Get the Look: Cybergoth
Cybergoth style isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s loud, colourful, and over-the-top with just a hint of scary. After all, “goth” is in the name! But unlike the many subcategories of goth fashion, there isn’t a cross or skull in sight. It’s all about an industrial aesthetic—goggles, respirators, and most importantly, pairing black with neon. Neon?! In gothic fashion? Time to get out the history books. Cybergoth, a combination of goth and rave culture, was born in the 90s. As the epic guitar solos of heavy metal were being reshaped into trance-like beats, gothic ravers (or gravers) found themselves getting lost in the mix—you could barely see them with their all-black clothing! The solution? Brightly coloured latex, wigs and fluffy leg warmers. With a look that is hardcore, bright and busy, going cybergoth may seem intimidating. But, have no fear! We’ve curated a list of essential pieces for a classic cybergoth look!
Image courtesy of Barbed Virgin.
PVC + Neon
Unlike other fashion movements, cybergoth places a great amount of emphasis on materials. Fur? Check. Leather? Check. PVC? Double check! PVC dresses and leather corsets are a good place to start. Okay, so you have the gothic element down. How do we make it more cyber? Colour! Lots of colour. Every colour in the rainbow can be found in a classic cybergoth co-ord.
Not to turn fashion into a boring lesson, but here’s a useful and simple formula to keep in mind: black plus one neon colour equals cybergoth! Of course this is not a hard and fast rule. Many stray from this, incorporating multiple colours into a single outfit and a popular colour trend in cybergoth is iridescence. So pick up an iridescent anything the next time you are out shopping. It’ll look great when you’re dancing under UV lights at the M’era Luna festival!
Image courtesy of Inspired Ideas.
Cyber Falls
With all the PVC and neon, you might be thinking that your hair could never upstage a cybergoth co-ord. Well, think again! Cybergoth hair is big and colourful. A typical cybergoth hairstyle involves multiple colours, multiple materials and multiple textures. Many opt for neon-coloured hair but for those with 9-to-5 jobs, hairpieces, or “falls” as they are commonly known, are the answer! Falls are economic (no incognito trips to the hairdresser for a touch-up) and come already styled. You can choose from: dreads; cyberlox (colourful tubular crin made of plastic and lace); krinklepuffs (puffy, crimped hair extensions); and Kanekalon braids (synthetic hair with the texture of human hair) to add vibrancy and volume to your normal hairstyle.
Image courtesy of Inspired Ideas.
Artistic Make-up
So you’ve got an over-the-top co-ord, you’ve got an over-the-top hairstyle… What else can we build on? Hmmm… Make-up! Start with a neon eyeshadow. You can try one shade, a gradient, or a two colour gradient look if you want something more elaborate. Invest in durable and highly pigmented make-up for a vivid eye look that can last through a night at Slimelight!
In the cybergoth community, your eyeliner pencil is like a paintbrush and what you do with it can be like a work of art. Add some dots, draw a line, or try your hand at some more intricate designs like spiderwebs. But eyeliner isn’t just for your eyes—thin angular eyebrows are a great way to paint for cybergoth. And the pièce de résistance? The cherry on the big fluffy cake? Face jewels! With a few of these sparkling gems you’re instantly transformed into a cosmic alien goddess!
Image courtesy of Gothic Beauty.
Accessories
Just in case you still feel like you need more, accessories are the perfect way to be extra—embellishments are everything! Fur-trimmed leg warmers, fishnet tights, and studded belts—the list is endless. Your hair and make-up may be painted for the gods, but what’s cybergoth without that added touch of extravagance? A pair of Hello Kitty-decaled goggles or a spiked respirator will sort that out, guaranteed.
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Do you reckon you could pull off a cybergoth look? It may have originated from the rave and industrial scenes of the 90s, but the look still works—especially now. It’s time to put on our respirators and goggles as we step out into our quarantined and damaged planet.
Written by Kay.
Featured image courtesy of Wikimedia.