Round 1, Match 17 — Cryptidcore vs. Pokero
Cryptidcore is an aesthetic traditionally associated with Cryptozoology, or the study of creatures from urban legends and folklore, and the romanticization of the adventure and mystery surrounding conspiracy theories, ghost-hunting, cryptid-hunting, and the supernatural. Most fans of the aesthetic are a part of, or want to be a part of, a community that gets to solve something beyond themselves with their friends and witness something strange and fantastical. Alternatively, some people interested in the aesthetic empathize or even want to be a cryptid themselves. The visual aspects of Cryptidcore originate largely from the places these cryptids are allegedly located in (mostly the forests and deserts of the United States), as well as the kitschy tourist trap culture capitalizing on the people who have a fascination with these cryptids. Cryptidcore is also generally vintage, and takes visual inspiration, especially in regard to fashion, from the 1970s - 90s. This is largely due to the rise of tabloids and fiction revolving around these mysteries during that time. Common visual elements include dark forests, abandoned buildings, polaroid cameras, kitschy t-shirts, key chains, glow-in-the-dark iconography, alien imagery, supernatural-themed tourist traps, ouija boards, tin foil hats, old alien or supernatural movies, VHS tapes, pocket knives, old newspapers of cryptid sightings, and Cryptozoology field diaries.
vs.
Pokeros were a working-class youth subculture from Spain that emerged in the early 2000s, distinct from but often confused with the broader "Cani/Choni" and "Bakala" subcultures. The subculture is characterized by its intrinsic connection to "Poky" music (a Spanish derivative of Hard House), a specific "high-contrast" fashion aesthetic involving sportswear and gold jewelry, and a lifestyle centered around macro-discotheques in the industrial outskirts of cities like Madrid and Valencia.
Which aesthetic do you prefer?
Cryptidcore
Pokero
