#100 TRENDING IN Aesthetics & Trends 🔥

Very Demure, Very Mindful: What Is the Demure Aesthetic All About?

Aesthetics & Trends

September 29, 2024

Lately, social media has been buzzing with the viral audio, "Very demure, very mindful, very cutesy," which encapsulates a growing trend towards a softer, more understated approach to fashion, lifestyle, and behavior. But what exactly does it mean to be demure, mindful, and cutesy? And how has this aesthetic gained such traction in the world of fashion that recently celebrated bold, "Brat summer"? So without any further ado let's get it!

Let us slide into your dms 🥰

Get notified of top trending articles like this one every week! (we won't spam you)

Where Did the Audio Came from & What Does It Mean?

Free Woman in Beige Long Sleeve Shirt Holding Clothing Hanger Stock Photo

Image Credits: Arina Krasnikova from Pexels

The very first question that arises in everyone’s mind is, where did this phrase come from, right? The phrase “Very demure, very mindful, very cutesy” came from a TikTok creator named, Jools Lebron, she described how she approaches makeup and fashion for work. According to her, a person must dress up as Marge Simpson and neither like Patty Bouvier nor Selma Bouvier for work interviews because they are not very demure. She believed with demurity, we get success, demurity here means purity.

In the TikTok video, she challenged the “Brat Trend” by saying that “she doesn’t go to work with the green cut crease.” We all very well knew what green cut crease meant here.

This trend draws attention to a growing aesthetic that is subtle, soft, and innocent. According to the Oxford Dictionary, the meaning of Demure is a person who is reserved, modest, or shy. This quality is often found with quiet confidence, which doesn't shout for attention but rather whispers through thoughtful actions and understated charm.

Here, mindfulness refers to a conscious awareness of oneself with the environment. Modern people tend toward such practices as self-care, meditation, and eco-friendliness. Meanwhile, "cutesy" fits right into the playful, innocent, and sometimes childlike structures of this style.

Which Fall Activity Should You Try Next?

Take the Quiz: Which Fall Activity Should You Try Next?

Fall is full of exciting activities to match your vibe! This quiz will help you discover the perfect way to enjoy the season.

The Demure Aesthetic in Fashion

Free Photo of Women Sitting on Orange Sofa Stock Photo

Image Credit: rf._.studio from Pexels

What kind of aesthetic are we talking about? Whispers elegance, that is, and simplicity. Soft, flowing fabrics and then, gentle patterns, where nothing is too striking. It's a far cry from the completely revealing and edgy fashion that gained full control over trends a few years ago.

Long skirts, high-necked blouses, and dainty accessories automatically speak about the demure style. Neutral tones like cream, soft blues, blush pinks, and earthy tones are the only names that define this style. Ruffles, lace, and dainty floral prints often find their way into this aesthetic, giving a romantic, feminine touch.

Comfort and class are the focus-whether it's in the form of a simple tea dress paired with ballet flats or an oversized sweater layered over a collared shirt. It's a wardrobe that takes its listeners to the benches, saying, "I don't need too much to look beautiful." The clothes are not for being out of the ordinary but for fitting into the mundane surroundings.

Key Examples of the Demure Aesthetic in Fashion

Free Crop woman in white headscarf sitting on grassy field Stock Photo

Image Credits: Sergey Makashin from Pexels

1. Puff sleeve dresses: They are a staple for those accepting this modest sensibility, these flowy, loose dresses conformed to the demure aesthetic. There are high necklines and long skirts, completing the coverage without sacrificing charm at all.

2. Cardigans and sweaters: These are soft, oversized knits for wearing over a skirt or dress. The cutesy vibes are so cozy.

3. Minimal jewelry: These include a dainty necklace, small pearl stud earrings, and thin rings.

Influencers and Being Demure

Free Woman Wearing Black Dress Stock Photo

Image Credits: cottonbro studio from Pexels

And the list goes on, from Swedish influencer Matilda Djerf and her subtle neutral color palette, natural hair, and soft feminine silhouettes to American Lyn Slater, called the Accidental Icon, who has shown that with more mature style, demure can be sophisticated and powerful for any age.

Lifestyle and Mindfulness

Free Woman Meditating in the Outdoors Stock Photo

Image Credits: Oluremi Adebayo from Pexels

This demure aesthetic runs deep, it's not just what you wear but how you live. This movement is calling for a slower, more thoughtful life. Consider mindfulness practices through meditation, journaling, and living in a more minimalist, clutter-free environment.

