne on October 17, 2012 at 6:02pm: Photos, 2, 3 and 4 are my look :)

Comment by Jordana LeSesne on October 17, 2012 at 6:02pm: Great answer to those questions Jasmine. I'd add that there are different sort of sub-genres of goth esthetic. I consider my goth style to be a mix of classic goth and sci-goth (sort of sci-fi influenced).

Spiked collars are pretty much mainstream. (Blame the rise in the popularity of punk for that! :)

As for colored contacts they can be as much a part of the look as any other fashion accessory. You focus on the blue ones but I've seen just as many violet, cat eyes, gold, and other unnatural colors is use by goths of all backgrounds. As Jasmine said it's not about natural. Goth by its very nature is unnatural.

You may be seeing modern goth fashion as overly sexual but that has more to do with the prejudices you and most of us American inherited from the anglo-saxon puritans who "founded" the country.

These looks are not considered overly sexual in Europe or Asia.

Comment by Jasmine on October 17, 2012 at 2:59pm: Though I blog about being a Goth of Color as well as give my opinions about certain topics in the subculture, I by no means claim to be an expert. That being said I still would like to give my opinion on some of the questions you have.

For spiked collars. For some it is a nod to BDSM, especially for fetish and latex goths. For others its a nod toward the spikes and studs that decorate DIY punk efforts.

I really haven't seen that many blue contacts on Goths of color but my best assumption is that it gives an unnatural look. Many into Goth and other alternative fashion have interest in artificial looks which is why there is so many unnatural hair colors, waist shape, unnatural makeup, piercing, etc..

As for the overly sexual fashion that is a mixture of many factors. The main one being that what is that many in the subculture do not abide by what is acceptable for or considered "modest" by the mainstream so clothes are often more revealing or "sexy" in comparison to mainstream fashion so that is often highlighted by the ridiculous belief that revealing clothes are directly related to sex and is often exploited by photographers. Also favorite material in the subculture tend to be associated more with sex such as silk, vinyl, latex, velvet, tulle, etc... Also certain goth looks can feed into a fantasy for certain people. These are just a few reasons.