What Type of Goth Am I? A Guide to the Different Goth Styles and Aesthetics

Finding Your Goth Style Identity: The Different Types of Goth Explained

The goth subculture encompasses a diverse array of styles and aesthetics within the dark alternative genre. If you're drawn to goth but not sure where you fit in, exploring the different goth types can help you determine your perfect look and vibe.

In this in-depth guide, we'll examine the distinguishing features of goth categories like traditional goth, romantic goth, pastel goth, nu-goth, and more. We'll also provide tips on how to experiment with goth fashion and decor to embrace your inner darkness.

Traditional Goth

As the name implies, traditional goth sticks close to the original gothic rock scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The style captures the ominous, vampire-inspired look of seminal goth bands like Bauhaus and Siouxsie and the Banshees.

Elements of the traditional goth look include:

• Black clothing with minimal color accents
• Dark accessories like chokers, pentagrams, and inverted crosses
• Black lipstick and nail polish
• Heavy black eyeliner and shadow
• Pale complexion
• Dyed black hair, often with bangs

Music-wise, traditional goths enjoy classic gothic rock, post-punk, death rock, ethereal wave, and synthpop from bands like Christian Death, The Cure, and The Sisters of Mercy.

Romantic Goth

Drawing inspiration from period fashion and literature, romantic goths adopt a vintage Gothic look with Renaissance and Victorian-era influences.

Romantic goth style includes:

• Flowing, lace-trimmed dresses and skirts
• Ruffled poet shirts
• Tailcoats and waistcoats
• Top hats and wide-brimmed hats
• Lace parasols and gloves
• Capes, corsets, and cravats

Romantic goths enjoy Gothic metal, dark cabaret, chamber pop, and ethereal wave music from artists like Dead Can Dance, Black Tape for a Blue Girl, and Miranda Sex Garden.

Pastel Goth

As the name suggests, pastel goth incorporates lighter, softer colors along with the typical goth black. It's a cutesy, Japanese Harajuku-influenced take on goth.

Pastel goth features:

• Pastel hair paired with dark roots
• Light pinks, blues, purples, lavenders clothing
• Oversized sweaters and cardigans
• Pale face with rosy pink cheeks
• Cute accessories like chokers, bows and headbands
• Toys and stuffed animals

Music genres include bubblegoth, creepy cute, soft goth, and Japanese rock such as visual kei.

Nu-Goth

Nu-goth emerged in the 2010s as a fusion between goth, rave culture, and Japanese anime. It's a futuristic, cyber goth style.

Nu-goth look includes:

• Black clothing with neon bright accents
• Vinyl, PVC, and leather
• Goggles and face masks
• Cyberlox dreadfalls
• Platform boots
• Alien and sci-fi inspired accessories

Nu-goth music includes industrial, aggrotech, and synthpop with bands like Boy Harsher, TR/ST, and Drab Majesty.

Gothic Lolita

Gothic Lolita blends elegant gothic Victorian style with the Japanese Lolita fashion movement. It's a feminine goth look centered around modesty.

Gothic Lolita features long dresses or skirts worn with petticoats and bloomers. Blouses and knee-high socks create a doll-like appearance.

Accessories include headdresses, bonnets, parasols and stuffed animals. Makeup is pale with bold eyeliner, false lashes and red lipstick. The look is topped off with Mary Jane heels.

Gothic Lolita music includes elegant goth rock and dark cabaret bands like London After Midnight and Switchblade Symphony.

Industrial Goth

Harsh and edgy, industrial goth reflects the gritty mechanical aesthetic of industrial music. It's a rebellious futuristic biker-punk look.

Industrial goth features:

• Black leather, latex, and PVC clothing
• Combat boots or chunky heels
• Spiked and studded accessories
• Facial piercings
• Dark choppy hair
• Black military-inspired styles

Industrial, EBM, and aggrotech music from bands like Throbbing Gristle, Skinny Puppy, and Front 242 helped inspire the industrial goth look.

Cyber Goth

Cyber goths take rave fashion and pair it with industrial goth for a robotic, cyborg appearance. Unlike nu-goth, the cyber goth look is less anime, more alien.

Cyber goth style includes:

• PVC and latex clothing
• LED lights and electroluminescent wire
• Gas masks and goggles
• Fake dreadfalls or bright colored dreads
• Futuristic neon accessories

Cyber goths enjoy high energy electronic music from genres like techno, trance, hardcore, and industrial.

Steampunk Goth

Blending Victorian inspired gothic fashion with the sci-fi steam punk genre, steampunk goths have an anachronistic retro-futuristic look.

Steampunk goth incorporates:

• Steampunk staples like goggles, clocks, gears
• Vintage Victorian-era suits and corsets
• Leather, suede, and canvas fabrics
• Top hats and aviator caps
• Dark tones of brown, burgundy, navy, olive, and black

Steampunk goths enjoy neo-Victorian music and dark cabaret bands like Abney Park, Vernian Process, and Professor Elemental.

Witch House Goth

Witch house goth mixes occult and witchcraft themes with electronic dance music for a dark, ritualistic vibe. The style emerged in the late 2000s.

Witch house goth features:

• Long black robes and cloak hoods
• Pentagrams and inverted crosses
• Thick black eyeliner shaped in occult symbols
• Band logos of witch house artists
• Bones, antlers, animal skulls, and sticks
• Jewelry incorporating ancient alchemical symbols

Witch house goth music is downtempo, chopped and screwed electronic with occult samples. Salem, White Ring, and Purity Ring are notable witch house bands.

Experimenting With Goth Style

Once you have a sense of the different goth types that appeal to you, it's time to start experimenting! Here are some tips on where to begin:

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.