Unpretentious scholars with a cool vibe: The growing popularity of the literary TikTok style
Modern Bookish Bytes#### Unleashing the Bookish Babe Takeover in Culture, Fashion, and Beyond######## By J'Mae Phantom
Published Sep 14, 2024 at 12:30 PM
Reading Time: 5 minutes
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Hip lit babes are thriving in the literary scene as the new litterati. From creative minds like Lara Viola launching a juicy tote bag collection for her endless stack of books or being just a regular gal to BookTok Sirens commanding a gang of 160k members, there's a nip in the air that unites fashion and a certain bookish 'it-girl' vibe as cultural coolness prowls through reading. Perhaps that's why luxury brand Miu Miu jumped into the mix with their Summer Reads pop-up this summer, flooding eight cities with style enthusiasts stampeding to nab the book club-approved titles plus chic snacks. This is a new dawn for book culture, where delving into hobbies is accepted and findings oneself through fashion is a norm, minus the strings attached. And thanks to the endearing lit-girl aesthetic, this transformation is in full swing.
It girls have been getting the literary treatment lately, reshaping the realm of bookish pursuits by fusing intellectual delights with the allure of social media fame. This amalgamation outgrows the confines of mere digital engagement, turning books into voguish lifestyle accents. However, this isn't just a trend for the spectator readers out there - this is the real deal.
With merchandise curation, personal branding, strutting down the prestigious New York Fashion Week runways, and even hosting soirees that make the paparazzi go wild with photoshoots alongside celebs like Emrata, wordsmiths like Ottessa Moshfegh, Ziwe, and Nada Alic are breathing new life into the world of reading. They're not only redefining how we view female authors, but also the image of the reader - elevating books as sought-after symbols of style, coolness, and creativity.
These young leaders and trendsetters effortlessly fit snugly in the Lana Del Rey soundtracking and Joan Didion book club category - embodying an intellectual chic that's trendy, desirable, and ripe for sharing across platforms. 30 million posted creations on TikTok associated with the "Literature Girl" tag, while "Literature Aesthetic" makes the rounds with 25 million related posts. Supermodel Kaia Gerber even founded a Library Science book club during the pandemic craze, hosting a star-studded lineup of author chats in LA and rolling out a fabulous collection of bookish merch - something her 10 million followers undoubtedly couldn't resist.
However, this fusion of literature with pop culture fame has sparked controversy and anger among critics, with naysayers labeling these icons as commercializing intellectualism, diluting the essence of literary appreciation, and privileging superficial aesthetics over deeper interactions with the written word. The Vitriol pours out in response to a clear tension between traditional literary values and this new wave of glamorous, performative participation in book culture, prompting the question: Who will rule the roost?
The rise of bookish babes is a clear indication that the next generation of writers are being heard on a more significant level. They're cultivating communities, curating to-die-for aesthetics, and incorporating fans on a journey with them, leaving the old guard of the literary world utterly stumped on how to tap into these touches of authenticity. Bookish babes, their followers, and those taking selfies with a book while applying cool filters are embracing those digital walls of fashion and growing the joy of reading.
These new bookish aesthetic identities offer a hungry appetite for hobbies unrelated to screens, with 55% of Gen Z and Millennials wrestling to keep their screen time affordable and comfortable, and 44% acknowledging that their heavy device usage may be impacting their social connections and physical world interaction[2].
Gen Z is on track to purchase a staggering 61 million books annually, spending an estimated £469 million, and 57% of Gen Z and Millennials identify as readers[2]. Bookish babes are instigating a shift in the awareness and hunger for reading at a time when we yearn for a break from screen life.
With Isabella Burley, Acne Studio's Chief Marketing Officer, opening a book-lit-girl-fashion storefront in the heart of NYC, Marc Jacobs using his socials to share snaps of himself engrossed in "reading hour," and the bookish-girl summer continuing to connect people through shared tastes and personal styles, the lit-girl aesthetic is now etched firmly into the world of fashion. It drools charm and style wherever it goes, leaving authors, readers, social media aficionados, and everyone in between breathless and awe-inspired.
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Enrichment Data:
Overall:
The term "lit-girl aesthetic" refers to the assemblage of intellectual chic formed by female authors, their literary characters, or cultural icons. These figures exert profound effects across multiple spheres, namely literature, fashion, and social media, reshaping both reading culture and our perception of authorship.
Shaping Literary Culture:
Lit-girl aesthetics act as a driving force for change within literary culture, challenging traditional narratives and amplifying representation. By introducing empowered and complex female leads, these figures invite readers to reconsider gender roles and explore new perspectives on women's experiences[1][2]. For instance, heroines like Offred (The Handmaid's Tale) symbolize resilience and rebellion, while others in works by Toni Morrison or Alice Walker reveal the emotional turmoil and triumphs of diverse women[1][2]. This not only diversifies the literary landscape but also confronts readers with alternative portrayals of women and their agency.
Cultural events and platforms like the Rose Scott Women Writers Festival champion such voices, fostering an environment where groundbreaking writing flourishes[3]. The end result is a more inclusive and vibrant literary world.
Influencing Fashion:
Fictional and real-life lit-girl aesthetics often capture the sartorial attention of both readers and non-readers, dazzling wardrobes and serving as inspiration. The clothing described in books, such as elegant boarding school uniforms or edgy feminist attire, can influence real-world fashion trends. Moreover, the personal styles displayed by contemporary authors, particularly on social media, contribute to their overall image and brand.
In other words, their style choices become synonymous with literary achievement, making them trendsetting divas online and offline.
Riding the Wave of Social Media:
Social media enables the diffusion of lit-girl aesthetics by providing a channel for authors, readers, and cultural producers to discuss, promote, and celebrate such figures. Hashtags, book-to-screen adaptations, and author-led content (TikTok book recommendations, Instagram quotes, and literary panels) expose lit-girl aesthetics to broader audiences.
This digital community-building not only deepens fan connections with these cultural icons, but also emphasizes their centrality within popular culture[1][4]. In turn, viral literary moments escalate book sales and readership, catalyzing the ongoing growth and influence of the lit-girl aesthetic.
Summarized Key Influences:
| Domain | Impacts of Lit-girl Aesthetics ||----------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| Literature | Reimagines traditional narratives, enhances representation, motivates readers, expands perspectives[1][2][3] || Fashion | Sparks real-world trends, inspires reader wardrobes, contributes to author branding || Social Media | Amplifies reach, fosters digital communities, elevates viral literary and fashion moments |
The Bottom Line:
The lit-girl aesthetic, by merging bookish pursuits with social media fame, commercialises intellectualism, represents a fusion that transforms the literary world, fashion, and social media culture. By diversifying narratives, challenging traditional perceptions, and cultivating an aspirational, reader-friendly aesthetic, lit-girls reshape how literature is consumed, cherished, and discussed in a digital age.
- In the evolving literary scene, bookish babes are not just thriving as the new literati, but also shaping pop-culture by fusing intellectual delights with the allure of social media fame. They've transformed books into voguish lifestyle accents, influencing both fashion and trends for the spectator readers.
- With literary icons like Isabella Burley and Kaia Gerber bringing bookish and fashionable aesthetics together, and Marc Jacobs embracing reading, the lit-girl aesthetic is becoming a prominent force in the world of fashion, captivating authors, readers, social media aficionados, and everyone in between.
