‘yabi’ is a compound word made of 亚 ‘ya’ (meaning ‘sub-,’ as in subculture) and the derogatory word 逼 ‘bi’ (often found in many insults such as shabi (傻逼) meaning ‘idiot,’ and zhuangbi (装逼) meaning ‘poser’ or ‘fake’).
inspired by subcultures like punk, goth, hippie, grunge, and cyberpunk as well as cultural aspects of the neo-chinese style and the too cool movement, the aesthetic was born from china’s underground music scene.
some of the yabi staples include — but are not restricted to — intricate and ripped stockings, colorful hair, tattoos, maximalist accessories, and loose thigh-high socks inspired by the kogal schoolgirl style. but these are not limitations to the style.
styles can vary significantly across the yabi community: some incorporate goth-inspired total-black outfits or hippie-looking handmade accessories, as well as tight y2k tops and varying accessories such as headphones to fur leg warmers. how you dress depends on personal preference!
When it comes to yabi styling, the only thing that seems to stay the same is the mix and match of other styles and aesthetics — from iconic subcultures like gyaru and y2k to recent trends such as e-girl, cybercore, and abg. you will always find a unique style that differs from person to person in this subculture.
although it is heavily based on fashion, it's a show of breaking free from the normalcy of life as well as a symbol of youth rebellion and lifestyle liberty, almost like the offspring of shamate that was popular years back.
makeup will vary from preference, but often you'll see big lashes, aegyosal, bold eyeliner, and white liner seen in styles/subcultures like gyaru and e-girl. xiaohongshu and douyin are great places to get inspo for makeup!
mori kei is one of the many early 2000s subcultures that originated from the harajuku district inspired by living in the woods.
wearers of this type of clothing are usually referred to as mori girl (森ガール) or mori boy (森ボーイ). basically, forest girl/boy.
this subculture is based on nature and gives off a more elven/fae feel, its main color pallet consisting of earth tones, greens, whites, and other soft colors. plaid is a pattern that occasionally appears in mori kei fits, and sometimes baby blues and pinks will appear for a contrast to an outfit.
if you want to look for some clothing that would fit with this aesthetic, look for something loose and natural, and pieces that layer well together. such as a large cardigan/sweater vest that goes well with a frilly dress/skirt and leg warmers and tights. pants may also be used for a more masculine look.
"ゆるふわ" is what the loose layers achieve, hiding the curves of the body and therefore the wearer has a "fluffy" appearance. when layering, make sure to begin with the lightest/thinest layer first, and then move on to heavier materials.
lace, light materials, and embroidered clothes are musts, while accessories such as shawls, tights, and scarfs add to the layered effect.
linen, wool, and cotton are fabrics that are often used. fabrics that drape nicely will be your bff when creating a mori kei outfit.
mori kei is actually quite similar to cottagecore, but while cottagecore is focused on a rural life, mori kei is more based on forests and nature itself.
It also expresses a love of the forest, quiet hobbies, reading, drinking tea, herbalism, and a natural lifestyle.
hair and makeup often match with the almost whimsical and natural look of the outfits. makeup is kept relatively basic, with use of colors such as beige, pinks, and golds. minimalistic igari makeup is a nice example.
DARK MORI KEI/MORI GOTH
a subcategory of mori kei is mori goth, which uses darker, less saturated colors of the usually light color scheme of mori kei. it still follows the same layering scheme and relaxed silhouette, but as of now it has separated into strega, another subculture.
YAMA KEI
a more practical subcategory, usually for fans of the outdoors who love hiking/camping. this includes brighter and more vivid colors while also reverting to more practical clothes.
HAMA KEI
hama kei is a beach-based section, with uses of lighter clothing and less layers, as well as blues and yellows. you'd also see things such as stripes, anchors, and denim to add to the sailor-like outfits
i love many fashion subcultures, but here are a few i'm most interested/participate in! this is for you to either send a request for guides/inspo, or if you ever want to talk to me about something!
although this is a mainly fashion/makeup blog, there are certain people i do not want interacting with me. liking my posts are fine, but please don't send in asks or dm me!
typical dni criteria (racist, xenophobic, homophobic, etc)
asianfisher/rcta of any form
do not bring in any outside drama/politics/beliefs
DISCLAIMER
although i may talk about many subcultures of fashion, i do not participate in all of them! so please also do your own research if you are thinking of committing to a certain style.
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