Chonis are a subculture that originated in Spain during the 1990s, best known for their tacky taste in clothing and lifestyle choices, as well as popular slang. Those who identify as or are considered Chonis are stereotypically considered young low-class women who live in cities and lack studies, are addicted to shopping, or are involving in crime, aggressive behavior and swear a lot.
Choni fashion is characterized by its attempt to look elegant, but it mostly ends up looking "tacky"; using kitschy elements like oversized accessories, heavy makeup, mismatching patterns, clashing colours, etc. Sometimes, this aesthetic is often associated with Romani women in Andalusia (southern Spain), mainly due to xenophobic connotations towards the Roma community in Spain.
The word "choni" is thought to be derived from the English masculine name "Johnny"[1], which used to be a derogatory term towards working-class people in the Canary Islands.
The masculine counterpart of Chonis are Canis, and a more recent Spanish style that evolved from the Choni subculture is Raxet. Chonis also share many similiarities with British Chavs, Latin-American Fresas and Japanese Gyarus.
Fashion[]
Some fashion choices prominent in the Choni subculture include:
- Short clothing, including mini shorts, mini shirts and mini skirts
- Small dresses
- Cheap prints, such as leopard patterns, animal prints, metallic colors, fluorescent, fishnets, etc.
- Tracksuits
- Fanny packs
- Plastic boots
- Bright leggings and stockings
- Cheap clothing, often from jumble sales
- Tracksuits
- Fanny packs
- Bootleg brand sneakers and bags
- Oversized accessories, including big hoop earrings, oversized sunglasses and necklaces
- Piercings and tattoos, specially monroe piercings, eyebrow piercings and lower-back tattoos
- Fake eyebrows
- Long nails
- Clashing clothing, patterns and colors
- Eyecatching saturated colors, such as hot pink
- Exaggerated makeup
- Tight-fitting clothing
- Poor color combinations
- Exaggerated fake tanning (sometimes)
Lingo[]
Just as much as the Cani subculture, there is also a particular slang associated with the Choni subculture. Stereotypically, they are often considered unable to pronounce some Spanish words "properly"[2], such as saying "cocreta" instead of "croqueta" (croquette), or "almĆ³ndigas" instead of "albĆ³ndigas" (meatballs). Another trait of Choni language is calling people with an article before their name, for example "la Mari", "la Jenny", "la Vane". Then, another trait prominent in their texting is writing in a disordered and exaggerated way, for example, "todo loco" (completely crazy) becomes "tOh LoKoh"[3].
Music[]
Musical Artists[]
Songs[]
- CHONI "Parodia SORRY de Justin Bieber" by Uy Albert!
- THE CHONI SONG by Claudia Afrodita
- CHICKEN TERIYAKI by ROSALĆA
- MALAMENTE by ROSALĆA
Criticism[]
In Spain, the Choni subculture has been heavily criticized due to its classist origins, as Chonis are mostly portrayed as being uneducated, materialistic, and promiscuous. Many critics argued the Choni stereotype demonized the working class by portraying them as uneducated, vulgar and uncultured. Some people also believe it's an extremely negative archetype targeting young people, because the word "choni" has also been used multiple times to judge and mock young girls' fashion choices[4], and that could potentially discourage teenagers to wear whatever clothing they'd like.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ā Living in the Canary Islands | artsweb.cal.bham.ac.uk
- ā Chonis (Opinion) | Ine.es | Source Language: Spanish
- ā 50 phrases from Chonis and Canis | portalfrases.com | Source Language: Spanish
- ā "RadiografĆa de las chonis: āSi enseƱas poco escote eres pija, pero si te pasas, una de ellasā" | elconfidencial.com | Source Language: Spanish