Internet aesthetic refers to a trend on the internet where individuals with social media accounts like Tumblr and Pinterest post images, music, videos, and text snippets on their digital space to create a particular mood based on what they consider visually appealing.
A Modern-Day Trend
The aesthetics cover art, photography, fashion, settings, media works, people, hobbies, and quotes. People create mood boards, TikTok, edits, niche memes, and playlists to complement their aesthetics.
The aesthetics are super important because they help capture your attention, enhance your experience, and communicate brand messages in this digital age.
Aesthetics in the Real World
While some individuals limit their aesthetics to the digital world, others extend it to real life by embracing specific hobbies, activities, fashion, or home decor. Although internet aesthetics could be an element of wish fulfillment, nostalgia, or escapism, some of the more common and accessible aesthetics could be regarded as subcultures.
Here are the top 10 internet aesthetics that have millennials and Gen Z hooked.
1. Dark Academia
Dark academia is a popular internet aesthetic and subculture that celebrates higher education, a passion for learning, and a fondness of the arts and literature, shadowed by an overall moody dark aesthetic.
This aesthetic is characterized by traditional academic attire, dark bookish interior design, activities such as writing and calligraphy, reading classic literature, and appreciating ancient art and poetry.
Dark Academia Fashion
Dark academia fashion is a dark but preppy style inspired by the 1930s and 1940s fashion. It’s all about clothing that people wore to upper-crust institutions, including Oxbridge and Ivy League universities and prep schools.
The aesthetic features cardigans, blazers, dress shirts, plaid skirts, Oxford shoes, and fabrics like houndstooth and tweed. The color palette of this aesthetic is mainly black, white, beige, brown, dark green, and sometimes navy blue.
2. Cottagecore
Cottagecore is an aesthetic about celebrating simple living, especially in the countryside. The aesthetic’s vibe is all about embracing a lifestyle rooted in traditional skills like baking bread, gardening, and sewing your own clothes. It’s a beautiful way to reconnect with nature and appreciate the little things in life.
Named ‘Cottagecore’ on Tumblr
This aesthetic has been around since the 2010s but was officially named “Cottagecore” on Tumblr in 2018. It’s related to other cool movements like farmcore and goblincore. It’s a fun and creative way to celebrate all things cozy and rustic.
3. Coastal Grandmother
The Coastal Grandmother aesthetic is perfect for those who love the coastal vibe and the summer breeze, enjoy cooking and trying new recipes, adore Ina Garten and are passionate about Nancy Meyer movies, and appreciate cozy interiors.
It’s more than just an aesthetic or fashion statement; it’s a way of life. It’s a charming way to live life to the fullest.
Embrace the Coastal Grandmother Aesthetic
This lifestyle is about rejecting the digital world to embrace simplicity and the physical world. It’s about enjoying the good things in life, like fresh seafood and homegrown veggies, or relaxing at home with a glass of white wine.
Instead of scrolling a screen, a Coastal Grandmother lifestyle encourages real-life activities like taking walks and cozying up in warm sweaters with soft bed linens. It’s not as fantastical as the “cottagecore” trend, but it’s an escape from the digital world and is all about enjoying the good life with those you love.
4. Barbiecore
Barbiecore is a fun and girly aesthetic inspired by the classic doll we all know and love – with a whole lot of pink!
Barbiecore Attitude
When it comes to Barbiecore, confidence is key! It is a way to express your bold, fashionable side with a huge dose of pink. It’s a fun and playful way to stand out and make a statement.
5. Mermaidcore
This aesthetic is about channeling mythical sea creatures through clothing, makeup, and hair.
Achieve the Mermaid Look
To achieve the mermaid look, you’ll want to incorporate crochet, pleats, bikini tops, shiny embellishments, prints, and shimmering fabrics in shades of blue, green, and purple into your wardrobe.
Try a gorgeous aqua-inspired eyeshadow topped with iridescent glitter that can double as a highlighter for your makeup. To complete the look, effortless waves or loose curls are a must. Don’t forget to add some shell or pearl accessories for bonus points.
6. Quiet Luxury
Quiet luxury is a fashion trend that’s all about investing in high-quality, minimalist pieces that are timeless in their appeal. This trend is essentially the opposite of ‘bling’ and contrasts popular avant-garde designer brands experimenting with bold logos and ostentatious patterns.
A Quiet Luxury Wardrobe
Quiet luxury involves investing in timeless pieces that showcase a sophisticated style. This trend is all about building a wardrobe of everyday staples that are both practical and luxurious rather than flaunting wealth with flashy designer logos and patterns.
7. Fairycore
Fairycore, or Fairy Folk, is a fantasy-themed aesthetic that centers predominantly around fairy and elf mythology.
What to Expect from Fairycore
Visuals include nature, soft pastels, butterflies, magic, flowers, soft animals like bunnies, and a springtime vibe.
8. Grunge
Grunge fashion is about achieving a laid-back and cool look by de-emphasizing the body’s silhouette and embracing an “untidy” appearance. Grunge visuals typically involve dirty, grimy imagery.
A History of Grunge
This style trend has been popular since the ’80s, thanks to the influence of punk and heavy metal rock bands.
9. Gothic
This popular trend has been making a comeback in recent years thanks to TV shows like Wednesday and celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian. When it comes to gothic fashion, think all-black outfits, lace, leather, and the odd corset – but Gothicism is about more than just fashion…
Oh My Goth!
Gothic originally started as a type of architecture in 12th century France, with its signature pointed arches and flying buttresses. Later, Gothic art and literature evolved to include outer design and artworks, poems, literature, fashion, films, shows, and video games.
What makes the Gothic style so intriguing is its ability to evoke a sense of horror, mystery, and beauty connected to superstition and rural culture.
10. Kawaii
Kawaii is primarily used to describe things that are charmingly cute and endearing. This widely embraced cultural phenomenon originated in Japan and later spread to various parts of the world.
Kawaii Visuals
The strong influence of the kawaii aesthetic is frequently observed in various aspects of life, including art, fashion, and food, to name a few.
Kawaii visuals are associated with a broad spectrum of colors. However, pastel colors are the most commonly linked, with white as the neutral color and pink being the most popular choice.
It’s worth noting, however, that there are no strict rules regarding the colors associated with the kawaii aesthetic – so long as everything looks ‘cute.’
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Susan is the founder of Susan's Socials, a social media agency focused on Flipboard. She is also a content curator, encouraging a healthy lifestyle through topics such as pets, food, travel, home decor, gardening, and fashion.