A world so oversaturated by hustle culture seems to call for a light demure aesthetic. It's beautiful in the small things. For example, imagine yourself drinking tea or doing something with a plant at your place.

Also, mindfulness aligns with sustainability, people think twice before impacting the world around them. Slow fashion and eco-friendly lives are now part of these new values and smart consumption.

Slow Living: The truth is that it is fine to do things at one's own pace. The demure may spend the weekends baking bread, knitting, or going on nature walks.

Minimalism: Concentration on having lesser, quality items instead of grabbing something at fast fashion or trends. It cuts across clothes, home decor, and personal care as well.

Eco-friendliness: Being aware of this aesthetic also means supporting sustainably created products, reducing waste, and promoting environmentally friendly brands.

How is the “Demure Trend” related to "Brat Summer" and Other Trends

Free Cosmetics Makeup photo and picture

Picture Credits: DennisVonDutch from Pixabay

Between all this, there was "Brat summer," a wildly different trend before the now popular demure aesthetic. This aesthetic was rebellious, bold, and unapologetic. Defy expectations, maximalism, showiness-on-bold makeup, cheeky colors, and cheeky attitude. It was the celebration of excess and loudness in fashion and attitudes.

Still, as with anything, the pendulum swings back. And having taken all things to extremes and beyond excessiveness for a little while, it is natural that people are looking for something softer and more comforting. Demure is the response to that: an antidote for the styles that once dominated at such high energy and high-octane streams of consciousness. This feels like a collective exhalation after a long period of intensity.

We see this cyclical nature in fashion constantly. Loud, rebellious punk rock styles of the 70s followed into power suits and sleek silhouettes of the 80s. And so it is again now, but with a much more modern spin.

Demureness with Culture

Free Woman Model photo and picture

Image Credits: loilamtan from Pixabay

This style isn't exactly a new idea, it has quite deep cultural roots. For the most part in Eastern cultures, maybe even in Japan, for example, humility and modesty have always been considered worthy personality traits. The concept of "kawaii" (the Japanese word for cute) has long been one that adorns innocence, playfulness, and understated beauty. The demure aesthetic borrows from these cultural ideas and makes them more accessible to a global audience.

The resurgence of cottagecore during the pandemic also played a big role in paving the way for this trend. Many people found themselves spending more time at home, looking for quite romantic ideas about a simpler, slower-paced life. There went vintage fashion, home gardening, and all the pastoral beauty; nowadays, it morphs into a more refined one.

Will This Style End?

Free western dress 2024 | shoot by Dhanno Stock Photo

Image Credits: Muneeb Malhotra from Pexels

Again, like with any trend, this delicate style will grow old and be out of style, but its roots in being mindful and sustainable do suggest that it might be more resilient than we would think. In a world that is evermore finding attention to issues concerning mental health as well as environmental ones, a lifestyle embracing those values is likely going only grow.

What is refreshing about the dainty look is that there is individuality in its softer bounds. It was meant for those who do not want to be like everyone else but to stand out in a quiet, elegant, and deeply thoughtful way. Its "cutesy" adds a playful twist, reminding us not to take life too seriously.

Conclusion

Free Girl Woman photo and picture

Image Credits: vydumka from Pixabay

In a world that calls for loudness and attention so often, this very demure the very mindful, the very cutesy- is like a quiet reprieve. It can be said to be a celebration of softness, intentionality, and understated charm.

Through influencers like Matilda Djerf as well as many more out there, being mindful and demure can be quite a potent statement. And since trends continue to change, this one might just hang in a little longer, inviting all of us to take the quieter, more thoughtful route in life.

What's your take on the demure look? Is the demure look here to stay or just one of those passing trends? How can you incorporate more mindfulness and cutesy charm into your daily routine?

Aliza Ashraff
10k+ pageviews

Writer since Mar, 2024 · 7 published articles

Meet Aliza, a budding lifestyle journalist with a passion for travel, K-pop, K-dramas, and culinary delights. With an eye for fashion, she navigates the world with curiosity and excitement, eager to share her vibrant experiences through her writing. She's a lifestyle blogger who intricately weaves together her passion for wellness, fashion, travel, and self-discovery, offering her readers a vibrant tapestry of inspiration, advice, and personal anecdotes to navigate the modern world with style and substance. Join Aliza as she embarks on her journey to uncover the stories that inspire and captivate audiences everywhere.

Want to submit your own writing? Apply to be a writer for The Teen Magazine here!
Comment