Most of the time I don't look outwardly 'Gothic', yet I love my Goth music, my miserably melancholy mind, sinister dark sense of humour and general 'darkness'.
(Lord, I feel absolutely ridiculous writing this!)

Can you be Gothic in spirit?

Yes definitely! I myself look very ungothic! Only when i go out at night to a club, party or whatever would i look goth. People at work are always surprised when i tell them my interests and taste in music! And one guy at work didn't even recognise me when i went out on a work xmas do. LOL.

I believe what is within usually is what is expressed "without". What is inside is reflected on the outside. Just as a bitter person's visage would resemble such a character trait I believe that, who and what you are is evident in every aspect of your being. If I'm a Scot on the inside but look like an Haitian hoola dancer on the outside it's going to cause major intellectual conflict. (Humorous exaggerated example.) That is just something I have always believed. What is within is expressed on the outer, one's moods, thoughts, feelings are usually evident on one's expression, and the same with one's Soul. You would automatically express what your heart yearns for in your surroundings and with your physical appearance. The two goes hand in hand, for me at least. And yes, it's just my opinion on it. But also, there are various means in which one can express said taste for all things "Dark". As much as there is a general "Gothic banner" of things that are unmistakingly "Goth" there still exists individuality on a level of personal expression.

When I go out clubbing or pubbing I tend to throw on a pair of tight jeans and a black shirt- I don't look goth in the slightest.
Maybe a better description of my personality is 'eclectic'.
I listen to Tristania and Sisters- also Chillout Ibiza, trance and hard house music.
My favourite films range from Fight Club to Legally Blonde.
My best female friend is outwardly very 'gothic'- my other friends are lovely guys- their appearance is pretty 'normal' though.


Maybe I have morphed into 'Miss Average'..

Tristania is awsome

Aren't they just?

i think lillith has a point however, most goths express themselves in the clothing that they wear as well as their intellect and tastes.

Yeah, you're right

I've changed.

Yes Demile, Fight Club is great.

It seems that next posts will be about "being a goth and expressing it" and "being a goth but not showing that". I think that it's quite pointless. There were many threads about it. But let's try once again

First, ask yourself a question: "Do I dress in a gothic style just because I feel comfortable, or just to make people recognize me as a goth"

in what way?

Lazy, perhaps? lol...kidding. People change as they get older. I'm not afraid to admit that when i was a kid i listened to East 17. HAHA! I think it's good your tastes varies. It would be really tedious if you stuck to one genre. I like Industrial and darkwave bands like Oneroid Psychosis,Zeromancer,Cold,Garden of Delight, London After Midnight, Coil, Ministry....as well as liking cheesy rock like Jon Bon jovi, Aerosmith, Meatloaf and can't forget 80s pop music, John Lennon, Queen, Madonna, and Kylie's new stuff. :vampire:

I would not say you have morphed into Miss Average at all!

I think Lillith and Demille are both right, but I would tend to tone it down a bit rather than going for the charicature look with white make up and all that on a regular basis. I like black coats and T-shirts and black jeans, but I don't go out looking like I'm heading for the set of a Cradle of Filth Video shoot...

My make-up albeit dark is natural, as in my base is. It's skin tone. I could never seriously plaster pure white on my face as part of my make-up routine. I'd like to enhance, not obscure.

I don't wear make up at all unless it's halloween, for the simple reason that being a man in a Scottish pub with makeup on would earn me the beating of a lifetime... Sad but true...

I've seen some of your photographs Lillith. You look very beautiful...

Black is fun....though in most cases it's only instituted into my clothing as far as a shirt or shoes are concerned...(Vans are comfy as fuck).

Anyway...clothing is most definately a way in which you can express yourself...but its not necessary. The important thing is, and always should be, what drives you inside.

Oh, and makeup? Not me. I'm not down with the whole guy-wearing-makeup thing. Like Prometheus said, it would likely earn me several beatings. Unless of course it is on the stage.

i like a man in makeup

hmmm ... why do i hear that from so many chicks?

Well, see me directly after a production and maybe we can work something out. Otherwise, no. Hehe...

hehehe

Have you tried running 20km in them? My poor, poor feet. Bad idea. Aside from that I'm in agreement.

The men in make-up thing- no lipstick please!