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As someone who frequents the addictive social media platform, TikTok aesthetics are not new to me. In particular, the “-core” trends that make rounds on the app every now and then.
The cottagecore aesthetic is said to have been coined back in 2018 and refers to anything resembling a cozy countryside home. Barbiecore is a more recent example, inspired by the upcoming film release and usually features hot pink dresses and fuchsia heels.
But a viral Tweet drew my attention to a whole new world of food-inspired TikTok fashion aesthetics — from “strawberry girls” to “hard-boiled egg girls,” it looks like this obscure internet subculture has all bases covered.
And there are hardly any rules to it. Most videos are essentially mood boards with arguably related images.
It appears as though “tomato girls” are unsurprisingly categorized by their liking for the color tomato red and some vintage elements. Meanwhile, “hard-boiled egg girls” are associated with the ivory color palette and skincare routines.
There’s often no explicit description of what defines these different types of “girls,” which may come across as nonsensical to some.
In fact, the very Tweet by Katherine Howard that set me on this path of self-categorization went viral for pointing out the absurdity of the subculture. It has over 16.5 million views as of May 23.
“POV: a tomato girl and a boiled egg girl become friends and they call their clique the shakshukas,” wrote Howard in a follow-up Tweet.
But after falling into the rabbit hole and discovering virtually every type, I realized that the appeal lies precisely within its ambiguity.
Ultimately a harmless trend, it’s an unconventional but fun way for people to talk about fashion and artistry.
It’s almost like taking a Buzzfeed quiz that tells you what pizza you are based on how you plan your wedding, except the folks at TikTok fashion aesthetics let you decide for yourself.
So after my little journey of self-discovery, I’m convinced — at least for now — that I’m a “baked beans girl.” This is defined by a good mix of unhinged chaos, signified by a pair of Crocs overflowing with beans, along with self-care in the form of mud-mask facials.
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