J-Fashion History: Decora, Fairy Kei, and Other Pastel Harajuku Styles Timeline

[@TheStitchess]

It should be noted that I am not super happy with my description of the whole yamikawaii/menhera situation in this video and I’ll be doing more to better describe that portion of harajuku style in a letter video after I’ve done more research with more reliable sources.

[@thingeeeeeee]

i don't remember where i read about menhera, but i remember it's a contraction of "mental health"... i also read about yomi kawaii before yume kawaii, but i believe yume kawaii is the true style. it's a bit hard to find info about this, so great job on your research!

[@wanessaribeiro3965]

Im going to create my own style and call it librarian-kei, then i will just wait

[@TheStitchess]

These are the vibes I’m bringing into 2020

[@KarolYuuki]

I'm up for it! Love some librarian-kei. When those academia styles appeared, I got so happy haha

[@letticiadelgado9865]

I took a screenshot of this so when it gets popular I can have this as historical evidence as to how it originated

[@homosoftommorow]

I’m so here for this style.

[@alexj2682]

Ive been going for neo fairy and didnt even realize it and this is a really great video for people who are just getting into harajuku and want to know more!

[@delaneyfaceless7766]

I know menhera is specifically inspired by mental health issues, but speaking as someone who spends a lot of time in various doctors' offices for a variety of issues, I feel kind of drawn to pill, syringe, and bandage motifs in kawaii fashion. It feels like an embrace and reclamation of some not-fun aspects of life.

[@themelonsoup]

I feel the same

[@exomake_mehorololo]

I miss old decora... I loved the cheerful colours and bright energy... and I can't see pastel anymore at this point 🤔 it's been a pastel overload for close to 2 decades now. Hoping for something else this new decade...

[@jeliii7900]

neo fairy could be that new wave!!

[@wanessaribeiro3965]

I really love your vídeos on fashion history, i would love to see one in mori and the newer harajuku styles

[@katedoesthings]

razor blade and syringe motifs are menhera, not yumekawaii. they can coexist for sure but it's an important distinction to make. also menhera existed before Menhera Chan

[@TheStitchess]

Yeah, I didn’t really describe it well in this vid. I’ll be doing a more specific video all about yumekawaii and menhera later on

[@byff6209]

I would love a more in-depth video on neo-fairy (or a website to see more of it...?) But after the reaction to "neo-gyaru", I'm scared this pretty fashion will be treated the same

[@TheStitchess]

It’s still quite new (as in, 2019 new) and hasn’t really made it to the west yet so I don’t think there are any full websites describing the style :/ It’s still more of an idea than a fully fledged style.

[@lunarose9]

I have not heard of these neo- versions, can you tell me anything about it?

[@enchantedluna111]

Fabulous fae queen in a forest! I definitely can be on board with that ^^ Thank you for the history lesson on these styles, some I wasn't aware of which came first. Will be fun see the incoming Mori and dark mori video ^^

[@TheStitchess]

It’ll take awhile since there isn’t a whole lot of info on anything outside major brands and street snaps (hence why this one took forever) but hopefully it’ll be done in a few months ^-^

[@wednesdayherrick]

I have so much trouble finding my style because I like so many completly different ones so I just have full coords in different styles I like. I started dressing in mori when I was 13 and its still my favourite concept and people now are trying to bring soft cottage core and the punk cryptidcore together and Mori is the perfect crossroad

[@kawaiimagicalex5170]

I have been apart of jfashion in 7 years this year. I feel so good i myself with in jfashion.❤💖

[@kawaiimagicalex5170]

it hurts to hear it. I hear very negative comments with people, but usually I don't care.you should do your thing. you will be so nice in j fashion I believe in you

[@ahomefordreams]

@•Pastel Marshmallow• yea i have that problem too :[

[@cdrjnvjonhfdckppotccc]

Thank you so much for your work! I saw a couple of travel shows in my country about Japan, and usually regarding fashion they were super shallow, ignorant and with a hint of superiority attitude. I'm glad that you cover this phenomena in depth and respectful 💖

[@juliadandy6019]

That tshirt of the “very busy” cat just speaks to me, love it 🥰

[@purpleblue8236]

Recently I've been interested in Lolita and Larme. Your videos about those styles are rly helpful. I hope Forest Fairy and Neo Fairy become huge!

[@faeryndipity]

I would love to see something on dark mori/strega fashion!

[@xXNekou]

Dark mori is japanese (I think), but strega fashion has almost nothing to do with it, it became a thing on tumblr and Mai Magi from Denmark gave Strega fashion its name :)

[@ratking2501]

would love a fairy kei style guide, theres not a lot of info on the style out there and my partner has been expressing some interest in it so i think itd be cool to see a guide on it!!

[@Luna-zj3ht]

i love your ad well be back cards, ive never seen any youtuber do something like that and i think its really cool and cute and i know when im about to get an ad and things ar ejust professionally organized rather than the ad cutting you off mid sentence.

[@booksandmaybelle98]

Thank you for mentioning Larme!

