For teens interested in the Goth look and community, it's important to seek guidance from seasoned Goths and to find and keep supportive friends.
Learning how to be gothic can be a lonely experience, but it doesn't have to be! Expect a Difficult Transition First, explain to your family why you want to be a goth and what that will mean.
Your parents are likely to have doubts and concerns and may oppose your choice; if so, making only minor changes while still living at home is important.
Friends, too, may lack understanding and even keep a distance from you.
Anticipate these challenges and respond maturely.
Goths choose their difficult path because they are conscientious and thoughtful people, not because they are looking to lash out at those who don't agree with them.
Take Small Steps To minimize the impact of a complete transformation in your look, you may want to make the change over the summer so you don't shock people or look like a poser.
Alternatively, you can make the change over months during the school year, only adding in a new element every few weeks or so.
Again, take caution around parental opposition.
Gothic Hair for Teens Many Goths dye their hair black, but you don't have or may not be able to.
You may want to have your hair cut in choppy layers with bangs, which is a typical modern Goth style.
Most Goth girls keep their hair shoulder length or longer.
Try clipping in neon-colored hair pieces for a little shock, or try out pretty period hair styles with curls or braids.
Teasing, which involves brushing out hair to give it volume, then applying hair spray to hold it in place, is a cool modern Goth look.
Clothing and Accessories First, look through your wardrobe and identify anything that's black, gray, or a dark color like burgundy or deep purple.
Eventually, you'll want to wear outfits with a maximum of two non-black pieces.
If you want to buy more clothes, get a few essential items like a jacket, dress, or a top and pants/skirt that match.
Look around thrift stores or online Goth stores with reasonable prices.
Connect and Create Goths are usually sensitive and intelligent people who need to exercise their creative spirit.
Try writing poetry or sketching nature and see where your imagination takes you.
It's equally important to maintain a connection with sympathetic people who love you for who you are.
Find Goths, other outsiders, or just loyal friends in your area, or seek out online gothic communities that can be act as a support system for you in your new way of life.
Learning how to be gothic can be a lonely experience, but it doesn't have to be! Expect a Difficult Transition First, explain to your family why you want to be a goth and what that will mean.
Your parents are likely to have doubts and concerns and may oppose your choice; if so, making only minor changes while still living at home is important.
Friends, too, may lack understanding and even keep a distance from you.
Anticipate these challenges and respond maturely.
Goths choose their difficult path because they are conscientious and thoughtful people, not because they are looking to lash out at those who don't agree with them.
Take Small Steps To minimize the impact of a complete transformation in your look, you may want to make the change over the summer so you don't shock people or look like a poser.
Alternatively, you can make the change over months during the school year, only adding in a new element every few weeks or so.
Again, take caution around parental opposition.
Gothic Hair for Teens Many Goths dye their hair black, but you don't have or may not be able to.
You may want to have your hair cut in choppy layers with bangs, which is a typical modern Goth style.
Most Goth girls keep their hair shoulder length or longer.
Try clipping in neon-colored hair pieces for a little shock, or try out pretty period hair styles with curls or braids.
Teasing, which involves brushing out hair to give it volume, then applying hair spray to hold it in place, is a cool modern Goth look.
Clothing and Accessories First, look through your wardrobe and identify anything that's black, gray, or a dark color like burgundy or deep purple.
Eventually, you'll want to wear outfits with a maximum of two non-black pieces.
If you want to buy more clothes, get a few essential items like a jacket, dress, or a top and pants/skirt that match.
Look around thrift stores or online Goth stores with reasonable prices.
Connect and Create Goths are usually sensitive and intelligent people who need to exercise their creative spirit.
Try writing poetry or sketching nature and see where your imagination takes you.
It's equally important to maintain a connection with sympathetic people who love you for who you are.
Find Goths, other outsiders, or just loyal friends in your area, or seek out online gothic communities that can be act as a support system for you in your new way of life.