It is apparent that ‘chic’ has become the new buzzword on Tiktok – to many people’s frustration. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes it as, “a distinctive mode of dress or manner associated with a fashionable lifestyle, ideology, or pursuit.” Social media is infamous for platforming idealized, fabricated versions of daily life. You have probably scrolled through many slideshows titled: “Things I find chic,” only to discover the same gold jewelry, dark red lipliners, and linen clothes. The trend hit its climax when influencer Helene Taylor posted her egg and pesto recipe on a slice of toast with the caption: “turns out toast is kind of chic.” Not even a quick breakfast was safe from the hands of elegance and sophistication. At this point, so many objects were chic that nothing could truly be chic anymore. And if everything was chic, was anything authentic?
‘Chic toast’ could have been used to increase engagement by following trends and grabbing attention. Nevertheless, people gawked at the irony of a simple food being given an aesthetic. If you scroll through Humphrey-Taylor’s page, she continues the ‘chic’ bit for the algorithm, but you can also find something much more valuable. Dozens of simple recipes, such as afternoon cakes, chia jam, and granola. Her original goal defied the chic trend. She shared free recipes meant for recreation and creative liberty. Her yoghurt bowls are the blueprint for dozens of other combinations. In her comment section, people share pictures of their breakfasts, creating kind banter and support. Underneath the chic trend is a community of foodies, experimenting with authentic recipes void of a ‘chic’ title.
At the core, ‘chic toast’ is no different from her other recipes. It was a way to share her creation, even if the trend clouded the core purpose. There is little viewers can do about social media’s routine romanticization of life, but there are ways around it. Find little pockets of community in between – and sometimes underneath – mainstream trends. Choose influencers that speak to you, inspire you, or do things in a way that makes them authentic. In all of social media’s glamorization, there are pockets of authenticity. You just have to go beyond chic to find them.