デコラ (dekora) is a Japanese word shortened from the English word "Decoration". And that's what Decora is. Decoration. Wearing as many accessories (and sometimes even toys) as possible. You'll be able to hear a Decora-chan coming a mile away - with all their necklaces and accessories banging against each other ^__^
Most people find Decora via the FRUiTS magazine - and will call this style 'FRUiTS' until they realise the proper name for it. Everybody loves Decora for different reasons. Because it's different and colourful, or just because it's かわいい(kawaii - cute).
Like any other trend, there are several rules to go by with Decora, but generally there are no rules. It takes months of practice and mix-n-matching to get your Decora look perfect. Decora is more than just a load of hairclips on your head and five or so necklaces.
Many look to Decora for inspiration, as it just screams "LOOK AT ME". Different fashions such as 'Scene' have taken a few ideas from Decora, making it even harder to look truely Decora.
To Me, Decora is all about never growing up. Decora is one of the few fashions where you don't have to make yourself look sexy. It's not about showing off your body, but showing off your clothes and creativity. Also unlike other fashions and lifestyles (not naming any to avoid getting shouted at) it's not about trying to look miserable or angry. It's all based on looking and being happy, cute, and unique.
Of course, if you dress Decora it doesn't make you unique as you've automatically put yourself into a label. But Decora is a fashion unique from every other.
And that's why you should go Decora, or even try it for a day.
While I've been searching for Decora pictures in the past, I've found little differences in the different kinds of Decora that there are.
These differences aren't 'official', they're just a few that I've found myself, and given names for myself. You shouldn't go around declaring yourself a "Pink Decora" to the word, or even start disliking the other types of decora, (like other styles that have different sub-styles within them tend to do). I thought of these myself as a way of telling the difference between different types of Decora. If you can think of others, don't hesitate to e-mail me :3
Childish Decora
This kind of Decora can be a part of any other kind, or a completely seperate style altogether. This is where the Decora-chan wear tutus or shirts that have pictures of cartoon or anime characters, or any other image from their childhood. These Decora tend to wear a lot of toys, tiaras and magic wands. I personally think that this is the most 'personal' form of Decora as you can really show off your inner child and who you are.
Tips: Don't forget all the cartoons and animes you like, especially the ones you watched as a kid. Don't make the same mistake I did, which is to only think about kawaii animes that are around now. Lots of Japanese Decora-chan wear SpongeBob stuff, so what you wear doesn't necessarily have to be Japanese!
Consider: My Little Pony, Pokemon, Digimon, SpongeBob Squarepants, Sanrio and San-X characters like Hello Kitty and My Melody, anything childish that you love or used to love ^___^
Pink Decora
I don't think this needs explaining, do you? ^_~ Pink Decora is all about that amaaaazing colour - PINK PINK PINK! Probably the only other colour you should consider is white, even if that isn't even a colour! This is probably the most popular Decora and has the most rules. Absolutely everything must be pink!
Tips: Get all the pink things out of your wardrobe and put them all together! If you HAVE to have another colour, try a tiny bit of red, but do everything you can to keep your look as pink as possible!
Consider: Polka dots are always good for this look. Also, try some white and pink or black and pink stripy tights! ^__^
Colourful Decora
This is the ideal that everyone who first gets into Decora wants to believe in - that Decora is all about being colourful and crazy. This look is completely adorable and is easily achievable with just the right amount of balance in different colours. This type of Decora is just so kawaii and allows you to be totally creative with hardly any boundaries.
Tips: Make sure you get the right balance of colours. Too much of one colour can can change the look completely! Colourful hair is also really cool! Try not to go for clothes that have the colours of the rainbow in their order, this can be too, well, rainbowy o.o
Consider: Lots and lots of accessories of all different colours! Don't pick just your favourite colours while looking for accessories, anything will do, and all the different colours put together will look sugoi! ^__^
Dark Decora
With Japanese fashion becoming more and more interested in the Gothic and Visual Kei look, the number of Dark Decora-chan are growing. If you're perhaps on the darker end of the fashion spectrum and not too keen on the idea of wearing bright pink, then this is the style for you. Dark Decora shares many of the same ideas as other Decora, such as the over-accessorising and carrying lots of toys, but the colours don't tend to be there. If colours are worn, they're normally lime green, purple or red.
