Alright, so I’ve been wanting to dive into the whole “trad goth” thing for a while now, specifically the male version. It’s not something you see every day, and honestly, that’s part of the appeal. I wanted something different, a bit edgy, but still kinda… classic, I guess? So, here’s how I went about it.
Phase 1: The Deep Dive (aka Endless Scrolling)
First, I spent hours just looking at pictures. Seriously, hours. I used to go online and search for anything that looked “trad goth male.” It was a total mixed bag, some stuff was way too over the top, some was just… not it. But, slowly, I started to get a feel for the common elements.
Phase 2: Figuring Out the Basics
Okay, so after all that looking, I started to see some patterns. Here’s what I figured out were the must-haves:
- Black, black, and more black. Yeah, that was obvious. But like, different blacks. Think textures – velvet, leather, even just different shades of black cotton.
- Shirts. Lots of button-down shirts, sometimes with ruffles or lace, sometimes plain. Also, band tees (the classic goth bands, obviously).
- Pants. Black jeans, black trousers, sometimes with a bit of a wider leg. Nothing too skinny.
- Boots. Big, chunky boots. Doc Martens are a classic, but I also saw some other styles that looked cool.
- Accessories. This is where it gets fun. Things like silver jewelry (rings, necklaces, maybe a chain), belts (sometimes with studs), and maybe a scarf or a cravat.
Phase 3: Hitting the Stores (and the Thrift Shops)
This was the fun part, but also kinda frustrating. I started with thrift stores, hoping to find some unique pieces. I scored a few cool shirts and a really nice black velvet jacket. I also checked out some regular stores for basics like black jeans and boots. It took a while, but I slowly started to build up a wardrobe.
Phase 4: Putting it All Together
This is where I’m at now. I’m still experimenting, trying different combinations. Some days I go for a more “dressed up” look with a ruffled shirt and a cravat, other days it’s just a band tee and jeans. It’s all about finding what feels right. And, honestly, it’s been a blast. It’s definitely a different look, but I’m digging it. I’m still learning, still experimenting, but that’s half the fun, right?
My style feels more me now. And hey, it’s a conversation starter, that’s for sure!
