Pop Kei

Pop kei is an 80s inspired fashion style popularized by the aesthetic of the clothing store SPANK! in Harajuku. The style first gained widespread popularity soon after the store's opening in 2004.

The style is similar to, and often confused with, Decora and Fairy Kei.

## The Name

The name pop kei refers to the pop culture inspirations from the 1980s that are prevalent in the style. It is also said to mean the way the brightly colored clothing "pop's" on an outfit.

The style is also known as spank fashion, named after the store. Some say the two terms are separate styles, but spank fashion has never been documented or developed enough as its own term to carry its own fashion style, and so the two are often intertwined.

## History

Pop kei has a long history before its official creation. As early as the 1990s, designers like Sebastian Masuda and Sayuri Tabuchi were curating second-hand and designer stores catering to similar styles to fairy kei. These trends toward the aesthetic grew greatly at the opening of SPANK! in 2004, and jumpstarted the creation of the fashion.

Both pop kei and fairy kei are considered to have come from SPANK!, but the creator of spank considers pop kei to be a more accurate representation of the shop's style.

## Style Basics

Pop Kei is focused on creating a cute and vintage look. Specifics for that look are very broad, with no particular silhouette or strict rules, even broader than its similar style Fairy Kei. However, there are some similarities and trends across the style.

### Color Schemes

The color scheme of pop kei is what sets it apart from its similar style, fairy kei. Where fairy kei is exclusively pastels, pop kei includes both pastels, as well as neons and blacks accents. Bright colors and pastels, as well as black, are often mixed in the same outfit, creating a darker or more vibrant look.

### Clothing

Prints are very popular in pop kei. Things such as clouds, stars, and other 80s inspired prints are used in abundance, often with many prints being used in the same outfit. 80s characters are also popular, with characters like Care Bears, My Little Pony, Sailor Moon, Barbie, Rainbow Brite, Strawberry Shortcake, and Popples often being used.

Like fairy kei, pop kei is loose and cute, not sexy. Popular clothing items include jean jackets, boots, tututs, t-shirts, leggings, sporty trainers, baseball caps, and bomber jackets.

### Accessories

Bows and cute clips are popular in pop kei. Bunched socks, leg warmers, painted cute nails, cute bracelets, rings, and necklaces, vintage lunchboxes, cute backpacks, and plush purses are also popular.

### Hairstyles

Colored hair in bright colors is very popular in pop kei. Colors like bright blue and pink, or pastels, are commonly seen. Natural hair is also sometimes used, but with less frequency. Popular hairstyles include bangs, ponytails, buns, and twin buns.

### Makeup

Minimal makeup is used in pop kei. The large eye look with light makeup is most popular, with small amounts of blush or lipgloss.

## Brands & Shops

* Spank!
* Feel in Love
* Galaxxxy
* ACDC RAG

## External Links

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Spank! - Japanese "80s Pop Disco" Fashion in Tokyo." Tokyo Fashion. November 16, 2011. Retrieved August 26, 2020 from http://tokyofashion.com/spank-japanese-fashion-brand/
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "All About: Pop Kei Style!" Kawaii-B. April 3, 2014. Retrieved August 26, 2020 from http://kawaiibuk.blogspot.com/2014/03/kawaii-fashion-pop-kei-different-to.html
3. ↑ "How to Wear Spank!/Pop Kei Fashion~\*" Glitter Puffs. 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2020 from https://glitter-puffs.blogspot.com/2013/01/how-to-wear-spankpop-kei-fashion.html
4. ↑ "Kawaii-B All About: Fairy Kei." Kawaii-B. August 30, 2014. Retrieved August 26, 2020 from https://kawaiibuk.blogspot.com/2014/08/kawaii-b-all-about-fairy-kei.html