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Why the Y2K-inspired Acubi aesthetic is so popular on social media
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Acubi (ah-koo-bee) refers to the minimalist fashion style that originated in South Korea. This style is known for its pairing of simple baby tees and sweaters with skirts and big, baggy pants. It is a relatively new style that has been making its rounds on social media, so understanding how to style it can be tough. But don’t worry. In this article, we teach you everything you need to know about the Acubi style, including where to find it, its origins, and similar styles.

What is Acubi fashion?

Acubi is a minimalist fashion style from South Korea that is characterized by baby tees, wide-leg pants, and elegant, edgy elements. It features neutral tones, oversized clothing, and vibrant graphics with splashes of color. The Acubi style is known for its versatility and chic, minimalist look.

Section 1 of 6:

What does Acubi mean?

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  1. Acubi is a fashion style that mixes minimalism and Y2K boldness. Acubi (pronounced ah-koo-bee) blends simple, elegant pieces with edgy, oversized elements. It is characterized by tank tops , dresses, baby tees , cropped jackets , wide-leg pants, mesh tops , denim shorts and skirts, and minimalist jewelry. [1]
    • With the Acubi style, cropped pieces, baby tees, chunky boots, and wide-leg denim jeans are your best friends.
    • Layering is also extremely important to the Acubi aesthetic. The baby tees are usually layered with sweaters and cardigans.
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Section 2 of 6:

Where does Acubi come from?

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  1. Acubi originates from the South Korean fashion brand Acubi Club. Acubi Club is known for its colorful, unique pieces that draw inspiration from 90s fashion. They sell the large, wide-leg pants, baby tees, and cardigans that the Acubi aesthetic is known for. Their clothing is minimalist and combines neutral tones with the bold color palette of the 90s. [2]
    • The Acubi style became popular on social media in mid to late 2022. On January 1, 2023, @wakoiesarchive posted a video that displayed men’s Acubi style fits and received over 100,000 likes.
    • Acubi is a popular style in the Roblox game, “Dress to Impress.”
    • This style is commonly worn by the popular K-Pop group, New Jeans .
Section 3 of 6:

How to Wear the Acubi Style

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  1. 1
    Wear neutral shades of clothing. The Acubi style is known for its neutral color palette. It heavily consists of black, brown, or navy blue tees layered with white sweaters or cardigans. Get a pair of dark-washed jeans to wear with the other neutral colors. Buy tees with small pops of color and vibrant graphics, white undershirts for layering, and silver, gold, and stainless steel accessories. [3]
  2. 2
    Get a good bolero jacket for layering. Bolero jackets are a staple of Acubi. Cropped bolero jackets add a sleek, sophisticated element to your outfit that works well with bold and minimalist pieces. They’re versatile and offer a simple, elegant look that pairs well with long sleeves, baby tees, and other Acubi elements. [4]
  3. 3
    Stock up on your collection of baby tees. Baby tees are crucial for achieving the Acubi style. They serve as the base of your outfit and are essential for layering. Wear a simple baby tee with a small logo and pair it with a ribbed cardigan and comfortable jeans for an authentic Acubi look. [5]
    • In the winter, trade the baby tee for a long-sleeve graphic tee or sweater.
    • Choose quality , comfortable pieces that flatter your body type .
    • Wear pieces that feature strong, clean lines. Look for defined shoulders and pieces that add shape to your silhouette.
  4. 4
    Wear neutral, solid-colored dresses. A neutral, solid-colored dress serves as the perfect base for your Acubi fit. Layer a turtleneck dress with a cardigan or bolero jacket to create the signature minimalist look. Wear it with a pair of tights to diversify your look. [6]
    • In the winter, layer your tights with some leg warmers .
  5. 5
    Pair small tops with wide-legged pants to shape your silhouette. Wide-legged pants bring the Acubi silhouette together. Wear a large pair of cargo pants or star-studded denim jeans and pair them with a form-fitting top that’s layered with a sweatshirt to solidify your Acubi look. [7]
    • If you prefer shorter bottoms, wear a denim skirt .
    • In the summer, wear light, distressed jeans and sandals.
    • The wide-legged pants tend to make your waist look tighter and your legs look longer.
  6. 6
    Wear a pair of chunky boots to contrast your tiny top. A pair of chunky boots provides your outfit with a touch of contrast and keeps your feet warm in the winter. Pair them with sleek, form-fitting tops and baggy jeans for the best Acubi look. [8]
  7. 7
    Accessorize your outfit with rings, necklaces, and bracelets. Accessories can make all the difference when it comes to the Acubi style. For a unique flair and elevated look, wear stainless steel rings , silver or gold necklaces , and silver or gold bracelets . [9]
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Section 4 of 6:

