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Gothic, punk or visual kei: which top
What visual kei changes
Visual kei is a Japanese rock aesthetic and it drafts a shirt differently from either gothic or punk. The line is asymmetric, the collar is high and often buckled, the cuffs are oversized, and panels are cut and reassembled rather than left whole. If a shirt looks architectural rather than romantic, that is the vocabulary it comes from.
| Style | Silhouette | Signature | Fabric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gothic | Romantic, flowing | Bishop sleeve, lace | Chiffon, lace, velvet |
| Punk | Fitted, cropped | Strapping, raw edges | Mesh, PU, jersey |
| Visual kei | Asymmetric, structured | Buckled collar, cut panels | Cotton, PU, twill |
| Everyday | Simple | Print or plain | Cotton jersey |
Sizing
Asian sizing runs roughly one size below EU and US for women, two for men. Visual kei shirts are cut narrow through the shoulder in particular, so measure across the shoulders as well as the chest.
Frequently asked
- What is visual kei clothing?
- A Japanese rock aesthetic. In shirts it means asymmetric cuts, high buckled collars, oversized cuffs and reassembled panels, usually in black.
- Are the mesh tops see-through?
- Yes, deliberately. They are drafted to be layered over a bra, bodysuit or harness.
- Are the tops unisex?
- Some. Visual kei shirts are the most crossover; gothic blouses and cropped punk tops are cut for the women's range.
- Do PunkRave tops run small?
- Yes, and narrow through the shoulder. Order from the chest and shoulder measurements in centimetres.