Techwear and Goth
A visual aid for those looking to get into or differentiate the styles
**Before I start this is going to be controversial but I need to say it because Goth and Techwear have become heavily mislabeled and mixed up**
Now, I'd like to start by saying you can call what you wear whatever, this isn't a guide, but if you want to be truly goth or truly techwear, this is a post for you.
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It's sad to see that being goth has boiled down to just slapping on some black lipstick, dark eyeshadow, frilly clothes and big heels.
Like, most real goths will agree their fashion is mostly about old corsets, victorian-esque dresses, dark makeup, religious symbolism, dark and mysterious depiction, whereas a lot of goths today are just "big black dresses and bats, dark colors and black lipstick, mmm yes".
Cross necklaces, corsets, frilly dress skirts, religious symbolism, these are goth. It's not just dark colors and bats, it's trying to replicate a victorian era mistress look. Goth has split into several genres now, and some of it is quite literally just mislabeled techwear. What was originally the universal goth look is now labeled "victorian goth", so those not ready to commit to being Goth can still call themselves goth without adhering to what a goth actually is, when if you know anything about those eras you would know Victorian and Goth would never mix. Most goths wear petrine crosses, pentagrams, crosses in general and the such, paired with heels and corset dresses with big skirts. They don't typically concern themselves with the religious culture but crosses and pentagrams are a big part of their fashion.
Techwear looks can often be considered or mistaken as goth, because Techwear has been stereotyped as dark clothes that cover all your skin, an abundance of pockets, belts, clips, chains, hats with hooks in them, gas masks, and masks in general, when in reality a lot of Techwear looks are mislabeled as Goth. Techwear is dark clothing with multiple pockets, some chains, maybe a hat, and one or more belts, and can include crop tops, black lipstick, dark eyeshadow, big boots/platforms, and usually a t-shirt from a metal band or with some kind of hardly legible writing on it. Techwear isn't all black either, it can have color granted it's darker.
To those of you who wish to get into the goth or Techwear fashion, if you really want to be goth or tech, don't just base it off what others are saying. A lot of information out there is bogus. Real gothic looks have started being called "Victorian Gothic", and real techwear looks are commonly mistaken as Goth. Look for the differences, know the fashions, and don't mislabel yourself.
But alas you can dress however and and call yourself whatever you want, most people won't know the difference anyways.
If you need some more help I have left some picture references properly labeled below.
