Have you ever been to the full moon party at Koh Phangan in Thailand? Neon colours and rainbows flash the “Same Same, but different” slogan all over the beach and the festival kicks off under the moonlight. Gen-Z
sightseers from all over the globe come after saving up for months. They all carry different culture but their feeling is still human. It is “same same - but different”.
In Koh-Phangan, a spectacular paradise island off the coast of Thailand, the Full Moon Party amassed fame and the event now draws a crowd of about five to forty thousand every full moon evening. Today, the Full Moon party is a globally recognised affair and is highlighted in many kids; itineraries. What is the dress code? It’s acid neons, rainbows, 3D cartoon prints, bright full-of-life kind childhood nostalgia of a whimsical style. Music festivals are full of bright clothing that’s inspired by Y2K trinkets, the 70s, 80s, and 90s fashion, and kiddy cartoons with colourful outfits, funky sticker tattoos, plastic beads and handmade products. Free-spirited souls dance the night away under the euphoric clouds of happiness, unconditional love glancing from a childlike smile and sweet gestures of living in a moment having an energy exchange with one another. Kidcore is childlike clothing and
accessories that draws its inspiration from children’s culture bringing back the glory days of the 70s & 00s euphoria.
Kidcore aesthetics
Kidcore has a distinctive aesthetic flair with bright, cheerful colours and after-school cartoons in a mix of pastels and rainbows. One could say it's all about being inhabitable in fun, colourful and carefree choices of clothing and accessories. Moreover, since many indie brands channel their internal child through such iconic names as Arthur, Looney Tunes, and Sesame Street, kidcore is a fun and enjoyable way to dress.
Besides who doesn't love the nostalgia of the inner child being injected with the euphoric vibrancy of the gender-fluid fashion? Gummy bears, Lisa Frank stickers and Rainbow stripes with beaded bags, TikTok and indie reels are uncovering a nostalgic time capsule. Time travelling in buried fashion by an elementary school back in 2000- this is Kidcore, and Gen-Z party lovers are jamming in this aesthetic.
Kidcore briefly
Matt Star is a media artist who coined this new core creative space with a collection called ‘ inspired by baby clothes’ for all child-like clothing such as smiley face prints, and rainbow striped shirts straight out of Sesame Street or Tamahotchi accessories. It's an easy and colourful aesthetic for all age groups to dabble in - hallmarks of the signature style including primary colours, overalls, patchwork, and 90’s sitcom fashion. It's Haley Lu Richardson from The White Lotus aka Portia who will love her Milumia Rainbow Striped Cardigan, Dickies
Denim Bib Overalls. Gender-fluid fashion pieces such as Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star patchwork sneakers.
ICNGLKSND oversized flower cable knit cardigan, Lui Sui strawberry milk box crossbody purse,
Casetify custom phone charms, striped collared long sleeve polo and tons of Urban Outfitters Little Miss on Her Way Baby Tee, Crocs ‘90s Trendy Jibbitz shoe charm or even graphic Ts.
One of the best parts of Kidcore is welcoming things that you might feel awkward wearing now but at the same time, there is an emptiness of missing out or never having enough in childhood. Disneyland and animation are not just made for kids, the same way this aesthetic is all about the romanticizing of childhood pop culture and fashion. There are many subcultures of kidcore. Record is the ‘90s Japanese aesthetic popularized by Tomoe Shinohara. Stickercore involves placing cute stickers of candy Hello Kitty and other motifs on body parts, Loudcore revolves around the noisy toys that kids grew up with in the ‘90s. Bring your scatchpens and crayons out, and enjoy cartoon hoodies to take it back in time with a bright n funky Kidcore aesthetic that will inspire you to live carefree, and childlike. Tempting you to go grooving to the tunes of unicorns under the rainbows and rain.
