Is the “That Girl” trend a SCAM?! Let’s Talk About It!
Hi friend!
Today, we're going to talk about the "that girl" aesthetic and how it fuels overconsumption while claiming to promote wellness.
Before discussing the trend, what does it mean to be "that girl?" So, the "that girl" aesthetic is a TikTok trend focused on self-improvement and wellness. When I think of the trend, I think of slicked-back buns, minimal makeup, pilates princess vibes, and shopping at Erewhon (a luxury grocery store that a lot of celebrities shop at in the US).
Other aesthetic characteristics include tidy spaces, organized drawers/cabinets, and clean bathrooms. Another common theme of the "that girl" aesthetic are plastic compartment trays and bins where everything is uniform and in their place, especially with skincare and makeup collections. Healthy foods are a part of the "that girl" diet. The diet includes avocado toast, yogurt, salads, granola, peanut butter toast, açai bowls, smoothies, and fruit platters. Lastly, the "that girl" fashion includes trendy but basic clothes & shoes from LuLulemon, Brandy Melville, and other stores.
On the surface, there's nothing wrong with this aesthetic. Eating healthy, working out, and caring for yourself are amazing. But, this aesthetic has been commodified, and the true meaning has been lost. We can ONLY find it in a can of Bloom Greens powder (Zenee says sarcastically). Speaking of Bloom, let's talk about the different brands integrated into this aesthetic.
Lululemon, Rhode Makeup, Erewhon, & Bloom are some common brands you will see in almost every "that girl" video. Some of these brands, Bloom specifically, are great at marketing their products and making us feel like we need their products to be "that girl." Brands like Bloom & Lululemon are the face of the "that girl" aesthetic. Someone just getting into wellness might feel like they need to purchase from these brands to imitate their favorite "that girl" influencers.
Speaking of Influencers, many of them have millions of followers that they promote this aesthetic to, and to the follower, it may look like the influencer is living the most remarkable life. Deep down, they want to live that great life, too. But remember that many of these influencers' jobs are to sell you a lifestyle. They get paid thousands of dollars and are gifted a bunch of gifts to maintain their lifestyle. They're not working a 9-5 job like you and are struggling to pay bills, groceries, rent, insurance, and the millions of other things you must pay for. Always remember this when you see an influencer on social media.
There are theories explaining why we're drawn to these social media aesthetics. According to the Huntington News (see quote below)
The last part of the quote really sums up why we're drawn to these aesthetics: we want to fit in. No one wants to feel left out, so we adopt the aesthetic even if we don't want to or care. Another reason why we might be drawn to the "that girl" aesthetic is because we're unhappy with ourselves. These influencers have the "perfect hair, bodies, and lives," we think that if we buy all the stuff they're promoting, we could look and be like them. Here's the thing: Many of the women who promote the "that girl" aesthetic are skinny, white, and wealthy. This can create unrealistic standards.
Suppose you're not skinny, white, or wealthy. In that case, you might feel like you'll never achieve the "that girl" aesthetic even after spending most of your money buying the products many of the "that girl" influencers were promoting. Now you're right back to square 1 of your wellness journey with a bucket full of supplements, clothes, and jewelry.
At this point, you might be wondering how to tell the difference between ACTUAL wellness and marketing tactics. My rule is to run away if a product claims to solve your problems! Wellness comes from within, not from a $50 jar of greens powder. It's about the food you eat, the mindset you have, and the habits you build.
You don't have to get your gym clothes from Lululemon; your gym clothes from Walmart are fine. Also, it's okay if you get your groceries from Walmart. There are a bunch of affordable healthy food options there. If you want to better your mindset, you can listen to podcasts, watch YouTube videos, or read books at your local library. Wellness does not require you to buy a lot of products.
At the end of the day, the "that girl" aesthetic can be inspiring, but it can also fuel overconsumption. You don't need expensive products to live a healthy, meaningful life. Wellness is about balance, not buying into every trend.
Feel free to let me know your thoughts. Thank you for reading!
Keep drinking the kale juice!
Zenee
