Goth vs Prep: Difference and Comparison

While talking or knowing about American culture, there must be some point where the terms goth and prep will be mentioned. Both terms are used to mention general aspects like fashion, clothing, themes, and even the appearance of people. Goth is also a music genre, and the one mentioned here is not the music one. It can be someone who is representing or who is ‘gothic.’

If someone is gothic or belongs to that or even represents that, then according to that, they will always be dressed as spiky, wearing black-colored clothes most of the time. Opposite to goths, preps are very different. They are mentioned to be someone who is above the average criteria of something.

Key Takeaways

1. The goth culture emphasizes black color, darkness, and punk music, while Prep culture is about preppy fashion, bright colors, and mainstream pop music.
2. Goth fashion is characterized by dark makeup, leather clothing, and unconventional accessories, whereas Prep fashion features classic and conservative clothing, pearls, and bright colors.
3. Goth and Prep cultures have different origins, lifestyles, and attitudes, with Goth culture having a more rebellious and counterculture vibe, while Prep culture tends to be more mainstream and conservative.

Goth vs Prep

The difference between goth and prep is that prep or someone who is prep is considered very traditional and cultural, while goths are rebellious. When looking at prep, you will find out that they are very clean and even look like some professionals, but goths are dressed in black and shabby clothes, and their look is always very messy.

Goth can be someone who is representing or who is ‘gothic.’ If someone is gothic or belongs to that or even represents that, then according to that, they will always be dressed as spiky, wearing black-colored clothes most of the time. They are always considered to be very scary because of their appearance of always being covered in black clothes and wearing chains and spiky looks.

Opposite to goths, preps are very different. They are mentioned to be someone who is above the average criteria of something. In terms of appearance and the way they dress, they might spend hundreds and thousands of dollars on their looks. This is why there is this stereotype thinking among people that preps are very rich.

Comparison Table

Parameter of Comparison	Goth	Prep
Who are they?	Goths are someone who is very rebellious.	Preps are very traditional.
Culture	They are from ‘Gothic’ culture.	They are very cultural and traditional.
Clothing	Goths are dressed in black clothes, mostly along with chains and spiky hair. Their appearance is very scary.	Preps are very conscious about their dressing. They spend a lot of money on their appearance. They are very clean and look like professionals.
Behavior	Goths are very rebellious and depressed most of the time. They are emotional too.	Preps behave like there is no one like them, and they are above all.
Number	Goths are considered to be of low community.	Preps, on the other hand, outweigh goths when it comes to numbers.

What is Goth?

Goth can be someone who is representing or who is ‘gothic.’ If someone is gothic or belongs to that or even represents that, then according to that, they will always be dressed as spiky, wearing black-colored clothes most of the time. They are always considered to be very scary because of their appearance of always being covered in black clothes and wearing chains and spiky looks.

Goths love to listen to the music of the gothic genre. Most also write poetry about their life experience and what it is like to be a Goth. Dating is not their priority, so they have got a lot of time compared to anyone else. When it comes to behaviour, they are very rebellious and, most of the time, depressed and quite emotional.

What is Prep?

Preps are very different. They are mentioned to be someone who is above the average criteria of something. In terms of appearance and the way they dress, they might spend hundreds and thousands of dollars on their looks. This is why there is this stereotype thinking among people that preps are very rich. The preps can be easily recognized from their appearance and even from their behaviour.

Preps consider themselves to be the highest among all and very superior. Because of this, they have built a sense of self-esteem for themselves in society. They are very conscious about their dress. They spend a lot of money on their appearance. They are very clean and look like professionals. Their nature too, can be very easily identified and recognized around the campus, like the cheerleaders or the jocks.

Main Differences Between Goth and Prep

1. The main difference between goth and prep is that prep is someone who is very traditional, while goths are people who are very rebellious.
2. Goth looks scary because of their appearance, which is mostly black clothes and chains. In contrast, preps are very conscious about their appearance and are very well-dressed. They even look like professionals.
3. In terms of number, Goths are considered to be low in the community, while preps outweigh them.
4. Goths are very rebellious and depressed most of the time. They are emotional too, Preps, on the other hand, behave like there is no one like them, and they are above all.
5. Goth represents the gothic culture, while preps are traditional.

References

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2215036615001649
2. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1999-08248-012
3. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9780203993767/gothic-fred-botting