Gothic Fashion: The History (From Barbarians to Haute Couture)

From the ancient barbarians responsible for the fall of Rome, to the black-lipped teenager updating their Instagram from a graveyard, Goths have been with us for a long time. Ideas about what is Gothic have changed and mutated, but a fascination with the dark and dramatic has remained a constant. A History of Gothic Fashion charts Gothic dress from its ancient and medieval origins to its various revivals and romanticised rebirths, examining its cultural inspirations including folk lore, 19th-century novels, the silver screen and rock music.

For a subculture associated with literature and historical fashion, there are surprisingly few books that focus solely on Gothic fashion. A History of Gothic Fashion provides an in-depth overview of the evolution of the darker side of style.