How to Know if One is a True Goth

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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The rising popularity of black clothing makes it hard to sort out true Goths from the Goth posers. Recognize the characteristics of a true Goth to keep from committing the social faux pas of calling a poser the real thing.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Look for color. True Goths bathe themselves in black clothing and nothing else. They may possess their own unique style, but it won't include any colors of the rainbow. They also enjoy indulging in medieval-inspired clothing, such as corsets, fishnet stockings and bondage attire.
Step 2

Check the make-up. A true Goth always wears make-up, including black eyeliner and black lipstick. They may also use white powder to give a pale appearance. Their hair is dyed black to coordinate with their clothing, although a few extraneous dark purple streaks in the hair are deemed acceptable.
Step 3

Identify their art form. A true Goth is an artist and performs an art of some sort. True Goths are writers, musicians, folklorists, sculptors and painters. They rely on deep introspection to arouse their creativity.
Step 4

Quiz them on lyrics. A true Goth knows every word to every Cure song. This step weeds out the Goth posers each and every time.
Step 5

Ask them if they are Goth. A true Goth never labels themselves as being Goth. In fact, true Goths never label themselves at all. Only Goth posers make such ridiculous assertions.

Comments

kujaku said

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on 9/7/2009 Ah lot of people mistake Goth Fashion with Heavy Metal Fashion. "Truetruetrue Goths" wear Victorian like outfits. Like Gothic Lolita stuff. They are very elegant and do smile. Music really doesn't have much to do with it. But some Goths have a fondness for the Classical music. Most people today think Heavy Metal Fashion is Goth. Though it does share some styles and ideas, they are still different styles. Heavy Metal Fashion is like chained pants and spiked belts and chokers, etc. Both styles use black, but Goth is more on the Elegant side. And They do not always have to wear black. That's not like a rule or anything. And They do not always dress outrageous! They are regular people too.

And Goths do smile and laugh. They are not all sad and depressed. It's true some do fake the whole gloomy thing, but not all. I know a lot about fashion and the different types of fashion, and Goth Gl...

dimabilanrox9 said

on 8/25/2009 Wow. This just sounds like some poseur who tries too hard to impress the real goths and forgets to have fun. TRUE goths do whatever the heck they want! They have fun, they have their own gothic fashion taste! They all have different taste in music! And they CERTAINLY wear whatever they want to wear! (i like goths! :D)

akumaxkami said

on 8/8/2009 I really hope this article is a joke.

morgaine said

on 7/28/2009 The whole article is ludicrous! I consider myself an elder-goth. To you that is before you were probably born ore even thought off to be created, around the 70's in Europe at a time when punk was goth and goth was in because one believed in non-conformity! get a life and learn your history of goth culture first before you spread your evil narrow-minded self to thin in public!