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EBOY STYLE: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE & OUTFIT INSPIRATION

You may be familiar with emos and f-boys, who were significant trends in their time. Following them came the e-shays and adlays, leading to the emergence of Eboys—pioneers of the Eboy style, a major fashion trend that has gained immense popularity, largely thanks to TikTok.

The Eboy style has made its way into the wardrobes of many celebrities, including Billie Eilish, Grimes, and Doja Cat, all known for their bold fashion choices and dedicated fanbases. This style presents a darker aesthetic compared to the softer vibes of the softboy look. Read on to discover everything you need to know about Eboy fashion!

LET’S LOOK AT SOME OF THE TRENDING EBOY STYLES

EBOY STYLE 1

One of the signature Eboy outfits features a puffy jacket paired with a plain T-shirt, jeans, and Vans. To enhance the look, consider adding a chain wallet or belt, white tube socks, and a classic pair of checkerboard or black-and-white Vans. This combination captures the quintessential Eboy aesthetic perfectly!

EBOY STYLE 2

Another popular Eboy outfit includes a baggy jumper, a T-shirt, black jeans, and Converse shoes. For a quick, cold-weather look, try layering a collared button-up shirt under a crewneck sweatshirt. Pair it with cuffed trousers and finish the ensemble with black sneakers or oxfords, along with white tube socks for an added touch of style.

EBOY STYLE 3

Eboy fashion is heavily influenced by streetwear and skatewear brands. A typical outfit might include an oversized T-shirt layered over a long T-shirt, paired with blue jeans and Vans. Many Eboys gravitate towards brands like Thrasher, Nike, Off-White, and Rick Owens. They often find unique and rare pieces at thrift stores and vintage shops, adding their personal flair through DIY touches like distressing or bleach-dyeing their clothing for a customized look.

EBOY STYLE 4

Timothée Chalamet is a prime example of celebrity Eboy style, both on and off-screen. His signature floppy curls and bold red carpet looks have garnered the attention of millions on social media. He often sports a striped T-shirt, black jeans, and Vans, embodying the Eboy aesthetic effortlessly. You can even catch glimpses of his Eboy style in his leading role in Beautiful Boy, where his fashion choices reflect this trend.

EBOY STYLE 5

One of the most popular Eboy outfits features oversized T-shirts, black pants, boots or Converse, and a jean chain. To elevate this look, consider adding a vertically-striped collared shirt over a white T-shirt, paired with black trousers. Complete the outfit with layered jewelry and a chain belt for an extra touch of style.

What is an Eboy?

The Eboy subculture is a youth movement that has gained popularity among young men, characterized by a stylishly chic aesthetic inspired by anime, goth, and semi-emo fashion. This look first emerged online in 2018, and by 2019, it had captured widespread attention on TikTok, a platform that resonates with Gen Z audiences.

While trends on TikTok often come and go, the Eboy style has proven to be a lasting phenomenon. The term “Eboy” can be interpreted as “electronic boy,” and the fashion choices associated with this aesthetic often reflect a progressive take on gender politics and masculinity.

Eboys frequently express fluidity in sexuality and gender, embracing a more feminine appearance. They often wear makeup and maintain less facial hair to soften their look. As societal standards of male attractiveness have shifted from traditional masculinity to a more effeminate style, Eboys embrace their vulnerability and showcase these fashion choices on social media.

True Eboy style encompasses more than just clothing; it’s a lifestyle. You’ll often see Eboys sporting long, flowy hairstyles, influenced by K-Pop trends, and many choose to bleach or color their hair as part of their unique identity.

What Exactly is Eboy Style?

Eboy outfits and fashion draw inspiration from a variety of preceding subcultures and trends, including emo, scene, goth, skater culture, hip-hop, anime, BDSM, and late ’90s to early 2000s fashion.

Key attributes of this style include loose-fitting thrifted clothing, such as oversized jumpers, monochromatic pieces, and band or graphic merchandise layered over long-sleeved striped shirts. Accessories play a significant role, with chain necklaces, wallet chains, and dangling earrings commonly worn.

Some Eboys embrace makeup to emulate anime characters, using fake freckles, eyeliner, light contouring, and nail polish as part of their look. Eboy outfits typically blend casual and formal elements, featuring oversized jumpers, tops, and cuffed pants as staples.

