I assume you are all familiar with the term “basic”—that is, unless you’ve been living under a rock. The basic girl describes the girl who likes everything and anything popular. She follows all the “it” trends.
Urban dictionary defines basic as “any person, place, or activity involving obscenely obvious behavior, dress, action; unsophisticated.” Is that really what it means to be basic—obvious and unsophisticated?
I recently read an article in Cosmopolitan by Jennifer Wright titled “What’s So Wrong with Being Basic?” It got me thinking. Being labeled a basic girl has such a negative connotation. But, why? Sure, I get overly excited when a Sex and the City marathon airs on E!, spend too much of my college budget at Lululemon and J.Crew, wish daily that I were Kate Middleton, and check my Instagram an unhealthy amount. Does this make me unsophisticated? I have to agree with Wright—NO it does not!
Let’s be honest, Notre Dame has its own category of basic girls. The more we mingle with each other in the dorm, classroom, and dining hall, the more basic we get. Don’t get all self-conscious on me now! We need to follow Wright’s advice and embrace the label. There’s no shame in liking all the popular clothes, foods, phrases, and activities your friends do.
Here’s a quick checklist to see how “Notre Dame basic” you really are:
1. You use a Longchamp to carry your books to class.
2. You own a black North Face jacket or gray Patagonia.
3. L.L. Bean boots help you trek through the snow.
4. The Vineyard Vines shep shirt is your go-to when you can’t decide what to wear. Pair it with your Lululemon yoga pants and you’re good to go.
5. You know every possible salad creation at the DH.
6. Saturday/Sunday brunch at the dh is mandatory for recapping the night.
7. And you eat way too much of that fro-yo…
8. You proudly represent your dorm by wearing your spirit jersey.
9. You get overly excited when the Pumpkin Spice coffee makes its appearance in O’Shag, Mendoza, and Starbucks.
10. Greenfields closing was one of the most depressing moments for you.
11. “Here Come the Irish of Notre Dame” is your favorite game day jam.
12. And picking out the perfect outfit for game days is essential–bows and face stickers included.
13. You abuse #blessed.
14. Your Instagram is filled with Dome pics you just couldn’t resist taking.
15. An over-sized sweatshirt, leggings, and your cute Nike kicks…. Need I say more?
16. You can’t get enough of Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off.”
17. You own Sperrys.
18. Every time you go to Panera or Chipotle it’s literally the best day ever.
19. Counting down the days until Feve Thursdays.
20. You refer to the library as Club Hes, but really you’re only there to socialize with everyone else who is also “studying.”
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