#buchon

Round 1, Match 80 — Buchón vs. Military Chic

Buchón (masculine) or Buchona (feminine) is a subculture and fashion style that originated in the state of Sinaloa, Mexico, in the 2000s and is strongly associated with narco-culture. The style is a form of conspicuous consumption, defined by an extravagant and ostentatious display of wealth, power, and a taste for luxury designer brands. The term "buchón" is believed to have originally referred to Sinaloan peasants who moved to the mountains and developed a goiter (or "buche") from their diet, but it was later reappropriated to describe the newly rich members of the drug cartels. The aesthetic is characterized by a specific and recognizable look for both men and women, centered on high-end, often logo-heavy, fashion from brands like Gucci, Versace, and Louis Vuitton. The subculture also has its own distinct musical tastes, primarily narcocorridos (drug ballads), as well as a preference for expensive accessories, exotic pets, and lavish parties. While it originated within a criminal underworld, the Buchón/Buchona style has had a significant and controversial influence on mainstream fashion and music in Mexico.

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Military Chic is a broad and enduring fashion trend that incorporates the styles, silhouettes, fabrics, and functional details of military uniforms into civilian, particularly women's, fashion. The aesthetic is defined by a combination of traditionally masculine, utilitarian elements with feminine styles, creating a look that can convey strength, authority, and confidence. The style is not a single, static look but has reinvented itself for decades, drawing from different eras of military history. It can range from the glamorous and ornate, inspired by 19th-century dress uniforms, to the practical and rugged, based on 20th-century combat gear. Key elements include a color palette of khaki and olive, the use of camouflage print, and specific garments like military jackets and combat boots. The Military Chic aesthetic is built around a core set of garments, colors, and prints that are directly derived from military uniforms. The most iconic garment is the army-style jacket. This can take many forms, from a simple field jacket to a more formal, double-breasted coat with embellished buttons and fringed epaulettes. Cargo pants and leggings with multiple pockets are also a key part of the look. The primary color palette is composed of khaki, olive green, tan, and brown, which are often worn in monochrome ensembles. The most recognizable print is camouflage, which is used on everything from trousers to tank tops. While the traditional green and brown camo is most common, fashion-forward versions in brighter, more feminine colors like pink or blue also exist. The defining footwear of the aesthetic is a pair of rugged combat boots, such as Dr. Martens, which are often worn with leggings or to add a tough edge to a dress or skirt.

Aran's sister is Masked Muscle #1 fan and he's not too pleased. And wow, he's been starring on the asks lately.

“And, as with anything narco, that style’s defining trait is excess: The boobs are big, the booty is round, the waists are waif-thin and the lips pillowy. Hair is worn straight and waist-length, and nails (also long) often feature baroque levels of decor. The makeup, likewise, is heavy duty, centered on dramatic eyes trimmed with fake lashes. Clothes are worn sausage-casing levels of tight, and you’re not a buchona unless you’re showing off luxury brands, preferably Versace or Louis Vuitton.”

I write about the buchona aesthetic, one that is as rooted in narco culture as it is Kim Kardashian influencer culture.