To complete their outfits, Eboys often opt for worn-out Vans or Converse, usually paired with white tube socks, which are a signature aspect of the aesthetic. Doc Martens and black leather oxfords also fit well within this style.

The clothing items of an Eboy’s wardrobe

  • Oversized T-shirts
  • Long-sleeve striped T-shirts
  • Crewneck jumpers
  • Slim denim jeans
  • Black joggers
  • White tube socks
  • Checkered/ black Vans shoes
  • Chain wallet
  • Leather Belt

Other alternative Eboy outfits can include trendier items like

  • Gothic cargo pants
  • Padlock necklaces
  • Chipped black nail polish
  • Striped long-sleeved shirts
  • Loose-legged pants being an Eboy staple

Jewelry for Eboys

Dressing like an Eboy involves incorporating chain belts, chunky rings, and pierced ears into your look. Eboys often embrace trendier pieces such as gothic cargo pants, padlock necklaces, and chipped black nail polish. Some even add unique touches like drawing a teardrop on their cheek with eyeliner for an edgier aesthetic.

Hairstyles for Eboys

It’s important to remember that the essence of the Eboy aesthetic is about embracing your true self, starting from the top. While adding color can enhance the style, it’s not a requirement. What truly matters is emphasizing the pattern and texture of your hair, allowing your individuality to shine through in your look.

Famous Eboys


Most Eboys are closely associated with “Sad Boy” music, a genre characterized by musicians who draw inspiration from their experiences with depression and emotional struggles, often overlapping with emo rap.

Key figures in the Eboy scene include the late Lil Peep, Yungblud, Timothée Chalamet, Chase Hudson, Bryce Hall, and Josh Richards.

Fun Fact: The Eboy style gained significant attention following the untimely death of rapper Lil Peep, who played a pivotal role in shaping this subculture. Timothée Chalamet exemplifies the Eboy aesthetic both on and off-screen, with his oversized T-shirts, cuffed pants, signature floppy curls, and attention-grabbing red carpet looks, which have captivated millions of fans on social media.

CONCLUSION

You can easily recognize an Eboy by their distinctive style and fashion choices. Although TikTok is facing bans in some countries, like India, that doesn’t spell the end for the Eboy aesthetic. The Eboy style is here to stay. While it may evolve and adopt a more modern, simplified approach over time, and some elements might fade away, many of its core concepts are timeless and will continue to resonate for years to come.

GUIDE TO JAPANESE SUBSTYLES

This is a list of various substyles within fashion, along with their definitions. Keep in mind that styles often overlap and mix, so don’t worry too much about labeling your outfit under one specific substyle. In the end, it’s all still girly kei!

Core Styles

CASUAL GIRLY

As the name implies, this substyle is casual girly kei. The clothing is often oversized and made from comfortable materials, promoting a relaxed vibe. Hairstyles, makeup, and accessories tend to be simple, with braids and twintails commonly seen. This versatile substyle can range from modest to flashy, depending on how you choose to coordinate your outfit.

SWEET GIRLY

The most popular substyle is known for its playful, over-the-top details like lace, ribbons, and plenty of cute prints. Pastel shades dominate, though darker colors can also be found. Decorative elements are more extravagant compared to other styles, and hair accessories like headbands and ribbons woven into ornate hairstyles are common. Accessories and even main pieces often feature bijou detailing, adding a touch of sparkle. When it comes to footwear, platforms are the most popular choice, though tea party shoes and Mary Janes are also frequently seen. During winter, ankle boots become a stylish and practical option.

FRENCH GIRLY

French girly is a substyle that embodies the romanticized image of a young French woman, similar to the popular “French model aesthetic” seen on TikTok. Outfits typically feature lower platforms and a monochromatic palette of black, white, and gray, often mixed with creams and off-whites. Key elements include hairbands, pearl and gold accents, curled hair, berets, tweed, and ruffled sleeves. Many wearers incorporate high-end European fashion designers into their looks through accessories or cosmetics. While French text is common on accessories, it’s rarely found on clothing.

NATURAL GIRLY

At first glance, natural girly may resemble mori fashion, sharing a vintage-inspired aesthetic. It features a soft silhouette with longer skirts and delicate embroidery. Earth tones are popular, along with square-toed shoes, loafers, canvas bags, and minimal or no-makeup looks. Thrifting is a common practice among natural girly wearers, who often prefer pieces made from all-natural fabrics.

