I recall the first time my mother saw my freshly dyed blue black hair, pale white skin, dark eyeliner, dressed in all black from head to toe, and my favorite blood red zebra print creepers (shoes). Although it was a bit of a shock, my mother was not the least bit surprised that I was now a 'goth kid', other than the fact that the night before i was a 'punk kid'. Yep, I had a red Mohawk, tight ripped jeans, and a dull pair of Doc Martins!

Granted times were most definitely different in the 1980's when I went through my own issues with projecting my sense of self image and style. During those times we were able to create our own style by going to thrift stores with our friends during, or sometimes after school to find some old looking 'granny' clothes to make into something more 'goth'. We would save our money in order to spend $10.00 for a bag of clothes that would last at least a semester. Because when you are 'goth' there is no reason to wash your clothes, no one wants to be your friend anyways, so it does not matter how much you or your clothes smell.

Being 'goth' back in the early 1980's was something to be other than being a 'punk' or 'new wave' kid. And it was definitely something that could make your parents blood boil too. There was some incredible music that spawned as a result of the 'goth' movement, even though the fashion of 'goth' never became widespread. Although the fashion of 'goth' was rather popular on the west coast for a better part of the early 80's. I remember going to a show at the Stone in San Francisco in 1988 to see the Damned, (the first punk band to ever come to America), and the crowd was just littered with 'goths'!

I myself took a lot of personal inspiration from Siouxsie Sioux of Siouxsie and the Banshees, Simon Gallup of the Cure, Ian McCulloch of Echo and the Bunnymen, Exene Cervenka of the band X, when I chose what and how to dress. Unfortunately the bands from which the youth today have to chose from for their own inspiration are more than less to be desired. Bands such as AFI, My Chemical Romance, and HIM, which are bands that by todays standards are to be considered 'goth', are unfortunately a lame testament to the treasured past in which I have lived.

To be 'goth' is to live 'goth'. It is not something you just put on and take off. It if you so choose to dress 'goth', please show us old timers some respect and learn a bit about the past. Actually take the time and go back and listen to the music from that time, listen to the wonderful sounds, and you will hopefully have a better understanding of why we were 'goth'.

Learn more about this author, L. Lewis.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Personal style: Goth?
We want to hear your view. Write now!