Pastel goth fashion mixes the dark elements of goth culture and the sweetness of softer pastel shades. This unique subculture has rapidly grown in popularity, thanks to its rising presence on Tumblr and its connection with alternative fashion and kawaii goth communities.
In this piece, we'll uncover exactly what pastel goth is, where it came from, its fashion influences, and how you can incorporate this soft yet bold look in your wardrobe.
What is Pastel Goth?
At its roots, the pastel goth aesthetic marries dark and spooky elements with the soft, playful nature of pastel colors. What results is a look that's both somber and whimsical and that embodies the gothic style.
Note that pastel goth doesn't feature the classic, darker colors of traditional goth wear. Instead, it mixes soft pastel colors such as lavender, baby pink, and pastel blue with goth accessories like spikes, skulls, and leather. The pastel goth look also tends to borrow from DIY fashion and kawaii, a Japanese culture that's big on childlike cuteness.
Where Did Pastel Goth Originate From? A Brief History
Pastel goth is a Western aesthetic inspired by Japanese kawaii and Harajuku fashion, filtered through online communities like Tumblr. It started gaining popularity in the early 2010s on social media sites.
Pastel goth fashion was an offshoot of the goth subculture that was traditionally characterized by dark and enigmatic looks for decades. People then began introducing soft pastel colors to this conventional goth style.
Pastel also borrowed from nu goth, a newer interpretation of goth fashion that welcomed lighter colors and a more relaxed look. This style soon became an emblem of self-expression and resistance to mainstream culture.
The growth of pastel goth can also be attributed to influencers and online creators, not just on Tumblr, but on other sites as well. These creators utilized their platforms to flaunt their eccentric attire. Pastel goth style eventually moved beyond its digital origins and became a fave in alternative fashion circles.
Key Elements of Pastel Goth Fashion
1. The Color Scheme of Pastel Goth
One defining aspect of pastel goth is the color scheme, which is a mixture of soft pastel colors and black clothing. The addition of pastel colors creates softness and innocence, while black clothing and gothic features bring a darker, mysterious element.
- Pastels: Soft pinks, lavender, mint green, and pastel blue shades.
- Black: Black attire and accessories are what balance out the light aspects.
- Muted Colors: Pastels are muted or desaturated. They maintain a soft appearance.
When styling the pastel goth look, don't be afraid to rock pastel colors with darker, more traditional gothic clothing, like black skirts, mesh shirts, and leather jackets. Balance the light colors with dark ones. The more contrast you can create, the better the look.
2. Fabrics In Pastel Goth Fashion
The materials in pastel goth clothing tend to have both hard and soft textures. These include:
- Velvet: Gives a rich feeling of elegance, commonly found in dresses or jackets.
- Mesh: Gives an edgy, rebellious feel, often utilized in skirts or tops.
- Leather: A goth fashion basic, providing a hard, structured contrast to softer pastel colors.
- Lace: Softens the darker pieces and is usually found in tops or dresses.
3. Pastel Goth Makeup
Pastel goth makeup is also crucial, just like the clothes, in creating the overall look. The makeup is dramatic, wild, and playful, as follows:
- Heavy Makeup: Dark lipstick (black, dark purple, or dark red), heavy eyeliner
- Pastel Eyeshadow: Soft colors such as lavender, light green, or baby pink soften the features and link the makeup to the pastel goth theme.
Pastel goth makeup is a combination of emo, goth, and kawaii elements. It frequently features dramatic eyeliner, bright lip colors, and a porcelain skin tone to intensify the dark-and-light contrast.
4. Pastel Goth Hair
Wearing bold, pastel-colored hair is part of the aesthetic, not a defining requirement. Some pastel goths dye their hair, others use wigs, hair chalk, or nothing at all. Pastel hair trends include:
- Colors: Pastel blue, baby pink, lavender, and mint green are popular options.
- Bold Hair Styles: Choppy bobs, wavy long or spiky pixie cuts, creative piggy tails, cute bangs
Wigs are a favorite for people who wish to try out different pastel colors without making a long-term commitment.
5. Pastel Goth Shoes
Pastel goth footwear varies from cozy platforms to standout combat boots. Shoes play an important part in achieving the balance between cute and creepy.
- Black Platform Boots: Dramatic, and they add height while still maintaining the gothic look.
- Creepers: Retro-style, flat, and chunky shoes that give the pastel palette a dash of punk.
- Pastel Combat Boots: An awesome combination of gothic ruggedness and soft pastel hues.
Moreover, spiked accessories and jewelry, such as chains, can also help enhance the edgy, rebellious feel. Designers and DIY fashion lovers usually personalize their pastel goth shoes with special details. That's why two pastel goth outfits are never identical.
