Uncovering the Behind the Scenes of the “It Girl”

https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-sunglasses-and-cosmetics-2622187/

“This is your sign to be that girl.”

“Here is how to achieve the clean girl look.

“You can be the IT girl.”

These statements have been circulating on social media since 2021, detailing the ideal lifestyle of a woman. “That girl” starts her day at 7 am to drink green juices, works out in coordinated outfits, cooks healthy meals, and has numerous intricate planners. The imagery is then amplified with appealing, Pinterest-style photos and soothing music that attracts millions of views and likes. Although the trend started to encourage women to focus on optimizing their daily routines to improve their health and well-being, each aspect of the lifestyle magnifies the pressure to be perfect. There has to be consistency in when you drink your juice and at what time you decide to journal. Essentially, the trend establishes a mindset that even one’s journey of self-discovery and self-improvement must not deter from certain set standards and expectations. Social media establishes the image that what one must do to be this “it girl” is all so simple, yet shortening one’s day into 30-second videos removes the exhausting truth behind the journey. This particular lifestyle created by the “it girl” trend contributes to the homogenization of women, removing any cultural nuances in hopes of implementing a superficial and unrealistic routine. 

Although it may influence women to retain a positive and dynamic mindset, there is great danger in constantly romanticizing one’s life and ignoring the negative emotions or downsides of one’s day. Women are compelled to prioritize toxic productivity, concealing any fault lines or signs that emphasize the necessity to prioritize mental health or cope with burnout. Even though the trend aims to focus on finding one’s peace and mindfulness within the day, the constant push for this “perfect” or “ideal” routine does the opposite, placing an immense amount of pressure instead. There is no flexibility to tap into one’s creative space and unique persona. The reality of life is then further overshadowed by aesthetic imagery. Imran Rai, a 22-year-old Vancouver model, shared her experiences and outlook on the trend, focusing on the expected dietary routine. Now, women are made to follow someone’s entire diet and routine. Imran Rai recounts her past eating disorder illnesses, emphasizing the negative impact of social media trends on mental illnesses and well-being. This idealized version of a woman has negative repercussions on one’s well-being. London YouTuber Jillian Murray also discusses feelings of discontent and negativity with each “that girl” video enabling her to feel unproductive just because she doesn’t wake up at 6 AM to start her day. Through the idealization of “that girl,” women are driven to create the ideal lifestyle, which has the opposite effect and generates negative feelings, rather than being pushed onto the path to finding themselves. Women are also pushed to become one homogenous, particular persona: a white woman with a higher income level than the traditional middle-class woman.

Before dissecting this persona, I must preface that in no way am I denying that parts of the routine do work for women nor am I trying to prevent women from bettering themselves. The trend does promote healthy habits such as attaining a sufficient amount of sleep, eating accordingly, finding routines to take care of your body, etc. There have been multiple testimonies of it becoming a source of inspiration and, admittingly, many women have stated that rising at 7 am has boosted their productivity and accomplishments within a given day. Turns out, waking up early segues to finishing a generous amount of tasks compared to waking up at a later time. The importance of prioritizing your well-being and health must be emphasized. However, what also must be considered is how sustainable this lifestyle truly is. We must consider the products and material items that comprise this journey beyond the intended results of achieving the “it girl” look. There is immense mental pressure to be and do daily activities in a certain manner. Stanley cups, gua shuas, skincare, gym clothes, and all other material items that complete this popular lifestyle have a monetary toll and emphasize that only a select group of people can attain the “it girl” lifestyle and look— those who can afford it. It is those who fit into the “well-off white woman” persona. This lifestyle is not meant for everyone, yet the trend is shown as if everyone can achieve these unrealistic standards which establish great financial burdens to sustain. It feeds into consumerism, reinforcing the societal lines drawn among people such as class lines, ethnic lines, etc. 

Consumerism centers around the belief that the more one acquires certain goods or services, your living standards would be enhanced. The trend creates this divide between different classes. This particular lifestyle makes it so that one can only attain it if they have access to the right products. To attain these products requires money. Soon, you progress through the cycle where you are exposed to “alternatives” and “better” versions of products to use. Your social media algorithm becomes overwhelmed with new clothing, skincare, protein powder, and other products to be used. You might not know what products work for you, but to be an “it girl,” you would be required to have them. You are thrown into a loop in which there is constant spending and doing, minimizing space to relax and explore how you can adapt this lifestyle to your particular needs. The bottom line of this lifestyle is simple: have enough money to buy the products necessary and be attributed to the demographic of white women. 

It is seen on social media that white women had crafted the “it girl” look recently; however, the look dates to those pioneered by black and brown women during the 1990s. There is little credit given to these women who were initially bashed for their looks when brought into traditional American society. Giving credit to new white women influencers displays the implications of the ignorance of cultural influences which have become a norm within American society. It reinforces the countless times there has been a disregard for POC cultures whose standards and norms were seen as “unkempt” and “dirty.” Yet when there is a “twist” added to the trend and attributed to conventionally attractive and lighter-skinned women, especially white women, it is accepted and propped up by society. Parts of the “it girl” trend such as yoga, incense, herbal teas, and mud face masks originate from POC cultures. Within this “it girl” aesthetic is this specific “clean girl” look consisting of sleek brows, slicked-back hair in a bun, gold hoops, and a minimal makeup look. Hoop earrings originated from modern-day Sudan with further origin stories from Latinx communities. Slick-backed hair originates from the use of natural hair oils within ancient practices of South Asian women. On the contrary, a majority of the influencers endorsing the trend are white. This sense of witness is exacerbated by the algorithm further as the individuals you see promoting the “clean girl” look happen to be a majority of white women. 

This could be considered cultural appreciation only if there had been recognition of the cultures from which aspects of the “it girl” trend have been adopted. In the end, it is natural for people to borrow certain aspects from other cultures when living in diverse societies. Yet, this trend has become problematic because there is a lack of acknowledgment and exploitation of cultural practices to become this one homogenous persona. As non-white women also become entranced in the social media trend, they let go of cultural particularities that set them apart from white women. A study conducted in 2019 describes this psychological phenomenon as dominance without the action of resistance as POC women inherently accept norms that actually oppress them. However, not only is this misleading the public and women to further lack of respect for different cultures, but also the ideology from which this “it girl” trend had originated from. 

The trend was created to motivate women to attain their higher selves and find inner peace. It is how women must continue despite the systematic barriers placed and learn to take care of themselves. Yet, this ideology has been convoluted by the material products required and the glamorous hustle life of a routine created to be “that girl.” All women should be able to achieve their higher selves. They should be able to find peace within themselves. However, they must do so by accepting and finding peace within who they are already, within their cultural and societal particularities. This trend should aim to motivate women to embrace their unique characteristics and personalities. It should encourage and embrace diversity within a multicultural world. Although it is easier said than done, the first step is to respect and acknowledge different cultures and their influences within American society. The second step is to learn to love yourself for who you are and not the person you would be if you could fit in. It is more exhausting to spend time cultivating yourself into a mold that does not fit who you are traditionally and finding ways to erase your insecurities than it is to simply realize it is okay to be different. Above the aesthetic imagery and the glamorous lifestyle, the underlying idea in which this trend was created must be emphasized constantly. It should not matter what cup you drink water from, if you own a Dior lip oil, or if you do pilates every day. It should matter that you spend time taking care of yourself. It should matter that you embrace different parts of your personality whether it be a new hobby or old love. It should matter that you support yourself and other women on this path to embrace who they are as they are.