Development of the Concept of Gothicism

Gothicism has become a subculture in the recent times. But, it is not the same Goth trend, which originated before the medieval era. This trend began in the Victorian Era, and its seeds were sown around a century ago from that era with Horace Walpole’s novel “The Castle of Otranto” written in 1764. This trend was based on the horror fiction, and the aforementioned novel has also been written on the horror theme. A number of such Gothic horror novels were composed in the 19th century. The famous horror character Dracula also originated in the Goth novels. It was first seen in the Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula” that was written in the year 1897.

These horror themes inspired the film makers of the modern era also, and a number of movies on such themes were composed in the modern times. A 2009 film “Gothika” is one of the best examples in this regard. In a number of films and novels on the Goth concept, we find the existence of a spirit, which enters inside a person’s body, but finally it is forced to leave it.

According to some experts, the ghosts and vampires of these novels are the metaphors of the negative traits of humanity. Industrialization started in the Victorian Era, and it showed its negative influences also. Negativity started entering in the human being. Therefore, some of the authors started writing on it in the metaphorical way.

The impact of this new-age Gothicism is not limited up to the stories, but it is reflected in the lifestyles of a number of people. The people, who are following this subculture, like to wear the special style costumes of dark colors. These dark-colored gothic shirts and other dresses have become part of the fashion trends in the modern times.

Apart from the gothic clothing, the gothic women like to consume the black nail polish and lipstick. Many of the Goth people also like to blacken their hair.

Moreover, new style music also came in the limelight, which we know as the gothic rock. It is a type of keyboard heavy music, which also reflects the concept of Gothicism.

Interestingly, the influence of many other subcultures can also be witnessed in the Goth trends. It most importantly seems to be influenced with steampunk. Steampunk is a Victorian science fiction subculture and is very close to the Gothicism in the portrayal of ghosts, vampires and extreme capabilities of science and technology. But, it is different from Goth as it is based on the adventure based themes. Some people keep steampunk, and Goth in the same category, but still there are some differences. Besides, some other trends also put the impact on it, such as pirate, Lolita and more.

The fashion of gothic corsets undoubtedly adds flamboyance to the styles of people.

Know about the Differences between Pirate and Gothic Concepts

Gothic and pirate are two subcultures, which sometimes present the similar types of metaphors. First both of them would use the horrible skulls as their accessories, which is one of the reasons behind this representation. On the other hand, pirate shirts as well gothic clothing come in the dark shades. But, it will be a big mistake if we conclude that these two cultures have same concepts. These two are entirely different from each other and there had been distinct reasons behind keeping the accessories of the dark cultures.

Difference between Gothic and Pirate Skulls: Pirate and gothic skulls seem identical to each other on the surface, but they have been designed because of entirely different reasons. Pirates used these symbols to threaten the people. They had their flags, on which these symbols were printed. The Jolly Roger flag of the raiders was very famous those days. The Jolly Roger designs comprised of the skulls with crossbones or swords crisscrossing each other. Such designs are used today on many pirate T-shirts. On the other hand, the gothic skulls are the symbol of supernatural horrors. The Goth concept believes in ghosts, vampires and many other supernatural events. These beliefs are the reflection of the negative traits of industrialization started in the Victorian Era.

Difference between the Dark Clothing of the Two Subcultures: Both the subcultures have become the fashion trends in the recent times. In both the trends, we find the costumes of the dark colors but the reasons for the design of such costumes are entirely different. The pirates would wear the dark clothing because of their outlaw occupations. On the other hand, gothic shirts, pants, shorts, skirts and other clothing accessories come in the dark colors, because of their concepts. The negative traits of humanity and the horror of supernatural films can be best reflected in the dark colors without any doubt.

Difference between the Ways the Concepts Started: The concept of pirate lifestyle started with their activities, which later on influenced the fashion statement. On the other hand, the gothic concept has the strong intellectual basis. It has a rich literature, which became the reason behind its origin. A number of gothic films have also been made till date. Various pirate films, novels and games, have also been composed, which have enriched the pirate fashion. But, these compositions have been done by fans of the pirate lifestyles in the later ages.

Gothic Fashion: A Dark But Attractive Trend

In the recent times, a number of genres are prevalent in the fashion industry, which are based on some historical aspects. Gothic is undoubtedly one such fashion cultures in the western society of today. This fashion culture is different from others in many aspects. First of all, it is based on entirely different historical theme.

Goth culture is based on the theme of the stories comprising supernatural events. Vampires, ghosts and extreme capabilities of science and technology are part of the gothic stories. This theme is reflected clearly in the goth clothing. The people who believe in the Goth culture wear the dresses of the dark shades. Black remains the favorite color of these people. The girls, who like this culture, use black lipstick. On the other hand, they also use the black nail polish to color their nails.

Actually, gothic is a dark culture, which was started in reaction of industrialization and capitalism in the Victorian Era. The focus of this culture remains on their negative characteristics, and the supernatural creatures work as their metaphors. These characters can be best witnessed in the gothic novels and films. Besides, Goths also keep the accessories like artificial skulls, vampires and dragons etc.

