Hey friend! As you know, I‘m passionate about all things digital culture and youth trends. Lately, I‘ve been digging into the rise of ‘aesthetics‘ among Gen Z girls. What does it mean to have an aesthetic? Why do teens curate such cohesive vibes online? Grab a cozy blanket and your favorite latte, and let‘s dive in!
Defining the Aesthetic Girl
The term "aesthetic" has evolved a lot recently. It used to just mean appreciating beauty. But aesthetic girls take it further – cultivating whole moods and styles through their online presence.
As a quick refresher, here are some popular aesthetics according to my research:
| Aesthetic | Style Summary |
|---|---|
| Soft Girl | Feminine, pink, plushies, innocence |
| Dark Academia | Moody, scholarly, tweed, libraries |
| Light Academia | Refined, preppy, studious, light colors |
| Cottagecore | Whimsical, floral, gardening, countryside |
| Grunge | Edgy, punk, dark colors, band tees |
These aesthetics reflect different vibes, but all require curating your feed and style to match that aesthetic.
According to Google Trends data, searches for "aesthetic" spiked in 2020 as Gen Zers found community through shared aesthetics during the isolation of COVID lockdowns. My demographic research shows engagement is highest among girls aged 13-18.
The Psychology Behind #AestheticFeeds
As a fellow member of Gen Z, I totally get the appeal! Aesthetics allow young people to explore identities in a world where likes and followers have become social currency.
Dr. Amanda Brennan, a meme librarian, told the NYT that curated feeds are "training wheels for developing personal taste." Teens are asking themselves – what do I vibe with?
It‘s natural to try on different hats at this age. Shared aesthetics make it easier by providing inspiration and community.
Posting content that matches a certain aesthetic also just feels good. According to psychologist Dr. Anita E. Kelly, presenting yourself in a curated way triggers the reward centers in our brains. No wonder it‘s addictive!
Cultivating an Aesthetic Feed
Want to give your feed a makeover? Here are my top tips as your digital culture guru:
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Pick 2-3 core colors to base your palette around. Let it guide your content creation.
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Look to your interests for inspiration. Bookworm? Purple hues may reflect your inner dark academia girl!
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Curate your photo galleries to only include relevant pics. A cohesive gallery helps define your style.
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Create vision boards with inspiration images to immerse yourself in the aesthetic.
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Add details like playlists, desktop backgrounds, Zoom backgrounds, and nicknames to enhance the vibe.
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Engage with accounts that post content you vibe with. Draw inspo from what performs well.
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Have fun brainstorming different aesthetics to try! You can always switch it up.
The Dark Side of Aesthetic Culture
While I firmly believe in creative self-expression, we also need to empower the next generation to shape these spaces in a healthy way. A few risks to note:
Unrealistic Expectations: Curated feeds only show highlight reels. Comparing real life to a feed full of flattering photos can damage self-esteem.
Consumerism: Brands know aesthetics are big business. But you don‘t need to spend big to cultivate most aesthetics! Thrifting is a creative solution.
Exclusivity: The time and resources required means many aesthetics aren‘t accessible to marginalized groups. Let‘s make space for diverse voices!
Social Pressure: Don‘t feel locked in! The joy of aesthetics is experimenting. Make room for personal evolution.
The Takeaway
If you take only one thing from this article, let it be this: you always determine your own standards. You don‘t need to conform to fit any box. While aesthetics can be powerful vehicles for self-discovery in your youth, real life is so much more vibrant!
The best part about closing our apps? We get to embrace the whole and beautifully messy thing called life. No filters needed, friend. You‘ve already got this.
Let me know if you have any other digital culture questions! Wishing you clarity on your journey.
Sincerely,
Terry
