After extensive research and styling many outfits we have come to the conclusion that health goth is one part goth rock and one part street fashion.
It all seems so obvious now! But the health goth movement was a slippery idea because it seemed like such a contradiction of terms. How could a goth person that loves cigarettes and hates life ever be into exercise and healthy eating ? It must be the influence of hip hop culture.
Defining Street Fashion
Street fashion as we know it today consists of a lot of “underground” labels such as Supreme and Yeezy, but also skate/surf brands such as Crooks and Castles, Diamond Supply Co and the Hundreds. There is designer sportswear by Balengia and Gucci too. But this is not a new idea. In the 80’s and 90’s the hip hop fans were sporting Adidas, Nikes, Timbaland Boots and Champion sweats. This was around the same time that a lot of streetwear labels were founded.
The Goth Subculture
Meanwhile in England gothic rock evolved as an offshoot of punk and post punk, notably Bauhaus, Joy Division and the Cure. Characteristic goth fashion choices included dying your hair black, wearing heavy eyeliner and black lipstick, leather jackets, fishnets, vinyl skirts, chain jewelry and dog collars. Today it is still a favorite for depressed teenagers and aging hipsters alike.
Walk This Way
In 1986 Run DMC recorded a cover version of “Walk This Way” that featured Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith. It could have been about having a lot of swagger when you walk. Or maybe it was about power walking in sneakers and street wear. But either way they were combining rock and rap music. “Hey Diddle Diddle” is an American folk song from 1765.
Goth Streetwear
Today’s digital world gives fashion savvy millennials instant access to every genre of music. It is little surprise they are combining the different styles into exciting mashups such as health goth. The all black everything of gothness goes perfectly with the street smarts of the hip hop lifestyle. That is definitely not racist because anyone can be anxious and trendy but also interested in sports.
Health goth combines the best of streetwear with gothic fashions to create a cutting edge style that is futuristic yet old school. That’s why so many people love it even though they don’t know why. Because its goth and hip hop at the same time, like cookie dough ice cream.
Elizabeth de Moya lives near San Diego, CA. She volunteers for the birds, and she works at the zoo. She is going back to school to study pre veterinary medicine. She has a BA in Linguistics from UC Berkeley.