Gothic costume ideas

Gothic costumes are made up of two distinct periods: Early Gothic and Late Gothic. The costumes of the early Gothic (1200-1350) period are more elegant, sophisticated and simplier than the Romanesque period. Necklines were lower, a little at first and trimming was lighter. Then the heavy double-sleeve went out by 1200 and the forearm was revealed as sleeves became tight. Shorter tunics emerged and the cote-hardie reached to the knee and a little above it but, women's clothing was invariably long. Decadent Designs is inspired by traditional gothic costumes.

Late Gothic periods that range from 1350-1450 and styles changed relatively quickly during this time. The period changed from the earlier flowing draperies that metamorphosed, finally, into fabrics that became more and more stiff. In the fifteenth century the extremes were in mostly the upper silhouette. There were crisp pleats, tight belts, padded doublets, and increasingly popular leg-o-mutton sleeve, all the items foreshadowing the squareness of the next hundred years.

In the early Gothic period men wore hair at a pleasant and sensible length often in a bob to the jaw line with a bang across the forehead. Blond hair was popular so many people bleached their hair. Few men wore beards and if they did they were trimmed into two points. Men in the late Gothic period wore hair bobbed also with neatly curled ends and more men began wearing beards that were neatly trimmed accompanied by a small mustache. Later in the period they would wear their hair cropped much like the modern manner of men's hair.

Women in the both periods wore their hair loose and flowing upon their shoulders until they were married where they hair was confined in a bun at the nape. In the earily period women would wear many types of hair pieces to cover it, such as wimple and gorget. The gorget would actually cover the neck while the wimple would cover the head. Later in the period women's necks were exposed but their hair was covered by netting or reticulations like round cages. Nor hair was visible and was plucked to have a high hairline and thin eyebrows. Tristan's hairstyle below is an example of loose and flowing hair.

Colors for this period are jewel like hues much like painting from Jan van Eyke's work. The colors were reds, greens, blues and golds, soft but intense. Interspersed with these colors were brown gray and tan of humbler garments. One particular color that you could associate with the earlier period would be vermillion, such as the velvet corset gown below.

Velvets and corsets make up gothic costumes

To find out more about the gothic costume, read “Step-by-Step Essential Guide to that Elusive Gothic Look & Style”.

Home | Gothic Fashion | Resources | Gothic Shop | Info | Map