Your Guide to Kidcore Outfits and Fashion

Bring back the good old days of after-school cartoons and bright colors with this bold aesthetic. Taking inspiration from kids’ pop culture and fashion from the 90s and 2000s, this trend is all about carefree fun and comfort. Although it started in the 2010s, this trend looks for the best childhood moments in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s, like the Magic School Bus, Arthur, Looney Tunes, and Sesame Street. Driven by comfort, color and fun, you can dress it up and down while looking as carefree as a child. Get out your crayons, enjoy some snacks, and step back in time with the adorable Kidcore aesthetic that will inspire you.

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What is Kidcore’s aesthetic?

This aesthetic is all about pop culture romance and childhood fashion. Stemming mostly from the 90s, it has modernized to include influences from an earlier decade and the 2000s. This includes TV shows like Arthur, Sesame Street, Teletubbies, and Magic School Bus. There are many Kidcore subcultures, such as Decora, Stickercore, and Loudcore, and each has its own focus and trends. Decora is the 90s Japanese aesthetic popularized by Tomoe Shinohara. Stickercore involves placing cute stickers of Hello Kitty candies and other designs on parts of your face and body. The latest subculture is Loudcore, which revolves around the noisy toys kids grew up in the 90s, like kazoos, bells, and fireworks.

Who started Kidcore?

The term Kidcore was coined by Matt Star, a new media artist who created a clothing collection “inspired by baby clothes”. The designs started out as a casual, “playful” aesthetic that other brands don’t typically offer. The trend has grown in popularity in 2020, thanks to viral TikTok and Instagram users rocking the aesthetic.

How do you dress like Kidcore?

To dress up Kidcore, you need to be sure to add some color. Typically, this aesthetic highlights the primary colors – red, blue, and yellow – but can also celebrate shades of the rainbow. Try a striped rainbow knit with a denim pinafore for an everyday look. Otherwise, opt for a pair of baggy jeans and a color block t-shirt and sneakers. Aesthetic subcultures, such as Decora, Loudcore, and Stickercore, include their own styles and trends, but will stick to bright shades and layering of accessories. Ultimately, you want to emulate kids fashion from the 90s and 2000s.

Children’s outfits

90s Kidcore Outfits

The majority of Kidcore’s aesthetic stems from 90s nostalgia. Some of the era’s biggest influences include the TV shows and toys that many grew up with, including Beanie Babies, Mattel, Hasbro, Lisa Frank and many others. While some TV shows such as Looney Tunes and Sesame Street started as early as the 1930s, they still contribute and play a major role in style. It is thanks to the commonly used primary colors (red, blue and yellow), which you can integrate into your daily ensemble. To rock this trend, opt for the color-blocking of the three shades with essential pieces such as jeans or overalls. Stick to stripes, bold patterns, or anything that reminds you of your childhood, but keep it bright for maximum impact.

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Pastel Kidcore Outfits

The 90s were a great time for many kids growing up. If Sesame Street and primary colors aren’t your thing, and you prefer Care Bears or My Little Pony, this subculture is for you. Filled with pastel shades, the style is super cute and easy to replicate. Start with soft, buttery colors, like pink, purple, or sky blue — this can be in baby t-shirts, crop tops, oversized sweaters, or accessories. You’ll want to find pieces that showcase some of the nostalgic imagery, such as the Rugrats logo, Hello Kitty, Furbies, or whatever you love the most.

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Vintage Kidcore Outfits

Take it back to the good old days by incorporating Vintage Kidcore into your life. Whether you were born this side of the century or earlier, there are plenty of ways to add a retro touch to your outfit. Start with inspiration, like The Magic School Bus – Ms. Frizzle is a great source, Play School, Sesame Street, or Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Take the basic colors of the era, including yellow, red and blue, start adding them to your wardrobe. Start with bold designs from the era you want to emulate. For example, the 80s and 90s often feature lots of abstract shapes and patterns, while the 2000s feature more stripes and oversized icons. Finish the look with your favorite pinafore, skirt or denim shorts – extra points if you find something in the same color scheme.

