Where Do We Draw the Line With Aesthetics?

By: Aaliyah Michael, Seasonal Public Relations Intern | Digital4Good

To maximize engagement on their posts, content creators will look to the most popular trends. The rise of social media “aesthetics” is a particularly relevant example.

Adhering to an aesthetic, such as “clean girl” or “office siren,” has become a new way of “fitting in” for teens and young adults. When a singular aesthetic starts trending (particularly on TikTok), users are incentivized to participate in the trend to increase engagement and gain inclusion into a popular online community. 

Countless aesthetics have arisen on social media in recent years, but what exactly are they, and how healthy is it for users to engage in these trends?

What Is an Aesthetic?

Merriam-Webster defines an aesthetic as “a particular taste for or approach to what is pleasing to the senses and especially sight.”

On social media, “aesthetic” is often used to describe a trendy theme and its commonly associated elements (e.g. “dark academia”: antique books, tweed blazers, vintage furniture) that people find visually appealing. 

For many social media users, however, an aesthetic isn’t just something to passively admire. An aesthetic represents how a person wishes to be viewed by others. Social media users will model their personal style and even behavior on a chosen aesthetic — how they dress, which media they consume, and what they post on social media. 

Here are just a few of the most popular aesthetics from recent years:

1. Coquette: A romantic style with soft pastel colors (e.g. pink, gray, white) and a focus on accessories like ribbons, pearls, and bows. 
2. Clean Girl: Minimalistic and polished, with sleek buns, claw hair clips, and neutral tones. 
3. Y2K: Revives the fun, vibrant elements of fashion from the early 2000s: bright colors, different patterns within one outfit, and crop tops. 
4. Office Siren: Professional attire, glasses, alluring eye makeup, and dark tones.

Are Aesthetics Harmful?

The act of adopting an aesthetic is not harmful on its own. However, it can become toxic when a user feels pressured to exclusively post content that aligns with a certain aesthetic while repressing other interests that “clash” with the theme. 

The limiting nature of aesthetics generally discourages personal interests, individuality, and self-expression. People in aesthetic communities may find themselves blindly following trends rather than freely engaging with things that genuinely interest them. This can harm a person’s perception of themselves and drive them to seek validation from other users.

The social media feedback loop further encourages conformity to a specific trend. Adherence to a popular aesthetic increases engagement, as these posts are more easily discoverable by other users. Originality is rarely rewarded online, and even when it is, it, too, becomes a trend. 

Potential Harms of Aesthetics: 

Self-Comparison

Comparing oneself to others can be detrimental to one’s self-esteem. For example, a user may feel insecure when someone else’s feed fits a particular aesthetic more consistently than their own. It is important to remember that social media is a curated version of the truth — that “clean girl” influencer isn’t wearing a slicked-back bun and sipping green juice 24/7!

Seeking Outside Validation

It is normal to desire community and acceptance. However, basing one’s self-worth and identity on external validation is unhealthy. When you, for example, post a photo of an outfit that aligns with a specific aesthetic, which brings you more joy: seeing yourself dressed that way, or the likes and comments you got on that post?

Perfectionism

Fear of judgment often drives us to appear “flawless” to others. Unfortunately, when this unrealistic expectation becomes a fixation, it can lead to serious mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder). 

Celebrate What Makes You “You”

Individuality is what makes us special. Our value is inherent and does not depend on whether we are accepted by others. We invite you to celebrate your individuality by uploading challenges and using hashtags that express your genuine interests and unique experiences. 

If there’s a trendy aesthetic that appeals to you, there’s no harm in dressing in that style or watching films associated with that aesthetic, as long as you genuinely enjoy it. As you follow these trends, consider the following pointers:

1. Critical Thinking: Every so often, it’s important to take a step back from social media and reflect on our consumption of online content. Practicing critical thinking will help you distinguish between what’s important and what merely appears to be important. 
2. Digital Detox: Engage in activities that don’t involve digital technology. Spending time offline can be a great way to discover new hobbies.
3. Celebrate Imperfection: Encourage authenticity by sharing real, lived experiences and content that isn’t “perfectly made.” 
4. Educate Yourself: Attend workshops and seminars about the impact social media can have on your mental health. 

While participating in aesthetic communities can be fun and interactive, we must remind ourselves to always remain true to our authentic selves. 

Looking for a safe, positive space to share and express your unique interests? Join our Students4Good community!