Many have seen VSCO girls online, teenage girls who wear oversized Brandy Melville tees, denim cutoff shorts, and tube tops from brands like Brandy Melville.
Additionally, these VSCO girls carry reusable water bottles with stickers, scrunchies, and puka shell chokers to access their hair or wrists. They prefer brands such as Vans, Crocs, or Fjallraven Kanken backpacks as their apparel of choice.
What is a VSCO girl?
VSCO girls are teenagers who embrace photo editing apps’ preset filters and settings to make their photos look hipster or vintage, often through VSCO filters and settings. Some see this trend as endearing or amusing, while others view it as parodying “try-hard” Instagram culture.
VSCO girls typically sport clothing from junior brands like Brandy Melville, Vans slip-on shoes from Vans, Crocs sandals, and an adorable scrunchie in her hair. They often carry a Fjallraven Kanken backpack or a Hydro Flask water bottle decorated with stickers. They are also known for using metal straws and supporting environmentally conscious brands like the Surfrider Foundation and Pura Vida.
VSCO girls stand in contrast to Tumblr girls, as they emphasize individual style over conforming to other teens. Most VSCO users are middle and high-school-age female users, and the trend tends to diminish before college due to user activity on the app.
The VSCO girl looks.
The VSCO girl is the latest iteration of preppy style with a beach aesthetic. They are notable for wearing loose T-shirts and sweatshirts layered over one another, chokers, Puka shell necklaces, and messy buns secured with scrunchies.
They often use VSCO app filters to create their signature beachy, retro aesthetic in Instagram photos. VSCO girls might also support women-run brands and champion social justice causes such as the TimesUp movement.
However, this trend has faced criticism. Some millennials see VSCO girls as superficial, while others see them as role models. Popular brands among VSCO girls include Lululemon, Fjallraven backpacks, and Birkenstock sandals. They are often seen with cuffed jeans, skateboarding shoes, and Hydro Flasks with metal straws. They may also use phrases like “and I oop.”
The VSCO girl lifestyle
The VSCO app debuted 2011 as a photo editing app with preset filters. It quickly spread through Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, inspiring various videos and posts by influential bloggers.
VSCO girls create an aesthetic of beachy colors and often use light pastel filter effects from the VSCOCAM app for their pictures. The VSCO girl style includes oversized sweatshirts, Brandy Melville tops, short athletic or surf shorts, scrunchies, slip-on skateboarding shoes, stacks of bracelets, and shell necklaces. They favor brands like Birkenstocks, Fjallraven Kanken backpacks, and Starbucks reusable plastic cups.
The VSCO girl culture
VSCO girls have become a hallmark of TikTok culture, inspiring memes, YouTube videos, and articles on major sites. However, critics dislike their excessive brand usage and obsession with appearance. The VSCO girl fashion may be eco-friendly, but their preferred brands are often associated with wealth, which leads to accusations of being primary or exclusive.
Despite the criticism, VSCO culture remains strong today and is likely to shape Gen Z’s fashion and lifestyle choices in the future.
