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54. classic goth / 80s goth
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classic goth — Summary
classic goth (frequently referred to as "trad goth") is the original, definitive subculture born directly out of the late-1970s punk rock explosion and early-1980s post-punk movement. it focuses on a sharp, DIY, and highly atmospheric aesthetic that values artistic rebellion, brooding introspection, and subcultural music history over modern, store-bought luxury. heres a breakdown of classic goth!!!!!! (i know i already did trad goth, but i wanted to fo sm for the originals)
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origins & development
emerged between 1979 and 1983 in the United Kingdom as post-punk bands began trading punk's political rage for darker, atmospheric songwriting and romanticism
crystallized around legendary music venues like the Batcave in London and early independent record labels
heavily influenced by the visual personas of musicians who rejected mainstream pop glitz in favor of a striking, shadowy presence
serves as the foundational blueprint from which all other gothic subgenres and aesthetics eventually branched
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clothing & accessories:
oversized, distressed black blazers
leather motorcycle jackets
tailored velvet coats
fishnet shirts
shredded mesh tops
layers of ripped hosiery
pointed footwear
winklepickers
heavily buckled pikes
classic Chelsea boots
straight-leg black denim
tight leather trousers
layered crinkle skirts
ornate silver jewelry worn in heavy layers
ankhs
rosaries
crucifixes
crescent moons
fingerless lace gloves
tattered fishnet arm warmers
safety-pin accents
vintage leather belts with large silver buckles often slung low on the hips
makeup & hair:
stark, pale matte foundation base
dramatic, heavy black eyeshadow
exaggerated, sharp winged eyeliner
aggressive "deathrock brows"
highly angular, shaved and redrawn
brushed upward dramatically
matte black
deep plum
stark crimson lipstick
a sharply defined Cupid's bow
massive, gravity-defying hair
backcombed "birds-nest" styles
heavily crimped manes
shaved undercuts held up with maximum-strength hairspray
colors:
obsidian black
charcoal grey
slate
stark contrast white
deep crimson
blood red
rich burgundy
midnight blue
deep violet
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music
gothic rock
post-punk
early darkwave
positive punk
artists: Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Sisters of Mercy, The Cure (early 80s trilogy: Seventeen Seconds, Faith, Pornography), Fields of the Nephilim, Clan of Xymox, Christian Death
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movies & television
The Hunger (1983)
Christiane F. (1981)
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
Nosferatu (1922)
Twin Peaks (1990)
Labyrinth (1986)
The Addams Family (1964)
Gothic (1986)
The Lost Boys (1987)
Beetlejuice (1988)
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books & poetry:
Dracula by Bram Stoker
the works of Edgar Allan Poe
classic 19th-century gothic literature and romantic poetry
1980s underground music zines (like Propaganda)
art & design:
german expressionist film design
surrealism and high-contrast photography
photocopy-art gig flyers
collage-style album covers
fandoms / communities:
traditional vinyl collectors
cassette trading circles
world-renowned alternative music festivals
local underground post-punk and darkwave club nights
similar aesthetics:
batcaver
deathrock
mopey goth
romantic goth
inpso
God I feel like total crap and I'm missing out on life and all I want is breakfast sausage, eggs, and donuts but thanks to this medically-imposed Mediterranean diet I can't have sausage, I can't afford eggs, and I have celiac and can't find gf donuts and i want to cry
Do I fold laundry or keep smelling this scented Squishmallow sea cow?
Everyone else feeling absolutely deflated lately? Doing my best to look forward to things but everything is so hard.
grmbls
gone, the volition rousing soulful creation; moved nor swayed I am by verified existence lingering behind closed eyes.
gone, the incentive rattling its chains in my cage made of sturdy bone; built to last, beyond this time living as a captive ghost.
gone, the fantasies redeeming the endless black my future portends; by these words I merely seek liberation in nonsense.
--- 16-10-2021, M.A. Tempels ©
I painted these for my Illustration class. The task was to show six emotions - I chose kind, content, frightened, annoyed, curious and mopey. I got into penguins so much lately - since I have to prepare an animation in which my subject is a penguin chick. These are really basic, but it was a great time creating these and this time with watercolour pencils and not only with pencil in black and white. What a relief