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One of the hardest things for me to unlearn was not buying things to "prove" my love for a fandom. Like, I'm not a true fan of a movie/show if I don't buy stuff reflecting that love. Years ago I realized it was just another consumerism trap and I don't need things to prove anything.
Yes! I left cosplay for similar reasons... Tried to do it as eco-friendly as I could but ultimately decided that there are better ways to honor my love for fandoms and characters. Our love for them is often really specific for a time and place in our life and soon we'll fall in love with something else and that's kinda the beauty of it. When I get tempted, I try to do things like picking an outfit for the day that the character would pick if they rummaged around my closet, doing something they inspire me to do, create a playlist that fits their vibe or just find someone to geek out about it with.
@@shashooitznc5860agreed, I started doing only cosplays of characters that I believed that I could acquire all of the elements second hand. It's limiting obviously but it's still enjoyable with none of the anxiety about what you're going to do with custom props afterwards
Recently went to see the lion king in theatre and bought a fridge magnet as a memento... i did not need that at all. I do the same at concerts I feel I need merch or it didn't happen.
There is a difference between minimalism as an aesthetic (or design movement) and minimalism as lifestyle. Minimalist design can be very boring, I agree. But minimalism as lifestyle doesn't have to be connected to the design/aesthetic. In the lifestyle it's about having what you need and enjoy (so for you that's having a skull, for me that's lots of plants) and not having stuff because it's expected of you :) It also applies to other parts of your life (events, relationships, etc.) and the beauty is, that minimalism is different for everyone :)
@@StephenieRose-fu2ro informing people that there is an important difference between the lifestyle and aesthetic and hopefully stopping the misconception that you can't have stuff when you are a minimalist
@@katjaheidweiller7187 I love minimalistic art. My fav music genre is punk rock and punk musicians make their songs very simplistic like no guitar solos as a way to rebel against mainstream rock and how they play their music.
I am one of those "pink obsessed gamer girls", I was influenced by all the pink cuteness in my Instagram feed. I bought almost every single pink accessory I could find, trying to keep up with the others. All that lasted until I started my minimalist/sustainable path, I deleted all my social accoutns because most of the time I spent it seeing what other got, the new pink trend, etc. After that I felt so much better, huge boulder off my shoulder. Now I only buy things if I truly need them, BUT, if I can get them in pink that'll be much better lol
In its true core I think some "aesthetics" are more of a lifestyle which could be sustainable. Cottagecore is appreciating nature and the local community, making food at home, mend and do crafts. Academia is to choose quality and keeping the history in mind, taking care of old things. For me both of these aesthetics are ways to remember the past and all the work that is needed to make something. Finding an aesthetic could also be a part in stop caring about current trends. The problem comes when we want it to look a certain way which doesn't necessarily shows the reality of living with those lifestyles.
19:30 I am having some conflicting thoughts about this portion of the video. Because while I honestly agree with you, my heart cries seeing an old home be ripped apart and modernized instead of being taken care of, I also know from a cultural heritage management standpoint that we can't save everything. In my studies we often talked about how most of us in that particular field burn for certain periods in history and are desperate to "save everything!!!😱" that is reaching a certain age. However the earth is not getting bigger, we simply cannot save everything from every period of time because there's not enough physical space😅 And it hurts, but I try to remind myself that saving a few good examples is all we can really do. There is the argument of sustainability and using your materials for all it's worth, and that is best found in maintaining what we have. But at the same time, if the lady paints over the old tile, at least she's still using the tile, she didn't rip it up and out. So there is something to be said about certain renovations, even if it hurts my heart to see old things loose their character😅 renovating an old house, even if it's not to my taste, is saving and prolonging the use of materials.
Oof as a white girl who loves beige and off-white, I needed this video lol. I really do have to remind myself that my aesthetic is okay but like... I don't want that to get in the way of using what I have. Gotta take a deep breath and think about whether I can repurpose something instead of buying a new one.
I have a problem with all these aesthetics that have come up. Why does my taste have to conform to an aesthetic at all? Why can't be my own unique style, that maybe takes something that I like here and there and combines these bits in an original way that is ONLY mine? I mean, to me following aestethic trends ultimately leads to the loss of our uniqueness (besides consumerism). From my perspective (I'm an uncool, untrendy mess) this "rise of beige" problem is really infuriating.
