I Usually Hate Trending Aesthetics, But TikTok’s #GardenGirl Has Me

I’m usually very anti-trending movements on social media—to the point where I almost choose to switch off from the madness altogether. I’ve come to expect that they flare up and die out just as quickly, leaving behind a wake of useless accessories and poorly-chosen clothes that never get worn again. The sadness! As an editor with over 15 years of experience behind me, I know a timeless investment when I see one, and I am also very aware of what looks like a fad from fifty paces. And so, when I see a stream of eras, aesthetics or #girls flooding my feed, a strict filter gets applied, and I often use that discerning nature to ensure that Who What Wear UK only provides readers with the intel that genuinely helps improve one’s wardrobe rather than confuse it.

To my surprise, I am into the latest look gaining traction on TikTok, Instagram and Pinterest: #gardengirl. Maybe it’s because I’ve actually taken up gardening as a therapeutic hobby in the last few months. Perhaps it’s down to craving nature and being in the great outdoors after what has felt like The Longest Winter Ever Known. Maybe it’s because someone somewhere proclaimed floral prints were dead, and I love to go against the tide. Whatever the reason, I’m clearly not alone. Over on Pinterest searches for “garden aesthetic” are up 34 per cent month-on-month, and “farm life” has increased by 27 per ent. Meanwhile on TikTok, “garden tok” is up 30% and we can see over 180k posts related to #gardengirl on Instagram.