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Kidcore Cartoon Outfits

Who hasn’t enjoyed watching cartoons early on a Saturday morning? Bring back the feeling with a few cartoons scattered throughout your wardrobe. This trend really lets you go crazy with prints, so if you’re a huge fan of The Simpsons, Mickey Mouse, Betty Boop, or even Kim Possible, you can show off your love with pride. Mix and match patterns again and again with a coordinating skirt and jacket in 90s style. If you prefer a minimalist approach, stick to a staple and wear neutral pieces with it.

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Japanese outfits for children

Better known as Decora, this aesthetic is a major trend in Japan, and we can see why. Its roots date back to the 90s, when Japanese singer Tomoe Shinohara popularized the style. Today, the aesthetic celebrates the maximalist style of decorating, with bright colors and loud patterns. There are no conflicting patterns with this style – the more colors of the rainbow you can wear, the better. For an authentic nostalgic experience, layer several pieces of clothing and complete the look with several cute cabochons, small resin or acrylic beads resembling characters, animals and flowers. There are no rules to this style; just keep it colorful and fun.

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Floral outfits for kids

Floral patterns are not limited to Cottagecore; it’s also a great way to show off your Kidcore aesthetic. Give a casual yet cute touch to your favorite era by adding some floral designs to your colorful ensemble. Opt for a rainbow skirt or shorts and a matching cardigan covered in petals for a fun spring day. Remember that this aesthetic is all about embracing bright shades, but don’t worry if you avoid a lot of colors. There are plenty of ways to make this trend work in a casual setting – give the outfit a ’90s vibe with a black tube mini skirt and chunky black platforms. Whether it’s a single daisy on your sweater or you look like a field of roses, this look is pretty as a picture.

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Rainbow Kidcore Outfits

Sometimes you have to think big or go home. No truer words can be said about Rainbow Kidcore. This trend is bright, loud and definitely proud, making it the perfect ensemble for any event. A simple long-sleeved shirt and jeans work well for a day at the park, or you can cuddle up in the colder months with a color block puffer jacket. Add a white t-shirt underneath for maximum impact – adding white sneakers and accessories will keep the focus on the bold hues. Don’t have a favorite color? Then this is ideal for you, because you can wear all your favorite choices at once!

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Children’s bags

Have you always wanted to take Sully from Monster’s Inc. or imagine you were a student with Mrs. Frizzle? Well, these Kidcore bags can spark your imagination and keep you nostalgic, while looking beautiful. Designers like Moschino celebrated camp and the kitschy items we grew up with, including bags shaped like McDonald’s fries, school lunch boxes and cartoons like Spongebob. Head to the thrift store and look for vintage backpacks and clutches that feature bright colors or your favorite characters growing up. Want a more subtle atmosphere? Try a simple tote with rainbow finishes – it’s an easy way to show off your Kidcore love without going too over the top.

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Children’s jewelry

It’s time to bring back the jewelry your childhood loved. This includes colorful earrings, layers of plastic necklaces, lots of bright colors and 100% fun. The Kidcore aesthetic is all about nostalgia, so if you want to go all out, why not add some stickers too? This aesthetic celebrates artwork and toys from the 90s and early 2000s, so mix and match different items for a multi-dimensional feel. With this trend, more is certainly After.

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Children’s shoes

Bright, colorful and deeply nostalgic, Kidcore romanticizes the childhood of the 90s and 2000s. Kids often wear loud and bold shoes to match their energetic personalities – so does this trend. From Ferragamo-inspired rainbow platforms to a classic pair of Comverse hi-tops, there are plenty of ways to add some color to your outfit. Even at home, you can make a statement with your shoes. Try a pair of fluffy rainbow slippers – you’ll keep your toes warm and your overall hot.

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