Alt Fashion Men Love: Easy Looks and How to Start

The alt fashion men wear today is a lot easier to start than it looks. Most of it is built on black jeans, a good jacket and boots, and you can go from there to as dramatic as you like. This guide covers the main looks, the pieces to buy first and how to wear it all without feeling like you're in a costume.

The base wardrobe

Almost every alt look for guys starts with the same pieces:

Black jeans, skinny or straight. Two pairs if you can.
Plain black tees, three or so.
A few band tees for bands you actually like.
A black hoodie or knit.
One great jacket: leather, denim or a long coat.
One good pair of boots: Dr. Martens or similar combat boots are the classic.

With just these, you can already build a dozen outfits.

Looks to try

Goth

Goth for guys runs from simple all-black to full Victorian. Bands like The Cure, Bauhaus and The Sisters of Mercy shaped a lot of the classic look.

Simple goth: black jeans, black tee, long black coat, boots, silver rings.
Romantic goth: a ruffled poet shirt or black button-up, a velvet blazer, slim trousers, pointy boots.
Trad goth: teased hair, eyeliner, mesh top, leather jacket, buckle boots.

Read the types of goth to find the branch that fits you.

Punk

Leather or denim jacket covered in patches and pins
Band tees, ideally a little beat up
Ripped black jeans or tartan bondage trousers
Dr. Martens or creepers
Studded belt, chains, spikes

Emo

Skinny jeans and a fitted band tee
Striped long sleeve under a short-sleeve tee
A zip hoodie
Studded belt, wristbands
Converse or Vans
A side-swept fringe and smudged eyeliner

Add a pile of rubber bracelets and you're there.

Metal

Black band tees (the bigger the logo, the better)
A battle vest: a denim or leather vest covered in band patches
Black jeans or cargo shorts in summer
High-top sneakers or combat boots
Long hair optional, headbanging mandatory

Grunge

Oversized flannel, open over a band tee
Ripped jeans
Beanie
Worn-in boots or sneakers

Baggy fits and faded colors are the whole point.

Techwear and cyber

Black cargo pants with straps and buckles
Fitted black tops or mesh
Platform boots or chunky sneakers
Harnesses or utility belts
Neon or UV details for club nights

Accessories make the outfit

Accessories turn a plain black outfit into an alt one.

Rings: stack a few silver rings. Skulls, snakes, plain bands, all good.
Chains: wallet chains and simple neck chains.
Belts: studded, pyramid or O-ring.
Pendants: crosses, ankhs, moons, band symbols.
Earrings: studs, hoops or ear stretching.
Bags: a crossbody or a patched messenger bag.

Eyeliner, nails and hair

Eyeliner

Guyliner has a long history in goth, punk, glam and emo. Start with a black kohl pencil along your lash line and smudge it with your finger. Done. For more, see goth makeup for beginners.

Nail polish

Black nail polish is one of the easiest alt upgrades. Chipped looks fine, even good.

Hair

Long hair is classic for metal and goth.
Undercuts, mohawks and liberty spikes are classic punk.
Shaggy cuts, mullets and wolf cuts are popular right now.
Dye: jet black, bleached, or a bright streak. Pick what suits your style and your patience for upkeep.

Five easy outfits to copy

Weekend goth: black jeans, black tee, long black coat, Dr. Martens, two silver rings.
Show night: band tee for a band you love, ripped black jeans, studded belt, beat-up boots.
Date night: black button-up with the sleeves rolled, slim black trousers, pointy boots, a pendant and a little eyeliner.
Festival: black cargo shorts or a utility kilt, a battle vest over a tee, sturdy boots, a bandana.
Cozy grunge: oversized flannel, a thermal underneath, baggy jeans, a beanie and worn-in sneakers.

Each of these uses pieces from the base wardrobe, so you don't need to buy much to try them all.

Alt fashion for every body

Alt style works on every body type.

Bigger guys: long coats, open overshirts and darker colors look great. Go for good-fitting band tees rather than very baggy ones, and wear boots with some weight.
Slim guys: layering adds shape. Try a tee under an open shirt, then a jacket.
Shorter guys: platform boots add height and look great.
Taller guys: long coats look especially dramatic on you.

Alt style at work

You can bring some of it into most jobs:

All-black outfits: black shirt, black trousers, black boots.
One or two rings.
A dark watch.
Black nail polish, if your job allows it.

Save the spikes for the weekend.

Skirts and kilts

Plenty of guys in goth, punk and metal wear kilts, utility kilts or skirts. They're comfortable, they look cool with boots, and they're very common at festivals. Wear whatever you like.

Where to shop

Thrift stores: check for long coats, black shirts and leather jackets. Our goth on a budget post has tips.
The merch table for band tees.
Alt brands like Dr. Martens, Demonia and Killstar.
Secondhand apps for boots that are already broken in.

Wear it with confidence

The best alt outfit is one you're comfortable in. Start small, add pieces you love, and don't worry about whether you're "alt enough". Nobody checks.

Got a look you're proud of? Put it on your Alt Chat profile and set your Anthem to the song that matches the vibe. For full outfit inspiration, browse our alt fashion guide or plan your next night with what to wear on a goth date.

FAQ

How can a guy dress alt?

Start with black jeans, black tees and a pair of boots, then add one style piece like a leather jacket, a battle vest or a long coat. Accessories like rings, chains and a studded belt finish the look.

What do goth guys wear?

Goth guys often wear black button-ups, band tees, long coats, skinny or straight black jeans, boots and silver jewelry. Some add eyeliner, nail polish or lace and velvet for a romantic look.

Can men wear eyeliner?

Yes. Eyeliner on men has been part of goth, punk, glam and emo style for decades. A smudged black pencil line is the easiest way to start.

Can guys wear skirts in alt fashion?

Sure. Kilts, utility kilts and skirts are worn by plenty of men in goth, punk and metal scenes. Wear whatever you feel good in.