Tips: If you like being gothic or emo to stand out from the crowd, trying Dark Decora will make you stand out even more! Just add lots of accessories to your normal look and it'll be great! Of course, you could go to the extreme and wear purely black and nothing else! It's totally up to you!
Consider: Kuromi, Badtz Maru and Gloomy Bear are great kawaii-yet-dark characters for you to check out. These will totally shift your look to the Decora side. ^__^
Although Decora doesn't have any rules, and I personally disagree with any label having rules, here are just some hints and tips for new Decora-chan who have no idea where to start, or those who have tried to get the look but feel that there's something missing ^__^
♥ Get Sanrio Merch! Sanrio and San-X characters are just the essence of Kawaii, so stock up on as many t-shirts and accessories as possible! Some popular characters include Pandapple, Badtz Maru, My Melody, Kuromi, Cinnamoroll, and of course, the infamous Hello Kitty!!
♥ Hair is just as important as clothing! You won't see a single Decora-chan with plain hair. If you can't get your hair dyed a crazy colour, fill your hair with hairclips and bows! Wearing lots of hairclips is one of the first steps that many people take on their way to Decoraness! ^__^ Strawberry hairclips are always a good choice, along with Hello Kitty and hearts ^_^
♥ Experiment! Don't be afraid to experiment! Try out different outfits, look at other Decora-chan's clothes, and just keep mixing and matching until you get a look that you love! Go on our forum and ask for others' opinions - we won't bite!
♥ Layers Layers Layers! Remember that you dont have to wear ONE of everything! Ten necklaces, six bracelets on each arm, three pairs of socks, two skirts, three tops... the possibilities are endless! >__<
Lastly, "Decora" can also be spelt "Dekora" or "Decorer".
Most people find Decora via the FRUiTS magazine - and will call this style 'FRUiTS' until they realise the proper name for it. Everybody loves Decora for different reasons. Because it's different and colourful, or just because it's かわいい(kawaii - cute).
Like any other trend, there are several rules to go by with Decora, but generally there are no rules. It takes months of practice and mix-n-matching to get your Decora look perfect. Decora is more than just a load of hairclips on your head and five or so necklaces.
Many look to Decora for inspiration, as it just screams "LOOK AT ME". Different fashions such as 'Scene' have taken a few ideas from Decora, making it even harder to look truely Decora.
To Me, Decora is all about never growing up. Decora is one of the few fashions where you don't have to make yourself look sexy. It's not about showing off your body, but showing off your clothes and creativity. Also unlike other fashions and lifestyles (not naming any to avoid getting shouted at) it's not about trying to look miserable or angry. It's all based on looking and being happy, cute, and unique.
Of course, if you dress Decora it doesn't make you unique as you've automatically put yourself into a label. But Decora is a fashion unique from every other.
And that's why you should go Decora, or even try it for a day.
While I've been searching for Decora pictures in the past, I've found little differences in the different kinds of Decora that there are.
These differences aren't 'official', they're just a few that I've found myself, and given names for myself. You shouldn't go around declaring yourself a "Pink Decora" to the word, or even start disliking the other types of decora, (like other styles that have different sub-styles within them tend to do). I thought of these myself as a way of telling the difference between different types of Decora. If you can think of others, don't hesitate to e-mail me :3
Childish Decora
This kind of Decora can be a part of any other kind, or a completely seperate style altogether. This is where the Decora-chan wear tutus or shirts that have pictures of cartoon or anime characters, or any other image from their childhood. These Decora tend to wear a lot of toys, tiaras and magic wands. I personally think that this is the most 'personal' form of Decora as you can really show off your inner child and who you are.