[@CoraMaria]

Another great video! Decora is my absolute favourite Harajuku fashion style and the first one I ever wore, so it was great to learn more about its history and I would love to see a more in-depth video of that style specifically. I even have a decora outfit that I'm going to be wearing today. Also I'd love to see you try a decora make-over using what you have. It'll be fun to see you in one of my favourite styles 💖 Thanks for introducing me to neo fairy btw. I feel like some of my style really aligns with it!

[@CoraMaria]

Also if you do a video on decora history please quote that stupid Facebook status I made weeks ago: Harajuku: "A few years ago, I lost my darling decora." Decora: "Stop telling everyone I'm dead!" Harajuku: "Sometimes I can still hear their voice." I feel like that kinda sums up Harajuku's relationship with decora at the moment. (And psst! Please post your sources in the description so I can read more about Harajuku history.)

[@TheStitchess]

This is all the history on decora I was really able to find for now 😭 but I’d love to do a style guide and transformation (partly cause I feel like decora looks a lil silly on me lol)

[@CoraMaria]

@@TheStitchess Is there a style you like that I should try out? We could make a collab of it

[@TheStitchess]

That WOULD be fun! I’ll think about it and dm u

[@TheStitchess]

Creator of FRUiTs: wow, I guess we have to close because there aren’t any more cool kids dressing cool New harajuku styles: um- FRUiTs: no one. Not a single soul. Clearly harajuku fashion is dead

[@acekidatelier]

Super interesting! Can't wait for the mori kei video :)

[@ThistlesPins]

Such a great and insightful video, thank you! I'd love to see a fairy kei video from you covering the basics like you did with larme (sorry if you've done one already and I just overlooked it ^^')!

[@Divineandrofeminista]

I used to be super into jfashion and I fell out of it after I wanted to fit in, Ive been getting back into it recently because of your videos. Ive always been a crazy fan of mori kei so I cant wait for your video on that!!

[@buttercup8714]

Ive always loved j fashion ECT.. but I'm so broke I can't get anything cute like it TwT

[@TheStitchess]

That’s why I buy everything secondhand ;)

[@buttercup8714]

@@TheStitchess flipping smart.

[@itsrey5475]

So is Yamikawaii/Menhera the j-fashion version of the Pastel Goth scene in the West? Pastel Goth is a term I hear far far far more than either Yamikawaii or Menhera; are they different?

[@TheStitchess]

Pastel goth seems to have an overall looser theme - yamikawaii and menhera are more specific. It seems they take a lot of the same inspirations tho Other than that, pastel goth is in the west, yamikawaii is in the east, but pretty much two different takes on the same thing.

[@ingridw6150]

thank you so much for this video! I've already watched it twice 👀 👀 neo-fairy is so cute! i totally was dressing that way a few years ago and still sometimes do when im feeling it. i imagine some of my pinterest japanese streetstyle pins are actually neo-fairy style 🤔 i know you probably have a lot on your plate with these fashion history videos - I remember trying to learn more about the different styles and their history online and how difficult it was! so kudos! but i was wondering whether you'd be interested in doing a video on shibuya based styles like Hadeko ? 🤔

[@TheStitchess]

I think my next one will be gyaru but I’ll add it to my list of styles to research

[@ingridw6150]

@@TheStitchess bless u !!

[@succsucc4609]

Hello i never comment on youtube vids but recently I started watching ur videos by accident, but stayed because 1) ilove ur content and 2) im going thru alot with my anxiety to where i can hardly find the confidence to leave my house or hangout with my friends and it gets quite lonely but listening to your videos and ur soft aestethic makes me feel so comforted. big luv to you!

[@AyeshaShaSha]

Just watched this to get me in the mood for my fairy decora video I'm going to film today! I'm excited to try it out, literally just going to use what I have!😂 Never done it before. I really like the way toi explained everything, there's a lot here that I didn't realise, so thanks for the info!

[@pixelatedcorpse]

thank you so much for making this video!! i’ve wanted to get into fairy kei fashion for a while now, and this was a really cool and informative video to see. its a bit hard to get into fashion like this in the states due to being seen as a “weirdo” for dressing any way that’s not incredibly basic, or maybe that’s just my experience, but i’ve fallen in love with it and really want to incorporate it into my everyday style

[@juliawierzuk3514]

I really enjoy watching you’re videos about Japanese fashion! You’re so passionated about it, and it makes me feel reassured. Waiting for next Videos!

[@sophieg1650]

great video! i'm feeling forest fairy all the way! those photos are gorgeous!

[@bugly1]

I would honestly love separate videos on these different styles, as you cover a lot of ground here, and I feel like there's more to learn about each of them.

[@mmortalworm]

i love your informational fashion videos like this !! you did such a good job 💓 super helpful info for everyone !!

[@pastelkawaiibabe5577]

OMG this is so helpful! I'm working on a video on Bubblegum kei/ bubblegumcore and this is perfect history lesson I needed. I had no idea forest fairy and neon fairy exist yet I done them a couple of times. in fact I happening to be turning a vintage lavender bustier into forest fairy top with iridescent ruffle lace . Bubblegumkei has the preppyness of larme, colors of Neon fairy (especially hot pink and red) iridescent and sheerness of forest fairy and a bit of 90s/y2k flare! one thing I commonly do is I like to mix 50s vintage with iridescent fabric which is something that didn't exist in the 50s. It little electra heart but with a jfashion twist. I'll credit this video as a good source about the history of pastel harajuku fashion!