Where to Find Acubi Clothing

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  1. Shop at thrift stores and brands like Uniqlo. For simple tees and sweaters that are high-quality and comfortable, visit Uniqlo. Save money on quality pieces and practice sustainability by visiting thrift stores and searching the racks for neutral-toned dresses, tees, wide-legged pants, and skirts. Upcycle your clothes by cropping old tops or cutting the shoulders off. [10]
    • Global online stores like Musinsa are great places to find Acubi clothing.
    • Explore local spots, like boutiques and local online shops, for Acubi clothing.
    EXPERT TIP

    Stephanie Fajardo

    Professional Stylist
    Stephanie Fajardo is a Personal Stylist based in Portland, Oregon. Stephanie has over 17 years of styling experience in personal consulting, television, photography, and film shoots. Her work has been featured in Esquire Magazine and Portland Fashion Week.
    Stephanie Fajardo
    Professional Stylist

    DIY your clothes to get the look you want. If you’re cutting a hole in jeans or a shirt, start small, then throw the piece in the washer to see how it will fray. Then, cut the hole bigger if needed.

Section 5 of 6:

What is the difference between Y2K and Acubi?

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  1. Acubi is different from Y2K, but the two styles share similar characteristics. Acubi maintains the same wide-leg pants and baby tees as the Y2K style but opts for a more minimalist look with simple layering and neutral tones. Acubi layering is similar to the subversive basics style, which is characterized by cut, repurposed tops, cargo pants, and earth-toned garments. [11]
    • Acubi blends layering and unique textures for a subdued, minimalist look, while Y2K goes for a maximalist look full of color and large silhouettes.
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Section 6 of 6:

Similar Style Aesthetics

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  1. The cyber grunge style draws inspiration from the traditional grunge style , opting for large, baggy pants and long-sleeve graphic tees. It is characterized by the addition of silver accessories and jeweled belts. The long pants and graphic tops create a silhouette similar to the one prominent among Acubi style enthusiasts. [12]
  2. 2
    Dark Coquette The dark coquette style features dark, neutral colors and dresses, flowy skirts, heavy lace, bows, and accessories. Corsets and cute purses are also popular additions. Dark coquette and acubi both rely on minimalist pieces and accessorizing, with dark coquette relying on the accessories a bit more.
    • Dark coquette is similar to the traditional coquette style, which is characterized by dresses and lots of accessories. The key difference is dark coquette’s use of dark colors. [13]
  3. 3
    Subversive Basics The subversive basics style shares the same form-fitting tops as the Acubi style but opts for upcycled clothing that is reworked with cutouts, holes, layering, and repositioning. As the name suggests, this style features basic pieces like neutral-colored tees and denim bottoms that are known for their DIY look. The handmade appeal is what really separates this style from Acubi. [14]
  4. The preppy style is characterized by blazers, khakis, skirts, and an overall preppy look. Picture a private school uniform with a bit more versatility. The preppy style shares the same solid, neutral colors as the Acubi style, but sometimes opts for plaid or striped patterns with loafers, flats, or boat shoes. [15]
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