Goth as I have stated before is a political and music based subculture, therefore I personally would not advise shopping from places such as Killstar, who profit off of gothic and alternative fashion. Members of the goth subculture dress in a style that aims to subvert mainstream norms, which is why you can often find them in black dyed hair and black clothing; their appearance is used to make a gloomy and occasionally morbid statement. Goths of both sexes can sport theatrical makeup, dark lipstick and nail paint (usually black), and heavy eyeliner. Styles from the Victorian and Elizabethan periods are frequently imitated. BDSM gear and iconography are also prevalent. Gothic style is sometimes mistaken for emo and heavy metal styles, for they are all under the umbrella of alternative and share some key political motifs. According to Cintra Wilson, “The Victorian cult of mourning is where contemporary goth style got its start.”
the hundreds of dollars going into overconsumption is not “goth”, and in fact goes against one of its core ideologies-is distinguished by its focus on individualism, tolerance for difference, a strong emphasis on creativity, intellectualism, and a slight inclination towards pessimism. Goth is a subculture that began in the United Kingdom during the early 1980s. It was developed by fans of gothic rock, an offshoot of the post-punk music genre. Post-punk artists who anticipated the gothic rock genre and helped develop and shape the subculture include Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus, the Cure and Joy Division. The goth subculture has survived much longer than others of the same era, and has continued to diversify and spread throughout the world. Its imagery and cultural proclivities indicate influences from 19th-century Gothic fiction and from horror films. The scene is centered on music festivals, nightclubs, and organized meetings, especially in Western Europe. The subculture has associated tastes in music, aesthetics and fashion.
People like to bring up the excuse of thrift stores and second hand shopping but the reality of it all is that where we shop does not make a difference; the way we approach fashion does. Even if you go to a Goodwill to shop second hand and not harm the environment, a problem still arises if you leave with a full cart. Your logic might tell you that it’s fine because it is second hand and you’re supporting small business, overconsumption at the end of the day is still overconsumption. Also, keep in mind that when you’re shopping for “goth fashion” keep in mind that there is no set in stone thing that is defined as goth! Buy only pieces that you really need and try to get the most out of them-as well as do your best to repair what you have at home instead of immediately rushing to buy new ones-and there, you’ve got the goth idea! Being goth is about taking what you have and getting the most out of it, not spending hundreds of dollars to be in a constant beauty competition. The first goths were deemed as ugly and off-putting as was the point of their message-they were unattractive, they were angry, and they weren’t going to stand for injustices any longer! You can always take your own clothes and DIY them by adding safety pins, patches, painting designs, cutting holes and distressing them but do not forget your ideals that hold the movement together-aesthetics always come second in the face of resistance.