if you scroll on fashion subreddits in 2025, you're gonna notice a very common (and slightly annoying) question.
What style is this? followed by a series of outfit images of someone's wardrobe or from Pinterest. If you are looking into Decora substyles then look no further because here is a compilation of popular Decora substyles as well as some Decora sister styles.
Decora as a Spectrum:
These substyles of Decora describe the amount of accessories, layers, and effort of a coord. These can be matched with any other substyle.
Casual Decora
Casual Decora coords are one of the more practical styles of wearing Decora. Casual Decora is just as valid as any other intricate Decora coords, especially as original Decora looks from the 90s and 2000s can look quite casual compared to the current trends and OTT coords. It's always nice to pay respect to the roots of Decora Kei whilst also dressing for more practicality and comfort. Casual Decora is a perfect style for those with sensory issues or less time to get ready. Casual Decora can be much more tolerable to wear in the heat. A casual Decora look will have less accessories and less layers, often featuring clothing for comfort. Casual Decora will often not be paired with intricate makeup, or any makeup at all. Casual Decora still has to have enough accessories to be classed as Decora, otherwise, you could describe a colourful outfit as Harajuku style, Hadeko, or dopamine dressing.
Over the top already sounds like Decora, right? well OTT Decora is the most chaotic and loud of all the substyles. Every step taken by someone in OTT Decora will jingle and jangle. Be careful not to lose bits, because there are a lot of accessories to keep track of! OTT Decora often has the most detailed patterns and colours, with as many hairclips and necklaces and bracelets. Extra accessories like plushes, harnesses, crazy hair pieces and head accessories making you an extra foot tall are a must! OTT Decora is probably the most overstimulating outfit anyone could wear. If you are dressing OTT, you are very likely sacrificing comfort. But is it worth it? That's for you to find out.
Decora
And here we have the middle ground, which, to anyone outside the fashion style, is already over the top! As we already know, in Decora, almost anything goes as long as it’s in excess. The most common identifiers of Decora are an excess of hairclips; however, if you have sensory issues, you can always switch them out for an excess of necklaces, bracelets, etc. Although a balanced Decora look will marry all the aspects together.
The Substyles:
Pink Decora
Pink Decora has enough cultural prevalence to be considered a substyle. Its main feature is... You guessed it, Pink! Erunyan, Vocalist of Shingeki No Awake embodies Pink Decora. His Instagram is @eru.baby666_awk.
Decolita
Decolita - Decora and Lolita, is the styling of a Lolita outfit with many accessories. It's a really popular substyle in the west, as Lolita is one of the most popular jfashion substyles in the world.
Dark Decora
Oooooh spooky! This is Decora consumed by darkness! Jk, Dark Decora can be just as cute and playful as any Decora. Dark decora is styled with a darker colour pallet. Often featuring black x white. Dark Decora can feature popular imagery from Menhera Kei and Yami Kawaii or Japanese punk.
Oshi Decora
This is my personal favorite! Oshi, coming from the term oshikatsu (推し活) meaning to push (contextually meaning to support a person or character) and Decora put together is an outfit featuring imagery of a favorite character. The term Oshi Decora has been coined more recently than the previous substyles. This style can feature many licensed products of the character, with clothing branded, or in the same colours of the character. Because of how expensive character merchandise is, Oshi Decora is the most pricy substyle, besides maybe Decolita. To reduce costs, handmade items, and items in the characters colours can be adorned. I think personally, unlicensed products and temu fakes go against the concept of oshikatsu a little bit, but DIY and pieces made with passion are super valid.
Rainbow Decora
Rainbow Decora is super popular and almost OTT just by nature due to all the colours! It is one of the most striking substyles. A popular Decora Kid and Youtuber cybr.grl probably has the biggest Rainbow Decora wardrobe and bedroom.
Sister-styles:
Hadeko
Hadeko is similarly known for brought and bold colours like seen in Decora. It is not as maximalist as Decora, hairstyles are often more teased, and clothes have more of a daggy vintage style whilst still being bright and colourful. It seems to be hip hop and 90s western inspired. Hadeko can look a lot like casual Decora.
Kidcore
Kidcore is a newer aesthetic popularised on the internet to describe visuals with bright colours and nostalgic 90s and 2000s kids media. Kidcore often uses primary and secondary colours. It is no where near as accessorised as Decora, but clothing pieces and accessories can share very similar characteristics.
Fairy Kei
Fairy Kei developed alongside Decora in Harajuku. It is largely characterised by pastels and dreamy fluffy fabrics paired with cute motifs. It is still quite casual, being street wear, and utilises many popular Harajuku fashion items such as panniers and leg warmers.
In conclusion, there are many different substyles of Decora Kei, and the potential for many more to emerge and be added to the list. Please stay tuned for updates!
Its worth noting whilst you may develop your own Decora fusion style, It could be simply described as a personal style or with a personal label. I have only documented some community recognised substyles.
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