The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

I've been picking at this question for quite a time now but haven't had the motivation to string it to a proper sentence. This is basically addressed to the Goth populace in the rave.

Black has become the stereotypical color of 'goth'. For those of you who love, stick to or make it a point to wear the traditional 'black' clothing:

What are your reasons for this preference? Do you have a personal reason or do you simply wear black because it's 'goth'?

What do you tell people who walk up to you and ask you "what's with all the black?"

an interesting thread i can only wonder what opinions will be made..personally i do not thing blackis just for "goths" actually i have noticed alot wearing alot of other colors i would think if any black would be for the lil Emo Babies that seek out attn by useless acts of self pitty and self destruction.

I don't know but I know I'm "labeled" as goth but I don't always wear black I wear other colors :)

Black goes with everything darling.

It's also a reasonably flattering colour on most people, and slimming.

Apart from that, it's easy to redye if it fades.

Not all "goths" wear black because it's a goth statement. Sometimes there's an element of practicality in there too.

i am not goth nor emo.... though some say i am one and some others say i am the other... i dont see how...... neway, i wear black all the time.... i have always liked the color.....i also like to buy black clothes with music pictures on them (obviously metal and stuff) .... i was a bodyguard (for exotic dancers) for a while and the black shirt with kacki pants told everyone in the bar that i was a bodyguard, who made it that way is beyond me

I like black for two big reasons... One, It matches with everything and anything. Secondly, black and other dark colors will take any sunlight and heat and trap it. So up here in Alaska it comes in handy for warmth... I am a fire person so I like heat, but at the same time I love Alaska and probably couldn't live anywhere else. Black is also very... form fitting in a sense as it looks good on most anyone no mater shape or size.

You know, everytime someone asks me that question...I always respond with "I have been wearing black since before the term goth was a fad. Leave me the bloody hell alone with your stereotypes."

That and "You think we are the freaks because we are differant? Come now, we think your the freaks since you are all the same."

Good one Soulshroude. I either shrug and give a ''you-can-never-know'' smile whenever people ask (if they're being genuinely curious) or I threaten to pluck out their eyes if they're being mean.

But seriously, thanks for sharing guys. I agree with the general aesthetics reason. Black also makes people look paler; which I find attractive. Keep those responses coming.

my daughter wears mostly black but she isn't really a goth she just likes the color

I wear a lot of black but im not a "goth" just thaat it goes with evrything

I like the color black. Yes it is slimming and also..black repels negativity around you.

Black is a big thing at formal weddings...so these people who judge someone wearing black would not think a thing of a wedding with a black theme.

Yet someone who wears black as maybe a everyday they get labled.

Black does go with any color and black does'nt show the dirt you may pick up at a picnic or other event as much as white or any other pastel color would.

black is the original color of wedding dresses::: queen elizabeth the first is the one that made a trend to white with her marring england::: the virgin queen::: hence white after that the trend changed to white:::

i like black it makes me disappear::: ^.^

i liked wearing black before the term Goth was used for us. to me, black represents infinity, the unknown, and mystery. also, anything goes with black. mind you, they same the same about beige, but i'm not so keen to wear beige. i like purple a lot too.

well you know it is rather funny...

as the colour of beauty is black...many countries have used the colour black to mourn people who die...

I guess black is worn by 'goths' either because they feel they should wear the colour of death or because they want to wear the colour of beauty...

if that makes any sense...

Considering I doubt the goths of Ancient Germany would wear all black I'd have to say no.

However, I think those who think they're 'goth' in this day an age wear it to try to be different with no other means to.

I mostly wear black because it is and has been my favorite color for years. I wore mostly all black before i even knew what goth was. When people ask me why so much black...I am usually sarcastic and ask them whats up with all the pink?

I enjoy wearing black to match my dark soul. ;) Seriously, it is one of my favorite colors, along with purple. I am neither goth or emo.

Well, you can mix and match the same black clothing and make it through a week without anyone catching on or having to do a wash... Umm, slimming was already said, right?

Besides, black is supposed to be all colors and white is the absence of the same. Maybe I am subconsciously trying send a politically correct message to society?

to fade away
fade into oblivion
into the dark abyss
fade as a shadow

I like era costumes and most are black or grey dresses or suits, Latex in black is slick. I like that alot...

i wear black because it's slimming and it seems to convey a "bada**" element....i always feel more pulled together and polished. but most certainly, i don't wear black because i identify as a "goth" individual.

i simply like the colour.

black also is the color in banishment and protection stuff.

