What does it mean to be aesthetic? To be aesthetic is to have a union of pleasing and satisfactory elements. It caters to you and how you want to express yourself. Sometimes it takes a while to find your aesthetic. Fret no more, as this aesthetic guide is here to help!

There are so many aesthetics in today’s world. But the main ones are cottagecore, Indie, dark and light academia, e-kids, glamcore, and VSCO.

Cottagecore- the idea of living a simple, cozy rural lifestyle. It is based on traditional English and European life and harmony with nature. It started to develop throughout the 2010s but was given the name in 2018. You would typically wear floral and flowy fabrics with details of ruffle and lace. Things associated with cottagecore are plants, animals, picking flowers, sewing, poems, picnics, and harvesting vegetables from a garden. 

Inidecore- based on self-individuality and independence. Things typically worn are jeans, cardigans, band and brand t-shirts, tennis shoes, boots, Chuck Taylors, jean or leather jackets, flannel shirts, beanies, and skull caps. Indie kids tend to do DIY projects and picnics. Anything away from the mainstream culture or trends. 

Dark Academia is a literary subculture concerned with higher education in a romanticized light. People in this aesthetic typically wear cardigans, tweed pants, trench coats, blouses, knit tops, shorts, slacks, glasses, jewelry, classic watches, etc. The colors in this aesthetic are dark browns and blacks. Things associated with dark academia are ancient art and classic literature. 

The e-kids are the subculture of gen Z, who appeared during the late 2010s. This aesthetic was popularized by the social media app TikTok.  This trend is a mix of emo, mall goth and combined with Japanese street fashion and k-pop fashion. The everyday things worn in this are baggy thrift clothes, plaid skirts, mesh shirts, oversized t-shirts, crop tops, platform shoes, chokers, beanies, band merch layered over long-sleeve shirts, and polo necks. Things that characterize this subculture are things like: video games, energy drinks, eyeliner, childlike quality, anime, and sometimes colored hair. 

The glam core aesthetic is primarily used by women. It gives the appearance of wealth, high social status, and beauty. Things typically worn are evening gowns, fur coats, heels, boots, towel wraps, jewelry, tiaras, cat-eye sunglasses, chokers, hoop earrings, handbags, and purses. The glam image is typically confident, extroverted, competitive, and stubborn. It values self-care and beauty.

And finally, the VSCO aesthetic. Named after the app VSCO Cam, introduced in 2011. The fashion is preppy but laid back. They wear things like mom jeans, Lulu Lemon, puka shell, friendship bracelets, Burt’s Bees, scrunchies, Pura Vida, Crocs, Fjällräven Kånken bookbags, and crop tops. Things that characterize VSCO are laptops covered in stickers, polaroids, HydroFlask water bottles, Apple AirPods, funky sunglasses, phone stickers, and metal or paper straws. Things that are valued are positive vibes/creating positive environments, being eco-friendly, and being positive all around. They like to take pictures of the sunset, skateboard or roller skate, hang out at the beach, and do park spot painting. 

Everyone has an aesthetic whether they know it or not, but it doesn’t have to be a specific one -it could be a mix of them. The best thing about aesthetics is that they cater to you and your taste. So when you think about aesthetics, what do you see yourself wearing, or interested in? Whether it’s picking flowers, taking pictures of the sunset, playing video games, going shopping, reading, or doing projects it ties into who you are as a person.