Get into it..
"And Who Am I?" What Exactly is the "Messy Girl"
Picture this; The girl next door just walked into her humble abode at 6:30 in the morning just as you exit out yours to begin the day. You catch a glimpse of her appearance - frizzled bedhead despite not having been to bed, smeared makeup across her eyes, a faint color still on her lips, and three layers of clothing consisting of her spaghetti-strapped mini dress, a flannel, and a leather jacket, all of which may or may not be hers. In one hand she holds a pair of platforms that give 3 inches to her original height, while the other occupies a cigarette. As the sun sets behind her, she takes the time to recount each memory she's made the night prior... that is if she can remember them.
Upon closer inspection, a quick peak into her home will show you how similar the shape of her interior is to the inside of her mind. With clothes and shoes strewn across the floor from searching for the perfect outfit, she goes against the term "less is more" and instead prefers to live life through a maximalist lens. Everything she owns she's collected in ample amounts; posters, books, magazines, makeup, skincare products, accessories, bags, decor and bonus points if she's an artistic or sporty girl as she'll have multiples of instruments, art supplies, vinyls, CDs, skateboards, sports balls, etc. ala Sofia Coppola. She is what we call: The Messy Girl
*Alexa, play "Heads Will Roll" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs! *
The Messy Girl movement is an antithesis of the “Clean Girl," an aesthetic that's made an up roaring appearance in the turn of the new decade. The aesthetics' main goal is to look and feel "effortlessly perfect" as it portrays a major emphasis on minimalistic perfection for the everyday life of a woman striving to attain a healthy, peaceful lifestyle in a world full of chaos and substance. The Clean Girl has become egregiously popular in the beauty and fashion world for its intentions of positivity, but for some reason there have been some major critics on its part. Why is this?
* A Slideshow for my girlies who aren't hip*
Personally, I don't see anything wrong with the looks of the aesthetic itself as I find it very cute and really endearing to see how it can promote a healthy way of living to a certain extent. My true beef comes from the deeper intentions that these "Clean Girl" representatives have placed onto the public. For some, the excess parts of this
lifestyle aren't as easily attainable but to be clear, this isn't in regard to things like living as healthily and comfortably as possible and pertaining self-care. If you can afford it, you can definitely maintain a lifestyle like this -- even on a budget! You have to look at this moreso through a buyer-consumerism standpoint: big name brand companies are purposefully targeting young impressionable teenagers and young adults to show that they too can live the lifestyles of the rich and the famous like Mrs. Hailey Bieber and the new Mrs. Sofia Richie who are well known mascots of the Clean Girl movement. In order to live and breathe like your favorite classy socialites, the first step is to "buy our products." Outside of my disdain for these companies preaching an almost faux pas way of living to those who can hardly afford it for their own monetary gain, it honestly sounds STRESSFUL trying to keep up with the latest trends of what's in to fit this level of perfection today and what's going to be gone by tomorrow.
"Stop wearing those lazy designer labels like Gucci and Versace, it's too flashy -- quiet luxury is taking over."
"Those 'almond vanilla' nails are BORING, get into the new chic 'blueberry milk nails.'
"Don't add on too much to your appearance as minimalism is key - as Coco Chanel once said, 'before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take on thing off."
None of this is satire either, these are REAL conversations that've occurred over the past few months! The Clean Girl strives for effortlessness but in actuality requires an extreme amount. To delve into the life as a Messy Girl means to accept who you are in comparison to society's expectations of you, imperfections and all. It is choosing to live everyday like it's your last and to the highest degree of your authenticity.
I WANT TO BE THE GIRL WITH THE MOST CAKE
Pulitzer-Prize winning historian, Laurel Ulrich, once said "well-behaved women seldom make history." Its proven itself time and time again through real accounts and through fictional characters in media.
Women and daughters of royals, politicians, business moguls, and entertainment were crucified for breaking social norms in the name of being true to themselves. As a consequence, these ladies were trashed in the media and hurled all types of insults under the sun; “drunkard, drug addict, airhead, fat, bimbo, cunt, whore, bitch” -- listen the names are unbelievably endless. Granted, some of these women have engaged in their own problematic behaviors, some unapologetically and of course there's no excusing them for what they've done at this point. This section is NOT written to paint them in a holy, defendable light either!
Instead, think of this section as an observation on these women, WHY we are so quick as a collective to jump on those who go against the status quo of their expectations in society, and their influence on us as a culture. From Courtney Love, America's trashiest sweetheart and Riot Grrrl princess -- Alice Roosevelt, the outspoken wild child eldest daughter of Teddy Roosevelt who chain smoked cigarettes and became the center of every social party and circle -- to Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, Amy Winehouse, Mary Kate and Ashley, and Anna Nicole Smith who ran the tabloids front page and all in the 2000s with scandals of sex tapes, drug abuse, rehab rumors, court cases, arrests, gold diggings, botched cosmetic procedures, and eating disorders. I mean can you blame them; the girls were practically pushed to their limit!