I agree so much! I mean I like dark academia, hobbitcore, nerdy fandom stuff, and goth fits(at least I think they're goth) and honestly I won't give up one just to fit another's aesthetic. Might make my feed look like a mess but at least it has personality beyond being in a cliche. Though, if they made feminine sexy fandom clothes, I would go for them more often than others I suppose.
I think the idea of aesthetics can help you to be more sustainable, depending on how you use it. It can helo you stay away from fast fashion trends so you only buy things that you actually like and will use for a long time. A reason i haven't bought fast fashion in a long time is that i now thing mote about if i'm going to wear the piece of clothing many times or if i just think i like it because it's trendy
I actually like my neutrals because they are easy to match/ add bits of colors to plus they are timeless for me. In 5-10 years I know I will still like the neutral things that I bought so there's the sustainability part, but guess I was also fortunate to build my home around the 2019-2021's so I was able to curate the look I wanted.
I could not agree more! Your point of removing individuality particularly resonates with me. I've never fit into one aesthetic because * plot twist * people are more complex in terms of interests, hobbies, and likes than what is part of one single aesthetic. Growing up, I so tried to erase parts of myself that would not align with whatever aesthetic I was into at that time and the thought of young girls doing that makes me so sad. In terms of sustainability, I think this obsession with sustainability can also be connected to actions for appearance's sake that in fact are in direct opposition to the 'core' of the aesthetic. For example, with zero waste, how many people (including myself at some point!) throw out perfectly good plastic tupperware and replace it with new glass containers because the zero waste aesthetic and old plastic tupperware do not go together? All while the most sustainable action would be to keep the plastic containers and use them for as long as possible...
We bought a house built in the 1860s, and it’s been wonderfully fun to look for old pieces that just feel like they fit in our house. I don’t want to change anything about them unless it’s to repair something that isn’t working properly because I love stories the wear and tear tells. I like to preserve the original workmanship where I can. That said, if something is functional but really ugly (meaning I don’t like the design, not that it’s beat up and worn), I have no problem recovering, painting, or otherwise altering it to make it work for me. It gives it more use than it might have otherwise seen.
My husband (craftsman, intense interest in historical architecture and the importance of beauty) is 100% here for your beige rant. Related: our house (built in 1879) is filled with our grandparents' furniture because none of our cousin's wanted it. 🧐 He also put a ton of work in to restore the original banister. Is the human skull vegan? 😂
When I moved to my current area, I went to a new dentist. They gave me one of those bamboo water bottles as a “welcome”/ “thank you” gift. I guess it was to encourage me to come back but it had the opposite effect. Like why do you need to give me a gift to convince me to come back to your practice? The actual dentistry should do that on its own. On another note, I’ve watched some house flipping/ home renovation shows/ videos. Most of it is just stripping all the character away and making everything white/ “trendy”, like you said. But Ariel Bissett is doing a really good job of keeping the character of her old house while making it her style. About the fast fashion, when I was a kid, I hated going clothes shopping because I was never interested in what was “trendy”. I knew what I wanted and the stores didn’t have it. My mom would say “well that’s not in style right now”. I think more thrift stores need a bigger kids clothing section for this reason. Like not just baby clothes, but bigger kids too. Start em early 😋. Also, it’s difficult to find a balance between super maximalist and super minimalist fashion youtubers. It’s either super boring with just black, white, and beige blazers and basics or too over the top for me with a bunch of layering and loud patterns, colors, or shapes. Your style is a pretty good in-between though
it's the lure of simplicity and perfection. all the choices have been made, if you buy xyz you can have that perfect ideal home/look/life. the idea that what you buy might transform you into someone better. very human, I think, to look for an easy solution that will fix your life.
I agree about the interior design stuff. I wouldn't paint over vintage tiles, brick, art, etc. However, if those bricks had harmful mold or there were structural issues underneath the tiles (like a kitchen or bathroom), then I would, unfortunately, let them go for health and safety purposes.
I like the idea of aesthetics for myself, but I am trying to consciously buy the things I like related to the aesthetic. For me, this means when I go clothes shopping (secondhand), I look out for the certain things I like, but I am not looking to completely replace my wardrobe now, I am just looking to get certain pieces to fit the "aesthetic" every so often when I see something that I like and fits me well.
