The Tumblr Era: Alexa Chung
and the twee revival
Ever since I posted my first “the tumblr era” post back in April, I have been seeing the The 2010's get some attention in the media (and my friends haven’t heard the end of me finally making a correct pop culture prediction). At first I saw the prediction of the "return of Indie Sleaze" and swiftly after, Tik Tok decided Twee was back. Twee was the girlier hipster offshoot obsessed with vintage, Paris and the "french aesthetic" , dainty floral dresses, bold stripes, and anything indie. Think: 2010’s does 60’s – peter pan collars, ballet flats, bows, and the birth of “put a bird on it” (thanks Miu Miu SS 10). I also believe it was the resurgence of the cat eye liquid liner that is still an every day makeup look for many. I think Zooey Deschanel is getting the most credit for this aesthetic in its revival but my biggest personal style inspiration at the time was, Alexa Chung.
Oldloserinbrooklyn describers her style as " intersection of edgy twee". Unsure how she got famous or for what Alexa was an "it girl". She was cool, thin, and pretty. That was all you really needed. On a trip back home I found a copy of her book “It”, named after the fact she was an "it girl". The book goes on to share Alexa’s inspirations and how she cultivated her personality and her specific brand of it girl. She lists off some of her style inspirations. Some wildly problematic like Annie Hall, Lolita, The Night Porter, and Natalie Portman in Leon.
Alexa was effortlessly cool, feminine & masculine, classic but edgy. While reading her book I realized she must have impacted me more than I thought because I am equally as insufferable now as she was in 2013.
I think the hipster era of the 2000’s gave birth to so many niches that now blend together in our minds. but the person I think the person that exemplifies twee and my favorite of the 2010’s styles was Alexa Chung.
I’ve procrastinated on writing this post. So much so that I feel like Twee has died before it’s gotten a chance to be explored. This trend has been fast tracked so much that TikTok is tired of the word “twee” before anyone could buy any clothes and participate in the trend. I think the pieces that I will take from this revival are: ballet flats / mary janes, tights, & messy eyeliner.
Now as a cherry on top - here are a few images of me participating in twee the first time around:
xo lisette