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If you’ve recently discovered a new aesthetic- Cryptidcore- via TikTok or you are fascinated by wild conspiracy theories surrounding various mythological creatures, you’ve come to the right place. You will find everything there is to know about Cryptidcore in this article.
What is Cryptidcore?
Cryptidcore is a visual and fashion aesthetic related to cryptozoology, or perhaps the study of mythical creatures such as Bigfoot, the Yeti, as well as the Loch Ness monster. The aesthetic mostly emphasizes cryptids, muted colors, and fashion trends from the 1970s through the 1990s. The Cryptidcore aesthetic has been heavily inspired by series like Gravity Falls, Scooby-Doo, Stranger Things, and Buzzfeed Unsolved as well as Tumblr’s glamorization of cryptids, particularly Mothman. Each one of these series revolves around a bunch of people who are attempting to unravel the mystery in town.
The History of the Cryptidcore Aesthetic
The history of cryptidcore seems to have no definite beginning since unsolved mysteries and mysterious supernatural occurrences have taken place throughout history. However, somewhat in the early 1970s, when a new genre of horror called supernatural horror first appeared, could be seen as the major source of inspiration. It all began with television programs like The Whicker Man and Kolchak: The Night Stalker, which later influenced shows like Twin Peaks and The X-Files. These shows drew a huge amount of attention, and even to this day, this genre is by far the most desired category of horror fans, inspiring other great shows such as The Stranger Things, which is appreciated by people all over the world. Meanwhile, the term cryptidcore was initiated on Tumblr by a user named Charlie, who posted a brief list of terms explaining multiple elements of the aesthetic. This post later went viral on Tumblr, and the aesthetic caught on.
Inspiration and Celebrities who have worn Cryptidcore
Popular media such as Stranger Things, Supernatural, The X-Files, Coraline, Gravity Falls, Scooby-Doo, and Buzzfeed Unsolved served as inspirations for this aesthetic. All of these revolve around a core concept shared by the Cryptidcore aesthetic, which is -mystery, and are centered on a group of people trying to uncover a mystery, which may entail monster hunts in pitch-dark forests or abandoned buildings.
If you’re looking for Cryptidcore outfit ideas, go no further than Twin Peaks and Stranger Things. Lara Flynn Boyle’s portrayal of Donna Hayward, with her carefree bob and assortment of patterned sweaters, is the perfect inspiration for your cryptid core costume. Another example that comes to mind right away is Dustin Henderson, who is portrayed by Gaten Matarazzo in Stranger Things. His classic look consists of a graphic t-shirt, a vest, a cap, and a bag, which makes it the ultimate outfit for a monster hunt.
Cryptidcore Key Pieces / Clothing and Accessories
Getting into the Cryptidcore clothing fashion scene is also quite simple. You don’t have to worry about if the style is appropriate for you as it’s gender-neutral. Furthermore, it accentuates muted hues, making it ideal for people who like to keep it simple. Cryptidcore fashion features casual, vintage, and retro looks that are comfortable, functional, and usually in muted tones like beige, brown, and black. Let’s take a look at the tops, bottoms, and layers you’ll need to put together the perfect Cryptidcore outfit.
Top and bottom wear
When it comes to tops, try to keep things simple and practical by pairing a graphic t-shirt or a flannel shirt with jeans or denim shorts. Or you could just as well experiment with turtleneck sweaters and big sweaters paired with plaid skirts, denim overalls, and cargo pants. You can try mixing and matching different vintage styles for a new look every day.
Shoes and Outerwear
When it comes to Cryptidcore clothing, you could just throw on a big jumper over a graphic t-shirt and call it a day. Adding layers is actually rather simple when you know what kind of look you are going for. For instance, you can easily pair that t-shirt with a trench coat, hoodie, corduroy jacket, plaid blazer, or a patched denim vest. And to complete the entire look, simply match any outfit with a pair of Doc Martens, combat boots, or even a pair of plain sneakers.
Accessories
Accessorize your Cryptidcore outfit with iron-on patches, enamel pins, or backpacks (especially with badges) to elevate it to the next level. As for the headwear, consider wearing some baseball caps, bucket hats, or beanies.
Cryptidcore Brands
The ideal places to look for clothing related to cryptidcore include thrift shops and local small-town stores that might stock regional items or other unique items. Considering that the majority of the cryptidcore fashion is vintage, it’s a good idea to look for unique things among depop sellers and vintage retailers. You can also browse through websites such as Amazon, Etsy, and ASOS among others to discover clothes from various labels and put together the ideal Cryptidcore outfit.
The following are some of the brands that feature retro or cryptidcore-inspired designs:
H&M
H&M has excelled in terms of providing reasonably priced sustainable clothing. Erling Persson founded the company in 1947, and it has since expanded its operations to 75 geographical markets, with 4,801 outlets under several company labels and employing 107,375 people on a full-time equivalent basis. This Swedish clothing brand focuses on fast-fashion apparel for men, women, teens, and kids and is the world’s second-largest worldwide clothing retailer. You can easily get vintage-inspired outfits from this company that complements your Cryptidcore style.
Beyond Retro
Beyond Retro is a vintage clothing business established in the year 2002, with stores in the United Kingdom and Sweden that sell vintage apparel from every decade of the twentieth century. Beyond Retro purchases all of its clothes directly from charity or indirectly via recycling businesses. The sale of these donations to recycling businesses produces funds for charity all across the world. You can easily buy all of the necessary clothing pieces from their website to create your Cryptidcore look.
Levi’s
The American clothing brand was established in May 1853 by German-born immigrant Levi Strauss in San Francisco. The company, known for its blue denim jeans known as Levi’s, is the biggest manufacturer of pants in the world. It also manufactures novelty things and sells tailored pants, coats, caps, shirts, skirts, and belts. This is inarguably the perfect spot to shop if you’re looking for the ideal pair of jeans or denim jacket for your cryptidcore outfit.
Conclusion
So, if each one of these has sparked your fascination with the aesthetic, pick up a book of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children or perhaps the Mortal Instruments, immerse yourself in all kinds of aliens, conspiracy theories, and otherworldly creatures of all kinds, play your favorite cryptidcore album on Spotify, and head out into the woods nearby with your gang.