Tips: Don't forget all the cartoons and animes you like, especially the ones you watched as a kid. Don't make the same mistake I did, which is to only think about kawaii animes that are around now. Lots of Japanese Decora-chan wear SpongeBob stuff, so what you wear doesn't necessarily have to be Japanese!
Consider: My Little Pony, Pokemon, Digimon, SpongeBob Squarepants, Sanrio and San-X characters like Hello Kitty and My Melody, anything childish that you love or used to love ^___^
Pink Decora
I don't think this needs explaining, do you? ^_~ Pink Decora is all about that amaaaazing colour - PINK PINK PINK! Probably the only other colour you should consider is white, even if that isn't even a colour! This is probably the most popular Decora and has the most rules. Absolutely everything must be pink!
Tips: Get all the pink things out of your wardrobe and put them all together! If you HAVE to have another colour, try a tiny bit of red, but do everything you can to keep your look as pink as possible!
Consider: Polka dots are always good for this look. Also, try some white and pink or black and pink stripy tights! ^__^
Colourful Decora
This is the ideal that everyone who first gets into Decora wants to believe in - that Decora is all about being colourful and crazy. This look is completely adorable and is easily achievable with just the right amount of balance in different colours. This type of Decora is just so kawaii and allows you to be totally creative with hardly any boundaries.
Tips: Make sure you get the right balance of colours. Too much of one colour can can change the look completely! Colourful hair is also really cool! Try not to go for clothes that have the colours of the rainbow in their order, this can be too, well, rainbowy o.o
Consider: Lots and lots of accessories of all different colours! Don't pick just your favourite colours while looking for accessories, anything will do, and all the different colours put together will look sugoi! ^__^
Dark Decora
With Japanese fashion becoming more and more interested in the Gothic and Visual Kei look, the number of Dark Decora-chan are growing. If you're perhaps on the darker end of the fashion spectrum and not too keen on the idea of wearing bright pink, then this is the style for you. Dark Decora shares many of the same ideas as other Decora, such as the over-accessorising and carrying lots of toys, but the colours don't tend to be there. If colours are worn, they're normally lime green, purple or red.
Tips: If you like being gothic or emo to stand out from the crowd, trying Dark Decora will make you stand out even more! Just add lots of accessories to your normal look and it'll be great! Of course, you could go to the extreme and wear purely black and nothing else! It's totally up to you!
Consider: Kuromi, Badtz Maru and Gloomy Bear are great kawaii-yet-dark characters for you to check out. These will totally shift your look to the Decora side. ^__^
Although Decora doesn't have any rules, and I personally disagree with any label having rules, here are just some hints and tips for new Decora-chan who have no idea where to start, or those who have tried to get the look but feel that there's something missing ^__^
♥ Get Sanrio Merch! Sanrio and San-X characters are just the essence of Kawaii, so stock up on as many t-shirts and accessories as possible! Some popular characters include Pandapple, Badtz Maru, My Melody, Kuromi, Cinnamoroll, and of course, the infamous Hello Kitty!!
♥ Hair is just as important as clothing! You won't see a single Decora-chan with plain hair. If you can't get your hair dyed a crazy colour, fill your hair with hairclips and bows! Wearing lots of hairclips is one of the first steps that many people take on their way to Decoraness! ^__^ Strawberry hairclips are always a good choice, along with Hello Kitty and hearts ^_^
♥ Experiment! Don't be afraid to experiment! Try out different outfits, look at other Decora-chan's clothes, and just keep mixing and matching until you get a look that you love! Go on our forum and ask for others' opinions - we won't bite!
♥ Layers Layers Layers! Remember that you dont have to wear ONE of everything! Ten necklaces, six bracelets on each arm, three pairs of socks, two skirts, three tops... the possibilities are endless! >__<
Lastly, "Decora" can also be spelt "Dekora" or "Decorer".
