TikTok has chosen to push yet another aesthetic, and it might just be here to stay.

A New Wave

Following the uptick in “core” fashion, a trend called the “Preppy Black Girl Aesthetic” has joined the fashion bandwagon. Although no aesthetic can perfectly define the fashion sense and essence of Black women, the new wave of preppy styles for Black women is a new wave that has taken on a life of its own, especially on social media. For years, Black women have created and re-created impactful fashion statements, and this new preppy craze may be the latest fashion force.

 

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Hair Does Not Have To Change

Even though history has pointed to preppy fashion styles being seen as “white people fashion,” TikTok creators are reframing that narrative. Many fashionistas are now proving that despite the hair texture that most Black women have, they, too, can rock any fashion appearance. The main message is this: Black women are not a monolith and can dress in versatile ways.

What Does Preppy Mean

The word “preppy” is reminiscent of elite boarding and private schools, where the ultra-rich send their children for education. Students attending schools in such categories often wore crisp white shirts with tennis skirts and golf fits. Although these types of fashion statements were reserved for the white and wealthy, Black women are now re-writing history by putting a sexy spin on the fashion trend, complete with miniature purses, leather loafers, and crisp short pleated skirts, to name a few.