Aesthetic or Trendy? TikTok clothing aesthetic trends are unrealistic

TikTok trends are constantly rising and falling, but one has seemed to leave a lasting impression on the infamous TikTok algorithm — aesthetics. 

For a few weeks my ‘For You’ page was filled with one minute montage videos of users trying different aesthetics — essentially changing up the way they look in order to see what style fits them best. One day would be devoted to baggy jeans, Vans sneakers and an attempted kick flip on a skateboard to test out the “skater” aesthetic. The next day would be an outfit of pastels, mini skirts and light makeup to fit the “soft girl” mold. 

I can’t help but contemplate where I stand in the midst of these set aesthetic styles. I love the baggy attire the skater aesthetic brings, but I also like the colors and relaxed vibe of boho beach wear, the makeup of the soft-girl look and the music taste of so-called ‘indie’ girls. After weeks of scrolling through style videos, I became convinced I needed to zhuzh up my look and ditch the sweatpants rotation I’ve been on since the beginning of virtual learning.

I noticed my peers doing the same aesthetic experiment as me when all of a sudden I saw users picking up penny boards and girls buying tennis skirts and collared shirts. Most of their trials lasted as long, if not shorter, than my two day attempt once they realized skateboarding is harder than it looks and mini-skirts aren’t the most comfortable during online school. 

This aesthetic transition was a completely unrealistic goal. The pastel colors of a “soft girl” wouldn’t compliment my skin without a coat of self-tanner and I felt like I didn’t recognize myself in the mirror. Dressing in these specific aesthetics renders a sense of community, but there is no point in being apart of a community you don’t feel comfortable in. 

I shouldn’t have to ditch my favorite music playlist or my go-to high-top Vans to be “cottage core,” nor should I have to die my brown hair to black and sport thick, black eyeliner everyday to make it look like I skate on the weekends. Dressing up to become something I’m not or to make a point to people that I have very obvious interests ruined my sense of individuality. My clothes were making a statement for me and my personality was hiding behind my thick denim jeans and corduroy bucket hat. I was tired of feeling pressure to look a certain way to go study at a coffee shop or get dinner with my friends on the weekends.

Attempting to mimic my ideal Pinterest board may have given me something other than homework to do for a few days, but quickly became a chore. Dressing a certain way solely because of your hobbies or interests isn’t essential to your identity — being mismatched is an aesthetic in itself and is unique to everyone. I can be my own aesthetic simply by dressing how I want to, listening to the music that makes me feel good and doing my makeup how it best suits me. 

I’ve decided to accept my hodge-podge of personal tastes and interests because in the end that’s what separates us all from each other. Trendy clothing and makeup isn’t a personality trait nor is it something worth changing yourself for.