The Goth Biker Style - Overview
Unless you’ve been living the hermit lifestyle these last couple of years, you must have heard or seen the goth biker style: the perfect combination of dark goth fashion aesthetics with the rebellious spirit that’s synonymous with biker cultures around the world.
The goth biker style is characterised by black clothing (but, of course!), and typically dark leather or other similar dark materials – as well as elements such as biker jackets, skull motifs, and dramatic makeup.
So, what is the Goth Biker Style?
The goth biker style is an eye-catching mixture of two distinct styles, yet styles which overlap beautifully and have been celebrated for decades. The goth look itself, in fact, is a highly varied one with many unique styles.
The biker goth look in particular has gone from the typical and practical gear bikers used to where while riding – to an entirely new style which is now worn by non-bikers as well.
How to get the Goth Biker Style? The Basics
One of the great things about this style is that there aren’t too many set or ‘standard’ looks or styles that you need to comply with. Yes, there’s a lot of black involved, sure, but that’s not etched in stone and it’s optional. As a matter of fact, you’ll find many goth bikers today who, alternatively, go with fern green, burgundy, and navy blue – along with their favourite tone of black, of course. Can’t eliminate the black entirely, you see!
Now, if you’re a biker in the true sense then, perhaps, it would be wise to stop for a moment and consider what bikers are wearing nowadays for inspiration. For instance, bikers tend to wear leather jackets and pants to protect themselves in case they get into an accident, although at the same time, they also wear them just to exude their personal style and taste in biker gear.
With that said, however, the perfect goth biker look would have lots of studs, zips, and metal effects to achieve that perfect ‘goth’ vibe. Oh, and dark shades of denim will also work to a great effect in this regard. Don’t leave out the denims!
Let’s nail the Goth Biker Style and Look, shall we?
One of the key ways to absolutely nail that biker goth style is to match up your gear with unique gothic jewellery. You’ll see many bikers today sporting big, bold rings, pendants, and earrings when they’re not riding with their impossibly stylish helmets on.
So, let’s start with what kind of goth jewellery you should wear to achieve the perfect goth biker style and look:
Rings
One of the most attractive rings to wear with the goth biker style is this big, bold, and beautiful Gothic Men's Rings. The sturdy piece features a cross resting elegantly against a mesh background with a face that measures a comfortable 18mm x 26mm. Made from sterling silver and featuring a polished finish, this ring will create the perfect contrast if you prefer mostly black clothes with your goth biker attire.
But again, just because you got your goth on, and you may or may not be a biker, doesn’t mean it always has to be black.
The Emerald Claw Men’s Gothic Ring, for instance, brings just a touch of emerald, adding a bit of colour and contrast to your mostly black look. The rectangular emerald green stone featuring a claw setting really pops against the sterling silver, giving you a rocker and biker vibe at the same time.
Other Accessories to consider for Goth Biker Style
Rings aren’t the only thing you can use to elevate your goth biker style. These Gothic Drag Claw Earrings made from solid sterling silver feature a beautifully designed scaled dragon foot with large, prominent claws. These are considered classic gothic style as they feature a high-shine silver with a reasonably good length, measuring 48mm at its longest end.
Big pendants have also long been a key part of the goth biker style and look – the Sugar Skill Sterling Silver Gothic Cross Pendant will no doubt look brilliant against a black or dark-coloured t-shirt. As you wear it and admire it while gently twisting it around your finger, you’ll notice the ornate cross with a gold-tone skull and sun behind it which is also in gold. It’s sure to add to your look, especially since it’s made from sterling silver – a material which effortlessly complements the gothic biker look.
Clothing Elements to consider
Upper wear
Central to the goth biker style are, of course, leather jackets. Typically black, and heavily laced with spikes, studs, patches, and even embroidery, the right biker jacket can really help you achieve that goth biker look. While a standard biker jacket tends to be more structured (such as a classic moto jacket), the goth equivalent tends to be more theatrical or stylised.
With shirts or tops, black band tees are a signature goth wear, as are fitted tank tops, or mesh shirts.
Lower wear
As for pants, black leather or coated skinny jeans are a great starting point, although you might want to experiment with ripped denims with chains and buckles or PVC pants as well. In fact, take it a step further and add straps, chains, and zippers to your lower garment.
Boots/footwear
Match your upper and lower garments with combat boots or platform boots, or even classic biker boots. If you’re a glove lover, then complement the boots with some net/lace gloves or traditional fingerless leather gloves.
The more you’re chasing the biker look, the more you’d want your boots to be heavy soled and feature some kind of metallic hardware.
Outer wear
If weather permits, enhance your look further by wearing a military-style jacket or long trench coat, although you can always make it more dramatic by wearing a cape or cloak!
Accessories
We briefly covered accessories to wear with your goth biker style – so, these can be anything from spiked chokers and gothic rings featuring skulls, crosses, and pentagrams to harnesses, leather cuffs, bullet belts, and metal chains. Add a nice finishing touch by wearing standard or mirrored aviators although you can always try steampunk-style goggles if that’s more your thing.
Additionally, spikes and chains really bring the gothic and biker elements together like cheese and eggs! Probably not the best example but leather cuffs, metallic chains, and spiked chokers can help create that tough, dark vibe that’s commonly associated with the goth biker style.
Patches and pins are also gaining popularity for this look. Try on dark, rebellious patches like skulls, anarchy symbols, and cryptic symbols.
How to wear your Hair and Makeup for Goth
Now, with hair, there’s plenty of room to experiment. First and foremost, however, any style that screams rebellious and otherworldly is a very good start. But there are also classic options to try, such as spiky hair, messy mohawks, and long, flowing hair (to help create a more old school goth vibe). Silver streaks and bright neon dyes are also common.
For the makeup, keep it dark and bold, and to add the perfect goth element, focus on bold black eyeliner, pale foundation, and dark lipstick. Add a few metallic elements to your eyes and lips to tie in with the rest of your goth biker vibe. While this is generally more common among women, you might find it surprising to see some men experimenting with makeup too when it comes to nailing the goth biker style and look.
The Attitude you should wear
That’s right – clothes, jackets, jewellery, and boots alone won’t cut it. You’ve got to have an attitude to match!
Since the goth biker look is all about freedom, rebellion, and a unique dark mystique, you need to ooze with the confidence and attitude to match – the kind that embodies fearlessness and intense energy.
So, stand tall, move confidently as well as purposefully, and let your goth fashion choices speak loud and proud, showcasing that rebellious spirit.
Final Tips and Conclusion
The goth biker style is all about balancing the best of both worlds. For example, you definitely don’t want to look like you have a goth outfit and biker jacket on just for the sake of showing off. What you want to do is focus on blending both these elements in a way that neither of them stand out too much. You want the overall look to feel consistent and cohesive as a whole, not just two different styles carelessly slapped together.
The biker look tends to go after a more fitted and streamlined look, especially with the jackets and jeans. But with the goth biker style, you can safely experiment with loose and flowing garments like oversized sweaters and drapey cloaks.
Always try to strike the right balance with tailored pieces that look well-structured overall but also offer enough flexibility to help you achieve that moody, goth aesthetic.