There is and always has been more than one look in the gothic style but the elements that make a gothic sense of style traditional are set by the early Goth bands, musicians and fans. Essentially the look is a combination of spooky vampire imagery with aspects of the punk look -- piercings and spikes, spiky hair styles, combat boots or high heels, white face paint with black makeup, long dresses or skirts and clothing made out of leather, velvet or vinyl.
Goth Fashion for Men
The traditional gothic fashion for men includes the same basic elements as goth fashion for women, combining morbid romanticism with punk. Some men may dress in vampire-inspired clothing while others might emphasize leather jackets with spikes or long black trench coats. Because of the acceptance of androgyny in the gothic subculture, gothic men often dress in the same types of clothes as gothic women, including dresses, corsets and makeup. Within the Gothic subculture, men who dress in female clothing are not generally seen as being transsexual -- it is simply part of the overall goth aesthetic.