I don't think black is the stereotypical uniform of a goth... I think goths where many dark colours, red, green, blue & purple... mixed in with black.

I personally wear black to reflect my mood, if I am feeling dark and moody.

Mind you I have always thought all black was being emo lol.

I wear black because I like the color not to mention that its a good background to all my pretty silver jewlery

Goth is a way of life and has nothing to do with wearing black. I know plenty of people that are goth and do not wear just black

Blackhawk- I agree with what you said about goth not being about wearing black. Black is just a color, wearing a lot of it doesn't make you anything. But I've been in this subculture long enough to tell and observe that a relative number of goths prefer or like black. And many might say that not all goths wear black and such, but this thread is all about the color black and its ties (indirect as it may be) to the gothic subculture. I want to hear people do justice to their preference for the color and hopefully bring about some form of enlightenment (slight as it may be) to onlookers and outsiders about what the black is actually all about.

well Black and Purple are my colors LOL I just like Black because it goes with almost everything and plus it is a slimming color to wear as well :) as for being considered "GOTH" does it really matter if one is or not? that is my opinion. I enjoy many things Goth yet I do not consider myself goth nor does others so it is just whomever and however they want to percieve you and your look I feel...

i dont consider myself goth although i do appreciate it ....but black is great , it matches anything, sometimes my mood is down so it fits perfectly, also easy to blend in with a crowd

There has been alot on this subject. Black is just a color. Goths dont always wear black. They can wear other colors. Ok Black is just a simple color for anyone not just the "Emo", "Goth", or "Scene" Stereotypes. Its just a simple color that everyone can wear.

Being a member of the sub-culture of Goth known as Industrial, I can offer my opinions.

Black is technically the presence of all colors when worn. The shirt is absorbing all of the colors of the spectrum.

When at a club, black helps you remain aloof and unnoticed. When you on the dance floor, obsevers view you and your moves, not your colorful clothing.

Black has a calming affect, thus allows for relaxation and contemplation, which many who subscribe to the Goth life will state that they take part in.

Black worn with any other color actually allows for the color to be more noticable, thus making a more bold statement when black and color are combined.

Black just looks good.

Thanks for the industrialite insight Thedog. The 'dance moves' part was a unique way of looking at things.

also - goths do love to accesorise, and black makes a good background to throw accesories into sharp relief. where the accesories of the "New Ager" are submerged by the over the top colours and paterns, the Goth can wear fewer accesories to greater effect, and so is more subtle. the Goth style was popularised by New Romantic bands of the seventies and eighties who wore black on a dark stage to emphasise their faces and hands.

having said that - some Goths prefer white. the idea is that the basic colour of your clothing should be a blank canvas for you to express your own particular style.

Johnny Cash always wore black, he was country. Me love how black is nice to the body.

Personally I go for black and other dark colors simply because I think I look best in them. I feel kind of weird wearing brighter colors....attracts too much attention, I suppose.

I've heard it said quite a number of times that black renders one invisible. But in my case, I find black a more attractive and 'head-turning' color than any other.

TheDog says it well ...Black does do all those things and each is a different mood as to how you want to be seen or Not as far as that goes. LOL

Black to me is an universal color as to being matched with any and all colors, because it can do many things when you wear it ...

personally I do love wearing the colour black but then I love to wear crimson and velvet too.

but then it's probably all down to individual tastes I think.

well me personally i dont were black all the time but i do still wear black but i just wear it because i like the dark colors but it is just a personal color choice for me but when somone asks me "whats with all the black?" i just tell them that it is just me and they useually dont ask anymore questions so yeah atleast for me it is just a personal color choice.

I usually wear a lot of black, but not all of it is Goth related clothing. My business suits are normally black or pinstriped black cloth too, so they couldn't be associated with being Goth just because they are black.

I believe Goth is a fashion style/statement rather than a colour :)

For myself I love wearing black because it does go with alot of different color tops I wear. I don't think of myself as a goth when wearing black. I think of myself a goth without having to wear the color black.

I also don't think funeral directors think themselves 'goth'. The whole black is gawf thing is rediculous.

