• This is an example of a Goth hairstyle suitable for short to medium hair.androgynous goth image by TA Craft Photography from Fotolia.com
  
  According to Hairstylesdesign.com, Gothic hairstyles in the 1980s were famous for their size. They were often big, crimped, teased or curled and often showcased colors like deep shades of black, red or purple. The website says, "In this day and age, Goth hairstyles still exist but it is no longer a 'rule' to have the hairstyle big or all black. Instead, Goths will still wear black but allow themselves to experiment with various hairstyles that may be more punk rock influenced." Goth hairstyles can also be any length, from short to long. Medium length hair, however, gives you a certain degree of versatility with styles.
  
  

Dreads

• While some people associate dreadlocks with hippies, dreads have become a definite element in many Goth hairstyles. You can make your own medium length hair in to dreads and or add dread extensions. When it comes to goth looks however, dreads look best when they're either black or platinum, with a few splashes of other colors like red. On medium length hair, you wear your dreads loose, pulled back from the face or styled into spiked hairdos. Regardless, dreads will give you an undeniably Gothic look.
  
  

Retro Goth Styles

• Certain retro hairstyles are popular among the Gothic community, as these styles can be particularly striking with jet black hair. Many of these styles require medium length hair for the best effect. To achieve this style, brush the front of your hair along the crown into a bouffant and spray it in place, securing it with pins. Straight iron the remaining hair in a razor straight style down your back. This style is commonly worn by singer Amy Winehouse. On the other hand, you can roll up your hair in medium size rollers and brush it out so that your hair curls under, parting it on the side like burlesque icon Dita Von Teese.
  
  

Punk Gothic

• Certain Gothic styles are heavily influenced by punk styles as well. For example, some of the most basic Gothic hairstyles just involve having razor-straight black hair. However, those styles are now often updated by extreme asymmetrical bangs or layers, commonly worn by the punk community. With medium hair you can dye it jet black, add some extreme layers and then either straighten it until it is totally flat or just straighten parts of it, twisting the rest of the ends upward and pinning them in striking positions that frame your face.