That Girl (trend)
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The "That Girl" aesthetic is an online subculture and fashion consisting of an individual who takes care of themselves and puts a holistic emphasis on wellness.[1] It is most often targeted at women, although not exclusively.
History
[edit]
“That Girl” began as a viral trend on TikTok[2][full citation needed] by user Angelxadvice who shared their objectives for the new year: eating more fruit and vegetables, and reading more books. In the spring of 2021 the term gained popularity, and became the norm for fitness, and wellness influencers. The aesthetic proliferated on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest through various formats including short form videos, extended vlogs, and curated Pinterest boards.[citation needed]
The vlog component is especially popular, as it can demonstrate the ideal day of a “That Girl”, bringing in the “day in my life” compellation videos. It can also focus on a specific part of the day, either with a detailed morning routine, night routine or fitness routine.[citation needed]
Behaviors
[edit]Morning Routine
[edit]“That Girl” morning routine begins at the crack of dawn.[3] The reason behind this philosophy being that waking up early allows for more personal time before day-to-day obligations (school, work) and permits for self development.[citation needed] Favored activities practiced in the morning include; affirmations, meditation, journaling, stretching, exercise, and consuming a healthy well-balanced breakfast.[4]
Night Routine
[edit]That Girl nighttime routine has various components. Much like the morning routine, it must be exercised at a slower pace and properly enjoyed. Some activities proposed during this relaxation state include; journaling, reading, yoga, meditation, skincare, or connecting with loved ones.[5] That Girl individuals are also encouraged to avoid using technologies an hour before bed to avoid blue light as it can disturb the sleep cycle.[6] Adherents to the trend have an earlier bedtime,[7] ranging from 8:30pm to 10pm to get in a proper amount of sleep, regardless of waking up earlier than the norm.
Fitness
[edit]
Popular forms of fitness within this trend are often sports that can be practiced alone, or in pairs. Yoga, pilates, walking, and running were first associated to the trend in 2021, as accessibility to gym spaces were restrained due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Swimming, tennis and pickleball were later added to the trend in 2024, popularized by the film Challengers and the Paris 2024 Olympics. For those who practice Yoga and Pilates, That Girl practitioners are encouraged to partake in classes at their local yoga or pilates studios or watch fitness content via YouTube with creators like Blogilates[8][better source needed] and Yoga with Adrienne.[9][better source needed]
Diet
[edit]The That Girl diet, much like the lifestyle, is one that is balanced, both in healthiness and sweetness. Many in the community adhere to a Mediterranean diet, consisting mostly of fresh produce, bread and fish or plant-based protein.[citation needed]
In the mornings, it is suggested that individuals start their day with a smoothie, coffee or matcha tea. As for food, the smoothie bowl, granola/oats with yogurt,[10][better source needed] fruits, eggs as well as avocado toast are prominent at the crack of dawn.[citation needed]
For lunch and dinner time, panini wraps, salads, salmon, buddha bowls,[11] and sandwiches are popular. To accompany the main course, vegetables, naan bread and humus (or tzatziki sauce) are often added. In recent years, meals have often been carried in matching container sets, promoted by various influencers or placed in bento boxes for practical purposes.[citation needed]
Fashion
[edit]Style within this trend is axed towards comfort and an active lifestyle. Joggers, jeans, athleisure, and crop tops are some of the key clothing features. Colours tend to be neutral, consisting of black, white, grey, beige, brown but with accent colours, often green.
Heels are often swapped out for in demand sneakers, which can be attributed to the active lifestyle promoted by the trend.[1] Such shoes include the New Balance 550s, New Balance 530s, Adidas Original Gazelles, Onitsuka Tiger 66s, Converse Platforms or Converse Run Star Hike High Top. As for sandals, Birkenstocks Arizona,[12] and Boston models have gained traction in recent years.[when?]
Entertainment
[edit]Music
[edit]To be considered "That Girl" music, songs must promote main character energy and be empowering.[13][vague]
Podcasts
[edit]Podcast listening is especially popular within the trend as it allows one to stay up to date with current events, discover new interests, as well as encourage one’s personal development, whether it be on a business or personal level.
- Life with Marianna with Marianna Hewitt
- Unf*ck Your Brain with Kara Loewentheil
- What We Said with Jaci Marie and Chelsy Jade
- The Wellness Cafe with Trinity Tondeleir
- Financial Feminist with Tori Dunlap
- For You, From Eve with Olivia Eve Shabo
Books
[edit]The trend's literature focuses largely on self help books, although any kind of reading is encouraged.
- 101 Essays that will Change the way You Think by Brianna Wiest
- When You're Ready, This is How you Heal by Brianna Wiest
- The Nice Girl Syndrome by Beverly Engel
- The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage Into Self-Mastery by Brianna Wiest
- The Courage To Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga
- The "Bad" Girl's Guide To Better: A stealth-help guide to getting your act together by Casey Beros
Ted Talks
[edit]In the same mindset as books, impactful speeches are also popular with adherents.
Criticisms
[edit]The trend was heavily criticized online as it is highly unrealistic[14] for the average individual. Indeed, many content creators making That Girl content are young, often white women attending post-secondary education. It does not consider those who have added responsibilities, such as parenthood, nor those who do not have the option of having a consistent work schedule thus making it harder for some to apply a routine and follow it consistently. For this reason, the trend potentially caters to a privileged audience.
However, the notions and mindsets conveyed within the trend are free to be applied by anyone wanting self-improvement and can be done at the time of their choosing.[vague]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Sharma, Ruchira. "Who Is 'That Girl' & Why Is TikTok Obsessed With Her?". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
- ^ Sweeny-Romero, Katlin Marisol (2022-04-22). "Wellness TikTok Morning Routines, Eating Well, and Getting Ready to be "That Girl"". In Boffone., Trevor (ed.). TikTok Cultures in the United States (1st ed.). Routledge. pp. 108–116. doi:10.4324/9781003280705. ISBN 9781003280705.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Marie, Erika (2023-01-16). ""That Girl" Morning Routine: Healthy Habits & Productive + FREE CHECKLIST | Erika Marie". Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "How to Have a "That Girl" Routine". RBX Active. 2022-08-30. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ Marie, Erika (2023-01-23). ""That Girl" Night Routine: Healthy & Relaxing + FREE CHECKLIST | Erika Marie". Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ Lennon, Emma (2023-08-31). "Night-time routine: 9 things every woman should do after 9pm". SHE DEFINED. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ Hartman, Anna (2022-03-31). "How To Go To Sleep Like "That Girl"". Evie Magazine. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Best Pilates YouTube channels". www.thoughtleaders.io. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
- ^ O'Brien, Ellen (2023-04-19). "11 Best Yoga YouTube Channels". Yoga Journal. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
- ^ Slow, Alexi (August 8, 2023). ""That Girl" Healthy Breakfast Ideas!". Lemon8 App.
- ^ Keara Callahan (2022-08-19). THAT GIRL WHAT I EAT IN A WEEK | healthy & easy recipes, balanced & intuitive eating w/o restriction. Retrieved 2024-10-29 – via YouTube.
- ^ Cary, Alice (2023-06-03). "How Birkenstock's Arizonas Went From Being Sold Exclusively In Health-Food Stores To A Fashion Editor Staple". British Vogue. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
- ^ Chayka, Kyle (2021-06-23). "We All Have "Main-Character Energy" Now". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
- ^ Singer, Jessica (August 15, 2021). "TikTok's That Girl is meant to promote wellness, but some say it does the opposite".