If you were to look into my mind to see what’s in there, more than likely, the thing to pop up first would be a pair of Heaven by Marc Jacobs Kiki Boots. They’d be the ones minimalists would scoff at—with in-your-face illustrations of skeletons, demons, and perhaps a speckle of glitter or two. Portia from The White Lotus would definitely have them in her closet. Yes, you know the ones.
The Love Park Kiki Boots—or one of the countless other offerings from the New York designer’s Gen Z–focused fashion line—aren’t made with everyone in mind. They’re certainly not for the Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsens of the world or the people with Khaite taste on Zara budgets. Like most things force-fed to us by the TikTok algorithm, these boots are for the cool, weird women with eclectic outfits and a penchant for knit balaclavas—a Depop-ified external virtue signal that they’re not like the rest of the fashion crowd. They eat deep-dish pizza and partake in color and own leather handbags adorned with fried eggs or chocolate chip cookies.
The limited-edition boots, which dropped in early 2022, are going for a cool $1800 on eBay right now. I would be lying if I said I haven’t thought once or twice about throwing my cash out the metaphorical window and adding them to my cart. Maybe it’s an outward sign of embracing the wacky world of nontraditional dressing or a sick, twisted coping mechanism for healing my inner child, but the rise of weird-girl style has all but warped my mind into mush, and for good reason. It’s fun.
Former editor and content creator Michelle Li.
Doja Cat during Paris Fashion Week spring/summer 2023.
Ella Emhoff, model and designer behind Ella Emhoff Likes to Knit.
Coined by TikTok as “weird-girl style,” the aesthetic isn’t one to be ashamed of. In fact, it’s one that’s celebrated—fashion ecosystem willing or not. While searches for minimalist designer labels have flourished over the last few years and elevated basics are more shoppable than ever, a newfound crowd has embraced their inner kookiness.
Relying on intentionally clashing articles of clothing, colorful prints, and elaborate textures, the weird-girl aesthetic is a delectable lesson in personal style. It’s an Icee slime that TikTok can’t stop digging its hands into over and over, each time drawing out more questionable fashion choices that somehow look decent. You can trace the origins back to Harajuku—a student neighborhood in Tokyo bursting with counter-culture movements and subversive style. Although it wasn’t considered weird-girl style then, photographer Shoichi Aoki popularized the community’s eccentric sense of self, culminating in Fruits magazine, a first-of-its-kind street style publication featuring cool people and their cool clothing. The result? A living, breathing movement of dressing oddly just for the sake of it (and eventually cultural-appropriation vibes from Gwen Stefani).
Weird-girl clothing doesn’t necessarily need to follow a set list of rules, silhouettes, and cuts to be deemed as such. Both high-cut underwear as pants and two-headed-teddy-bear bags fall under the style umbrella. Like most things, though, you only have to look at Bella Hadid to figure out what all of the hoopla is about. The supermodel is known for her liberal street style, often composing it herself. On her roster are colorful crochet beanies, hiking sneakers, alien-inspired sunglasses, and accessories so bejeweled they would make Paris Hilton do a double take.
At this point, it’s important to acknowledge the elephant in the room: Is it a ‘fit, or is she just skinny? While the weird-girl aesthetic has nothing to do with race, social class, or body type, it’s undeniable that certain things are heralded as the peak of style on thinner body types and scoffed at when worn by others. Hadid can certainly wear men’s boxers as pants in the middle of winter, but according to some people on the internet, non-white, non-skinny people can’t.
Gabriella Karefa-Johnson during Paris Fashion Week spring/summer 2022.
Bella Hadid’s New York street style.
Kristen Bateman during New York Fashion Week fall/winter 2023.
There’s a new wave of chronically online Gen Z creators who may not fit the traditional mold and are embodying the weird-girl trend far better than anything a celebrity stylist could throw together. On TikTok, you can’t talk about maximalist dressing without acknowledging @AliyahsInterlude, a fashion creator who coined the term “Aliyahcore” to describe a fun bubblegum-princess manner of personal style that’s gained her millions of followers. Fashion editor Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, a personal-style North Star of mine, shares her ‘fit pictures on Instagram, mixing and matching It girl–approved labels like Chopova Lowena and Mowalola with thrifted jerseys and wacky accessories. Or perhaps you can be inspired by Emilia Fart, the mid-2010s YouTuber known for her red lips, unnaturally dyed hair, and poetic musings she uploaded to YouTube draped in oversize cloaks and frilly tulle dresses.
Underneath all of the crochet flowers and furry bucket hats, though, weird girls are, at their core, still fashion people who deserve bold self-expression and saccharine goodness when it comes to their clothing.
Creator @AliyahsInterlude at the Kate Spade F/W 23 presentation.
Hila Klein, fashion designer behind LA-based label, Teddy Fresh.
Haley Lu Richardson at the 2022 GQ Men of the Year Party.
While weird-girl style has some core elements tying it all together, most looks can be accomplished through mixing patterns, prints, and fabrics to create a nontraditional look. Skirts over pants, leg warmers, micro minis, and layered camisoles are all a part of the weird-girl aesthetic. If you’re looking to incorporate newer styles into your weird-girl rotation, hit up your local thrift store. My suggestion? The men’s section is where it’s at. If nothing catches your fancy, thankfully, there are more and more labels dipping their toes into the eccentric aesthetic, including some that pride themselves on creating as little waste as possible through rental programs. (Hello, Nuuly!) The wonderful world of TikTok’s weird-girl style has been defrosting for some time now, and by spring, it’ll reach full bloom. Ahead, shop a few curated weird-girl-style picks.
Emma Chamberlain’s favorite shoes, available directly on DSW, along with some other incredible weird girl finds from the shoe retailer.
Dua Lipa is a fan.
If I could own everything from this brand, I would.
Printed tights are a weird-girl staple.
This bag just sparks joy.
An affordable entryway into weird-girl style.
Moon Boots are Aliyahcore approved.
Kristen Bateman’s whimsical accessory line is high up on my buy list.
This Staud skirt is just speaking to me.
These sporty sunglasses come in pastel yellow, which goes with everything.
For your embroidery, may I suggest something from the @IronicBoatandTote Instagram page?
Weird-girl style isn’t just for straight-size people.
Does this come in other colors? Asking for a friend. And by a friend, I mean me.
Hailey Bieber wore parachute pants, so I had to wear parachute pants.
This dress is a formal take on weird-girl style without losing the whimsical elements of the aesthetic.
A weird girl always gets cold, so naturally, she needs a shrug.
This is so TikTok coded.
I’ve definitely seen this on my FYP before.
Nearly everything from this anime collaboration is pinned on my manifestation Pinterest board.
I can count the number of people who have stepped out of the house in designer underwear and somehow looked fabulous.
Slay. Literally.
Absolutely adorable.
Haven’t you heard? Maxi skirts are so in RN.
I can’t say no to ballet flats, especially pastel-yellow ones at that.
If you’re trying to make a statement, look no further.
If you’re looking to rent weird-girl clothing instead of buying it outright, Nuuly has a ton of sustainable options I’m absolutely loving.
Dying to get my hands on a Guest in Residence cashmere piece.
Next, The “Ugly” Trends That Celebs Are Trying to Make a Thing
