Girls have begun adding bows to their outfits, the color pink has become more prominent on clothing racks, and beaded jewelry and colored eyeshadow have made their way back into trends. But where is this all coming from? These trends have come from childhood memories and experiences, like the frilly bows in your hair as a five-year old, to the experimentation of makeup at thirteen. The concept of “girlhood” has made its place in the fashion industry, as well as other areas of life, becoming popularized in 2023 and into 2024 so far. With popular films, like Barbie, or music that emphasizes what being a woman is (and dealing with the transitions from girlhood to adulthood), it isn’t too shocking that these topics have made their way to the fashion industry. Truly, the trends have come full circle, where young women have transformed the fashion of their childhood into their wardrobe today.. a twenty-something wardrobe. The topics of “girlhood” and “adolescent nostalgia” have taken over pop culture in multiple forms, and it’s most likely here to stay.

Throughout the years, fashion trends have come and gone. They have most likely repeated themselves in various forms. For example, 1970s clothing has been in-and-out of style for decades. The same with the 90s, but it always cycles back around. The same idea goes for inspiration of fashion. Throughout 2023 and 2024 thus far, social media has brought the idea of feminine fashion back onto the scene. We can see different variations trickling from the runway down to the department stores, where the idea of “girlhood” has smoothly and delicately made its place. It has been seen through different aesthetics like: “Balletcore,” “Coquette,” “Clean-Girl,” and even “Y2K.” The common similarity between these aesthetics is the same concept of using what we, as women, used to love wearing as children, but in a new and fresh way. This can be through small baby-tees, hair accessories, frilly skirts, and the color pink on a variety of clothing options. Luxury designers, as well as retail stores, have been implementing these concepts and styles into their runway collections and on the racks. Stores like Urban Outfitters and PacSun have jumped on the baby tees and “balletcore” trends, while designers like Sandy Liang and Mirror Palais have emphasized bows and delicate silhouettes.

**Left:**
Sandy Liang S/S 2024 - SandyLiang.com
**Right:**
Mirror Palais S/S 2024 - MirrorPalais.com

**Left:**
H&M
**Right:**
FrankieBikinis x Urban Outfitters

While we see it predominantly in fashion, the trend of “girlhood” has shown up in many other aspects of pop culture, like through films and music. The idea of growing up and finding yourself, as a young woman, is always heartfelt and relatable. This is probably why young women everywhere have taken part in the trend. These concepts have made their way into films like Barbie, Priscilla, Little Women, Lady Bird, and so many more. Each of these movies touches on the concepts of girlhood and shows the realities of what growing up as a woman is like. It shares the hardships of finding your place in the world, as well as figuring out who you are, and the beautiful parts of the transformation.

These trends, inspired by the concept of “girlhood,” reach a target audience: the teens and twenty-something year old women holding onto their childhood in small and subtle ways. The idea is about holding onto our adolescence, through fashion, as young women grow out of their childhood and make their way into adulthood. Now, this is not a negative outlook or take on the trend. It’s actually a positive way to stay in touch with who we are and to see how much we have grown, all while wearing a cute outfit.

**Left:**
Barbie (2023)
**Right:**
Lady Bird (2017)

**Left:**
Priscilla (2023)
**Right:**
Little Women (2019)

The trends of girlhood, for the most part, are lighthearted and a great way to stay in touch with the best qualities of being a woman. It also shows the hardships, the growth you experience, all while holding onto the “little girl” you used to be. As well as films and fashion, music has touched on this concept too. In albums like “GUTS” by Olivia Rodrigo, or “Midnights” by Taylor Swift, the concepts of being a young adult woman, and the struggles of transitioning to adulthood has been discussed time and time again. These albums, as well as many others, have a raw take on the girlhood trend, discussing the ups and downs of dealing with friends, relationships with others, and the relationship with yourself. In a way, most women have (or will) deal with the hard realization that they are not a little girl anymore, and search for the comfort that others are feeling the same way.

**Left:**
“Midnights” - Taylor Swift “GUTS”
**Right:**
Olivia Rodrigo

The “girlhood” trend among young women will most likely be prominent in pop culture for a while and go in-and-out for years to come. While older girls cling to their childhood, by putting bows in their hair and not taking themselves so seriously, the little girls are finding a way to look and feel “like a grown-up.” The cycle will always continue, and therefore the trend will too. But the great thing about this trend of “girlhood” is that there will always be a way to share the same experiences and find an outlet for the emotions. This trend will never go out of style because the experiences they will deal with – like growing up and transitioning to adulthood – will not go away, but it’ll be there to share with others. While the trend of girlhood is great for said industries, it can empower the consumers, allowing them to stay in touch with their femininity (their “younger selves”). The concept allows the acceptance and celebration of going into adulthood but holding onto pieces of our girlhood, all while expressing it through art, music, and fashion.

Article by Gabrielle Ramos, Contributing Editor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Alexa Dyer, Graphic Designer, PhotoBook Magazine

The Concept of Girlhood; Not Just a Fashion Trend