Be Gothic As a Teenager

So, you're not old enough to be under your own rules of style or looks, but you want to be Goth? You still have some years left before you can pull off the Spider Queen look, but you can do Wednesday Addams quite well. Providing, of course, that you keep reading.

Steps

  1. Think about it. Are you trying to BECOME goth? Or do you feel this is naturally you? Goth is something you are naturally. You either are goth or you aren't. You can't be something you're not. If you feel you are being yourself, by all means carry on reading.
  2. Go in to it slowly, start by searching the history, music, and fashion. Research helps a lot because then you know what you're talking about when someone asks you what goth is, you're not just stood in awe looking like a poseur. Do your homework first.
  3. Go shopping. Goth isn't about finding and buying the most expensive clothes. Look in charity/thrift shops, there's loads of things you could buy. Remember to never look too hard, you could find a great jacket by simply looking in a charity shop
  4. Keep up with all your schoolwork. Considering you're all warped up in getting your music taste, research and fashion sorted, you still need to study and do the required work to get a good grade. Many people believe stereotypes like goths are high school drop-outs, druggies, alcoholics or smokers etc. Prove them wrong.
  5. Listen to goth music. There's a lot of different genres, like gothic rock, death rock, EBM, Darkwave, new wave, and remember listen to what you like. Don't stop listening to a band just because it's not goth and don't listen to a band just because it's goth. If you don't like something, you don't, and you can't force yourself to like it.
  6. Do your hair how you want, there are many different styles to choose from, and you don't have to dye your hair black or a crazy colour (clip ins work just as fine). If you want to ask your parents first.
  7. If you can't wear makeup, it's not the end of the world. Wait until you can or your parents let you.
  8. If you can wear make-up, keep it simple when you start eye-shadow and a bit of eye-liner still looks great. You don't have to stick to black, there loads of other colours to choose. Experiment and watch tutorials. You don't have to wear make-up.
  9. Live your life. Keep doing the things you love. Goth isn't about being depressed. It's just about seeing the darker side of life, embracing it and seeing beauty in things that would appear ugly, weird, strange, abnormal, disturbing or disgusting to "normal" people.

Tips

  • Customise your clothing, make it look unique.
  • With music you can start pretty much straight away as you can listen to it from YouTube, Grooveshark and Spotify, not just CDs. Try Goth classic/old school bands like The Sisters of Mercy and The Cure and see what you think .. then go from there.
  • Some goths like EBM and electronic dance music, but there are many kinds of goth music.
  • Known to be the first Goth band and one of the most favored Goth band is Bauhaus.
  • There's no exact dress code of goth, but a good tip is to dress the way you like while adding some darker accessories.

Warnings

  • Remember, usually the most judged teens are goths/emo/alternative. It is most likely that you will be teased or rejected. Don't let that sway you. There are people out there who will think that you're interesting and like you for you. Make sure there are a few good, non judgemental people you can hang with so that you do not become depressed and alone.
  • People might ask you questions such as "do you cut yourself?", "do you think about suicide?", or "are you depressed?" Politely explain to them that goth isn't about being depressed, if they don't listen, don't bother, and just ignore them.
  • Some of your friends may not accept the new you. They may fall out with you, or even be very unkind to you. They are not your real friends. Some people, however, may seriously think that what you are doing is wrong and try to help you see "a way out". Understand that these people ARE friends - they just have a different point of view, and that's okay.
  • Sometimes, certain people won't accept you for who you are and be very, very cruel (look up Sophie Lancaster). Ignore them to the best of your ability. If it turns violent, get a teacher, parent, or an adult you trust immediately.

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