Scrunchies, stickers, hydroflasks, and crocs are fun characteristics of the VSCO girl trend. Photo by Grace DeSanti.
The VSCO girl trend alludes to nothing other than VSCO, a photo editing and sharing app. Established in 2011, VSCO was revolutionary with it’s wide array of filters and editing tools for those who were disappointed in Instagram’s editing options, but were too young to pay for Adobe Photoshop. Although it is used for editing and sharing photos like Instagram, VSCO differs from Instagram through omitting follower counts and being able to see how many likes other people’s posts have received.
Junior Emily DiPoala has been using the VSCO app for the past few years as a form of posting more of her artistic photos that she feels do not belong on her Instagram.
“Personally I don’t understand the VSCO girl trend,” DiPoala said. “I think VSCO is just a cool app to post whatever you want without the judgement, likes or validation-seeking that comes with Instagram.”
With this app, a new style and subcultural revolution has emerged, a community known as the VSCO girls. The VSCO girl aesthetic revolves around a casual, beach-inspired style with good vibes and a fun-loving, young mindset floating around their images and lifestyle. VSCO girls probably longboard and live near the ocean, or at least spend the summer at a lake, adore their freckles and honestly, with all of the vitamin D and serotonin they appear to have, how can one not appear to be happy and love themselves and their life?
Along with this, their perfectly-tanned skin probably matches their VSCO boyfriends who in my mind is most likely a lacrosse player and adores his little sister *cough cough* think Nash Grier circa. 2012.
Having a VSCO boyfriend is a necessary factor for VSCO girls who can be seen by their wearing of oversized t-shirts which are either tie-dyed, represent a logo from a band that almost went out of business after the early 2000s, or is stolen from their boyfriend. According to a typical VSCO girl post, they pair these long, oversized t-shirts with very short shorts which are often completely covered.
However, the most important aspect of the VSCO girl are her scrunchies, a prized accessory and necessary element to every outfit. Unlike the scrunchies seen in the 80’s, one cannot simply wear scrunchies in their hair as they are meant to be practically used, and instead can be found along one’s wrist.
While the clothing brands VSCO girls wear may not support ethical and sustainable fashion, they do revolve around a political agenda which includes saving the turtles, using metal straws and showing an interest in environmental social justice causes.
Along with the materialistic and physical features that all VSCO girls obtain, a specific vernacular has evolved through this trend, one that includes the phrases, “sksksksksk” which is meant to represent an element of excitement, and “and I oop,” which is stated in reference to excitement.
While all of these style elements are attributed to the VSCO girl, many people have begun to wear these styles simply out of comfort, practicality and feeling as though it is their personal aesthetic and would not label themselves a typical VSCO girl. Additionally, even if the VSCO girl trend is not a style one is looking to follow, it is trendy right now and is the style that clothing stores are following and creating for consumers.
Sophomore Sofia DelPrete said that she feels as though the VSCO girl trend is somewhat prevalent on campus, but not the fullest extent.
“I think that girls here started to dress in that style before it really became a trend so I was used to it before it really came to light,” DelPrete said. “I know that me and my friends kinda jokingly dress like a VSCO girl, but at the same time all incorporate some element of what makes a VSCO girl outfit a VSCO girl outfit. I think it’s just a really chill, laidback style.”