Viral trends: what exactly is the 'vanilla girl aesthetic'?

A deep dive into TikTok's new niche aesthetic

Roseanna Leconte
28th February 2023
Image Credit: Instagram @annacwoodring

Another day, another style is trending on the internet for girls to keep up with. January of this year saw the rise of the vanilla girl aesthetic, but what does this mean and what are the implications of such a trend? 

What is the vanilla girl aesthetic?

The aesthetic focuses on neutral colours such as white, cream, and beige, with natural make up and minimalist accessories. A quick google search of ‘vanilla girl aesthetic’ reveals a plethora of images of mainly slim, white girls looking effortlessly put together in clothing that perfectly balances between cosy and classy. The style opts for comfy, airy fabrics such as linen shirts and cashmere cardigans, soft wavey hair – or a deliberately messy do loosely held together by a claw clip – and cute gold or pearl jewellery. To complete the look, a simple nude or French manicure and a small, cream-coloured shoulder bag. The trend goes even further than simply looking the part, as many try to achieve the aesthetic in their home décor too. 

Image Credit: Instagram @realskindiaries

How did it become so popular?

The trend is arguably an evolution of last year’s ‘clean girl’ aesthetic trend, which also emphasised minimalistic make up. On TikTok, #vanillagirl has garnered over half a billion views, with many creators posting extensive how-to guides, including collages and links to products. As it turns out, this simplistic look requires far more than minimal planning; girls are putting a lot of effort into looking effortlessly cute and cosy, so the whole trend is quite the oxymoron. Given the nature of TikTok – and young people’s desire to fit in – it’s no wonder that the aesthetic has gone viral. 

Girls are putting a lot of effort into looking effortlessly cute and cosy, so the whole trend is quite the oxymoron

What does it mean for girls?

There is nothing objectively wrong with wearing neutral colours, basic make-up, and minimalist accessories. The beauty of fashion is that you can use it to express yourself and feel confident. However, as with most beauty trends before it, and the many that will inevitably follow, the vanilla girl aesthetic is potentially harmful for girls and young women. Already facing so much pressure to always look their best in accordance with unrealistic beauty standards, trends such as this one create categories for women to fit into. On the positive side, trending aesthetics can inspire girls to try new styles, but there is a deeper implication that results in young women feeling like they need to meet a certain standard in order to be seen as beautiful. Achieving that glowing, smooth complexion whilst wearing minimal make up isn’t always feasible for teenage girls who are struggling with hormonal acne, for example. These trends rarely embrace imperfections. 

Image Credit: Instagram @matildadjerf

The vanilla girl trend lacks inclusivity, featuring predominantly blonde-haired, slim, white women and girls

What are other implications?

As trends go out of style as quickly as they first became popular, there is something to be said of the consumerist nature of the vanilla girl aesthetic. As mentioned earlier, many TikTok videos included links to products that meet the aesthetic’s criteria. This trend encourages people to buy new clothes, new jewellery and possibly new bags and home décor only for it to go out of style a few weeks later, when they most likely already have perfectly good clothes in their wardrobe. Viral TikTok beauty trends are inextricably linked to fast fashion. Moreover, the vanilla girl trend lacks inclusivity, featuring predominantly blonde-haired, slim, white women and girls. 

If you like beige clothing, pearl necklaces and French manicures, then by all means keep expressing yourself how you want to. Just remember that nobody is perfect and we are all beautifully unique. 

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