I don't wear all black but still consider myself "goth" to an extent. Simply because of my ways of thinking more than the way I dress. I am a free thinker, a non conformist, a dreamer, intellectual, and have a deep connection with my dark side.

elegance, glamourous at times. theres ways of dressing darkly without wearing all black, tho black is still prominant in my wardrobe.

I agree with Drakontion. Black is just practical :D

hey guys ive been wearing black way befor the term goth came into effect i wear blackcouse it my favorite color but i also accesorize i where silver as well also favcolors are purple and red

I am more of an Industrialist than a Goth, and I would say that black has become one of my colors of choice.

As an earlier statement pointed out, black does go with anything.

Also, in the case of concert and band shirts, black allows the printing and graphics to be more discernable.

Black also adds to my personea, which states, "Don't mess with me, and fear my presence" which is one thing I strive for in my look and presentation.

I did not choose black to be in the crowd, but rather, being in the crowd allowed black to choose me.

I wear other colors but I know people on both sides of the fence some people wear black cause they are just more comfortable in it. I don't know if I would say black makes you stand out in a crowed sometimes colors due. I have been around a lot of goths in my day following the all black dress code and I stood out cause I wear bright colors. I think it is a choice no one wears black because they are trying to be something they are not.

Personally I would, when pushed, call myself self-styled but I know people normally just class me as Goth and I'm okay with that.

I wear black because it's a colour in which I feel safe. It gives me security and offers a form of transferable sanctuary. I find it calming. It doesn't distract me and it helps me concentrate. Plus, as has already been mentioned, black does go with anything.

black looks good on me and i like it i love any other color but black really stands out and makes my eyes flourish

Well, I was wearing black back in the 80s to school. It used to be for being an individual and bohemian. It wasn't supposedly all dark and gloomy for the most part.

I used to love black because of it's sleek and classic, taylored look. I also liked it because it was slimming. I don't wear it now because it became so "heavy" feeling and icky. I am into blues and tans and whites now. I still have black clothes and some neat ones at that. I also have black skirts.

Black wasn't an issue back in my youth. The only thing that we "goths" were ridiculed for was the wearing of so much facial make-up...nowadays it's barely noticed.

I know many non-goths who wear black too.

quote "What do you tell people who walk up to you and ask you "what's with all the black?"...

only one thing to tell them...usually not a nice thing either.

What is nice is with my menacing looks, no one comes up to me and ask me anything.

Unless it is the black I am wearing and they are afraid that I am going to harm them...

_To be honest, if someone asks me why I wear a lot of black, I'll simply tell them to wait for me to pull out the bright green shirt and then they'll be waiting for me to put on the black! HA! Then...if someone says I'm of the "Goth/gothic" culture, I'll ask them if they think I'm a time period or a type of building from a specific time period. I don't like to stereotype at all...as for wearing black, yeah...I do, a lot, heck, even my hair is black and my glasses and my eyeliner and lipstick, but to be honest, the only time I pull out the lipstick is when I feel like wearing lipstick and want to look all dark and spooky. The eyeliner is more for professional shtuff or when I need to dress up. And trust me, the hue, black, to me is an awesome hue. I can't stand uberly bright colours half the time. They simply hurt my eyes, so black has a calming affect. I tend to wear black at night because it helps me to fall asleep. And with my skin tone {and yes, while whites are white and so on and so forth, we all look good in different colours} I tend to look better in autumn shades rather than pastels and the like. Black also looks good with anything, I know a ton of people have said that, but it's the truth. If you wear a black dress to a party, not only will you look slimmer, but add a little make up, some silver or gold {your choice} jewelry, and POW! You'll look dashing, like a queen! Granted, not all people look good in full black outfits, but even still, like someone said before, black with a touch of colour really looks good._

Personally, I wear black because I love the color, love how it looks on me, and like how I feel wearing it.

However, I like the difference a touch of red, pink, or purple adds to the outfit.

i personally dont always wear black, I find many likes to alternative clothing then typical black.Even in a business oriented button up shirt Im considered in the gothic culture.So I dont believe its the clothing at all, the clothing is just a way for people to easily try to identify us.With the rise in people posing in gothic attire for the social aspect of "look at me im goth"It isnt so much the clothing that makes someone gothic if that was the case not to bring any politics in this but we could put a president or former president in all black and would that make him gothic ? I say no goth is a state of mind and personality you either have it or you dont.Clothing does nothing but delude someone from seeing whats in front of them.

im not goth but for me its "black goes with almost everythinng"

I wear black because it's neutral. And I look good in it.

