Ever since Tiktok launched into the international market back in 2017, it has become the most influential app to surpass Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube. Vox’s Rebecca Jennings writes “The video app absolutely dominates style trends and discussion around fashion.” Coining the term “Tiktok Couture” Jennings describes that these trends are due to teens and young adults “experimenting with clothes they’ve thrifted from their local charity shop” and revisiting subcultures that they were not old enough to participate in. Together, these factors have caused Tiktok fashion videos to dominate the algorithm causing viral content to millions of users within seconds. Here are some aesthetics that are currently dominating our algorithms:
- The “that girl” aesthetic:
The “that girl” aesthetic does not only pertain to fashion but a lifestyle as well. The “that girl” aesthetic practices clean eating, productivity, and a love for her 9-step skin care routine. Ruchira Sharma claims that this girl “ isn’t just healthy, she’s professionally successful and looks her best at every moment. She wakes up every morning at 5.30 am so she can seize the day and her nails are always uniform, manicured, and eternally chip-free.” This aesthetic has not only been dominating Tiktok’s algorithm but controversy as well. Many users have accused the trend of condoning orthorexia, an unhealthy obsession over clean eating. ModernGurlz’s analysis on the trend goes further into this style and how it perpetuates productivity. “That girl is the perfect adult, she’s what we’re told that was supposed to be. Put together and successful, something that could be both inspiring and disheartening.” With all the negative and positive attributes of this trend, there are some users that are making their own version of the aesthetic to make it more attainable. Tiktoker Marie Anne is a great example, she uploads lifestyle and healthy eating content that aligns with this aesthetic, however, she does condone under-eating and loves to inspire others to be more productive and live healthier lifestyles.
- Regencycore:
Ever since its debut on Netflix, Bridgerton has been one of the most well-received shows from the streaming service giving Tiktok users fashion inspiration from the Regency era. Input Magazine claims that regency core is a trend that focuses “ on regal-esque, debutante style with an emphasis on delicate embellishments, corsets, longline gloves, and feminine headpieces.” Like most trends, Tiktok helped boost the demand for Regencycore and Victorian fashion, making the trend go viral in other platforms of media and pop culture. Tiktoker Agus Panzoni (@thealygorythm) on Tiktok claims that Regencycore is “mixing Victorian items with underwear as outerwear styling.” Cottagecore dresses with garters &stockings, gloves, and corsets can easily achieve this style. Not only does this trend exude elegance and regal connotations but all these items can be found second-hand. Second-hand retailers such as Depop and Thredup sell online consignment clothing that is more ethical to buy compared to buying on Shien or ASOS.
- Couqette:
Influenced by its predecessor the “Lolita girl”, Coquette rose to popularity at the end of 2021 with the aesthetic being one of the latest Tiktok trends. Using inspiration from the Lolita and Nymphette color palette, Coquette uses hyperfeminine and flirtatious motifs. The Coquette aesthetic also combines luxury and elegance that is similar to Lana Del Rey during her Born to Die era. Tiktoker Kate (@allymypeachesareruined) accumulated more than 202.6K followers on the app from emulating hyper-feminine and cute connotations that derive from this aesthetic. Just like the Regencycore aesthetic, Coquette can easily be achieved by purchasing consignment or secondhand clothing from either thrift stores or Depop. This aesthetics could be achieved using miniskirts, stockings, tights, and satin/slick clothing that align with its color palette.
- New Space Age:
Based on the revival of the 1960s and space tourism created a love for futuristic styles in 2022. Nylon Magazine points out that this trend “shouldn’t come as a huge shock — the past few years have been saturated with space travel, from billionaires’ recreational romps through the cosmos to the growing interest in life beyond our planet. “ Celebrity influences such as Ariana Grande and Doja Cat have been pushing this modern adaptation of the Space Age trend. From Ariana’s REM Beauty Launch to Doja’s Planet Her album, New Space Age has influenced Tiktokers to experiment with go-go boots,mini skirts, and the infamous Courreges jacket. Agus Panzoni (@thealgorythm) asserts that “Advances in space tourism have brought newfound hope for the future, This time around, I expect to see innovation center around biodegradability and modularity. We’ve already started seeing it on the Spring 2022 runways, with Loewe, Mugler, and Chet Lo championing the style.”
As evident that more aesthetics and trends emerge from Tiktok, everyone is able to experiment with their style that makes them feel confident and comfortable in their own skin. Nylon Magazine’s Hannah Jefferson states that “People were looking to get dressed again but they were not looking for the little black dress or another pair of jeans. They were looking for something show-stopping,” says Jefferson. “By 2022, we’re going to see a lot more people really exploring that, in a way that’s super fun, super young, and super eccentric. I think that’s going to be really exciting to see.”