The evolution of "Gothism"

Hi everyone. I have been thinking for a while what is the future for Goths? I am sorry for offending anyone, but do we believe that the "goth" era will increase in popularity or are we all going down a downward spiral? I personally think everyone has their own right to do what they want to do, but how are we judjed in the eyes of everyone else or our loved ones?

Shall we be seen and heard or shall we live two lives?

Evolve and discuss my peps!

Well 'Gothism' has been around in some shape or form for a long time.
I can see it going on forever.

There is actually a fantastic article on Morbid Outlook that discusses just this topic... the supposed "second death" of Goth. Although it focuses primarily on the lack of D.I.Y Goth these days seems to take on due to crap-tastic mainstream mass production stores like Hot Topic, it still is pretty insightful.

http://www.morbidoutlook.com/fashion/articles/2002_03_diyfashion.html

Personally, I think Goth has and will always thrive. As long as there are us "freaks of nature" romping on this planet, Goth will live (or be undead? ) on.

And if we DO see another "death" of Goth... goddamnit I will be the first to spark the life back in it!!!!

I do think goth will grow. It does have phases but will still remain.

I don't see it ever disappearing. There are always going to be people who are different. Can't ever get rid of that.

It really wasn't until fairly recently (1970s-80s) that goth ever became fully formed. There have been plenty of people throughout history that have been goth.

True, Ginger. Look at people like EA Poe, Edward Gorey, Oscar Wilde, Theda Bara, Stevie Nicks, etc. I know I'm omitting many people but you guys get my drift. "Goth" always was and always will be, whether it's called that or not.

I've heard some people say "oh you have to like the music to be goth" or "it all started with the music" but I've always held the belief that it takes a certain kind of person to be inclined to even make the music in the first place, and a similar kind of person to like it. Same for the Gothic Novels, and art. Not just anyone is able to create and enjoy that kind of stuff. Which is why I think it's really a personality/mindset thing. Whether it's inborn or learned is another matter.

I hope all that made sense, it's late and I can't be held responsible for my rambling :-)

You don't have to like the music, it just take a certain personality that defies the normal mold.

I think goth has been around longer than the 70s and 80s. It's just that it wasn't as defined until then; plus, that's when goth really had music to go with it. Looking back, I think Edgar Allan Poe and Emily Dickinson fit the bill of being goth. Who knows who else could've been goth throughout time?

I think the ideas and the style will always be around no matter what.

I think the way we look at the 80's goth bands is the same as what 20 odd years from now our bands will be looked at, same goes for the styles and what not. It'll keep moving and evolving and changing as the years go by... Seeing is how we have goths walking around in victorian cloths could you imagen in the future a goth look made of wearing things from the mid 90's, maybe even having the pants sagging? its odd, but plossible

I really hope they don't adapt the sagging pants. That's scary.

I don't really see goth wearing pants hanging past their butt.

Lol, a ghetto goth? Ghoth?? Ick tick, no I don't see goths lean towards that trend....just plain scary.

I just got that imagine in my head. Get it out!

endless dark wrote:

I think the way we look at the 80's goth bands is the same as what 20 odd years from now our bands will be looked at, same goes for the styles and what not. It'll keep moving and evolving and changing as the years go by... Seeing is how we have goths walking around in victorian cloths could you imagen in the future a goth look made of wearing things from the mid 90's, maybe even having the pants sagging? its odd, but plossible

This is something i also see in the future as well. I believe people will move with the times. When i went to London on June this year i went to the camden market, and this place is usually ramm packed with gothic/darl clothing stores but now i see like 50% of them have closed which is quite saddening cause camden was one of the main places me and Vampira used 2 go shopping in for gothic clothing. in the UK it looks like the whole gothic/dark side of clothing is being slowly stopped. All we have now are websites!!!

I can see Cyber goth growing alot I think it is becomming bigger and bigger. But as with goth in general I don't think there will be a rise in us particulally whilst there is so much hate. But goth is being seen in the media more which might inspire more.

I totaly love that lack of DIY goths article. That is what depresses me, the amount of 'goths' who just go out and buy everything from the attitude catalouge or w.e.


PLEASE people, be creative, and research your roots.

I think it is the lack of good stores (besides online) that has forced us to create our own diy clothing.

lollirot wrote:

Lol, a ghetto goth? Ghoth?? Ick tick, no I don't see goths lean towards that trend....just plain scary.

I remember our own GBer SPF doing a sort of Ghetto-Goth photoshoot, that turned out actually very beautifully!

"Ghetto-Goth".. would that be related indirectly to 'Industrial'?

^Oh lordy no.

SPF is here now! *hopes she posts linkies to her shoot*

Eyvind wrote:

"Ghetto-Goth".. would that be related indirectly to 'Industrial'?

I can kinda see where there might be some similarities, but when I think ghetto, I think pants hanging down past the butt (with boxers showing) and over sized shirts.