Ah, yes. The word I can’t seem to get off my TikTok page. While I personally haven’t stumbled across many videos using chic that offend me, a multitude of viewers have. Basically hinting at the fact that just because you claim something is “chic” doesn’t mean it is anything out of the ordinary. I have seen a few takes and opinions on “chic” and how it is used- a few I agree with and a few I believe are a bit overdramatic. Let’s discuss.
I wanna give a shoutout to the creator who truly rebranded, if you will, this word back in 2025: Ellie Freeman. She would make videos now and then discussing things she believed to be truly chic, and viewers (including me) ate them up. Her thoughts included having your own signature drink when you go out to the bar, white sheets, lipstick, having a paper planner, sun hats and so on. But it seems to be recirculating again, and I’m not sure if I can get back on this
“chic” train if Ellie Freeman isn’t the face. In my opinion, she made chic, “chic.”. Anyway, let me start with a couple of recent examples for those who feel behind: “it’s kinda chic to do your own nails,” “it’s kinda chic to go on a coffee walk at work” or “it’s kinda chic to thrift.” Harmless stuff, really. But the word seemed to take on its own meaning, even creating its own trend. It snowballed into throwing the word around for the sake of the trend, resulting in controversial videos and, honestly, videos that just didn’t make sense. Like, “it’s kinda chic to eat toast,” “kinda chic to (something that only applies to them)” or “kinda chic to have (basic human decency).” While I can see how these videos could upset some people, I do think people on the internet are just quite angry nowadays, meaning you can upset anyone at any time for doing anything. I think the majority of the videos are cute, but it does get to a point. Some creators are stating how it is not “chic” to be kind, to have a big heart, to love people- that that is just being human! Not everything needs to be deemed as “chic”, because not everything is chic. That’s the whole point of the word! It is unique, specific, and a statement. Now, I am not trying to tell you what to think. If you find something to be chic, then by all means flaunt it. But have we lost the whole purpose of the word? Is “chic” no longer chic?