I didn’t plan on it. I was helping a friend shop for a show, then I tried on one black coat. And that was it. You know what? I felt like a movie extra who finally got a line. Not edgy. Just sure.
If you're curious about how other guys have navigated the same dark-palette rabbit hole, check out Sharpman's own field test in their gothic fashion for men guide.
Below are the pieces I wore, the ones I kept, and the ones that made me trip on stairs. I’ll be honest. Some of this gear looks cooler than it feels. But when it hits, it hits.
Boots First, Always
I started with boots because shoes set the mood.
- Demonia Shaker-100: I wore these to a darkwave night. They look mean and tall. The chunky sole grips well on wet sidewalks. But they’re heavy. After three hours, my lower back got mad. The ankle padding is solid, yet the tongue rubbed until I switched to thicker socks.
- Dr. Martens 1460 (mono black): These broke in after a week of short walks. The leather squeaked at first, then calmed down. I love the clean look with skinny black jeans. The welt feels sturdy. One thing: they run narrow, so my pinky toe fought for space.
- Demonia Shaker-52 knee boots: Dramatic and fun for photos. But the calf strap dug in during stairs. Great for stage. Not great for groceries.
I like heavy boots. But I also hate heavy boots after a long bus ride. Funny how that works. If you want a middle ground between combat heft and commuter comfort, Sharpman curates a solid lineup of lightweight, blacked-out boots that still look the part.
Pants With Bite
TRIPP NYC bondage pants made me grin the second I clipped the straps. Mine are black with silver hardware. The straps swish when I walk, and the rings clank on stairs—kind of a built-in soundtrack. The fabric is thick but not stiff. The rise sits mid, and I can squat without fear. Wash them inside out. The metal zippers held up fine, but the black dye fades if you blast them with hot water. For another take, check out this crowd-sourced hands-on review that echoes a lot of my own notes.
Punk Rave skinny cargo pants hit a sweet spot. Stretchy, strong seams, and roomy pockets. The angled knee panels look sharp, and the YKK zips don’t jam. I wore them on a day trip and didn’t think about them once. That’s a win.
Leather-look jeans from a fast fashion brand? I tried them. The coating peeled by week two, right at the thighs. They looked like snake skin, and not in a cool way.
Shirts That Don’t Try Too Hard
I rotate three types:
- Mesh long sleeve (Punk Rave): Breathes well. Works over a black tank. It snags on rough bag straps, so watch the edges.
- Cotton band tee (The Cure, faded black): Soft and honest. I size up, then tuck or crop. Sometimes I cut the collar for a raw neck line.
- Button-up poplin (AllSaints): Slim, clean, a bit pricey. I wear it under a vest or with a thin chain. Steam it; don’t iron the life out of the fabric.
Also, I paint my nails. OPI Black Onyx stays put for a week if I add a cheap top coat. Maybelline gel liner works for my waterline on sweaty nights. It smudges in a nice way after hour two, like I meant to do that.
Jackets: Where It All Comes Together
My star piece is a Punk Rave velvet tailcoat. Peak lapels, matte black buttons, and a soft lining that doesn’t itch. It photographs so well. I wore it to a small theater show with fitted black jeans, and folks asked if I worked there. I didn’t. I just looked ready.
I also tried a faux leather moto from Killstar. The cut is on point, and the inside pocket holds my phone tight. The zippers are smooth. But the shell gets sticky in heat. I reach for it in fall, not summer.
A thrifted wool overcoat (men’s 38R) surprised me most. I took it to a tailor to bring in the waist. Cheap fix, huge impact. The coat drops clean over boots and hides a hoodie without bulk. Little moth bites? I patched them with black thread and called it “texture.”
How It Feels To Wear It Out
I wore a full look—mesh, chains, TRIPP pants, Demonia boots—to a coffee shop. Kids stared. One barista said, “Nice boots,” in that flat way that is actually praise. On the train, I felt taller. Not just because of the soles.
That sense of reclaiming your footing parallels some of the perspective shifts laid out in Sharpman's honest piece on divorce advice for men; different topic, same energy of putting yourself back together.
At work, I scale it back. Black jeans, black Docs, thin silver ring, dark cardigan. Still me, but quiet. It’s not a costume. It’s a dial.
An unexpected side quest: after a late-night closet purge I started exploring online spaces where goth aesthetics mingle with unapologetically flirty chat. If you’re feeling bold enough to trade outfit pics, eyeliner tips, or something spicier, check out this Kik directory of open-minded chat partners. The profiles there spell out exactly what they’re after, so you can jump straight into no-judgement conversations and collect instant feedback—or compliments—on your new look.
For readers based in North Carolina—especially around High Point—styling confidence can spill over into real-life meet-ups sooner than you think. If you’d like to parlay that fresh goth swagger into an actual night out without endless scrolling, swing by High Point hookups, a location-specific directory that connects you with locals who are up for coffee, clubbing, or any other after-dark adventure that matches your mood and wardrobe.
Fit, Care, and All The Boring Stuff That Matters
- Black fades. Cold water, inside out, low spin. Hang dry. A splash of vinegar in the first wash helped my TRIPP pants hold color. It smells weird for a minute, then it’s fine.
- Pet hair loves black. A big lint roller lives by my door. I use masking tape in a pinch.
- Hardware check. Rings and chains can catch on seats and bags. I learned to sit first, then tuck the straps.
- Comfort hack. Gel insoles turned my Demonia boots from “cool pain” to “cool okay.”
Four Easy Outfits I Wore And Liked
- Coffee run: Band tee, black skinny jeans, Dr. Martens 1460, light chain. Ten minutes, done.
- Show night: Mesh over tank, TRIPP bondage pants, Demonia Shaker-100, smudged liner, silver signet ring.
- Date at a dim bar: Black poplin shirt, tailored wool coat, slim jeans, Chelsea boots (AllSaints). Soft voice, strong silhouette.
- Weekend walk: Oversized hoodie under the tailcoat (yes, really), cargo pants, platform sneakers. Comfy, a little dramatic.
What Didn’t Work For Me
Tall platforms on slick tile. I slipped in a deli and caught the napkin stand. The boots were fine; my pride wasn’t. Also, cheap PVC peels fast. It looks great for the first selfie and then cracks where you bend. I stopped buying it.
Another miss: heavy rings stacked over gloves. Every time I waved, a ring tried to slide off. Now I pick one ring and keep my gloves plain.
Little Things That Make It Yours
I wear a thin chain with a small ankh from Alchemy Gothic. Subtle, not flashy. I use black hair dye from Manic Panic when my roots show. It stains towels, so I keep one “ruined” towel just for that. A tiny crossbody bag holds my phone, lip balm, and a folding comb. The bag keeps my pockets flat so the lines stay clean.
And music sets the mood when I get dressed. I toss on She Wants Revenge or old Sisters of Mercy. It helps me choose between “sleek vampire” and “post-punk gremlin.” Both are valid.
Final Take
Men’s goth style can be loud, or quiet, or a mix. Mine changes with the weather and the bus schedule. The gear that stayed with me is simple, black, and built well: TRIPP pants, Docs, one velvet coat, and a couple mesh layers. Add one piece at a time, from boots up, and see how it feels.
Clothes should back you up. These do that for me. When a stranger says “cool boots,” I nod and keep walking. That’s the whole point, right?