[@ashash728]

I’ve been doing the menhera and I didn’t event notice

[@charleyhadley7759]

Ahhhhh LOVE THIS! Makes me inspired to learn to sew so I can get that Forest fairy vibes!

[@LadyB_20]

I've always wondered about branches of J fashion. This was very informative.

[@darkhorsiesmedia]

The algorithm led me to you and I'm so happy because you are a little pastel gift brightening uo these strange times ❤

[@negioome]

Very informative! Thank you for your video! 💞

[@seahorser]

thanks for making this!!! i have been on a random kick with decora fashion and suddenly wanted to know absolutely everything about it. its been a solid two hours now. i have a google doc and everything lol

[@annalang5872]

I Love your shirt! 😻💖

[@amyh77784]

This was so informative!!! Love your vids! New Subby!👑💁😍😘

[@screaminberries9046]

Ready for that future video

[@gemini1123]

What was the style called where they would put a retro baby tee with capris and pointy toe sparkle shoes and a newsboy cap? It’s all pointing to one Dior fashion show but I don’t know which came first the chicken or the egg

[@xXNekou]

Please do a video on more dark/goth styles :3

[@denzelromero4796]

Would love for you to do a vid on TWEWY

[@aliceis9068]

This was super super helpful and interesting!!!! :D I loved hearing about the history of yamikawaii and fairy kei. I've been getting interested in Fairy Kei after a while of being interested in Lolita. And the forest fairy themes are very appealing to me haha. ^^' I was wondering, where does otome-kei fit into all of this? Would that be sort of in the Larme territory? Is it considered a more "casual" style generally?

[@TheStitchess]

I mention otome in my history of lolita video!

[@aliceis9068]

@@TheStitchess Ooh, okay, cool! I'll check that out next. ^^

[@dahliasdarkside1695]

Oh hey I have that bunny menhera sweater!

[@kgcat]

omg i remember watching that documentary as an emo teenager it was part of my into to J fashion lmaoo. They are so cute oh my godd

[@megaanny1]

Eventho I never wear this style I loved the video and creativity in the outfits. I just can't imagine having to put all the jewelry on in the morning. I mean wear some rings, a nosering and festival bracelets. But that is because I just never lake those off. My alarmclock would have to be 5:00 am to pull this off and I just couldn't deal with that.

[@ari4478]

VERY late but the term yume kawaii was actually invented by Ichigo Rinahamu!

[@Blue-bn3ze]

I wanna create a Halloween fashion style cause I haven’t seen a style that’s both cute and creepy. that’s y I’ve been trying to learn ab decora and fairy kei fashion cause that’s the closest (pastel goth as well) that I can find to what I want my whole look to bee.

[@allisoncarroll1284]

I don't know if you'll see this because it's been a few months, but can you react to the Harajuku episode of girl meets world?

[@snotnose3901]

what is the fashion that is like primary school looking? Like it's very 90s kids nostalgia? With bunnies, teddy bears and apples and plaid? things like that? Does that have a name?

[@-toriizaka46]

@Pastel Affection no where near lol

[@pappanalab]

I'm jumping between styles but I usually stay in the Kawaii aesthetic. Also, did youtube demonetize this or something (they usually suppress demonetized content)? It doesn't have as much engagement as other videos and I wanna see you do well!

[@TheStitchess]

I rarely have any issues with demonetization tbh. My reaction content just naturally gets way more views than anything else because reacts are trendy at the moment. Most of my videos get 2-8k views as the norm.

[@pappanalab]

@@TheStitchess Oh! That makes sense! I’m very glad KZbin isn’t giving you too many problems then. (=^ェ^=)

[@booksandmaybelle98]

Have you found any links on information or sites that sell forest fairy? I'm very interested in it but my google searches didn't yield many if any results

[@TheStitchess]

It seems to just be etsuna for now

[@Kismetpuff]

I found this to be very helpful! Sometimes I feel very behind on J-Fashion "trends", but then I see tricks and techniques that I've been using for years coming back around. It can be intimidating to get into, especially when trying to categorize and establish a consistent look. I'm definitely interested to see where things go, and I'm hoping that extremely vivid colors come back around again! Thank you for a fun and informative video (*´▽`*)

[@user-m4l1ce]

I want to dress cult fairy kei,does that make me a weaboo?

[@user-m4l1ce]

Pastel Affection Thanks

[@Korrin69]

How do you spell her name? 6:10

[@Korrin69]

I wanna learn about her

[@christallaktorides6904]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@janedoeeyed]

🙌

[@katedoesthings]

waaaait...so you're saying "fairy kei" came BEFORE Spank!? I'm pretty sure it was Spank! that inspired and evolved into fairy kei...

[@TheStitchess]

I thought that too but nope! Fairy kei came first.