Countless trends and aesthetics come and go across our feeds, but one that has captured my heart and refuses to fade is the granola girl aesthetic. This movement celebrates a deep appreciation for nature and a carefree lifestyle, resonating with me both in its mentality and visual appeal. Once a thriving trend on social media, it encourages us to reconnect with the earth and cherish simplicity.

Despite its positive values, there’s a troubling undercurrent. The granola girl aesthetic, like many trends, can overshadow individuality, reducing it to mere personality traits rather than allowing people to simply enjoy and express themselves through their clothing choices. 

Even though I enjoy wearing clothing similar to the everyday granola girl and going outdoors, it’s not my whole personality. It’s essential to remember fashion should be about personal expression, not just fitting into a trend.

What is the Granola Girl Aesthetic?

The granola girl aesthetic embodies a nature-inspired, laid-back lifestyle that emphasizes comfort and sustainability. It is characterized by an earthy color palette and cozy textures.

According to New Face Magazine, “The staples of this aesthetic as far as clothing and accessories go are beanies, flannels, rings and woven bracelets. Corduroy, denim, linen and fleece are popular fabrics within this aesthetic as well. Iconic brands are Birkenstock, Carhartt and Patagonia.”

While the granola girl trend may be losing some of its initial allure, the style itself remains a staple in everyday fashion. More importantly, it reflects a lasting mentality of shared responsibility to protect and cherish our planet.

Personally, I welcome the gradual shift away from the granola girl aesthetic as a defined trend. It allows people to wear these comfortable styles without feeling pressured to adopt a specific label. 

Now, individuals can embrace these outfits for their practicality and comfort, rather than as a reflection of a singular personality trait.

Trends can Overshadow Individuality

Trends in clothing can often become more toxic than empowering, overshadowing individuality and reducing personal expression to mere conformity. Plus, some followers of trends can get pretty harsh if you don’t fit their certain criteria, which can cause many to feel left out. The influence of social media creates pressure to fit in, compelling individuals to adopt trends that may not resonate with their tastes.

According to The Style Academy, “Instagram, with its emphasis on visuals, has emerged as a dominant force in shaping trends. Fashion bloggers, influencers and brands leverage Instagram’s reach to showcase new collections, collaborate with influencers and engage directly with consumers.”

With this, a recent study by Fashion United revealed that about 70% of fashion brands jump on the bandwagon to promote their products in the industry. Further analysis of Fashion United’s Instagram Fashion Index shows that fashion accounts range from 163,000 to 304 million followers.

With such a vast amount of content being produced and many viewers adapting to it, it can be easy to feel left out and have a fear of judgment. 

If everyone follows these same trends, unique personal styles can become lost, leading to a more uniform appearance across social groups.

That’s why I’m excited about the shift away from the labeled “granola girl” trend. This change allows me to embrace my individuality and express myself freely through my clothing choices, including this style.

How can we fix this? 

Focus on what truly resonates with you, rather than what’s simply popular at the moment. I prioritize curating a wardrobe that reflects my personality, interests and values. Experiment by mixing and matching different styles, fabrics and accessories to create a look that is distinctly ‘you.’ Most importantly, have fun with it!

If you love granola girl clothing like I do because it makes you happy and you feel good in it, then wear it! Embrace your individuality and let your personal style shine.

Ultimately, embracing our unique styles, free from the constraints of fleeting trends, allows us to celebrate who we truly are and cultivate a more authentic relationship with fashion.

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Hi! I’m Kayla Friedman, A Magazine’s editor-in-chief. My staff and I are committed to bringing you the most important and entertaining news from the realms of fashion, beauty and culture. We are full-time students and hard-working journalists. While we get support from the student media fee and earned revenue such as advertising, both of those continue to decline. Your generous gift of any amount will help enhance our student experience as we grow into working professionals. Please go here to donate to A Magazine.