There's a lot of examples of "messy" labeled women, but here are some of my *personal* favorites from today:
Serena Van Der Woodsen, Gossip Girl (2007)
Serena Van Der Woodsen is my absolute favorite prime example of Messy. Living it up in the Upper East Side of New York as an heiress to her parents' fortunes, Serena is commonly known for her disheveled, Boho Chic look matching her on-the-go attitude quite well (not to mention her iconic phrase said throughout the series every time she avoided accountability -- "I have to go"). Serena's reputation as an NY socialite gives her access into a world of glamorous galas and underground parties consisting of even more wealthy teenage socialites. In turn, her privileges allow her to let loose and get in touch with her sleazy party girl desires -- which of course she will never own up to it in the morning as she has an image to maintain.
Julia Fox, Uncut Gems (2019), Author of Down the Drain (2023)
Julia Fox recently put out a vulnerably written piece titled "Down the Drain," an autobiography exploring her life as a young, lower-class immigrant adjusting to the big city (another New Yorker!). Her independent navigation from adolescence to adulthood takes her on a journey of overcoming struggles while managing to find the beauty, confidence, and creativity in herself along the way. I love Julia and have been following her for quite a while but hearing her story has gained me a new appreciation and respect all over again. She's not your typical PR coordinated celeb. The attraction to Julia Fox is her vulnerability and realness to the public, something our generation has been yearning for with the current demand for relatability in media. From her time as a dominatrix and punishing men for money, rubbing elbows with New York's trashiest socialites to making ends meet in the slums of the city life, having a passion to pursue her creative multimedia outlets while battling addiction, neglect, abuse, betrayal, death, and loss altogether. Julia is a Messy Girl, not because of her background, but because of her unapologetic attitude towards herself and the world, embracing her disheveled and unhinged lifestyle and inspiring others to do so! I highly recommend "Down the Drain" if you're looking for a story that is almost too unbelievable to be true and to get an insider scoop on such an interesting life.
Cat Marnell, Beauty Editor, Blogger, Author of How to Murder Your Life (2017)
Ahh Cat Marnell, the editorial world's most beloved journalist and nepo baby. I discovered Cat this month while working on another article and immediately fell in love with her devil-may-care approach to life. She is most notable not just for her infamous party girl ways, but her lax writing style and unfilteredness that has gained her notoriety and mass acclaim for over the course of several years, with several different magazine issues. She is a MAJOR influence on what it takes to not give a fuck in a society that takes itself too seriously! Coming from an upper echelon family in the suburbia of DC, Cat is born with a high advantage and held to even higher standards at an early age from her prestigious home. The abuse she faces from those she trusts leads Cat down a path of destructive tendencies, overindulgence, and mental health episodes, those of which include the multiple substances she's become addiction (which doesn't seem to help seeing as her father is a psychiatrist), disordered eating habits (bulimia), and nervous breakdowns throughout a series of her life. Though even with her circumstances, Cat's ambition always seems to follow her and so would her success. Cat earned her spot in a multitude of editorial issues, a lot of times because she was -- and you'll never believe it -- partying! The connections she's made during her favorite pastime landed her in positions at Nylon, Lucky, Glamour, Teen Vogue, XOJane, and my personal favorite featuring her own column "Amphetamine Talks," Vice Magazine! Cat Marnell is both Messy inside and out. Not only has she got the look, but she practically lives the play by playthrough. As of now she's in active recovery from substances and tells tale of her story in her own autobiographical book, "How to Murder Your Life," which goes into a deep dive of what it's like to have everything handed to you, yet still be dealt a shitty hand of cards in life. Another high recommendation to add to your reading list!
Cory Kennedy, Model, Blogger, Socialite
Best friends with Sky Ferreira, muse for iconic photographer and documenter Mark "The Cobrasnake" Hunter, donned the 21st century "Andy Warhol Superstar," Cory Kennedy was the inspiration behind all our favorite late 2000s-early 2010s artists and THEE It Girl setting trends during the Indie Sleaze era. Arguably, Cory is one of our generation's last authentic off-the-street cultural icons that made the mark of a true era, not just a passing fad. Any magazine spread you owned, any photo taken at a party, any front row seat at a fashion show or rail at a concert, you can assure Cory Kennedy's face would be there and plastered all over the internet afterwards. I was hesitant on mentioning anything Indie Sleaze related considering its an entirely different subculture and aesthetic, but realistically it can easily coincide with each other as the celebrities and socialites within this era did live up to the true Messy Girl lifestyle long before we were cognizant of it. Cory Kennedy is a living breathing example of everything we associate with Indie Sleaze AND the Messy Girl -- she practically lived the life similar to that of a Skins character (UK & US), she rocked the American Apparel style BEFORE the brand could get their hands on the now cultivating seedy image they represent. There's speculation Indie Sleaze may have a revival in modern pop culture and slowly yet surely, we're seeing the signs. Cory Kennedy is one of those who made such an impact on the scene but flies under the radar quite frequently in mentions -- honestly, I could make an entire article on her alone! I think with the new revision we may hear from her sooner than we expect. I mean hey, we got Sky Ferreira back, right?!
