Unique fashion aesthetics embrace diverse style options

A phrase known as fashion aesthetics has quickly taken off within the fashion world. The idea is to focus trends, colors and different types of vibes on a clothing style. A fashion aesthetic is a way to explain to others how you might classify what you like to wear. On top of seasonal trends that often shift on a yearly base, an aesthetic is core, classic and identifiable.

Since everyone has their own personal style, there are a range of different aesthetics. I will focus on four—hopefully, you can find one that you like. Driving from the word “independent” is the indie aesthetic. It often reminds me of typical 2000s movies, which would make sense due to the indie aesthetic taking inspiration from the early 2000s with a modern twist. This is also where most of the current fast fashion trends seem to gravitate towards.

The idea of the aesthetic is to express individuality and an independent look. The classics that typically come to mind when looking at this set aesthetic would be high-waisted jeans with a flare, both cropped and oversized graphic tees, chunky shoes, and of course, the staple bucket hat. The soft aesthetic takes a softer tone, incorporating mainly pastel color palettes and often with florals. The pastel colors create a cloud-like feeling that remains consistent throughout the outfit. The main articles of clothing would have to be wide-legged denim jeans, flowy bottoms, lacy camisoles and cropped cardigans. My personal favorite from this aesthetic is the use of sweater vests.

The vintage aesthetic is a trend that never seems to go out of style. There are many things to love about the vintage aesthetic that can be seen throughout decades of fashion. Predicting these certain trends is often easy due to the type of vintage material presented to the general population. Take the show “Stranger Things,” for example. In fashion, a peak of the 80s might get a callback due to the show’s popularity. When there is a lull, often the aesthetic seems to pair different decades together, like the 60s bellbottoms with a color palette that might have been more common with the 80s. I love this trend because it helps sustainability since there is more of a draw to finding vintage items and recycling older clothes.

The final trend and aesthetic that would be an absolute crime not to mention is dark academia. The popular surface of this aesthetic can be found all over TikTok and Instagram, especially as we begin the colder months of the year. Not everyone will love this aesthetic, but we don’t dress for other people. Within the dark academia aesthetic, there is often a mix of romantic and neo-classic color pallets with black, dark brown, charcoal and forest green.

Layers are often seen within this aesthetic, which is why it is helpful during the winter. Blazers and loafers are good staple points with this aesthetic, as well as a mix tweed and dress pants. This is just the tip of fashion aesthetics, and often a personal style might only stay in one aesthetic.

Over the years of constantly exploring, my color palette often changes, and so do the clothes I gravitate towards. However, as someone attempting to rebuild their wardrobe to something that fits my personality, drawing ideas from certain aesthetics can be helpful.