Soft Grunge and Nu Goth


AlternativeEgo 
February 2, 2016



Soft grunge is the term used to describe a style that originated on Tumblr in 2010.



Since then, many variation to the style emerged, but Nu goth and Pastel goth are most debated about. What exactly defines anything as soft grunge/Nu goth/Pastel goth is unclear and people tend to mockingly call all of them “hipster goths”. Style itself is in my opinion genius: fresh, modern, sexy and practical.



Some of the most prominent accessories of this style include: the usage of studs, platform sneakers, spikes, floral patterns, flannel, Jeffrey Campbell shoes, and inverted crosses. Also pastel or ombré colored hair, 1990s fonts and tie dye, spiked garters and hair clips decorated with eyeballs or skeletal hands.



For reasons unclear to me (if you know why, please tell me) horns, floral crowns and hair-dresses are insanely popular. My best guess is that “hippie festival vibe” got a bit out of control when “True detective” became popular…
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Aion
AlternativeEgo ,
@Niha-Ceta, thank you :) All of those reasons sound valid :) I also miss big hair in goth looks! I feel that going back to the 80's roots, musically and aesthetically would be good for the whole subculture...
10 years ago
Aion
Niha-Céta ,
I guess there isn't just one reason for the horns and headdresses. I could imagine, that horns and floral crowns get popular 'cause the goth look got mixed with different influences. All that voddoo and witchery looks could also lead to a more fairy- or fantasy-inspired look (especially in Germany it was really popular wearing antlers that looks like your grandpa shot a deer and dissected it.... don't know how toexplain it better xD). Also think about all the boho and hippie style for more ordinary people.... there were hundreds of cute flower crowns in nearly every store here in Germany, why shouldn't goths use such things and combine them with their own style? I also recognized a heavy use of these things in different photoshoots (also not goth related) that might have influenced the style. Also different movies might have played a role. Maybe also the fact, that more working materials and tutorials are available now, might have influenced this. And I guess goths were ever in love with elaborated looks, so a big headdress leads this to another level. I also thought about the missing "big hair" of former decades.... maybe big headdresses are a new way of going back to these proportions.
10 years ago
Aion
RozzeGirl ,
My kind of style skater + goth + hippie beach girl :*
10 years ago
Aion
FuriosAna ,
I'm so happy this style become a thing! So creative! I can mix skater, grunge, goth and hippie with a dash of punk and trash metal :) Perfect for an eclectic person like me :D
10 years ago