I am an actor and when taking Theatre Arts, they told you to always wear black because it's a neutral color. Anyone taking your place could do so easily if you are dressed the same and the Fourth Wall remains intact.

I dress in black because I can. The same reason peopl wear their pants waist around their knees...as irritating as THAT is to behold.

I don't really consider myself goth, just dark most days. I'll wear blue jeans occasionally but this also coincides with a little day I like to refer to as "Laundry Day".

I like the color black. If someone asks me what'sup eiyh all of it, I answer them with another question, such as, "Why do you care?" I know I sound hateful with that remark, but I grew up in a town where black wasn't natural. I like more colors other than black. But I'm just at my most comfortable in it. I have no idea why.

Black is the color for many things... priests for example are wearing black and they are not goth.. I'm not goth but almost all the time I am in black.. it's the color that fits with everything.. and neutral...

I agree.

Answer to both questions... " I wear black on the outside because its what I feel on the inside."
ps I love the song black as the devil painteth!!!

I used to wear a lot of black, only because I loved the color.

I now wear whatever I want to wear.

I simply where black because I think that I look good it. Being Goth dose not always mean that you wear nothing but black.

Well I am not Goth but I do love dark Colours exspecially black. I dont know why but everyone (not just goths) seem to turn their head and admire things that are black whether its clothing, cars etc etc.

Everyone seems to think that black is a colour for bad things, we always relate it to evil or death. But it really isnt. The only reason it is related to death is because in the old days when someone died everyone wore black to the funeral. Hence now we relate Black to death.

Now adays we wear any colour we choose, will that mean in the future all colours will relate to death, evil etc. I dont think so. We have always related anything dark to evil and anything light to good but that is in the pass.

I think in the beginning of the goth culture black symbolised the us and them attitude. Black was considered an evil colour, sign of devil worship and black magic.

Now I think it is just part of the statement! Goths wear other colours popular colours being dark green, red, purple and dark blue. Now being goth is not just what you wear to make you stand out it is more saying that I am an individual and not part of the crowd, not falling prey to the whims and demands of society.

In fact black seems to be more the statement of the Emo culture these days than the Goth. lol

And besides who doesn't look hot and sexy in black!

I wouldn't call myself goth, though 90% of my clothes are black as is most of my hair. I find I just feel more comfortable in it, like I'm hiding, and no one comes up and asks me about it!!!

I dont know of many ppl who dont wear black at some point. It doesnt make them goth or evil. It is a colour that suits nearly everyone.

i just love the color i have alway worn the color black ever since i was a child. of course my parents wouldnt let me wear all black unles it was a dress or something so when i moved out at 16 woohoo most of my wardrobe became all black. not because it was the in color for goth and for me now still not for that reason i just simply love the color....

Black seems to go with almost anything.

I believe Kontradiction stated that it was slimming as well.

I wear a lot of black shirts but I dont wear black pants all that much. I have just always worn it because I don't think bright colors look very good on me. There really isnt any deeper meaning for me personally. I will say that I certainly don't wear it because its slimming. I already have to run around in the shower to get wet haha.

Hahaha...well I ain't a lard ass myself. But I don't have to run around a shower to get wet either.

I'm kinda a little self conscious of my looks though, so I like wearing black just like vertical striped shirts. Gives a slimmer appearance.

i just like the color black. but since high school about 9th grade ive been labled a goth. i perfer an outsider because i didnt even really fit in with the "Goth" crowd

I was the same way in high school. During the 80's...living in the bible belt, if you wore black or red clothes and listened to metal or punk music, you were automatically labeled as a "satanist."

I was more of a loner than anything else. Still, people got out of my way in the halls for fear of being cursed or something.

Silly kids.

I tell them that black makes me feel sexy and comforts me
Also i tell them i wear it so i won't be like everyone els i love back every time i put it on

It feels like an embrace and makes me feel safe

I'm wearing grey. It's the new emo black color.

I'm not into goth but love the color black. Its said that even the ugliest person looks good in black, but you would have to tell me if that is true in my case. I basically wear black as a reflection of my mood. I also feel drawn to the color more than any other color. Just
for someone to say I look good in black doesn't cut it with me. Theres obviously a reason outside of that and being goth.

