Just a newbie question

[sixsixteen]

Hi, I'm new on this forum and quite new to goth subculture. There's something i really do not understand about the fashion thing : some of my friends from Facebook call themselves "traditional goth" and dress quite normal, in Carl McCoy's style. Others have a more aggressive style, somehow fairly similar to black metallers.
But recently I've noticed a lot of photos of half naked women dressed in leather or latex, with eccentric makeup and BDSM accessories and attitude - yet called "goth girls" .
My question is.. what is fake and what is true?
Sorry for my messed up message, I'm not a native English speaker. Thank you.

[einsamerkrieger]

A good question. I used to meet Goths from "Gothic as hell" to "just in plain black" types and can definitely say that fake can exist in absolutely any appearance.
In most cases one can't determine for sure "true" or "fake" the Goth is without being familiar to his (her) mind, at least its expressions. That's the only way to figure out the true Gothic essence.
Speaking of mentioned "Goth girls", "Goth chicks" etc. I find them fake as evident kind of popular lightweight trend with a little connection to Gothic youth culture. A well-known kind of cheap way to attract attention with exposed flesh - now in "alternative" style.