Today, aesthetics dominate our For You Pages (FYP) on many social media platforms including Instagram, Twitter and—most notably—TikTok. These looks have given birth to many trends and phrases, including even new and widely used slang terms. Many of us may want to embody one or capture the vibe of a certain aesthetic, and The Heights Herald is here to help everyone know where to start. But first, let’s recap.
The average tween to young adult in the 21st century today has been influenced by what’s known in mainstream social media as “aesthetic culture.” It is the categorization of self-expression through clothes, hairstyles, makeup and mannerisms. It has been prevalent for a long time, but as the world crossed the threshold into the new age of the 21st century, especially with the advent of high-speed internet and smart-phones, along came the freedom and technology and ability to connect to many different people across the globe at the push of a button.
Now, as a result, self-expression has become a lifestyle and identity—a way for people to seemingly paradoxically both stand out and fit in. The younger generations have used their differences to curate their own identities, both individual and via groups, through aesthetics. The word “aesthetic” has therefore become a palimpsest, or an old concept that has since been redefined—in this case, redefined by a new generation. In an average conversation, it will be referring to which form of identity you’ve adhered to.
“Social media definitely inspired me to express myself in more ways,” Vazquez Rodas (10) said. “Without it, I would probably not have dyed my hair or got my piercings.”
This particular brand of self-expression portrayed by Rodas is one of the most notable categories for the youngins of today: Alt-core describes edgy, non-mainstream styles and stands for “Alternative-core.” It gets its name from the term “alternative,” which was popularized in the 1990s to describe counterculture musical artists like Nirvana and Radiohead straying away from the norm and what were, at the time, seen as acceptable qualities in society. The irony of this kind of rebellious look becoming a prominent look online today is lost neither on millennials nor Gen Z. Its popularity skyrocketed in 2020-2021 and has been evolving ever since. Other descriptors that fall under the alt-core designation include grunge, scene, goth, punk and even streetwear. If these words resonate but knowing how to look the part is still out of grasp, below are some steps you can take to start embodying this aesthetic.
When picking out an outfit, go for oversized band tees, corset tops and graphic hoodies. Pair them with fishnets under some distressed jeans and/or skirts. Makeup should include dark liner, bold lips and consider even adding a twist with some face gems and stickers. Feeling adventurous? An awesome septum piercing could help pull the whole image together. Now on to the shoes: throwing on some chunky boots, platform sneakers and creepers could be key to completing the look. If the stars at night look back at you when you gaze at them, they’re admiring that awesome fit.
Another grouping of aesthetics are ones that express warm, soft, elegant and vintage themes. It is referred to by many names, yet has many different sub-categories that are only just similar enough. cottage-core and light academia for example. They both have similar earthy colors and relaxing vibes, but Light Academia is more refined and Cottage-core is more tender. These subtle differences are present in every way of expression.
“I wear more colorful and bright clothes [like pink and yellow] to show my personality and express myself,” Livie Powers (9) said.
This lifestyle focuses more on living your best life—really connecting with yourself and healing. It inspires a brighter outlook on life, people and especially yourself. They exude an air of clarity and meaningfulness like a breath of fresh air. Subgenres under this category include classical, coquette, fall, dark academia, vintage and much more. If these words describe you, read on for some fashion tips to help you out!
When going to purchase clothing for this look, make sure to grab any turtlenecks, blouses with flowy sleeves, knit sweaters you can find. Pleated skirts, flowy and flowery dresses and tailored trousers are a must-have for that classical and vintage look. If you want to go for a more refined look, you can even add oversized trench coats, cropped cardigans and swing coats. In the jewelry section, go for a simpler look with delicate rings and pendants. To complete the fit, get some ankle boots, oxford shoes or just some simple clogs. When the autumn wind starts to feel like whispers from the universe, you know you’ve done a good job.
It is impossible to cover the recent progression of identity and self-expression culture in a single article. There are so many different sides, niche groups of aesthetics and words to go over. In addition, the ways of self-expression listed above are simply bare canvases you can build off of.
“I just work with what I have, and if I can spice it up a little I will!” Newte Roberts (11) said. “But, in general, I just work with what I got!”
Humans are all different because of our culture and history and our own experiences. When we adopt an aesthetic, we also give our own unique touch to it. We can even give it a new name. What’s your aesthetic?
