How to Be Gothic As a Teenager

Co-authored by Jordan Stolch and Sophia Latorre

Last Updated: March 14, 2023 References Approved

If you want to be a gothic teen, opt for outfits constructed primarily of black clothing with gothic details, like a studded belt or skull-patterned tights. Use art to express yourself, such as through fashion and makeup. Research the background and subculture so you have a complete understanding of what it means to be goth. Read gothic novels and listen to gothic music to immerse yourself in gothic life. With a little research and a few simple steps, you can transform into a gothic teen.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Dressing Gothically

1
Stock up on black clothing. The color black will be the foundation of your wardrobe. Choose several different styles and cuts of clothing, all in black, like T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, tank tops, jeans, leggings, trousers, skirts, and dresses.^{[1]
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- You can also pair dark colors with black clothing items, such as dark burgundy over pastel pink and navy instead of sky blue.
2
Select items made of leather and lace. Both leather and lace are quintessential goth items. Tight leather pants, lace tops and dresses, leather vests and jackets, lace stockings, and leather book bags would all work well. You can opt for black leather and lace, or choose other dark colors, like forest green, plum, and charcoal gray.
3
Choose garments with goth patterns. Your entire outfit doesn’t need to be black every day. Wear colored clothing with patterns like skulls, crosses, ouija boards, crows, roses, and angel wings. Clothes featuring gothic icons, like the Cult, Edward Scissorhands, Marilyn Manson, Elvira, Killing Joke, the Misfits, or the Addams Family, are also great choices.^{[2]
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- You can pair black pants with a red skull-patterned shirt or wear purple leggings with an angel-patterned top, for instance.
4
Pick goth accessories. Studded or spiked belts and wrist cuffs, jewelry in the shape of skulls or crosses, and black hats are all great options. Chains and fingerless gloves are also popular when creating a goth look. Victorian-era jewlery, like dangly earrings or chokers, are another good choice.
5
Wear black shoes. Choose from combat boots (a gothic staple), high-heeled boots, lace-up boots, or any other style you like. If you prefer shoes, go for black sneakers, flats, platforms, wedges, pumps, loafers, or even sandals. Choose a few pairs that are comfortable and durable so that you’ll have a great shoe to go with every outfit.
6
Add goth accents to your uniform. If you have to wear a uniform for school, you can still look goth by adding accents like rose patterned tights or jewelry featuring skulls or crosses. Put goth pins on your sweater or book bag. You can also paint your fingernails black and choose goth makeup and hairstyles. Add black accessories, like combat boots and a trench coat.
- Be sure to follow the dress code and avoid adding anything to your uniform that contains inappropriate words or images.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Creating Gothic Makeup and Hairstyles

1
Select pale foundation. The iconic gothic look features pale skin and black eye makeup. Choose a foundation a few shades lighter than your natural skin tone. Use clean fingers to spread the foundation across your entire face and neck. Use a brush or sponge to ensure it is well blended.^{[3]
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- If you aren’t allowed to wear makeup, or if you have a darker skin tone, don’t worry! You can still create a gothic look through your clothes and accessories.
- For any ethnic goths, if you really wish you pull off a pale foundation but obviously can't, dye your hair as darkly as possible. Even if the contrast isn't significant, it will be enough to draw attention away from your non-pallid complexion.
2
Wear dramatic eye makeup. Choose a dark eyeshadow, like black, gray, or purple. You can use pencil or liquid eyeliner to create a cat-eye look or simply ring your eyes with black liner. Swipe on several coats of black mascara, or choose mascara in a fun color, like pink, blue, or purple.^{[4]
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- For school, you may need to minimize the amount of makeup you wear. Choose one goth style, like black lipstick or eyeliner, and skip the rest.
3
Pick a dark lip color. Dark lipstick, like black, will contrast well with your pale face. You can also opt for a classic, deep red or mix it up by choosing a plum, magenta, or navy lipstick. You can choose a signature color to wear every day, or choose the color depending on your outfit or mood.^{[5]
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4
Choose any hairstyle you wish. You don’t have to have long, black hair to be gothic. Feel free to choose the cut and style you like best, or leave your hair natural. Anything goes, from a shaved head or a mohawk, to long, flowing curls or stick-straight tresses.
5
Color your hair, if desired. Choose a deep blue-black or go for a bolder color, like cherry red. Purple, green, and blue are also popular hair colors for goths. You can dye all your hair, add highlights, create an ombre effect, or only color the tips. Choose a color and style that makes you feel great, but be sure to ask your parents for permission, first!
6
Add gothic hair accessories. Bandanas, headbands, chopsticks, barrettes, and clips can help keep your hair out of your face and also add interest to your style. Choose hair accessories in lace or leather, go for solid black, or pick a pattern like roses or skulls.^{[6]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Living a Gothic Lifestyle

1
Research goth history. If you truly want to be goth, you should learn about the history and subculture of goths. Do an Internet search or go to the library and pick up a few books on the subject, like Hex Files: The Goth Bible by Mick Mercer. Find out more about goth icons, including musicians and film characters, like Alice Cooper, David Vanian, and Theda Bara.
- Goth subculture emerged in the United Kingdom in the 1980s and was influenced by both punk rock and 19th Century gothic literature.^{[7]
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- Find inspiration from goth TV and film characters, like Lydia Deetz, John Blaylock, Lily Munster, Donnie Darko, and Wednesday Addams.
2
Listen to goth music. There are a lot of different genres, like gothic rock, deathrock, EBM, Darkwave, and new wave. Goth artists include Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus, The Sisters of Mercy, and The Cure. Choose music that you enjoy listening to and can relate to. Don't feel like you have to stop listening to a band just because it's not goth—and don't listen to a band just because it is goth.
- It is for the most part universally agreed among goths that music is the determining factor. You don't need to only listen to goth music (or its sub-genres) but you must have at least some interest in it.
- Begin with Bela Lugosi's Dead by Bauhaus. This is the epitome of goth music.
3
Read goth books. Search your local library catalog using a keyword like “goth” to get started. Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman, Nevermore by Kelly Creagh, Poppy Z Brite’s Lost Souls, and Goth Girl Rising by Barry Lyga are good options. You can choose books about vampires and the undead, as well as those that explore ideas like mortality and darkness.
- Classic and Romantic literature are very important. Most goths are culturally literate. Read Dracula by Bram Stoker, or maybe even a little Oscar Wilde.^{[8]
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- Traditional gothic literature includes Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.
4
Show your creativity. Gothics are generally creative people who have intense emotions. Express those emotions through art, like drawing, journaling, singing, painting, or dancing. You can also write poetry, stories, or songs. Use your creativity to enhance your wardrobe or come up with new makeup looks or hairstyles.^{[9]
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5
Reject the status quo. Goths don’t follow trends or mainstream ideas, they are free thinkers that form their own opinions. Don’t go along with something just because other people are doing it—even if those people are your goth friends. Make your own decisions based on your personal preferences and values.^{[10]
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6
Attend gothic events. Join social media groups for gothic teens to find out about gothic events. You can also do an Internet search to find gothic festivals or clubs in your area. Here you can meet other gothic teens, learn more about the gothic subculture, and get ideas for your own hair, makeup, wardrobe, and lifestyle.
- Even if you can’t find goth events in your area, you can still connect with other gothic teens through forums and goth groups online.