As a fashion subculture, royalty heroism and the streets and gothic punk has always been about challenging boundaries and conventions. What better way to stand out than by rejecting standard beauty standards? However, while these things might be common in the larger subculture, they’re not necessarily universal. This is why when people like you – who get gothic punk – start your subcultures within that subculture, it makes for some awesome results. It also means that there are now three distinct “micro-covert subcultures” within the gothic punk umbrella: Royalty Heroism, The Streets Outfits, and Witch PUNK. Let’s learn more about them!
What is Royalty Heroism?
As with everything, it’s helpful to know what we’re starting with. Royalty heroism is exactly what it sounds like – a subculture of gothic punks inspired by royalty. There’s a long tradition in the larger gothic punk subculture, going back to the bellbottom pants, platform shoes, and velvet cloaks of the late 1960s and early 1970s. However, things have changed a lot since then. Today, the royal aesthetic is dominated by bold colors, intricate patterns, and heavy use of feathers. It’s also heavily inspired by a wide range of royal houses from all over the world and has some overlap with steampunk.
What are The Streets Outfits?
This subculture is all about taking the combat-ready aesthetic of gothic punk and combining it with streetwear. Streetwear is the subculture of casual clothing, mostly composed of graphic-heavy hoodies and sneakers. The look is built for comfort, style, and utility – and that’s exactly how the street’s outfits take it. They’ll take a hoodie and make it out of a heavier fabric, like velvet or leather. They’ll add ruffles or put studs on the hem. And they’ll even add a utility belt or a harness system to carry around their daggers, whips, or other weapons. This is a subculture that’s all about the attitude of gothic punk but re-appropriated to be more functional.
What is Witch PUNK?
This subculture took gothic punk and added a heavy dose of Wicca and New Age spirituality. They’re fans of the same bright colors, flowing fabrics, and exaggerated silhouettes. The big difference is in the symbols and iconography – in place of Christian crosses and pentagrams, you’ll find crescent moons, star signs, and sacred geometry. The symbolism of this subculture is heavily influenced by Wiccan belief, with a few additions from tarot and astrology. Witch punk has existed since the early 2000s and primarily drew from the gothic punk subculture. However, since the early 2010s, it’s become more of a distinct subculture in its own right.
Why Are These Three Subcultures So Important?
These three subcultures are a perfect example of how gothic punk is a subculture that is constantly evolving and changing. They have all added something new to the subculture, built out of the common threads of gothic punk – and they’ve done it consistently with the more significant subculture. If you’re a gothic punk looking to start a new subculture or even just a new outfit, there are a few big things to consider:
- Find a common theme.
- What is the core aesthetic that all of your members have to build their outfits around? A common style/fashion.
- What is the style/fashion that all of your members will be wearing? A common theme.
- What is the music that is the overall message you’re trying to convey?
Where to Find Outfits for These Covert Groups?
There are plenty of ways to meet other people who share your interests! Gothic/punk clubs and events are a great place to start. If you don’t find the subculture itself fascinating but are just looking for a place to meet like-minded people, you can always go alone. You can also check out gothic/punk meet-up groups online through Meetup.com, Facebook, and other platforms. You can also check out some gothic/punk retailers online if you’re looking for specific outfits. Most of them offer a wide range of outfits for various subcultures and interests – from gothic punk to steampunk to witch punk.
Final Words
Gothic punk is a subculture that is constantly evolving and changing. New subcultures are forming, expanding the subculture in new and exciting ways. If you’re a gothic punk interested in starting or joining a unique subculture, these three are great examples of how you can do it. First, identify a theme, a style, and a standard message you want to convey. Then, find ways to connect with other people who share your interests! Once you’ve got a group of like-minded people together, you can start building new subcultures out of the threads of gothic punk.