The Fashion Report: What Is ‘Health Goth’?

From the inky depths of the internet rises the “Health Goth” subculture, fusing a punk-rocker attitude with a jock lifestyle. Originating from musicians Jeremy Scott and Mike Grabarek in the USA, their Facebook page inspired ideas of dark and futuristic sportswear and fitness. A healthy and minimalist lifestyle is the focus of this bubbling community, with natural high-energy foods, cardiovascular work-outs and a futuristic austere approach to fashion.

Bringing together two polar opposite cultures like goths and jocks may seem implausible but don’t think of Marilyn Manson crossed with Bakkies Botha but rather try to visualise Usain Bolt as a member of the Sex Pistols.

Commercially the look is dark in nature but has performance qualities allowing men to run, bike or board with ease. Brands like Nike and Adidas are pushing the Health Goth image further with their edgy footwear like the Nike Fly Knit Roshe Run Sneakers and ironic anti-brand branded t-shirts sold on healthgoth.com. Critics may deem the oversized layers of mesh, knits and spandex impractical for gym but one has to remember the sports focused on in this community are cycling, long distance running, skate-boarding, boxing and soccer, endurance based fitness with a focus on core natural strength rather than enhanced muscle building.

To achieve the look pair  long cycling pants under cut-off tracksuit pants and top off with a hoodie or basketball vest – all in tones of black with hints of silver piping and bold white slogans. Check out Not Guilty Homme Fall/Winter 15 collection for some cool ideas.

So borrow your girlfriends black nail polish and head to a heavy metal spinning class!

Photo Credit: Not Guilty Homme Fall/Winter 2015 Lookbook  by Adriano B. Fucking Young; Matteo Felici  for 2014 issue of Sportswear International magazine