Gothic Aesthetic: Outfits, Makeup and How to Get the Look
Want to try the gothic aesthetic? Here are the key pieces, makeup, hair, outfit ideas and the celebrities who wear dark, romantic goth style best.
Black lace. Velvet. A dark lip and a little too much eyeliner. If that sounds like your kind of outfit, you’re probably already halfway to goth.
The gothic aesthetic has been around for more than 40 years, and it’s still one of the most recognizable styles out there. It’s dark, it’s dramatic and it’s a lot more romantic than people give it credit for. And with Halloween coming up, there’s honestly no better time to try it.
Here’s what the gothic aesthetic actually is, where it came from and how to get the look without it feeling like a costume.
What Is the Gothic Aesthetic?
The gothic aesthetic is a dark, moody style built around black clothes, dramatic makeup and a love of all things a little spooky. Think lace, leather, velvet, silver jewelry and pale skin with a dark lip.
It’s not just about looking scary, though. A lot of goth style is actually really pretty, with Victorian details, corsets and flowing skirts. The vibe is more “haunted castle” than “horror movie.”
Where Goth Style Came From
Goth started in the UK in the late ’70s and early ’80s, when the punk scene began to split off into something darker. Bauhaus is often credited with kicking off goth rock, and their 1979 single “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” is basically the genre’s anthem.
Then came the Batcave, a club night in London’s Soho that ran from 1982 to around 1985. It became the place for goth music and fashion. Siouxsie Sioux, often called the “Godmother of Goth,” made fishnets and dramatic winged eyes part of the look, and Robert Smith of The Cure gave the world that famous smudged red lip and wild black hair.
All these years later, the style is still going strong. It just keeps picking up new versions along the way.
Types of Goth Style
There isn’t just one way to be goth. Here are the main styles you’ll see.
Trad goth
The original ’80s look. Big teased black hair, heavy eyeliner, fishnets, band tees and a lot of silver. Very Siouxsie.
Romantic goth
The soft, dreamy side of goth. Lace dresses, velvet, flowing sleeves and maybe a few roses. Think a heroine in an old ghost story.
Victorian goth
Corsets, high lace collars, long skirts, cameo brooches and gloves. It’s dramatic and very elegant, like dressing for a candlelit dinner in 1890.
Pastel goth
Pastel goth swaps some of the black for baby pink, lilac and mint, but keeps the creepy details like skulls, bats and crosses. It’s cute and dark at the same time.
Whimsigoth
A ’90s favorite that’s back in a big way. Velvet, crushed fabrics, moons, stars, tarot prints and witchy silver jewelry. Very Practical Magic.
Soft goth
The everyday version. Black basics, a dark lip and a few silver pieces. It’s easy to wear and a great starting point if you’re new to the look. If you like it a little edgier and more online, our guide to e-girl outfits has a lot in common with it.
Key Gothic Pieces
You don’t need to buy a whole new wardrobe. Start with a few of these:
- Black lace tops or dresses
- A corset or corset top
- Velvet anything: a slip dress, a blazer, a long skirt
- Fishnet tights
- A long black coat
- Platform boots or chunky Mary Janes
- Silver jewelry with crosses, moons, bats or skulls
- A choker
Black is the base, but deep red, plum and emerald all work too. And texture matters. Mixing lace, leather and velvet in one outfit is what makes goth look rich instead of flat.
Goth Makeup
The classic goth face is pale skin, dark eyes and a dark lip. You don’t have to go full white face, though. Just choose a foundation that matches your skin and skip the bronzer.
For the eyes, go for a sharp black wing or a smoky, smudged liner all around the eye. A gray or black shadow blended out makes it look extra moody.
Then pick your lip. Black, deep burgundy, plum or a vampy red all work. Line it first so it doesn’t bleed, and blot it so it lasts.
Goth Hair
Jet black hair is the classic choice, but it’s definitely not a rule. Deep red, burgundy and even platinum blonde look great with goth outfits.
Try blunt bangs, big teased volume for a trad look or sleek, super straight hair for something more modern. A velvet bow or a lace headband adds a romantic touch.
5 Easy Gothic Outfit Ideas
1. The everyday goth
Black jeans, a lace-trim cami, a long black cardigan and chunky boots. Add a choker and a couple of silver rings.
2. The romantic
A long black lace dress with bell sleeves, a velvet choker and lace-up boots. Finish with a deep red lip.
3. The corset look
A black corset top over a sheer blouse, a long skirt and platform Mary Janes. Very Victorian, but still wearable.
4. The night out
A velvet slip dress, fishnets, platform boots and a leather jacket. Go heavy on the eyeliner.
5. The witchy one
A crushed velvet maxi dress, a long black coat, lots of silver jewelry and a wide-brim hat. Perfect for fall, and honestly perfect for Halloween too.
Want to see how goth compares to other styles? Our guide to the different types of aesthetics covers 16 more.
Celebrities Who Wear the Gothic Look
Jenna Ortega
Thanks to Wednesday, Jenna Ortega is basically the face of modern goth. Her press tours are pretty much a masterclass in dark dressing. For the season two tour, her stylist Enrique Melendez kicked things off with a black leather Givenchy skirt set, complete with opera gloves and chain cuffs. He’s said that after a whole season of black outfits, he started playing with different shapes and fabrics so it never got boring.
Winona Ryder
Winona Ryder gave us one of the most iconic goth characters ever as Lydia Deetz in Beetlejuice back in 1988, with her spiky bangs and all-black everything. She brought Lydia back in 2024’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and her off-duty style still leans dark and moody.
Christina Ricci
Before Jenna, there was Christina Ricci. She played Wednesday Addams in 1991’s The Addams Family, and her deadpan braids-and-black-dress look became a goth classic. Fun fact: she even showed up in Jenna’s Wednesday series, too.
Amy Lee
Evanescence’s Amy Lee was the goth girl of the 2000s. Corset dresses, long flowing skirts, heavy eyeliner and jet black hair. If you were a teenager when “Bring Me to Life” came out, you probably tried to copy her at least once.
Gothic Aesthetic FAQ
What’s the difference between goth and emo?
Goth started in the late ’70s and ’80s and is tied to post-punk and goth rock. It’s darker, more romantic and often has Victorian touches. Emo came later, in the 2000s, and is more about skinny jeans, band tees, side bangs and pop-punk.
What’s the difference between goth and grunge?
Grunge is messy and laid-back, all flannel shirts, ripped jeans and worn-in boots. Goth is more dramatic and put together, with lace, velvet and bold makeup.
Do you have to wear all black to be goth?
Nope. Black is the classic base, but deep red, purple, emerald and even pastels (hello, pastel goth) all fit the look.
How can I dress goth on a budget?
Thrift stores are perfect for black lace, velvet and long coats. Start with what you already own in black, then add a few accessories like a choker, fishnets and some silver jewelry.
Final Thoughts
The gothic aesthetic has lasted more than four decades for a reason. It’s dramatic, it’s a little mysterious and it lets you play with fashion in a way most trends don’t. Start small with a dark lip and some lace, steal a few ideas from Jenna or Winona and build from there. Nobody says you have to save it for Halloween.
