Embarrassingly enough (yet slightly proud), I am on TikTok a decent amount. I would say I am definitely on the older side of Generation Z so it is so fascinating to see what the youngins are doing these days. And I’ve noticed how aesthetics have become such a buzz word these days. First of all, is it slightly overused? In my opinion, yes. However, it is interesting to see young people describe all of these different ‘aesthetics’ when it comes to fashion. I feel like in the past aesthetics were another word of trends but I feel like a social media platform like TikTok, Youtube, and Instagram allows them to truly flourish. But they flourish in a somewhat insular environment. You don’t want to know how many aesthetics I have had to explain to my millennial sisters such as cottagecore and dark academia. However, it interesting that some aesthetics have become more mainstream like does anyone remember how vscogirl was all over the Internet? I still remember seeing videos about millennials trying to recreate it on Youtube.
But there are also some very niche aesthetics that exists. So here is my deep-dive on some Internet ‘aesthetics’ (take a shot every time I use the word aesthetic).
The infamous cottagecore: they love a good nature pic, puffed sleeves, and linen is their go-to material.
Dark Academia: think bookish, Secret History (book by Donna Tart), and a dark version of a schoolgirl. I’m telling you grey or black turtlenecks, dark plaid trousers, dark plaid skirts, sweater vests, loafers, wire glasses, and they love a good plaid blazers. Basically anything plaid floats this academic’s boat.
And then there’s light academia! Basically Dark Academia without the dark colors. So here comes white, cream, and basically other variations of white.
Next: Art Hoe! This person loves a good mustard yellow, Doc Martens, and COLOR. They love colored striped tops!
Y2K: It is basically like the 2000’s vomited an outfit. Think cropped baby tank tops in baby pink. Basically the word baby used multiple times. It’s just baby pink all over again and again. So pretty much Paris Hilton
Okay, I’m cheating. This isn’t an official aesthetic. But damn has this been popping all over my TikTok and Pinterest. The notorious sweater vest and tennis skirt combination. Am I guilty of this trend? Yes, indeed. Did I buy a tennis skirt yet I don’t even play tennis? Hell yeah! And did I buy a sweater vest despite how impractical they are? Yeah, I did and I love them. And of course, this photo has to have the white Nike Air Force sneakers. No Gen Z outfit is completed without one of those.
Wow, you made it to the end! Now you are an expert on Internet aesthetics. Unfortunately, this knowledge will only be relevant for six months. After that, new ones will take over.