My Year of Rest and Relaxation (2018)
Protagonist, Otessa Moshfegh
On the topic of Poor Little Rich Girls, we have the protagonist of the outrageously comedic "My Year of Rest and Relaxation." And yes, I am ONLY naming her by Protagonist because, believe it or not, she's not at all mentioned by name in the book! Being orphaned so early in your 20s is never ideal for anyone. So, what's the best way to cope with the passing of both your parents in your first few years of college? Get your questionably irresponsible psychiatrist to commit malpractice and hook you up with various medications that'll put you to sleep in the name of a "vacation" of course! Obviously I'm joking but for our lovely Protagonist, it's a reality. Now left with just the riches of her inheritance in the middle of 2001 New York, unresolved familial trauma, a dead-end job at an art gallery, a possibly gay situationship, and an easily impressionable insecure best friend, the girl feels like she can't catch a break -- poor little rich girl! To prevent any more mental and emotional damage, she decides to stock up on pharmaceuticals prescribed by her Dr. Tuttle and sleep her days away for an entire year as much as she can.
Now you may be wondering, "in what way, shape or form is this girl Messy? She's just lazy and spoiled!" I mean sure, having the opportunity to take even a year off living off your trust funds, fulfilling the Eurocentric WASP beauty expectations of being skinny, blonde, and white, is what a lot of people dream of right?! The book has gotten a lot of mixed reviews because of this surface level notion but in my opinion, it works perfectly with the underlying message. The Protagonists' backstory shows that no matter how much circumstantial privilege a person may have, we may almost always inherit some sort of trauma or experience significant traumatic events that can either lead to a path of destructive downfall or allow us to build the strength to heal and pursue a life of happiness and [personal] success. Protagonist lived a well-off life but behind the scenes, she was under the ruling thumb of an abusive, controlling, alcoholic mother and quiet, sickly father who did little to protect her. Avoiding any spoilers, My Year of Rest and Relaxation is narrated through the untrustworthy lens of a woman going through shock, grief, and a state of regressive trauma. Her response to what she's going through arrives through escapism, ironically an issue that can be associated with the Messy Girl aesthetic and lifestyle just as this book has been inappropriately associated with it.
The Detrimental Problem of The Messy Girl
Just like the Clean Girl, The Messy Girl can have its defects too. While the whole ideal is indeed about having fun and accepting ourselves for our unkemptness and imperfections, there's a call for concern that can come from this. If you recall, the Messy Girl is typically known for her pleasure-seeking, maximalist, eventful lifestyle (even if you're not a very extroverted person this can apply to those who like to keep to themselves/keep a small circle!) However, there is a possibility to be pushed way too far past your limits and to the extent of overindulgence. Let's turn back to our examples in media with Rue Bennett and HBO's Euphoria (2019). Zendaya portrays Rue, a teenage high schooler battling an active opioid addiction after the passing of her father and deals with the challenging effects of living in a lower income household with a single mother and little sister while also feeling engulfed with the emptiness of being left with no support system. Rue represents a case of overindulgence, hedonism, and the burnout that follows as she exemplifies the exact consequences of someone who was given access to situations and substances that allowed her to escape from reality, whether intentional or not. Messy Girl plays up that fantasy that a lot of people get stuck in the cycle of today, to sleep all day, party all night, and take and do as much as your body can (or can't) handle. You fall into a pit -- and then you wonder, "can I get out?" It becomes worse when the people around you are unaware of your state and enable you further. Falling into an echo chamber of overindulgence, you experience others pushing your boundaries and ongoing benders with days to no end. Then you reach the burnout. If you do so happen to break out of your escapist, party state, you're forced to look within yourself for some internalization. Then you're forced to look outward. You don't know who you are, who your friends are, what you're meant to do next. To escape this pattern before it can even sprout, the importance of embracing Messy Girl is balance.
The Messy Girl life is easy to leave a negative impact on you if you're not careful. To truly live The Messy Girls' philosophy is to not take life so seriously, have fun, push your boundaries the way YOU feel comfortable, and be safe and care of yourself while doing so!
So what do you expect to come about in the new year of our lord 2024? Do you think the aesthetic and lifestyle of Messy Girl will rule over pop culture and run Clean Girl to its knees? Will it be seen under a different name? Will it crossover with different subcultures? What other aesthetics do you think will be seen in the near future? Do you despise the idea of audiences basing their lifestyle off of a singular aesthetic instead of expanding who they are? I'm open to any and ALL thoughts and opinions, so if you got something to say -- you know where to find me!
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This type of girl is so aesthetic but it seems you have to destroy yourself to become it so it's like dang! The clean girl aesthetic is lowkey boring but I support its promotion of self care lol