Why Gen Z is Not Feeling the Clean Girl Aesthetic
The stereotype that Gen Zs and millennials are on different sides of the cultural spectrum is one grounded in proof. From the millennial fashion crisis that was skinny jeans to the girl boss agenda, Gen Z has continuously sided with the opposites of most millennial fashion trends. The newly established clean girl aesthetic is no exception.
The clean girl aesthetic is a style core anchored on the minimalist lifestyle. It involves using light layers of makeup as opposed to the 2016 cakey beat with simple jewelry and draped in neutrals. The clean girl has clear skin with a fresh, short manicure set and just generally looks expensive. As with many fashion trends, we can’t pinpoint the exact start of the trend, but it did gain popularity at the beginning of 2022. Although Gen Zs are known for lighter base makeup, the graphic liner with colorful lips makes makeup trends a lot different with emphasis on self-expression as opposed to looking simple.
There’s some discussion that the clean girl look is a Gen Z version of the minimalist fashion, and that may be true. But it’s obviously the millennials who are rocking it the most. Celebs like Hailey Bieber rock it almost everyday.
On the internet, this new aesthetic is making rounds with YouTubers filming ‘Clean Girl Aesthetic Makeup Tutorials’ (Freddy My Love, Kayla Lashae) and Pinterest boards filling up with outfit and makeup inspirations based on the clean girl aesthetic. Gen Zs remain unmoved and are instead sticking with the maximalist and colorful aesthetic we’ve been known for.
Many people say TikTok is to Gen Z as Instagram is to millennials, so how is it that this trend that took over TikTok in just months since its inception is lost on the app’s largest market?
But it’s really simple. The clean girl aesthetic is a mask.
Source: Pinterest
You know the expression, fake it till you make it? That’s basically it because although the clean girl ‘looks’ like she has her life together, she really doesn’t (maybe).
Gen Zs are known as the generation that embrace realness, authenticity, and everything that represents staying true to who you are. That’s what qualifies someone as ‘cool’. That’s exactly why the pretentious clean girl aesthetic doesn’t fit the ideals of opinionated Zoomers*.
There’s also the complication with the name ‘clean’ implying that there is a ‘dirty girl’. Unfortunately, those at the forefront of the aesthetic also look a particular way, thin, pretty and wealthy. This raises questions about the inclusivity of the aesthetic, something that’s particularly important to Gen Zs.
Does that mean the clean girl aesthetic isn’t cool and I should avoid it? Definitely not! The emphasis should also be on staying true to who you are. So if you love the oversized blazers over mom jeans with the gelled down middle parted hair, then go for it! Cause it really is a lewk!
Most importantly, if the clean girl aesthetic is one you aspire to, in terms of looking put together, then there’s no shame adopting it until it becomes your normal. Just don’t feel pressured into being a ‘clean girl’ and don’t feel like you have to stick to the crazy graphic liners if you don’t want to either.
Just do you 😍
*Another name for Gen Z