This was an interesting chat. I enjoyed hearing your perspective on aesthetics. For me, having a somewhat consistent aesthetic and a minimalist mindset really helps me limit my purchases. I think my occasionally caving to replacing something with a more aesthetic version is far-and-away overshadowed by how much less im purchasing in general. I hope that makes sense. I do totally agree with you about destroying the character of vintage homes, clothing, etc. We need to be delicate with that.. and reno is generally so wasteful.
I've been watching your videos for only a couple of weeks but I really love all of them! Keep on going and greetings from a Spanish girl living in Sweden
Really enjoying this style of video - it has the vibe of chatting with a friend, chill and casual yet I also learn loads at the same time! Would be happy to see more videos in this style :)
when I was in my young 20s I was really into the slightly hippy / whimsy goth aethetic, I went to festivals, studied art and was generally into hippy esc things. i never really got into the overconsumption (my community was kinda anti consumption) but I think it also gets dangerous when the aethetic bleeds over into all areas of your life - the music you listen to, what you do and don't say, how you talk, activities you do. I could see the (healthy) contradictions within myself (that I've learnt make me who I am!)but I remember feeling so confused that I was so inconsistent, that I could be all love and light one moment and then 'get off me I don't do long held hugs' the next. that I could be all sit by the fire with a pot of herbal tea and meditate and then party with friends and trash my body the same night. I'm 30 and now life is so simple 😂 a very thought provoking video.
Old school Goth Clubber, "Black Swan" was an aesthetic for Industrial Girls. It came from the blend of Army Surplus & Dance/athletic wear, and the ability to mimic the dance moves of others. The Ideal Industrial Girl body was muscular & fluid - think old school Russian Olympic propoganda posters & Dynism ofthepre war futurist movement. Cargo pant were utility - no purse & baggy for comfort. Worn low on the hips , tummies are sexy, but mainly to show off a well muscled back, paired with a crop sports bra to accent shoulders and upper chest muscle tone. Pants were rolled And scrunched under the knee to show off muscled calves and toned upper ankles. Boys/men high top basketball shoes were the footwear of choice for dancing and getting around. The silhouette created was that of a bold lower body slim lower legs big feet, long neck - a swan at rest. My Point- Black Swan was an aesthetic started to suit the practical needs of those in a specific subculture to with it own ideal standards... flash forward Fast fashion knocks off the Aesthetic and reasons behind it are lost or ignored and worse the creators of the Aesthetic are shut out of it. That is what I think of Aesthetics 😎☕💋
To me the beige aesthetic has always been so weird, maybe because my grandmothers had eclectic styles and not everything matched, and I always loved the mismatched yet cohesive vibes their homes had. I have that in my own home as an adult, pieces that may not normally seem like they go together, but in my space it all makes sense. A vast majority are thrifted or were inheritance pieces. It makes it more interesting and I love seeing other people doing similar to me, their own eclectic style, because you can get a better sense of them and the stories behind different pieces are always cool.
I love using the knowledge I have learned from this channel, and many others, to blend Minimalism and low waste. Minimalism is lifestyle that preaches loving what you have and using up what is practical, so that you can know what you truly treasure. I love antiques and I have made my house a sort of museum to properly display my pieces like a collection, this includes my Harry Potter collection. My house also happens to be all white and brown, this is so the furniture pieces are the artwork, and my house always looks clean bc I'm a working mom.
Hello Gittemary, I agree with all your points except your take on minimalism. Maybe I got what you said in the wrong way, but I don't get what's the harm in liking things white or with a certain color palette or look. I think that the point with everything and every aesthetic - not only minimalism - is not falling into the consumerism rabbit hole and start buying things mindlessly just to obtain a certain image you have in your head. Personally I don't follow strictly a certain aestethics but I feel more drawn to minimalist: I like wooden white and gray furniture because it makes me feel relaxed, calm and it’s easy on the eye, and I regret buying red furniture for my bathroom (it's a little too REDRUM :) ). But this doesn't mean that I'm going to change it any time soon because it's so far from my vision: until it's not falling into pieces, it will stay there :) In my kitchen cupboard I have lots of glass containers, everyone different from the other because they are from different brands and contained different products (chickpeas, pickles, you name it). Would I love it more to have containers of the same brand or line? Yes, of course, but I won't change them either until the break into a million pieces. Plus I think that minimalism is a great way to learn to live with fewer things, thus buying less things, thus contributing to create less waste. That’s my two cents on the topic
Gittemary has a video in her “The Impact of” series where she explains this further. She explains that the minimalist aesthetic actually has colonial origins that were created by white peopleto further separate themselves from the rich and colorful cultures of poc. She also explained that she doesn’t like the expectation that all environmentalists have to look the same way. It’s not minimalism as a lifestyle Gittemary is against. It’s just the aesthetic she’s not necessarily into.
