How Does Emo Differ From Goth?

Goth Fashion

Those in the Gothic culture wears a particular style of clothing and have their own fashions. Typical Goth fashion includes black dyed hair and black clothing. Gothic clothing is inspired by Victorian style, vampires and the occult. Although Goth followers do not always wear only black, they may highlight a mostly black outfit with dark maroons and reds. A follower of the Goth fashion may use stark makeup, dark eyeliner and white powder to accentuate the face. Gothic fashion also may include piercings and tattoos. Gothic women's fashion can be considered sexually enticing, as many goth fashion followers wear corsets, vinyl and black miniskirts.

Emo Fashion

Emo fashion may have been derived from Gothic fashion, but it contains several key differences. Although Emo style also dictates black dyed hair like the Goth style, Emo style is known for bangs that sweep diagonally across the face. Usually the bangs will fall in the individual's eyes. Emo kids will usually wear tight jeans and tight T-shirts, most likely with a band emblem or a funny saying on the front. Although they may wear a lot of black, they do not wear mostly black the way the Goth fashion dictates. Emo fashion contains more color and bright patterns, and is considered to be less sexually overt than Gothic fashion, which includes vinyl and fishnets.

Goth Versus Emo Music

Gothic music is usually associated with dark themes. Marilyn Manson is a prime example of Gothic music. The Cure is also considered to be a band that influenced Gothic culture. The music associated with the Gothic culture is usually dark, about nighttime, the occult or vampires. Gothic musical artists usually embrace the Gothic style, complete with dark clothes and black dyed hair. Emo music is characterized by a generally sad feeling in the music, rather than the more mystical feeling you get from Goth bands. Both types of bands focus on topics of alienation and loneliness, but Gothic bands consider the dark quality of the music, while Emo bands consider the feelings behind their pain.

Resources

• Goth Versus Emo Survey