01. heavy metal fashion
The biker, rocker, and leather subcultures are where the heavy metal aesthetic first emerged. Combat boots, studded belts, high-top basketball shoes (more popular with old school thrash metalheads), leather jackets, camouflage shorts and pants, and denim jackets — often embellished with badges, pins, and patches — are all examples of heavy metal clothing. German imagery like the Iron Cross are popular amongst the bikers.
Heavy metal fashion
Heavy metal fashion
Different elements of heavy metal attire can be linked to various bands, but Judas Priest, particularly its frontman Rob Halford, gets the most credit for revolutionising the appearance. In order to promote the album 'Killing Machine', Halford wore a leather costume onstage in 1978. Halford cited the leather subculture as the source of inspiration for this appearance in an interview. Although Halford may have popularised leather, K.K. Downing sought a style that complemented the music they were making. Downing started appearing on stage dressed in studded leather, and the remainder of the band soon followed.
02. gothic fashion
Gothic fashion is characterised by dark, mysterious, antiquated, homogeneous, and frequently genderless traits, worn by people in the goth and metal subcultures. Typical gothic attire consists of dark apparel, unique haircuts, dark lipstick, and dyed-black hair. For a dramatic impact, goths of both sexes usually don heavy eyeliner, dark nail paint, and lipstick (typically black). Styles can be influenced by Victorian and Elizabethan clothing, as well as punk fashion (such as chokers and wristbands with spikes). Emo and alternative punk fashion are occasionally mistaken for goth fashion.
Trad Goth
Traditional Goth (or Trad Goth) is a term used to describe the style of goth that reflects the traditional and original styles of the 1980s. Inspiration comes from Siouxsie Sioux, The Cure, and Bauhaus' clothing. Creepers, winklepickers, backcombed and dishevelled hair, as well as clothing that is primarily black is a common characteristic. The clothing worn by members of the Batcave club in the UK had an influence on fashion. Due to the impact of 1980s Goth and Batcavers fashion on the 2010s style, this also has a tight relationship to the Deathrock revival style.
Trad Goth outfit
Victorian Goth
Victorian Goth, sometimes known as Neo-Victorian, is a contemporary fashion phenomenon that reinterprets and redefines some elements of Victorian fashion. Big dresses and exquisite hairstyles are two characteristics of the Victorian era that have been incorporated into the mainstream gothic style. Edgar Allen Poe's use of mediaeval settings as well as Bram Stoker's Dracula use of late Victorian examples of gothic fashion served as early sources of inspiration.
Nu Goth
Nu-goth is a more modern interpretation of the goth subculture, and the rise of the nu-goth style is often credited to be the reviver of the goth subculture. Nu-goth is a broad term that encompasses all forms of dark, introspective music and art. It has strong roots in and influences from classic goths as well as gothic music, aesthetic, and philosophy. Black-and-white ensembles with occult designs and accessories are the fashion's defining feature. The nu-goth style is incredibly sleek and contemporary. It also relies on the individual's style preferences, but it will always be current and fashionable.
Victorian Goth outfit
Nu Goth outfit
03. japanese gothic fashion
Japanese gothic fashion covers many different kinds of fashion, like visual kei, harajuku goth, lolita, harajuku dark street style and more. Many of these styles originate from the Harajuku district in Tokyo, Japan. It is a vibrant street that has many alternative fashion street stalls, selling clothes, ranging from sweet lolita to harajuku goth styles.
Visual Kei
Visual kei is often characterised by the use of various levels of make-up, extravagant hairstyles, and flamboyant costumes frequently combined with androgynous aesthetics similar to Western glam rock. The term "visual" corresponds to the style, from the lavish way of dressing, to the big hair and the heavy makeup, making many bands and individuals stand out on stage or in a crowd.
​
Visual kei consists of a darker colour scheme including black, grey, deep red, blue, and purple. More gothic renditions of the style will use spooky patterns and fabrics like dark lace, cobwebs, skulls, crosses, and crowns. Expensive ball gowns and suits are a component of lavisher fashions with French rococo influences. More punk styles include striped tops, ripped trousers with belts and buckles, plaid skirts or tops with plaid patches.
Takeshita Street at Harajuku, Tokyo, Japan
Visual kei outfit
Harajuku Goth / Gothic Lolita
Gothic Lolita is a type of Lolita that draws heavily on gothic Victorian fashion. Gothic Lolita follows the original Lolita style. Bell-shaped petticoats are typically worn with bell-shaped skirts and dresses to give them the traditional "cupcake" form. Crosses and other religious symbols, bats, skulls, coffins, chandeliers, deep red roses, and castles are common elements in Gothic Lolita. Darker hues including black, navy and royal blue, maroon, red, and deep purples are often used in the clothing and makeup.
​
Bows or headpieces, basic bags like purses with Gothic patterns, or more ornate bags and wallets, as well as dark or black tights, stockings, or knee highs with lace tops are common accessories for Gothic Lolita. Dark-colored gems are more frequently seen in jewellery, while silver and metal tones are more prevalent than golden ones. A rosary or a Venice lace choker are frequently worn, along with lace gloves.
Gothic lolita outfit
conclusion
Traditionally, in the metal subculture, people in the subculture would identify themselves as 'metalheads', and would usually dress in the heavy metal fashion of leather or denim jackets with patches and spikes, with jeans and boots. However, over time, many people who listen to metal music have adopted different styles, like goth, nu-goth, punk and emo styles. This is due to the different subcultures expanding on the internet over the years. People from different subcultures like emo, scene and goth have many similarities to the metal subculture, as well as the individuals in the subcultures who share similar interests. The internet has given these alternative communities a space to communicate and a platform to display their work, for example, Tik Tok, where there are many metalheads and goths who make similar content and share their hobbies and interests with others.