OTONA GIRLY

This substyle caters to those looking for a more mature look. Outfits typically feature longer skirts and a toned-down aesthetic with fewer details. While not always the case, colors tend to be muted, creating a more understated appearance compared to other styles. Solid colors, simple floral patterns, and polka dots are common, along with designer handbags and high heels. Newcomers may find it challenging to distinguish otona from general feminine fashion, as the style emphasizes subtle cute details, even in its simplicity!

RETRO GIRLY

This substyle draws inspiration from retro fashions, making you look as though you’ve stepped right out of the past! It often includes outfits resembling old-fashioned school uniforms, with browns, creams, and lots of plaid being key elements. Folded socks, tights, Mary Janes, and hats are also common accessories. Despite the vintage feel, the clothes in this style aren’t actually vintage but are designed to have a retro aesthetic. It’s all about capturing the charm of old-school fashion while keeping it fresh and modern!

DARK GIRLY

Despite its name, this substyle isn’t just girly kei in dark colors—it has a distinctly edgy vibe. Unlike sweet girly, which focuses on cuteness, dark girly embraces a bolder, more rebellious atmosphere. Key elements include heavy makeup, bondage-inspired accessories, and dramatic platform shoes. Religious iconography, like crosses, hexagrams, and rosaries, is commonly featured. Lace socks and fishnet stockings are popular in this style, with ripped fishnets being a common touch to add to the edgy aesthetic. This substyle blends a sense of mystery with a tough, fashion-forward attitude.

Related Styles

HIMEKAJI

Contrary to what some in the West may believe, himekaji is not solely a gyaru substyle! This fashion is defined by floral prints and abundant lace. While short skirts were prevalent during the gyaru boom, longer garments are now popular and can also be styled for girly kei. Pearl details and accessories are just as common as bijou elements, with an emphasis on keeping accessories elegant and cute.

MENHERA

If you’re not familiar with the menhera subculture, it’s a good idea to start with articles by Menheratic. The style often features vent art prints, with a variety of clothing options, including girly pieces. Outfits typically consist of an oversized top worn as a dress, minimal accessories, platform shoes, simple hairstyles, and byojaku makeup. However, it’s important to remember that menhera primarily focuses on mental health awareness, and the true essence of a coord lies in the meaning assigned to it by the wearer!

JERSEY MAID

Since around 2020, Japanese alternative fashion enthusiasts have embraced (often kawaii-fied) tracksuits and a general gopnik attitude, which has influenced various styles, including girly kei. Although the term suggests a maid-like appearance, it applies to all sorts of frilly tracksuit-inspired outfits, regardless of whether they feature an apron. It’s worth noting that searching for “tracksuit” won’t yield the desired results; they’re referred to as “jersey” in this context. This trend is closely tied to the mizuiro aesthetic, popularized by Tenshi Zyoshi.

CHINA KEI

This style has been around for some time but is often unfamiliar by name. China kei is a kawaii-inspired take on traditional Chinese clothing, including tangzhuang, qipao, and hanfu. Accessories like bun covers, hair sticks, and Chinese knots are common. While Japanese brands may occasionally release similar items, it’s much more prevalent among Chinese indie brands on platforms like Taobao.

OtherJAPANESE TRADITIONAL

JAPANESE TRADITIONAL

Many reinterpretations of traditional Japanese clothing exist across various styles, and girly kei is no exception. This aesthetic includes numerous kimono and yukata designs, as well as girly kei brand releases that incorporate iconic collars and sleeves while maintaining the fashion’s essence. Wearers often pair these outfits with girly kei accessories, intricate hair ribbons, and decorative nails to complete the look. Some may even choose non-traditional platform shoes instead of tabi and geta!

GIRLY-INSPIRED COSTUMES

Given the fashion’s popularity, it’s no surprise that there are costumes inspired by the girly kei style. Themes like jiangshi, nurses, maids, and nuns often receive a girly kei twist, especially in Halloween specials of Larme magazine. Essentially, if you can imagine it, you can make it girly! While not always shown, it’s also common to see idol costumes infused with girly elements.

conclusion

While this may not be an exhaustive list, I hope you found it informative! If there’s a specific substyle you feel is missing and deserves attention, don’t hesitate to reach out to me in my inbox!