To continue our celebration of World Goth Day at Attitude Clothing, we are looking into the development of the Gothic subculture. From the beginning of the Germanic Goths to the alternative cultures we see today, we’ll explore the complete timeline of Gothic history.
Table of contents
What is the history of the Goths?
How has the Gothic subculture evolved over time?
What influences the Gothic subculture?
What’s the cultural perception of the Gothic subculture?
What are some misconceptions about the Gothic subculture?
What is the history of the Goths?
The original Goths were a Germanic people. They were considered “barbarians” for their opposition to the Roman Empire and ultimately played a part in its downfall. In 410 AD, a Gothic army attacked the city of Rome. By the end of the 5th Century, Visigoths (Western Goths) and Ostrogoths largely dominated the former Roman Empire alongside the Huns, Vandals and other peoples. Because of this, the word “Goth” became synonymous with destruction, and “vandal” retained a similar meaning.
New meanings
Throughout history, the term “Gothic” has been used to refer to many different peoples and cultures. In the Renaissance era of the 15th and 16th centuries, Gothic was used to describe medieval culture, particularly art and architecture. People in the Middle Ages didn’t refer to their own culture as Gothic. It was attached to them retrospectively as an insult. This stemmed from the Italian architect Giorgio Vasari, who was the first to use the word to describe medieval art as Gothic and continue its use as a synonym for barbaric.
Literature and theatre
In the mid-18th century, a need to rebel against convention arose in literature, and the first Gothic novel was published – The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole, released on Christmas Eve, 1764.
By the 1790s, Gothic literature was booming, and theatre adaptations were selling like hotcakes. The stories covered everything from fictional villains like vampires to more realistic bad guys representing an oppressive society.
Music
Jumping forward to the late 1970s, the dark, moody, melancholic sounds of bands like Joy Division, Bauhaus and Siouxsie and the Banshees were taking off. This is where the Gothic subculture we know of today began. Fashion and makeup matched the deep sounds of the music genre, with fans donning plenty of black clothing and heavy eyeliner. Today, the Gothic culture transcends trends and is ever-changing, keeping with Gothic history – from a word referring to an ancient population to a genre of literature, theatre, film and music.
How has the Gothic subculture evolved over time?
The beginning of the Gothic subculture, as we know it today, was in the late 1970s and 80s and has been developing and changing ever since.
While the original Goth look inspired by Batcave clubs and bands like The Cure is still a key part of the culture, there are now countless subcultures under the Gothic umbrella ranging from perky goth to nu-goth, industrial, grunge, punk, cybergoth and everything in-between.
The internet and social media have a huge role in the evolution of Gothic subcultures. Forum and discussion sites like Reddit and Tumblr make connecting and building communities much easier for like-minded people. These sites also provide easy access to music, films, and literature, further bolstering new interests within these communities.
What influences the Gothic subculture?
The overarching Gothic community has split into so many subcultures that it’s tricky to pin down any specific influences. However, music, film, and literature remain key sources of inspiration for these new subcultures, keeping with the early development of the Goths.
A lot has changed since the 1980s, so there are more places for goth and alternative communities to find influence and inspiration. Pinterest is a popular place for Goths looking for style inspiration. It has ideas for everything from outfits and accessories to makeup and hair, and it is a great space for sourcing new influences.
What’s the cultural perception of the Gothic subculture?
People who fall under the Gothic umbrella, whether that’s punks, nu-goths, metalheads, baby bats or anyone in between, tend to be kind and unassuming, open-minded individuals who are brought together by shared interests in music, literature and film. Goths can be perceived as overly negative catastrophisers, but they just hold a healthy cynicism toward those in power and societal norms.
What are some misconceptions about the Gothic subculture?
Like many subcultures deemed different from the norm, there are some strange beliefs about Goths.
- Goths are always miserable.
Goths can be sensitive souls in touch with their emotions, but they are certainly not always miserable! Many Goths have strong communities and healthy social lives and are not as isolated as many assume.
- Goths only wear black.
Black is a highly prevalent colour in the Gothic style, and many goths opt for all-black outfits. However, colour is certainly not completely out of the picture. Many goths enjoy wearing red, purple, and green as they complement black beautifully. Some subcultures, like perky goths, love wearing all kinds of bright colours!
- Goths worship the devil.
While many goths are interested in witchcraft, Wiccan and Pagan practices, and don occult symbols on their clothing and accessories, it doesn’t mean they actually worship the devil.
- Goths only come out at night.
You’re getting mixed up with vampires.
Celebrating World Goth Day at Attitude Clothing
We are celebrating World Goth Day at Attitude Clothing with a series of posts that explore different aspects of Gothic culture. Check out our exploration of Gothic architecture, list of favourite Gothic podcasts, and dive into World Goth Day.
Get ready for the big day with Attitude Clothing’s collections of men’s and women’s clothing, cosmetics, and home and lifestyle.
Check out more Gothic content:
Easy Ways to Make Your Kitchen Gothic
Exploring The Nu-Goth Subculture
A Guide to Gothic Homeware and Haunting Accessories
The post World Goth Day: The Development of The Gothic Subculture first appeared on Attitude Clothing Blog.