What to start out with?

[Bleeding Mascara]

I'm pretty much a new face to goth clothing.
I've always liked the way it looks and haven't really tried it until now.
But I am a guy and I don't really know where to start.
Can anybody give me some tips?

[maggot]

go buy tight black jeans and pointy-toed leather shoes (winkel-pickers) or combat boots.

Don't neglect the 5 layers of torn fishnets under a tight black T-shirt with the sleeves cut off and a bunch of holes torn into it.
Or some velvet stuff.

Oh, and a bondage belt.

There you go. Now you can look like a stereotypical deathrocker or tradd, depending on what choices you make.

[gothicusmaximus]

Uh, nail polish, eyeliner, black jeans, tee shirts that say things like "HORROR VAMPIRE SEX BAT BIITEEE" on them?
If you feel like it, go buy lace or studs or something and attach them to your clothes.

[Bleeding Mascara]

wow I'm surprised that your not telling me to start slow.
I don't want to be a deathrocker. I just want to see If I like the clothes on me.
are there certain stores that are good for this?
Besides hot topic.

[Godslayer Jillian]

Never Hot Topic!
Well, alright, maybe if you're going to buy a belt or you see a Drop Dead shirt. But no bigger than that; don't try to build your outfits out of that store. More than 20% is out of the question.
Try thrift stores and sewing machines.

[Cicero]

Don't want to be a deathrocker??!! BLASPHEMY!
/kidding-ness

Do a few internet searches for gothic clothing stores, look through all the pretty pictures, and decide for yourself what you like. Then you could start by buying a few versatile items of clothing that fit the style you want - black pants, a nice jacket, boots, etc.

Other than that it's all up to you. Just have fun with it, that's what fashion's all about.

[DepthsofSpace]

Hey there, I'm in the same boat...

I'd say start off slow, at least that's what I'm doing. I've dressed business casual since I was 14, so changing to black jeans and band t-shirts just isn't who I am. How do you normally dress? Go from there, just add black. It also might vary on what music you like.=P

I like going to antique shops and thrift stores and looking for accessories, and other things. I have never stepped foot inside a Hot Topic, and don't think I ever will.

[Edward Strange]

Hmm, let's think. I feel that your basic wardrobe should have:

Black jeans.
Black t-shirt.
Black dress shirt (they look very good when layered).
A wicked swish coat.
Combat Boots.
Black turtleneck jumper thing.

Obviously they don't -have- to be black. I'm just assuming you like the colour.
You can pick up these things in quite a few places. Army surplus shops for the boots and maybe the coat? Possibly even some trousers if you wanted.
You can buy the jeans/t-shirt etc from any high street shop, often very cheaply. I got my latest pair for 6 squids!
Vintage clothes shops often have little gems, as do charity shops and the like, although be prepared for alot of patience!

I hope that helps!

[ForgetThisLostLenore]

I started out slow, adding more and more darker t-shirts in my wardrobe, then darker pants and skirts. No one really minded the change, and it wasn't an overnight zap from color to black swishy skirts. I took it slowly over a year.

Thrift shops are good if you are patient. I go about once a month, and I've picked up an ankle length black skirt, a long black button down shirt, and my Halloween costume over the course of three or four months. I've just come to the conclusion recently, that in my crap city, people wouldn't know what velvet was if it slapped them in the face.

Also, just get things from normal clothing stores. I don't know about guys, but for all of the women's clothing, the colors this season are deep red, purple and black.

[PersephoneX]

I started with black jeans, and i always wore black tshirts because i was simply too lazy to bother with colours that worked with other colours. I have some very extravagent and outrageous peices, like satin custom made corsets and gowns and mini skirts. But i also have many many pairs of jeans. Its just a matter of putting the right items together...

[ForgetThisLostLenore]

I'm too poor for a corset right now...Also my mother's weird about them, and for a little over 2 years, she is the supreme ruler.

[DeathToLems]

Originally Posted by PersephoneX

Its just a matter of putting the right items together...

Yup yup

Or you could dye all your old clothes black!
*nod*

[electrosexual]

Originally Posted by Bleeding Mascara

I'm pretty much a new face to goth clothing.
I've always liked the way it looks and haven't really tried it until now.
But I am a guy and I don't really know where to start.
Can anybody give me some tips?

Google image search "goth" or something of the sort and note the clothes you see.

Then go shopping for them in a thrift store or something.

DIY a lot.

What goth look are you going for anyway?