6. Accessories & Details To Complete the Look
Accessories can make or break a pastel goth look. Proper accessories give a contrast between trad goth and kawaii goth.
- Chokers: Often adorned with spikes, chains, or crosses.
- Skulls & Crosses: An essential for any goth style.
- Pastel Backpacks: Pale-colored bags, sometimes with gothic designs, give the outfit a cute appeal.
- Bear Headbands: A sweet addition, especially when worn over pastel-colored hair
No pastel goth look is complete without accessories. They create a feel of cute and creepy, two of the most important aspects of pastel goth. Pastel accessories are an ideal way to personalize any outfit and make it your own.
3 Examples of Pastel Goth Clothing
Oishi Tech Bikini Top
This Oishi Tech Bikini Top is a must-have for your pastel goth collection. The blue/pink combo provides a modern spin on the Goth vibe, merging pastel goth with a sporty look. The printed elastic bands and back-clasp fastener give it a stylish and functional touch. Its waterproof poly-blend construction makes it an ideal piece to have in your pastel goth wardrobe.
Why We Love It:
The muted pastel color is juxtaposed with the sharp, clean lines of the printed bands for a fun look that resonates with the pastel goth aesthetic. Wear with a high-waisted skirt or baggy cargo pants for a bold, edgy appearance.
Shop our Oishi Tech Bikini Top today.
Kawaii Tech Bra Top
The Kawaii Tech Bra Top is a great illustration of how the pastel goth trend borrows from both kawaii fashion and traditional goth styles. This outfit is fun but edgy, with soft pastel hues and kawaii goth elements such as the printed elastic straps and cutouts. It's perfect for that festival-style look where comfort and quirky fashion come together.
Why We Love It:
The pastel pink and purple work well with the gothic details and pointed lines. It's such a versatile item since you can wear it with high-waisted jeans, skirts, or mesh tops for a complete pastel goth look.
Shop our Kawaii Tech Bra Top today.
Twisted Tonkotsu Two-Tone Hoodie
The Twisted Tonkotsu Two-Tone Hoodie is a must-have pastel goth piece. The graphic prints and the comfortable fabric of this hoodie will make it a favorite in your pastel goth collection. The two-tone style, with black and pastel highlights, gives the contrast that's a key feature of the pastel goth look.
Why We Love It:
This hoodie captures the duality of the pastel goth aesthetic. The graphic prints are taken from goth and punk inspiration, and the pastel accents ensure the lighter, playful aspects of the style are still incorporated. The cotton-polyester fabric is soft and comfortable to wear for those long hours spent at concerts or socializing with friends.
Shop our Twisted Tonkotsu Hoodie today.
These pastel goth must-haves are distinctive and defiant. Each clothing item embodies the fundamental aspects of the pastel goth movement, enabling you to incorporate these styles effortlessly into your day-to-day life.
Check out our Oishi collection today and create an outfit that reps kawaii pastel goth in every possible way.
Note that pastel goth has now crossed over into mainstream alt fashion, due to its popularity on social media. It’s influencing how people dress and how they show up to festivals and goth clubs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does it Mean to Be Pastel Goth?
Being pastel goth means embracing a fashion style that uses gothic elements, like black clothing, dark makeup, and spiked jewelry, with pastel colors for a playful look.
What is the Difference Between Pastel Goth and Goth?
Although both styles have their origin in the goth subculture, pastel goth incorporates a softer, more playful element, with pastel colors juxtaposing the dark, traditionally single-toned color scheme of goth fashion.
What Do Pastel Goths Wear?
Pastel goths dress in black attire and pastel-colored clothing. They wear platform boots, lace, velvet, leather, dark lipstick, and pastel hair. Girls, for instance, could wear a pastel pink mini dress with platform boots in light shades of blue, with black, spiked chokers and accessories featuring goth motifs. They could add black leggings with skull prints, and pastel wigs or hair.
What is Pastel Goth Ideology?
The ideology behind pastel goth is about self-expression through contrasting styles. It mixes gothic rebellion with the playful innocence of pastel colors, embracing both darkness and light.
What Kind of Music Do Pastel Goths Listen To?
Pastel goths tend to listen to fluid music like J-pop rock and other genres like Witch House and Hyperpop.
Where Do I Get Pastel Goth Outfits?
If you want to dress pastel goth, you can get trippy outfits ideal for pastel goth from Scummy Bears.
Glow Like a Goth Angel In Pastel Goth Outfits
Pastel goth fashion draws from goth subculture, kawaii subculture, and alternative style, presenting a new vision for what it looks like to dress independently and with edge. It doesn't matter if you're attracted to the style's gothic nature or its pastel side; embracing pastel goth gives you the ability to present yourself boldly, with no apologies.