Predominantly, Gothic clothing is black. It always has been and it always will be.
A Goth from the early eighties would look perfectly acceptable in the Goth scene of today, but there have been some changes...
If you are a Goth or are Goth-orientated then you will have seen some differences in the attire over the years. There has always been the obvious Victorian/Poe/vampire influence. This is so deeply ingrained into the image that it is irremovable. There are also the old and strong elements of Punk/Siouxsie Sioux/Dave Vanian. These too have been present for a long, long time. Over the years, however, we have seen several off-shoots, additions and sub-groups. So rich is Goth in its imagination and creativity that these have been numerous. There have been things such as Pre-Raphaelite, cowboys (think Nephilim) and Medieval (even including chain mail).
Cyber-Goth came along with 'The Matrix' complete with clips, straps and metal panels on clothing. There are the Fetishist garments such as P.V.C., rubber and fishnet. Even Manga has had a degree of influence. Emo has brushed against whilst Grunge has overlapped. Darkwave came along, breaking down barriers between genres, and even Trip-Hop has got caught up in Goth. Pointed boots have morphed into Moshers and back again. Goth is a dark expanse of water with many waves and undercurrents.
Though is important to remember that, above all else, Goth is not just about clothes. It is thought, art, state of mind, community, poetry, romance, sexual expression, philosophy and music. It is a Sub-Culture. Goth has been here (in a socially evident way) for almost thirty years. In less obvious ways it has been around for far, far longer. In the past it has been flippantly labelled as 'a fashion' or image. This is very wrong. Of course it has its image (an incredibly strong one) but it also has a very great depth to it, a depth that will not be found in any 'fashion.'
In the Goth Sub-Culture the music and clothing have diversified but deep in its black heart it is the same as it always was.
