The Goth Aesthetic Chart: Every Look on One Page

Find the look you keep saving, then read across the row: when it began, the pieces that make it, the colours it keeps to and where to read or shop it here. Most people dress from two or three rows at once, so mark the ones that feel like yours and build from the pieces they share.

Every goth look at a glance

Look Began Defining pieces Colours How it reads Read or shop
Born in a music scene
Trad goth Late 1970s to early 1980s, Britain Lace or mesh top, narrow trousers or a long skirt, lace-up boots, backcombed hair Black in several textures; a red or black lip The original, black on black Trad goth guide
Deathrock Late 1970s to early 1980s, Los Angeles Band or horror T-shirt, combat boots, a teased deathhawk Black Goth with more punk left in it Trad goth guide, deathrock section
Romantic goth 1980s, the first scene's softer side Lace blouse, bias-cut slip, midi dress, floral lace tights Washed black, oxblood, deep plum, storm grey A gothic novel, softened Romantic goth guide, Gothic Romance
Cybergoth Late 1990s, industrial and rave Synthetic hair falls, goggles worn on the forehead, very tall platform boots Black with one neon colour Black, wired up with one bright colour 90s goth guide
Mall goth Late 1990s, United States Oversized black trousers, striped tights, a choker, platform boots Black, with stripes Wide trousers, a small top, metal at the neck Mall goth guide
From books and film
Victorian goth Nineteenth-century dress, revived High-necked blouse, corset, long skirt, a dark piece at the throat Matte black, grey, soft purple Closed at the throat, tight at the waist Victorian goth guide, Corsets
Vampire goth Vampire fiction Velvet dress, corset, lace, long sleeves Black, one note of blood red Velvet, a laced waist, red in one place Vampire aesthetic guide, Vamp Romantic
Witchy goth 1990s witch films Long black base, a layer that moves, one or two small occult details Black, violet, plum, deep green Long, dark and quiet about the magic Witchy outfit guide
Named online
Pastel goth Early 2010s, Tumblr Bat or cross motif, collar, lace, platform soles Black with lilac, pink or mint; silver Crosses and bats, turned pastel Pastel goth guide
Nu goth 2010s, Instagram Loose black layers, wide-brimmed hat, silver moon or occult jewellery Black and silver Goth worn as 2010s streetwear Occult symbols guide
Dark academia Mid-2010s, Tumblr Tweed blazer, turtleneck, pleated or plaid skirt, Oxford shoes Black, brown, dark green, burgundy The scholar's dark wardrobe Dark academia guide
Whimsigoth 2010s to 2020s, TikTok Crushed velvet, sun and moon prints, lace, long sleeves Black, plum, rust, forest green, a hint of gold Soft, celestial and warm Whimsigoth, Whimsigoth brands guide
Soft goth Not dated, named online Black knit, plain black midi or slip, soft lace, little hardware Black Everyday black, nothing loud Soft goth guide
Fairy grunge Early 2020s, online Worn knit or cardigan, floaty slip, ripped tights, boots Black, moss green, brown Woodland fairy, worn rough Fairy grunge guide, Fae Garden
Crossed with other wardrobes
Punk goth Not dated, punk crossover Black leather jacket, band T-shirt, studs, heavy boots Black Back to where goth started History only; we do not stock it
Grunge goth Not dated, grunge crossover Oversized black knit or flannel, slip dress, laddered tights, combat boots Black Thrift-shop layers, in black Grunge goth guide
Corporate goth Not dated, office dress Turtleneck, black midi dress, tailoring, plain boots Black, charcoal, one oxblood or plum accent Passes the dress code, a shade darker Corporate goth guide, Corporate Goth
Gothic western Not dated, Western wear Wide-brimmed hat, long coat, heeled boots, silver Black, charcoal, oxblood, worn tan The frontier in mourning black Gothic western guide

The story behind each look

The chart keeps every look to a single line. For where each one came from, the records, books and films behind it, and why emo is not on this page, read our guide to the types of goth.