My boyfriend is visiting me in two weeks. Because he's in the U.S. Navy, it's a long distance relationship at the moment. I want to take him to a goth event/club or two, and he's excited to go with me but he's concerned that he has nothing to wear. I told him just a plain black tee shirt and jeans would be fine. And then he asked me if he should go in uniform (either the service khaki uniform or dress whites). Would going to a goth club or event in uniform be considered some sort of no-no? I really hope not. People in the military who can't really "goth up" should be able to have fun too when they're on leave.

My man isn't goth, but he's accompanied me to some goth events dressed mainstream while I'm gothed up. It's never been a problem. I don't know if it's because people just figure he's with me, or they just don't care.

Anyway, cheers to your man for his service in the Navy. I imagine he's proud to wear his uniform, and if anyone gives him shit for it then you should go goth on their ass.

-- Nephele

It entirely depends on the specified details of the location you are attending.

I have seen some listing no dress code, some listing a least some black, and as far as one listing Victorian wear strictly.

I would recommend researching where you are going and planning accordingly, if you are concerned about a gaffe of some kind.

I don't think it would be a no-no. The thing with gothic subculture is that we don't have any dress code - unless a club itself expect people to wear particular clothes, but I doubt it.

Tell him so long as he wears somthing like Black boxers or socks he can wear anything on top of that.

I kid, though its not a bad idea. He should be able to wear his Navy clothes no problem. After all there is such a thing as a negitive-goth(they where all white). If anyone gives him lip about it im quite sure you guys could think of some smart-ass things to say to them.

Check with the organisers. No other course of action is right. While they *shouldn't* have a problem with it, they *might*. Best to be sure.

Zombie makeup might make a military uniform seem even less vanilla if he wanted to wear it while gothing up, but I don't know how the military sees someone active duty in uniform in zombie makeup in public.

That's a cool idea, and he agrees. He's actually thinking of doing that. However, is would be absolutely positively out of regulations and he COULD get in trouble for it if anyone caught and reported him. Unlikely, seeing as he's stationed in Hawaii and I'm in New York City, but still... He can't even wear his ear gauges while in uniform, and they're only about as wide as pencil erasers.

-- Sat Aug 18, 2012 6:39 pm --



That's how I feel about it too. I'm very proud of him, and he's very proud of himself--as he should be, even though he complains about the military a lot. We met back in June when I took a two-week trip to Hawaii and it was love at first sight. There's no strict dress code mentioned on the flyer I have for one particular event, so I think he should go to it in uniform if he wants. Folks should respect the men and women who serve this country, not judge them and look down on them.

I agree. While I don't remember ever actually having seen anyone in uniform at any of the goth events I've attended, here in New York I don't think it would create any kind of drama scene. A lot of people, goth or other, you'll find here (as you no doubt already know) take in their stride the way others dress. Although the tourists may ask some folks to pose with them for a picture...

-- Nephele

That blond girl looks like a former classmate of mine....

No place to go but the source for whether or not the club has an enforced dress code. A little eye make up or something like that might add an interesting contrast and edge to his uniform if he's willing to put some on.

We have a gothy-goth night here twice per month, and a number of various concerts, bake sales, rituals etc, and nobody really cares what anybody wears, or if you wear anything at all.

Just to throw that out there.

I know the cloths are a very important part in the gothic subculture, but that doesn't mean we can forget They're still a matter of appereance.
If Your goal is going out and fun, why bother so much about them?

So do I have a boyfriend that is not a goth (eveb thought He likes a lot of gothic music) and He came with me just once to a festival, just wearing a pair of jeans and a band shirt; nobody really cared.
Moreover, He's the one that often doesn't want to come because He'd feel inappropriate for the way He (doesn't) dress and I'd really like if He came with me more often. So if Your boyfriend is willing to go, just be happy