But, there are a number of people these days, who had nothing to do with these negative traits, and they use the gothic shirts, pants, and other costumes, just for the fashion. This fashion clothing is widely used in various themed events. The steampunk festivals are most famous events, where you can watch people wandering in these dresses. The reason behind this is that steampunk and Goth are the two genres, which have influenced each other in many ways. Steampunk is also a Victorian age genre, and its theme is very much similar to that of Gothic. But, the difference is that this genre is based on adventure rather than the negative traits.  Still, it also believes the extreme capability of technologies, but the positive triumphs over negative in a large number of the punk stories. In the clothing styles also, a wide impact of these two cultures can be witnessed on each other.

On the other hand, Goth dresses are influenced with many other genres as well. Apart from steampunk, it seems to be influenced with pirate clothing. Besides, the modern dressing styles have also been added, while manufacturing these dresses. See example of gothic costumes http://www.thegothcode.co.uk/

An Interesting Comparative Analysis of Gothic Culture and Marxism

It is a well-known fact that people have distinct views about capitalization and industrialization. Some people recognize it as a blessing, whereas some others focus on its negative traits. Gothic culture and Marxism are two viewpoints, which are contrary to each other in several aspects, but both of them recognize the capitalism as a curse to society. Still, keeping them in a same plain will be a very big mistake.

When we compare these two viewpoints, we find a lot of big differences between them. The first difference we find is the existence or non-existence of founder. The founder of Goth culture is unknown. Its beginning is thought to be the gothic culture of the middle-ages. gothic shirt are very popular on that era. Thereafter, some Goth novels came in the limelight, in the Victorian era. This was the era, when this culture became the opponent of capitalism and industrialization due to their rise. In the modern age, some men and women of various nations accepted this viewpoint. On the other hand, Marxism has a clear identity, and we known that it has been founded by Karl Marx; however, he also borrowed some views from pre-Marxist communism.

Besides, Marxism suggests some solutions for the removal for capitalism. According to this concept, society is divided into haves and have-nots, which should be altered by means of revolution. On the other hand, Goth believes in symbolism. The people of this culture keep some metaphors with them such as skulls, goblets etc. Besides, these people wear dark clothing, and their music reflects the dark culture. The women following this way-of-life use black lipstick and nail polish. Marxists also have symbols, which they use at the time of movement. Red flags are the major symbol of this movement. On the other hand, people can be witnessed in red caps and clothing at the time of their events.

Another big difference that we can witness is the Goth’s belief in the mythical things. The people of this culture believe in vampires and supernatural themes. On the other hand, Marxism has nothing to do with these things, and it believes in practicality. It even believes  the religion as opium and is totally against the religious taboos also.

Goth novels are the prominent sources of information about this culture. On the other hand, Marxism provides its information through its manifestos and critical analysis. Karl Marx wrote Das Capital, in which he provided the critical analysis of capitalism. On the other hand, various communist authors have written novels, short stories and poetry etc. In many languages for the prorogations of their views.

An interesting thing is that the Gothicism has become a trend among the fashion lovers. Even non-gothic people like to wear this gothic clothing on the themed events. On the other hand, the Marxist trends have nothing to do with fashion clothing. Many of the Marxist themselves do not wear the dresses with their symbols, expect in the movements.

Medieval History of Men and Women’s Clothes

The time period characterized by fall of Roman Empire and the beginning of renaissance is popularly known as medieval period or middle age. This period saw revival around fifth century and lasted till fifteenth century. It was the period when men’s fashion change rapidly in comparison women’s. Clothing styles of men and women very different from each others. In social setup too their medieval costume differed widely. Lower class people were living in miserable condition; they were forced to wear clothing of last century until disrepair state where they had to buy a new set. New Introduced sumptuary laws divided the society largely on the base color and material of fabric.

Women’s medieval costume

The evidence of women’s clothing, what they actually wore comes from mid-fourteenth century. Female dresses were experiencing a great degree of change. Dresses became tighter with lower necklines and designed to outline the feminine posture. Tight lacing to provide fitting shape, for long waist appearance griddles were used and corset became the one of the significant part of their clothing. Open bodice with attached floor length skirt more popularly called surcoat was the elegant part of their dressing. In actual, in the beginning of fifteenth century gowns replaced all the female wears except surcoat.

Hose, kirtle, smock, gown, surcoat, girdle, bonnet and hood were basic clothing of women. However material and color used in making of these garments were distinct for women of each social status. Upper class women wore garments of expensive fabrics like silk, velvet, damask and taffeta in rich and vibrant colors while lower class women wore apparels of linen, shipskin, wool and cotton. Infact in later period poor people were restricted from using cotton because it was heavily taxed while imported (from India) and kept royals only. Skirt was one of the significant features of medieval dresses of women and petticoat made the way for these fashionable garments which were available in myriad designs and patters.

