How to Dress Goth

There's more to being goth than dressing goth, but knowing what to wear is certainly part of it.

Steps

1. Ease into goth. Don't go goth all at once. Gradually ease into the style and subculture, or you will look fake.
2. Determine what style you are aiming for. Some people like a romantic look with tailored velvet jackets, lace and period items, while others prefer punk, with bondage pants and a spiked collar, and still others go cyber/futuristic with goggles, yarn extensions, latex, and big industrial boots. There's not one single goth fashion, there are many branches.
3. Browse goth pictures and movies for inspiration. Look around and try to see what you want to incorporate into your wardrobe. Avoid copying someone else unless it is Halloween.
4. Go to thrift stores for cheap, original clothes, instead of buying manufactured 'wannabe goth' clothes from a store like Hot Topic. They have nice items, but getting your entire wardrobe there is expensive, and way too commercial. Even mainstream clothing stores have basic pieces, (like pinstriped pants, black sweaters, and such), that will undergird your wardrobe much less expensively than specialty store buys.
5. Make your clothing, or at least consider altering the clothes you already have with bits of lace, ribbons, etc. You can get a good deal at a thrift store, but the cheapest clothes to buy are the ones already in your closet. Go crazy; make it artistic and unique.
6.  Try tight clothes (both girls and guys). Boys, do not try wearing tight clothes unless you like looking a bit more feminine. Also always make sure it fits your body right and looks good, if you aren't skinny or in shape its most likely not for you. Be warned, tight pants may get you called emo, but keep in mind emo scenester boys wear woman's jeans, Goths and Deathrockers don't fall for that lame stuff, they buy cheap black jeans and alter them to fit tight or buy quality looking/fitting black stretch tight jeans from Lip-service, DogPile clothing or Tripp Clothing brands. If it doesn't work for you, stick with normal or loose fit clothes.
7. Wear band shirts. Try shirts by bands such as Siouxsie and the Banshees, Christian Death and Bauhaus. (only bands you ACTUALLY like, buying band shirts JUST because it is "Goth" makes you look like an idiot). Many Goths and Deathrockers also cut their shirts up to make them hang off one shoulder, or cut the sleeves to allow them to sit lower on the arms and show the shoulders.
8. Consider boots. Many goths have high, black boots. There are many different styles of boots, look around and choose a style you like! Or don't -- boots are not required, for Goth is all about being original. However some romantic goths wear dress shoes every day.
9. The hair. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to dye or even excessively style your hair to be goth. There are many who represent the epitome of dark goth fashion yet keep their natural hair color. If you do chose to Dye your hair start by figuring out what colors look good ON YOU. Not all colors will look good on everyone! Next try looking at examples of hair styles used by various goth bands for inspiration. Some like to spike, clump or make their hair messy. Remember, Goth is an offshoot of Punk, so many Goths do backcomb their hair into huge explosions, or style their hair into mohawks or huge frizzy spikes or whatever else they can think of. No matter what color you chose to have your hair or how you chose to style it, remember it is all about expressing YOURSELF! SO be creative!
10. Color coordinate. Black isn't the only color that exists in the goth lifestyle. Dark reds, violet, blue, green and white are often used as side colors to the general color black. Cyber or industrial goth accepts neon colors, but goth is what you make of it, not what others tell you it is.
11. Wear makeup appropriately. Goth makeup is often dramatic: black heavy eyeliner, red lips, and dark shades with heavy application. Colors such as black, red, and purple around and on the eyelids. Cat-eye eyeliner is practically a cliche, but it looks fabulous. Black lipstick is much less popular than it used to be. Regardless, there are no rules.
12. Complete your look with accessories. It could be an elegant choker, lace gloves, an SM bracelet, goggles, bat earrings, ribbons, etc.
13. P.S. - Just because you dress goth, doesn't mean you are. It's more likely to work if you actually are goth. Otherwise, you're a poser.

Tips

• Be yourself; don't just follow what some other goth does.
• A few good quality items are much better than a large wardrobe of things you hate. Think quality over quantity. Get the basics: skirt, pants, boots, jacket, and then build from there. Don't buy something unless you love it and it fits perfectly. You will look and feel confident, which is essential in maintaining self esteem and defending your clothing style.
• Being Goth isn't all about the clothes, though the dark clothing has a lot to do with it; it's mainly about how you act. A goth is an outcast from society, and yet deeper into society than anyone else. They appreciate that everyone is different, and don't judge others. Even if they do, they try to ignore those original feelings and find out about that person before deciding about them.
• Goth is a lot of things. They are also pacifist, but not afraid to stand up for themselves. It's feelings, emotions... Black is a colour that represents all that. It's alone, different, unique, etc.
• To try learning how to act goth try listening to goth music, reading gothic literature, and going to gothic clubs.
• Be creative. Try to make your outfit or uniform look different. Don't try to look like the stereotypical goth or you will be labeled a poser.
• Blacks can have undertones of blue, red, green, or brown. Needless to say, red and green blacks shouldn't be worn together. Make sure your blacks don't clash, please.

Warnings

• Some people may treat you differently just because you look different. Don't bother with what those people think about you.
• There is a difference between goth and emo. The goth community knows the difference between real goths and poser goths.
• There is a lot of androgyny in the scene, so you will have to get used to it. It does not mean someone is gay, bi, or anything else, for that matter. It's a fashion thing - don't assume you know a person's sexual orientation by just looking at their clothes. Be RESPECTFUL.