Want To Dress For Halloween Year-Round? Try The Cryptidcore Aesthetic
This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s fall editorial intern Raven Minyard. Find her on Instagram at @raven.minyard. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
If you read our article on subtle Halloween outfits, you may recall seeing the term cryptidcore as one of the options. If you wish it could be Halloween every day, this aesthetic might be the one for you. Inspired by cryptids and vintage sci-fi and horror movies, the cryptidcore aesthetic is a great way to incorporate your love for the strange and mysterious year-round. Today, we’re going to explore the rise of the cryptidcore aesthetic and give you tips and tricks on how to achieve it with fun activities and outfit inspiration.
What Is Cryptidcore?
To understand the cryptidcore aesthetic, you first need to know about cryptids and cryptozoology. Cryptozoology is the search for and study of cryptids, or creatures from folklore and urban legends like Bigfoot, Mothman and the Loch Ness Monster. The cryptidcore aesthetic is inspired by both those who hunt for cryptids and the creatures themselves. The term originated on Tumblr in 2014 and has continued to grow in popularity ever since, currently sitting at 135.6M views on TikTok. Inspired by media like Scooby-Doo, Gravity Falls and The X-Files, those involved in the cryptidcore community tend to favor clothing based on the areas where cryptids are typically sought (like forests and deserts) as well as tourist traps. According to the cryptidcore Wiki page, the aesthetic often takes inspiration from 70s-90s fashion, due to the “rise of tabloids and fiction revolving around these mysteries during that time.” The overall vibe is to feel like you could stumble upon a mysterious adventure at any moment.
How To Achieve The Aesthetic
The original cryptidcore textpost describes the aesthetic as “kitschy t-shirts and keychains from souvenir shops depicting the local urban legends and monsters” and “glow-in-the-dark stuff and generic alien-themed stuff.” The overall look is pretty simple to achieve, as it’s a comfy, practical style. Look for muted colors like browns, dark greens and dark denim, or for a more retro vibe, try stripes and vivid reds and yellows to feel like a kid who just saw Bigfoot at camp. Cryptidcore feels very youthful in its search for the unknown, so take inspiration from shows and movies like Gravity Falls, Stranger Things and Stand By Me.
For a summer cryptidcore look, graphic tees are a must-have. You can thrift one for a true vintage vibe, or show your enthusiasm for cryptids by donning a shirt featuring all your paranormal favorites. Pair your tee with some denim or corduroy shorts, and throw on a flannel for those chilly nights in the woods. For shoes, try some classic Converse or Doc Martens.
In the colder months, swap your t-shirt for an oversized grandpa sweater and trade your shorts for some jeans or cargo pants. You can also add a trench coat or a patched denim jacket. Slip on some knit fingerless gloves to keep your hands a little warmer while searching for Nessie.
As for accessories, play into the natural aspects of the cryptidcore aesthetic. These moth earrings are perfect for a trip to Point Pleasant to visit Mothman, and this engraved locket looks like it holds plenty of secrets for you and your friends to discover. Truly commit to the cryptidcore lifestyle by carrying a functional compass for all your adventures.
Cryptidcore Activities
In addition to dressing the part, you can live your best cryptid-hunter life by taking part in some fun, spooky activities!
One of the most obvious activities is, of course, going cryptid hunting. Do some research to determine what folklore and urban legends are in your area, then grab some friends and a flashlight and go looking for them! Even if there haven’t been any cryptid sightings in your area, take a walk through the woods. You can connect with nature and find cool things like pretty rocks or maybe even animal bones. Another option is to go ghost hunting. Plenty of historic sites offer ghost tours and some even allow you to do overnight paranormal investigations. Just make sure that whatever you decide to do is safe and legal.
If you don’t personally want to get in on the cryptid-hunting action, there are still plenty of things you can do to connect to the cryptidcore aesthetic. Watch some old sci-fi and horror movies (bonus points if they’re on VHS), tell ghost stories with your friends or keep an eye out for UFOs while stargazing. I recommend checking out the cryptidcore Wiki page for even more fun ideas.
We hope you enjoyed this article on the cryptidcore aesthetic! Are there any other niche aesthetics you’d like us to write about? Let us know in the comments!