Men’s Medieval Costumes

Regardless of social standing in society medieval men’s garment were consist of tunic, trousers, cloak and leggings. Single brooch was used to fasten the cloak. Tying, lacing and clasping technique were applied as another method of fastening. ‘Have nots’ wore cloak made from wool. Tunics had length between hip and knee and were tied by belt or girdle. Trousers were worn under short tunic or cloak. With narrow trousers Garters or leggings worn as complementary pairs, two pairs of leggings were worn for protection of legs. Lower class people made use of old clothes to make them while wealthier people’s leggings were custom made.

Social status was supreme during medieval period and this notion made clearer by clothing. Generally scarlet colors like red and purple were meant for nobles especially for kings and princes. Among wealthier people nobles were the trend setter. Their clothing made of expensive fabrics was embellished with elaborate embroideries, laces, ruffles and embedded gems.

Negligence by rulers, miserable living condition and unemployment forced some English people towards the path of piracy. Popularly known as sea robbers, their pirate clothing were basically the looted costumes from hijacked ships of merchants and rulers.

Although clothing were one of the major way of dividing people in social hierarchy but so much of severance resulted in invention of new techniques and clothing designing methods which is still making modern human beings gaga for medieval costumes.

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Different Styles and Charm of Gothic Clothing

Gothic sub-culture developed in UK in the 1980s, in the aftermath of the fallout of the Punk culture. The term “Gothic” is related to the Goth tribes of East Germany, who lived around he region of Crimea. This gradually became a generic term for art, architecture and also fashion all over Europe, not necessarily coming from Germany. UK has contributed a lot in evolving the Gothic sub-culture and also the mainstream art, architecture and literature.

Gothic clothing draws on the Punk, Victorian and Renaissance dressing styles and mixes them with the modern clothing fashions. Overall, it creates the image of a person trying to break the traditional ideas of social spaces and form a disjointed impression. Use of dark colours, especially black is very typical of Gothic sub-culture. Western men and women who follow this sub-culture, dye their hair black, use black nail polish and lipstick and wear dark or black clothes to project a Gothic sub-cultural appearance.

Garment industry in has made use of this sub-cultural trend and has begun to provide Gothic dresses made to suit the taste of this sub-culture. Gothic skirts are especially popular with women who follow this Gothic sub-culture. These skirts are in dark shades, black, white and also red and maroon.

They are often full-length or come down to the knee or just above ankles, to provide a Gothic look. They are characterized by frills and laces on the hems and pleats on the vertical line of the skirt. The upper part of the skirt is usually figure hugging and the lower part flares out in pleats, thus combining a sleek modern look with the Gothic flare look.

The appearance of a sub-cultural Gothic skirt transcends the definitions of modern, mediaeval and well-defines. Rather than following a set pattern, it evolves its own style to make an individualistic statement.

Athenic and Fashionable Gothic Clothing

Gothic sub-culture evolved in England in the 1980s, in the aftermath of the decline of the Punk culture. The term “Gothic” has evolved from the Goth tribes of East Germanic origin, who lived around Crimea. However, this gradually became a generic term for forms of art and architecture and also fashion across Europe, not necessarily associated with Germany. UK has contributed a lot in evolving the Gothic sub-culture and also the mainstream art, architecture and literature. Gothic Romanticism evolved in Britain as a major literary art form.

Gothic clothing borrows from Punk, Victorian and Renaissance dressing styles and mixes them with the contemporary clothing styles. Overall, it gives the impression of a person attempting to break the traditional sense of social organization and form a disjointed look. Use of dark colours, especially black is characteristic of Gothic sub-culture and fashion. European men and women who follow this sub-culture, dye their hair black, use black nail polish and lipstick and wear dark or black clothes to create a Gothic sub-cultural fashion statement.

Garment industry in Europe and especially in Britain has made use of this fashion trend and has begun to market dresses tailored to suit the Gothic sub-cultural tastes. Gothic corsets and Pirate shirts inspired by the Gothic sub-culture follow the essential fashion style of this sub-culture. Hence, mostly colours such as black, grey, brown, deep blue are used in these specimens of Gothic clothing. A liberal use of white is used to compliment and contrast these dark shades. Since the garment industry does not restrict itself to the clients only from the Gothic sub-culture, there are some pieces of Gothing clothing made which combine the dark shades with splashes of other brighter colours such as yellow, red, maroon, green and beige. This kind of ensemble can be appealing to even those who are not followers of the Gothic sub-culture.

Black frilly Gothic corset inspired by the Gothic sub-cultural movement is figure hugging and lined with laced frills on top and bottom edges. This Renaissance look is combined with the black colour of this Gothic corset, which follows the Gothic sub-cultural norm.

Pirates in medieval times lived on sea and land and were outlaws because of indulging in piracy. This makes the idea of pirate fashion attractive to the Gothic sub-cultural people, who want to break free of the social codes. Pirates in medieval times usually wore loose shirts with long sleeves. These shirts went up to the waist or thighs and were comfortable to wear in different weather conditions of land and sea. Pirate shirts used by the Gothic sub-culture use these essential fashion styles in dark or white shades. They also often have frills around the collar, in front and on the edges of sleeves.