what is goth

Goth is a music-based subculture that originated in the United Kingdom during the early 1980s. It was developed by fans of gothic rock, which is an offshoot of the post-punk music genre. The goth subculture has continued to diversify and spread throughout the world, with influences from 19th-century Gothic fiction and horror films. It is characterized by particular aesthetics, outlooks, and a "way of seeing and of being seen." Goth fashion has a reciprocal relationship with the fashion world, and designers have brought elements of goth to runways, described as "Haute Goth." Goth is not solely about wearing black, and goths do not all listen to the same bands. The subculture is also characterized by a lifestyle and an affiliation to a dark aesthetic, and it has developed various subgenres, fashions, and sounds since the 1980s. Goth is a state of being that embraces what the mainstream shuns, emphasizing the world of night and a refined sensitivity to life, with a focus on romance and tragedy. Goth is a creative expression and celebration, and it is not solely about death, but about appreciating shadowy elements that much of society ignores.