@@wireddifferent4343 I didn't see the video you are referring to, I'll look up for it. What I'm trying to say is that not all people who love to have a minimalist life (both in the looks and in its essence) are brainwashed and will do everything it takes to adhere to a certain aesthetics.
@@EleonoraFestari Of course! The minimalist lifestyle and aesthetic are perfectly valid. As long as you’re not contributing to hyperconsumerism, do whatever works for you. I just wanted to provide a different perspective of Gittemary’s point.
There's nothing wrong with liking certain colours or styles! The problem is all the people who throw out furniture because their old things don't match their new beige everything aesthetic. Or paint beatiful wood antiques white to match their linen drapes
omg loved this video we have lotsa overlap in our takes ig because of the overlap in our interests, which is crazy because youve shaped my interest in zero waste just a few years ago, its just crazyy
An attic wine girly is what I aspire to be. Regarding art, thing to a thrift store and purchasing painted canvases for the express purpose of painting over them to create your own art is totally acceptable and encouraged by me. I love to see it.
This was exceptionally interesting. I've personally tried to take aesthetics and turn them into a way to be more deliberate and sustainable. We just bought a 1940 house in really awful shape - and previously owned a 1923 house that was also in pretty awful shape. We did paint everything ivory in both of them. However, we also try to do everything we can to respect the historical component of the house with the renovations we do. We buy almost all our furniture second hand and have a pretty eclectic mix that works for us. But I think it's important to remember (as you pointed out!) that old things often take a lot of modification to make work!
This was very poignant. I fall in the middle of the spectrum. I have a hard time not being swept up in the aesthetics of others but I amso repurpose what I have more often then not and breath new life into my belongings when my tastes change.
i get from this: 1) that i feel completely differently about handmade or very, very old (historical interest) vs. machine-made, which doesn't bother me 2) the difference between throw-away, which one doesn't care about, and 'meaningful' objects which one cares about: i haven't heard the difference expressed as one of meaning or care or relationship before
I haven’t been back here for a while and I really loved listening to this, in fact I watched it twice because the first time I was so fascinated by watching you do your makeup that I realised I’d missed half of what you said, so I put my headphones on and listened without watching while making breakfast the second time 😁. I’ve also resubscribed. Thank you.
Really like this video! I am definitely down for more like these 😊 As far as painting over existing artwork…it would depend on what it was for me. I would try to take historical value into account. And I’d think hard before doing it because tastes change, but because art is subjective, I could see where a previous look just isn’t the vibe you want in your home, and painting over in beige colors could be like a blank canvas of sorts? A starting point to create your personalized look? I dunno, I don’t want to sound too flippant because I cringe at the thought of so easily painting over something that has a lot of personality (and possibly many hours of work behind it), but I also hesitate to say people should compromise on pursuing their own personal taste in favor of preserving something they don’t like. 🙂
Thank you very much for this wise idea of yours! It's so unique and at the same time so on the topic of the day! I think this was the huge problem for me to try and put myself subconsciously into a certain aesthetics, which actually annoyed me deep down, because I like different kind of things and they are not "trendy" and necessarily beautiful at all, they are cosy and keep memories. And now after watching your video I feel much relieved and happy! It's such a shame that we live in this point of consumerism, I hope that this kind of lifestyle eliminates itself with the flow of the time.
I agree with all you said! I love things that have a story and history to them. I’d never adjust it to something that’s Instaperfect. I have an old mirror that I got from my grandfather. It’s black and gold painted as it has always been. No way I’m ever going to change that. As far as consumption goes: the most sustainable thing to do is to use what you already have…
I wish you do more video like it. You just inspire me make modification to a dress I had buy but was finding too exposing. I will add an extension and wore it! Thanks you.
