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Smokey makeup, effortless charisma and grunge fashion are just some of the reasons everyone wants to harness the look of the rockstar girlfriend. All aspects of this style are alluring; it’s the older, cooler sister of the hyper feminine 2000s aesthetic, which is also making a comeback. But is it a bad name for a good trend?
The title immediately places the girlfriend as an accessory to her rockstar counterpart, attributing all aspects of her look to the support of her partner. The entire trope of this aesthetic is how cool the girlfriend looks at rehearsals, during concerts, and even at after parties. None of this includes the partner, so why bother including them? The rockstar (girlfriend) has all the traits of an it-girl. She is effortlessly cool with an easy-going personality, a knack for lighting up the room, and the grungiest closet around.
But where did this trend come from?
With fashion being evolutionary, not revolutionary, this trend is not new. The rockstar girlfriend look is almost synonymous to the punk revolution of the 1970s, fueled by style icon Vivienne Westwood. The punk movement was catalyzed by the prolonged decline in the socioeconomic status of 1970s Britain. Increased unemployment, lack of opportunities, and an overall loss of motivation in younger generations caused the punk subculture to express their disdain in society and their rejection of the social norm through their fashion. Punk music also evolved as a result, with the birth of bands such as The Clash, and more importantly female-led punk groups like The Runaways and The Raincoats.
While the rockstar aesthetic of 2024 is very subdued in comparison to that of the 70s, the reasoning for both revolutions are nearly identical. The current socioeconomic status of the world is a direct reflection of what they were facing 50 years ago. Additionally with increased focus on and overconsumption of the “clean girl” aesthetic, it makes sense why a movement with so much personality is reclaiming popularity.
No matter the reasoning, the rockstar girlfriend trend has made impressive strides in assuming a top spot among popular aesthetics. We know her, we love her, and a lot of us want to be her. But what if the girlfriend just wants to be the rockstar? Female rock icons like Joan Jett, Stevie Nicks, Patti Smith, and Deborah Harry all are proof that you don’t need to be the girlfriend of a rockstar to encompass this aesthetic.
To all the lovers of the rockstar girlfriend aesthetic, don’t be afraid to be the rockstar.
