Black Clothes

• Goth fashion spawned numerous fashion variations during the 1980s, but there was one common thread across all of them -- Goth clothing was dark in color, with black being the most common. Grays, deep blues and darker reds were also popular color choices in Goth fashion in the 1980s.
  
  

Medieval Influence

• Early Goth fashion drew heavily on clothing styles worn during medieval times, such as corsets, peasant blouses and poet shirts. Popular fabrics include leather and lace, and clothing accessories included spikes, studs and ringlets. Religious crosses and fingerless gloves also were marks of Goth fashion with medieval influences.
  
  

Makeup

• Many Goths wanted their skin to be pale, and they often wore makeup to achieve that effect. The light skin contrasted sharply with the dark colors they used for lipstick, eyeliner and mascara, such as black, blue, deep purple and burgundy.
  
  

Hair

• While many Goths in the 1980s dyed their hair jet black, they often also dyed streaks of bright colors into their hair, or dyed all of it. Haircuts varied from styles that looked quite ordinary to wild, disheveled manes. Some Goths of the day shaved their heads -- or if they really wanted to stand out, just part of their heads.
  
  

Piercing and tattoos

• Tattoos were common in some Goth subcultures, but piercing was more popular. Many Goths had multiple piercings -- in the tongue, belly buttons, eyebrows and nose.