Substyles

A substyle can be created when a style is unique or of a different nature than what is considered "normal" for the style it originated from. Substyles are also formed when a style is split into two or more minor styles based on color, theme or other aspects. These styles still follow the general rules or themes of a larger style, thus making them not quite different enough to be considered their own distinct style.

Some styles may have a large number of substyles, whereas other styles may not have any.

## Ametora

Ametora, or American Traditional is not a style in its own right, but rather describes any Japanese fashion that emulates American, and occasionally British or other western countries, fashions. It originally applied only to Japanese Preppy, but is used in a much broader context today.

* Amekaji
* Bodikon
* Bosozoku
* Haaady Gyaru
* Japanese Preppy
* New Tora
* Otome (Classic)
* Rockabilly
* Rokku Gyaru

## Cult Party Kei

Cult Party Kei only has one official substyle, and it is closely related to the original style.

* Dark Cult Party

## Decora

Decora substyles are very closely tied to the original style, and feature small variations.

* Dark Decora
* Decora Lolita
* Hadeko
* Pink Decora
* Shinora

## Futuristic

Various fashion styles that incorporate futuristic elements.

* Cyber
* Jersey Maid
* Steampunk Lolita
* Tenshi Kaiwai

## Girly

Girly has a growing amount of substyles that are tied together by their frilly casual appearance.

* Adult Girly
* Casual Girly
* Dark Girly
* French Girly
* Natural Girly
* Retro Girly

## Gothic/Punk

Just as there are many variations of gothic fashion within the western world, there are many Japanese fashions that also have a darker color scheme, or a darker twist.

* Dark Mori
* Gothic Gyaru
* Gothic Lolita
* Goth Punk
* Karasu Zoku
* Peeps
* Punk Lolita
* Visual Kei
* Wa Goth

## Gyaru

Gyaru substyles all fall closely under the Gyaru title, and are more different trends within the style than actual distinct styles in their own right.

* Agejo
* Amekaji
* Ane Gyaru
* B-Gyaru
* Gaijin Gyaru
* Ganguro
* Gothic Gyaru
* Gyaruo
* Haaady Gyaru
* Hime Gyaru
* Kogal
* Kuro Gyaru
* Mori/Bohemian Gyaru
* Mode Gyaru
* Onee Gyaru
* Onii Kei
* Ora Ora
* Rokku Gyaru
* Shiro Gyaru

There's few substyles that fall specifically under Ganguro as well.

* Banba
* Manba
* Romanba
* Yamanba

## Kawaii

Kawaii (可愛い/かわいい), or "cute," fashions are various styles focused around a childish, cute aesthetic. These styles will feature brighter or pastel color palettes, as well as cute characters and motifs.

* Decora
* Fairy Kei
* Gurokawa
* Jojifuku
* Shinora
* Yami Kawaii
* Yume Kawaii

## Lolita

Core styles are substyles with an own distinct silhouette within Lolita fashion and are recognisable even without a print.

* Classic Lolita
* Gothic Lolita
* Hime Lolita
* Punk Lolita
* Qi Lolita
* Sweet Lolita
* Wa Lolita

Lesser styles are defined by their strong focus on a theme that gets integrated into Lolita fashion with the help of prints and accessories rather than the style of the garment on its own.

* Casual Lolita (and its western creation counterpart, Otome (Western))
* Country Lolita
* Cyber Lolita
* Decora Lolita
* Ero Lolita
* Guro Lolita
* Ita Lolita
* Military Lolita
* Mori Lolita
* Natural Lolita
* Nurse Lolita
* Natural Lolita
* Old School Lolita
* OTT Lolita
* Pirate Lolita
* Sailor Lolita
* Steampunk Lolita

There's also various micro-substyles based on occasions and colors.

* Aka Lolita
* Ao Lolita
* Bittersweet Lolita
* Christmas Lolita
* Cosplay Lolita
* Easter Lolita
* Halloween Lolita
* Kuro Lolita
* Pink Lolita
* Shiro Lolita

While not directly Lolita, there's also few styles that share a strong relation with the fashion.

* Aristocrat
* Boystyle
* Otome

## Natural

The natural genre generally consists out of styles that also have a focus on natural fashion. Some are considered their own style outright as well as a substyle, while others are directly tied to mori kei or other fashions.

* Dark Mori
* Hama Kei
* Majo Girl
* Mori Boy
* Yama Kei
* Mori Lolita (Western)
* Mori Gyaru
* Natural Girly
* Natural Lolita

## Visual Kei

Visual kei has various substyles, many of which are their own established styles as well as substyles.

* Angura Kei
* Casual Visual Kei
* Eroguro Kei
* Kote Kote Kei
* Kurofuku Kei
* Oshare Kei
* Tanbi Kei

## References

1. ↑ You can find more about Ametora here and here.
2. ↑ "What is Girly Fashion? (translated title)" MyNavi. October 15, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2021 from https://woman.mynavi.jp/article/190826-20/