>> that’s because they’re emo, masquerade players or mansonites. true goths want to be left alone. <<
Oh, please. The earliest origins of Goth were “look-at-me, look-at-me” types. The whole name of the game in Goth fashion and music is who can attract the most attention. Any phylogeny is based on either 1. origins, 2. uniquely recognizable characteristics, or 3. agreed-to understandings. In all three measures, Goths are 99% attention whores. One caveat: they often want to be ignored by all but other *goths*, but they are still attention whores. Conversely, emos want mainstream society to understand their feelings, but don’t so much like to be treated as exceptional.
no, you’re thinking black metal. the corpse-like face painting? black trenchcoats in summer? that’s black metal.
piercings? look more to punk. tattoos? that’s most gen x/y groups except religious right.
but if you’re wanting to base attire as “look at me attitude” then i’m gonna say men in power suits are no different. that’s a HUGE “look at me” attitude. sceaming, “look, i look like i have money, i want to look classy, i want to be noticed for how classy i am.”