From Cringe to Cute: What it Means to be a VSCO Girl Today
No one is safe carrying a Hydro Flask anymore...
by CAITLIN MCGONAGLE ★ OCTOBER 24, 2021
VSCO has gone through many different stages while claiming itself as being the app “for the girls.” Who else remembers the days of editing our pictures with full saturation or reposting the most emo quotes in the midst of our 6th-grade heartbreaks—I know I do. But what has truly given VSCO this title? Let’s break down what it meant to be a VSCO girl during our cringey middle school moments and how it has allowed individuals to evolve and express their creativity in the most aesthetic of ways today.
Credit: Pinterest
VSCO started out as a fun picture-sharing app that became a popular addition to most Instagram bios. It was a place to add all of your pictures that weren't “instagram-worthy” but still deserved their time to shine. It gave us beachy California-esque filters and a platform to scroll and “republish” things we felt fit our own individual vibes the most. In the early days, VSCO *screamed* 2017 (honestly, just picture an app run by 15-year-olds… that’s what it felt like). Although that may have been a prime year for VSCO, it def wasn’t a prime year for us. This era was… a lot. The app was filled with cheugy nail art designs, cringey first date mirror selfies with math class crushes, Victoria’s Secret quarter zips, friendship bracelet inspo, etc. Of course, we can't forget about the quotes! Anyone else spend hours saving sappy ~goodbye summer~ quotes to their camera rolls? (Asking for a friend.)
Credit: Pinterest
Credit: Pinterest
The term “VSCO girl,” however, gained major popularity on TikTok when users would post POV parodies pretending to be these so-called characters. Creators imitated the “VSCO girl” by wearing copious amounts of scrunchies, carrying around colorful Hydro Flasks, and repeatedly quoting “save the turtles” to promote reusable straws and an eco-friendly lifestyle.
Credit: Pinterest
And yes, I know it can be physically cringe-worthy to look back on these moments in our life, but it all plays a part in the evolution. If you scroll through VSCO today, it has definitely caught up with the times. Now, you can find outfit inspiration for any aesthetic, from the perfect Y2K look to stunning editorial photos that are 100% giving *renaissance resurgence.* Fashion and lifestyle trends that we are seeing all over TikTok are being carried over by VSCO users. You can be introduced to the NYC party lifestyle, filled with boujee high heels and glamour, or find yourself relating to the nostalgia of the “throwback era” with low-rise bottoms and disposable film photography. Whatever your aesthetic is, VSCO has evolved into a chic platform where it's become a good thing to be referred to as a “VSCO girl.”
Credit: Pinterest
Credit: Pinterest
VSCO’s core values as an app have never changed-- to share images and inspire their users. There are opportunities to post absolutely anything and create a collection of re-published material that can essentially act as your yearly “mood board.” Forget about the embarrassing moments we had as 6th graders because (thank god) those are long gone. VSCO has already started stirring up some of the best trends of 2021 and has become a strong platform for these fads to come to life. So, reclaim your Hydro Flasks and scrunchies and confidently publish whatever you want!
Cover Photo Credit: @margot.lee