On theme with the ever-growing list of past fashion trends being resurfaced every coming season, it’s time to add one more to the list – the goth aesthetic.
This time it’s an elevated form of the goth style – "goth-chic" one might say – focused on dressing in head-to-toe black in varying textures, elongated and androgynous silhouettes, paired with chunky shoes and dark make-up.
On the Fall Ready-To-Wear 2022 runways, the goth aesthetic was celebrated by a number of designers including the Givenchy collection featuring references to metal band merchandise in the form of T-shirts and sweatshirts with logo graphics, Junya Watanbe who celebrated classic goth pieces like motorcycle and bomber jackets and reinvented them with inspired avant-garde pieces, and Alexander Mcqueen with a take on feminine goth looks. Other notable designers whose pieces were also inspired by the goth aesthetic included Burberry and Sacai.
The goth aesthetic is not as simple as wearing all-black and is actually derived from rich music history in the UK. Born out of the British Punk movement in the late 70s/early 80s and celebrated by well-known artists such as Bauhaus, The Cure, and The Sisters of Mercy. Dark hair, tight black jeans, combat boots, and heavy makeup were all style elements that music journalists during this period coined as "goth".
In the 2000s, there was a re-emergence of the goth aesthetic that went on to become mainstream as pop culture icon and rock star Avril Lavigne popularised gothic grunge fashion. The pop-punk singer had a significant impact in this genre aiding in popularizing a lighter twist to the goth aesthetic with fishnet tights, corseted tops and dresses, hot pink highlights, and tulle skirts. Continuing her legacy, the Sk8ter Boi singer is also now launching her own clothing brand with Killstar that celebrates her personal style of the goth aesthetic.
Other celebrities that have been revelling in the goth aesthetic include Rihanna wearing a stunning head-to-toe black sheer baby-doll dress at the Dior AW22 show, Lizzo donning a full black colour lip and bodysuit in a new Instagram post, and Bella Hadid in dark eye make-up and corset dress at Luiz Mattos’s birthday party.
The good thing is that you don’t have to spend too much money to get the goth look this autumn. Maxi black skirts and corset tops worn over the summer can be re-used in autumn and worn over combat and platform boots or with leather outerwear. Combine mini dresses with lace tights for a feminine but edgy look and try a darker lip or eyeshadow to make your outfit less boring. You can also shop with the keyword "goth" across Depop and Vinted to find other inspirations for your fall looks.
Will you be trying on the goth aesthetic this fall? Let us know in the comments.
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