[electrosexual]

Is anyone else sick of these newbies who go straight to starting new threads in the fashion section without even posting an introduction?

[maggot]

...Yes.


I just don't bother enough to complain anymore.

[Saddiction]

It's not so much that they don't fill out the questions, it's the complete disregard of the 'search' function. Perhaps if people searched for what they were looking for to begin with, it would prevent the creation of unnecessary threads.

I also agree that many of them should consult with google first, which would therefore help reduce the number of said threads.

[Delkaetre]

tee shirts that say things like "HORROR VAMPIRE SEX BAT BIITEEE" on them

Where did you get a 'Release the Bats' Birthday Party t-shirt? I want one which I can then ... modify... possibly into a dress... yes...

If you want goth clothing, see all those posts above. Also recall that you can get away with pretty much anything and still call yourself a goth- cybergoths, in their neon colours and rave-attire, are a case in point. You could also try putting on dark jeans and a black shirt (suits everyone), finding a nice deep red tie or cravat in a second hand or ex-hire store, and turning up to a local club to see what everyone else is wearing.
Goths can wear suits. My bf does, and he even DJs in his shirt, waistcoat and cravat combo. I wear suits too, but I look like I'm deliberately going for that Annie Lennox look when I do.

The only thing I don't advise is shorts or extreme bondage gear. That stuff only looks good on young persons with exceptionally well-kept bodies, and goes wrong far too easily.

[Breathless Horror]

Fishnets! Lots and lots of fishnets! And leather! Just keep in mind the negative attention you'll get if you go out in say, a fishnet shirt with an open leather vest on top....stupid conservative suburbanites >

[Clockwork]

I'd suggest keeping it simple at first, until you've had time to settle into your new skin. Better to move into the more extravagant clothes and makeup once you've observed it on others more, so as to avoid the embarrassing mistakes that can be made when jumping right in. See: The Crow.

[Bleeding Mascara]

wow thank you for all the help.
I've been on google but I can't seem to find to many things.
so either google isn't satisfying my needs or I'm not looking for the right things.
I found one store with a lot of things that I like but it's in th U.K. so that won't really work out.

Well I guess right now I dress like...idk.. Dark Blue Skinny Jeans, Graphic T's or sweatshirt, Studded Belt, and I have Black and red hair.
I'm thinking about getting my lip pierced too. I want to change because I've had this look for awhile and most kids these days think I'm some emo kid. which I'm not.

oh and sorry for not posting an intro thread. I didn't know people get sticks jammed up their ass if somebody doesn't do that. my bad.

[electrosexual]

It just makes people feel a bit used. Like "ooh I'll sign up JUST so I can go straight to posting a thread asking for advice off these people".

Besides, it was the neglegence of using the search button that really got to us.

It's not good news to ask people how to dress anyway. Dress whatever way you like. Just go shopping, look on the net etc. If you see something you like then buy it. If you don't see what you want then DIY it.

[Bleeding Mascara]

I'm not asking you to pick out my closet for me.
I just asked for some tips.
If you don't want to give advice then don't post here.
I don't know much about this at all so I thought I could learn from the people who do it.

[gothicusmaximus]

Originally Posted by Delkaetre

Where did you get a 'Release the Bats' Birthday Party t-shirt? I want one which I can then ... modify... possibly into a dress... yes...

Sadly, no official Release The Bats Tee Shirt presently exists, at least not to my knowledge. I guess you'll have to effect more modifications than you anticipated.

[spoon!]

Originally Posted by Bleeding Mascara

wow thank you for all the help.
I've been on google but I can't seem to find to many things.
so either google isn't satisfying my needs or I'm not looking for the right things.
I found one store with a lot of things that I like but it's in th U.K. so that won't really work out.

Well I guess right now I dress like...idk.. Dark Blue Skinny Jeans, Graphic T's or sweatshirt, Studded Belt, and I have Black and red hair.
I'm thinking about getting my lip pierced too. I want to change because I've had this look for awhile and most kids these days think I'm some emo kid. which I'm not.

MySpace. Try any of the Groups listings and start from there.

Ed's suggestion is pretty much right on the money. Alot of thrift stores will have many of the said items if you look hard enough (I found my coat for only 5 at a Goodwill stand, though it's far from fancy leather) although boots are optional (i.e., not necessarily needed) if you're like me, and can't get comfortable in them.

[Clockwork]

Google? Myspace? I wouldn't call those the most reliable sources.
Images and sites may be easily accessible that way, but the people owning them don't always know what they're talking about.