When TikTok speaks, people listen.
Even if you’re unfamiliar with the word, you’ll likely recognize the look.
It was an incredibly popular aesthetic, especially amongthe Tumblr crowd.
Regardless of whether it’s back, though, it’s already facing backlash.
So why is an aesthetic causing so much division?
Here’s the thing: It’s not really about fashion at all.
When you boil it down, the underlying issues of the debate aren’t based on clothing choices.
They’re based on deceptive algorithms, negative online behavior and the fear of a cyclical internet.
The TikTok bubble effect
TikTok’s algorithm is designed to know you better than you know yourself.
What’s so scary about twee?
It was an attitude as much as a fashion movement, similar to what we’d now call hipsters.
Unfortunately, however, it also came with some deeply concerning attitudes toward body types and elitism.
It was elitist and dangerous.
We’ve learned a lot since the Tumblr days.
Do we need to worry about this?
Nobody is scared of a plaid skirt and tights combo.
