AT THE CORE

There’s no doubt that we’re living in a time of unprecedented doubt. 2020 has left us with more questions than answers, not only about the world we live in, but about who we are. How do we find ourselves in the midst of chaos? In the midst of a world that’s trying to find itself? For some, it’s through intensely specific aesthetics that allow them to express their identity and interests through their physical appearance. Popularized in the last year, “core” aesthetics are dominating the internet. They exist in the name of self-expression, attempting to answer the questions we can’t stop asking.

The -core suffix is derived from the French word “coeur”, meaning heart. Similar to their lingual origin, core aesthetics reflect the essence of distinctive styles and ideals. Although they’re often expressed through fashion, they can represent various principles like political positions and music taste. Core aesthetics have been around for decades, with early examples being alternative styles like punk and goth. Recently, they’ve been popularized by social media platforms Tumblr and Tik Tok. There’s no culture incubator quite like the internet. It provides constant exposure to new music, fashion, and ideals, all fuel for developing aesthetics. And for young people, access to different cultural perspectives is essential to fostering personal identity and style.

Like a lot of current trends within

BY PIPER DAFFORN

fashion, many aesthetics are rooted in nostalgia, like Barbiecore. Barbiecore is characterized by late 1990’s/early 2000’s culture and fashion, with emphasis on pastel colors (especially pink), glittery makeup, mini bags, low-rise jeans, and baby tees. It encapsulates feminine glamour and draws inspiration from figures like Britney Spears and Gwen Stefani. Along with embracing femininity, Barbiecore is reminiscent of a time when many of its enthusiasts were children, a time when we played with dolls and yearned for flip phones. Everyone tends to romanticize the past, but that urge grows even stronger in times of unrest. We long for when life was pure and uncomplicated; when we weren’t mentally occupied by politics or a global pandemic.

Besides embracing the familiar and comfortable, core aesthetics also stray towards unconventional interests. A cousin to the ever-popular Cottagecore, Goblincore is an aesthetic that celebrates parts of nature that many would perceive as dirty or unsettling, like frogs, snails, and mushrooms. While aesthetics like Barbiecore lean towards pretty, angelic imagery, Goblincore rejects the notion that things have to be traditionally beautiful to be aesthetically pleasing. The fashion consists of comfortable clothing, often thrifted and with several clashing colors and patterns.In Goblincore, fashion isn’t glamorous, it’s functional and sustainable. Anoth-

er nonconformist aesthetic, Clowncore, emulates the style of clowns, mimes, and jesters. Although most of Clowncore is genial, some express it with a darker twist. That’s the thing about aesthetics: there’s no rulebook. They’re interpreted and conveyed in dozens of ways. The pleasure of these aesthetics comes from the fact that they celebrate elements of style that we’re taught to reject. For many people, that principle resonates with their own identity - finally being able to embrace one’s true self after years of suppressing it. Style is temporary - delving into a new aesthetic doesn’t have to be a long-term commitment. But expressing yourself in this way can be a great way to explore the core of your being, the heart of who you are. Let Cottagecore bring out your inner farmer or live out your love for Harry Potter with Dark Academia. Find out what lights your fire.

Even now, we can’t put ourselves and our self growth on hold. It might feel frivolous, but taking time to discover what kind of self-expression makes us happy is important. Cherish the things on the outside that embody who you are inside. At a time where we’re unsure of almost everything, aesthetics reflect who we are, at the core.