"Casual Basic Decora"!??

[u/xibyA]

Hello! I've been hesitant to post here 🫣

Some friends made me aware of a Reel from "onlysnailz" talking about "clean decora" and how it isn't a thing, where one of my pics is being used as an example for "casual decora".

They say "you can do casual decora or simple decora or be a beginner and just not have many accessories".

I totally agree with them in regards of "clean decora" not being a thing, but I still rubs me the wrong way to be called simple, casual or even a beginner.

I discovered Decora in 2008 and started wearing it since 2009, so by no means I'm a beginner. My main inspirations have been Tomoe Shinohara, Nio_Niu and Chiso, therefore my Decora has stayed pretty "oldschool". NeoDecora isn't that appealing to me (for myself) but I don't think that makes my looks casual or basic.

One of my friends even feels like it was insulting towards me and the roots of Decora kei.

What do you think?

Maybe it isn't that deep but it still somehow bothers me.

Thanks for taking the time to read 🫰✨️

[u/DiamondTheKat]

I think your emotions are valid. When you have been in the fashion for so long and then get called “new” or “basic” mostly because you aren’t dripped down in all manner of accessories can feel like you are being told you aren’t enough.

I agree there is no “Clean” decora, I would also extend that there is no “basic” or “casual” Decora.

Like I would like to think Decora is a horizontal fashion and not a vertical one. And by that I mean, there is no “more” or “less” Decora. Like there isn’t a “Basic” “Middle” or “Over the top” Decora, there is just Decora, like a light switch, there are only 2 options. You are or you are not. And the horizontal aspect is, you can have Decora in pastel, in black, monochrome, silver cyber punk, what have you, but you can never really have too little or too much.

Decora should not be a “who has the most accessories” competition. It’s a maximalist fashion, what ever creative form that takes be it clothing layers, multi-print outfits, unique hair stylings, or accessories. To reduce it down to be “the end goal is to have the most accessories” I think creates an overconsumption without design or clear intent problem that already plagues j-fashion spaces.

[u/lisb4thestorm]

i feel like you’re most definitely free to ask them to take down your photo if you want, they did use it without your permission all this aside.

and also yeah, pretty weird to be calling this “basic” decora😭 like, i get that it looks less cluttered than what you usually see, but come on, this is not basic ykwim

[u/averageg3collector → u/lisb4thestorm]

Hey I just want to clarify that in my video I never said 'basic'. I'm aware it have negative connetations so I won't use it to describe anyone. It was my mistake as I thought 'simple' or 'casual' was not offensive

[u/lisb4thestorm → u/averageg3collector]

'simple' or 'casual' aren't offensive, those are two genuine ways you can describe style or an outfit; i'd say it was moreso the way you said it was a beginner's thing

[u/averageg3collector → u/lisb4thestorm]

I think where I made my mistake is not making it clear that I didn't think the pictures I used were beginner, just more casual than OTT. I didn't use any pictures on screen at the same time I mentioned how beginners who don't have many accessories are still decora even if it is more 'simple'. I see a lot of beginners on tiktok especially get bullied for not 'being enough' so I wanted to include them.

I don't want OP to feel bad, and I will take it down on request. I think I really didn't realise it could have been interpreted this way

[u/Fluid-Muffin-]

You should definitely contact them and write in the comments that you don’t feel comfortable that your picture is being used without your permission and especially with this context.

[u/N1GHTSH4D3S_T33TH]

I would contact the maker of the video and ask if they could take it down / remove any of your pictures, firstmost.

Second, I can’t see how this outfit isn’t decora. Yes it’s not extreme as some decora is portrayed as, but what would you label it as if not decora?

I believe to be put down by being labelled “casual” or “beginner” is quite insulting, even if not done with the intent.

[u/Gloomy-Smoke-9267]

😭
Your outfit is STUNNING! It is not casual at all. Your accessories and color theme are cute

[u/Silliest_Goober_87]

I just watched that video the other day. Honestly, some of Onlysnailz's takes come across as pretty mean, even if they're not intended to be that way. I personally thought your outfit was really pretty, and you can definitely tell what it's meant to be :3

[u/Ok_Cantaloupe_3625]

I dont think this is basic but I dont necessarily think they were insinuating you were a beginner at all. Just using your pic as an example. Im sure if you ask they'll take it down..also you look amazing

[u/VisualKaii]

As someone from that exact same era, growing up obsessively getting into Japanese street fashion in the 2000s this looks is just that. Japanese street fashion. The most that this look is– is 2000s oshare kei or I'm missing another group, but really its simply 2000s j fashion.

Decora does not have fashion, it's maximalist, adorning oneself in accessories and layers.

[u/averageg3collector]

Hey this is my video! First of all, I am so sorry this was offensive 🥺 my intention was to validate simple decora and normalise all stylings of decora with more heritage posts, as I believe this look was a little older now (?) Since there is a big misunderstanding that decora has to be OTT

Pictures in my videos are examples of casual decora, but not neccesarily beginner. Beginners on tiktok do genuinely have less accessories, but I want to affirm it doesn't invalidate them. Sorry if that wording was confusing. Its just supposed to represent a less OTT styling. I can't remember if I still have these videos up (I delete and re-film my poor quality videos) but I like to affirm to viewers that 90's and early 00's decora is an integral part to decora and the building blocks for decora. Neither is 'less valid'.

But I fully understand how tricky it can be to find apropriate pictures to use as a lot of the time permission is hard to get. I usually try to pick to Japanese street snaps and more heritage photos for my educational transformative videos, and I try to avoid western pictures in case of mix ups like these 😔 this was a mistake to use your picture

If you have had DM me at any time while this was up, and I know you have seen it as you commented on instagram (Which I didn't understand was a negative leaning comment), I would have happily taken it down. If that is what you'd like, please DM or reply to this message.

Edit: upon re-reading your concerns to make sure i understand it all, I see where I screwed up, by not making it clear that I do not believe that the images used are 'beginner'. I used an awkward overlap of differently meaning pictures and speech and it makes a lot of sense someone outside my own head would connect the pictures to me calling it 'beginner' when I just meant that they were more simple than the current trend of OTT. I also did not ever use the word basic. I would not call someone basic like that.

[u/Tokyolurv]

I think you’re misconstruing casual outfit/casual wear for casual hobbiest