As much as our wardrobe, or certain clothing combinations, can represent a type of rebellion and subversiveness, it is at the same time a coping mechanism and a form of escapism from various insecurities, vulnerabilities, and anxiety, but also a form of reflecting depression. Clothing combinations and various subcultures existentially emphasize the fragmented shell of our personality into which we crawl to be protected, to feel safe, and to be able to function in the outside world.
Clothing can externalize our inner state, emotions, and thought processes, which in this case we notice in the members of the Goth subculture, which in itself has a lot of nuanced aesthetic diversity, and is characterized by an alternative way of dressing, for the majority of the population, morbid dressing in black with certain accessories and eye-catching makeup in mostly dark tones. This subculture is more dominated by young women than men.
It should be noted that people who identify as Goth are 1–6 times more likely to have a clinical picture of depression and a history of self-harm by the age of 18 and a history of peer victimization and suicidal ideation is evident. So we can count this subculture as a vulnerable group. Whether the cause of this is certain family dynamics, the presence of a strong symptom in the family, epigenetic susceptibility, remains for some subsequent observations of this phenomenon.
Is this aesthetic of dressing perhaps a mute and at the same time amplified call for help?
Goth girl