Because black is dark and gawfiks. -.-

I am wearing grey.. I love black though.. It is slimming

I love black so much I spray painted my cat.

misterstikki -


That could just mean you're straight-edge. ;]

I LIKE BLACK SIMPLY FOR THE REASON IT MATCHES WITH JUST ABOUT ANYTHING.

A combination of reasons as mention above...

plus

Black is retro... people wore dark colours as their sunday best because it didn't show dirt. So it is common for us to think of retro as being black.

Goth as a style is based on designs of a bygone time where there were no washing machines and no off the rack clothes.

Black is just classic... simple as that...

and it does set off red very nicely.
oh look... your screen is red, black and white... how goth...

PUKE

I'm not too straight edge.

I didn't mention the fact that I spray painted it's ass canary yellow and neon green.

I also coated it with a glow in the dark lacquer.

... You just did. ;]

I agree with Bronze...sheesh Black goes with everything...why not wear it? Bah - I have to work in scrubs where I don't get the choice of black very often.. and it's tough to wear black in a state where the sun is always shining and on a good day it only hits 95 in the shade - so can you still be goth if it's too hot to wear black? :)

I think black is gorgeous - that's why I wear it when I do.

It's because those people who think they're 'gawth' think black is dark, and wearing it makes them dark and evul.

Goth is not a color, it is a outlet of emotion and expression. I know plenty of goth people and they do not just wear black. They do wear dark colors combined with black. Such as purples and silvers, green, red and of course dark pinks.
I myself really like the color black and wear it frequently. It does as many others have said it does have a slimming effect. There are other reasons I am sure that people do wear black. This is funny because not to long ago I heard someone say that Black was the new beige.

I love to wear black. I agree that it goes with everything!!!! When in doubt, wear black!!! I also like the slimming effect it gives me!

morbidcuriousity -


I don't believe that's what the question was asking ,... lol.

To be bluntly honest, most of the people I know who wear mostly black wear it because they're not comfortable with their weight and they think it makes them look skinny. I wear it cause it's simple, lighter colors get dirtier easier and I'm a clean freak, black shirts have awesome graphics or sayings, and it keeps me warm, which is a plus.

I've never heard that -- black being slimming. As far as I'm aware it was stripes which did it ...

Vertical stripes and very dark colors tend to make someone appear slimmer.

Shame for Freddy Krueger .. lol. But I've never heard before about the black before the last post .. thing.

Well, I am sure there are those out there who wear black clothing becasue they believe themselves to be "goths" or what ever, but I wear mostly band shirts and jeans. Most of the shirts of the bands I like are black, so when someone asks me what's with all the black (I tend to ignore the question) but I would probably say something along the lines of "That's the only color this shirt comes in". So I guess my reason for wearing mostly black is because of my taste in music...

I maybe considered goth to a point but I have always liked black. To me it is a relaxing color.

black is the new in color... i see people wering it every day. i my self love the color, not because its dark "goth" but simply because the color is amazing... it slims most people and it matches everything. i think people should just get over the stereotype because black is becoming more and more common... even companies are noticing that the color is great, they are making it mandatory to were black.

I've always worn a lot of black and dyed my hair black-- before it became a big thing--I am talking back in the '70's. I guess, I was "Goth" before it was "fashionable" and was always into vampires and the dark stuff.

I never got hassled or questioned about why I wore black. Back then a lot of people did. If it wasn't jeans, it was leather. With the regular crowds, ladies wore it because it was "slenderizing" -- guys wore it because it went with everything. Others, like me, wore it beause they just liked it.

I got more hassles for dying my hair--first the black when I was a Sophomore in HS--and then using Crazy Colours (in the mid 70's) and dying my hair bright David Bowie red (in a shag) before it was "fashionble".

I've always done my own thing--so it really didn't (and still doesn't) phase me if someone asks why I dress(ed) or do my hair a certain way.

I like Black, I have a few black shirts, hoodies and pants.
But in no way do I consider myself 'gothic'.
I guess I like wearing black because it goes with anything and it doesn't stand out a lot.

I also like black because it can look sexy plus it goes with everything

I like black because it looks best on me. Not to mention, I just like the plain color. Even when I feel like dressing "flashy", I'll wear mostly black with a LITTLE pink. It's just my favorite color. Nothing particular about the darkness, I just like the way it looks on me and on others.

This thread has been automatically closed for length.