Painting beige over vintage tiles (without taking care of them) IS like tearing a dress apart, but you use the lining rather than the fabric. It can be useful and yes, you're repurposing it, but maybe that dress could have been destined to someone that wanted to keep it as it was.
It is impossible to not be the target of marketing. Every piece of tech listens to us now. Then we are blasted with ads pertaining to that conversation. I like Dark Academia but I have never purchased anything for it. I repurpose items or find them. Surprising how many people just want to give away their vintage typewriter or victrola. Live with intention and don’t give in to FOMO.
As an archaeology postgraduate 90% of academics do not conform to the dark academia/academic aesthetic. Sometimes there's liking academia and liking the aesthetic/idea of it and they're both okay
I guess having to deal with a shit show of chronic illnesses that makes me too damned fatigued is going to be a bit of a win for the environment because I have zero capacity to keep up with worries about mine or my living situation's appearance? At this point my capacity for appearances is does the whatever the frick thing that I'm looking at is "does the thing function in some way that is close enough for what it was designed to be" kind of thing. This applies to just about everything that exists in my possession.
My zero waste aesthetic is bringing my dinner- leftover-lunch to work in old jam jars that I carry in an upcycled cloth drawstring bag 😂 Ugly is an aesthetic right?
Zero Waste Club do talk about how their products are made and the people who make them, and many Fair Trade suppliers sell sustainable products - especially bags, fabric products, which they sell anyway. The Leprosy Mission sell mesh cotton veg bags, for instance. Living Crafts in Germany make in germany with organic cotton. The problem is finding good suppliers. But i agree with overconsuming. As regards water bottles, you can get incredible ones for five quid. But, stuff made in China may now be made by Uyghur slaves, so anything normally made in China is off limits if i were a good person.
My personal favourite are people who are obsessed with "boho" style but who've completely missed the memo on what boho actually is. The boho aesthetic is based on making do with what you find on the curb or for cheap in a thrift store, etc., maybe giving it a coat of paint or whatever to refresh it. Boho is NOT buying a bunch of crap from Bezos and decorating your place so it looks like Woodstock exploded. The charm of the boho aesthetic is that is isn't curated, it just kind of evolves. If you have to ask, "is this boho?" you've missed the entire point of boho!!! /end rant
Thank you for bringing up race as a complicating factor in this discussion! I’m a Black woman who lives in the USA. Before my first trip to Paris a few years ago, I went down a rabbit hole online of “what to pack so you look like a French girl rather than a tacky tourist.” A lot of the suggestions made sense, but after a while I noticed that the overall aesthetic being pushed was extremely specific to white women, French or no, and had nothing to do with, for example, the many women whose heritage goes back to former French colonies like Gabon, who are just as Parisian as anyone else. After that, I just did what I pleased: no one writing those fashion advice articles was talking to or about me. This comment isn’t directly about sustainability, but I absolutely see the connection to what you’re talking about.
I definitely see the connection as well, thank you for sharing your perspective 💚 there is so much more to be done in terms of how we view these standards and aesthetics and what features we celebrate
I was born in 1976. I grew up in the Canadian arctic. We all laugh at thisninclusion stuff. Wevgrew up together, had the same experiences but thank you virtuous whire euro women for reminding us of cultural differences.
My favourite zero waste youtubers are Sustainably Vegan and Ana Goldberg, and they both are too poor and too conscious to do what you say, so i can recommend them.
I'm sure you're take was interesting, but I'll never know as I couldn't handle your mispronunciation of "aesthetic"! "Th" is a soft sound NOT the hard "t" you gave it. Perhaps checking the correct pronunciation before doing a video where you say the same word repeatedly is a good idea.
I love that the only other comment of yours i can see is a similar criticism about pronunciation. Really bringing some great energy to the comments section ✌🏻
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One of the hardest things for me to unlearn was not buying things to "prove" my love for a fandom. Like, I'm not a true fan of a movie/show if I don't buy stuff reflecting that love. Years ago I realized it was just another consumerism trap and I don't need things to prove anything.
Yes! I left cosplay for similar reasons... Tried to do it as eco-friendly as I could but ultimately decided that there are better ways to honor my love for fandoms and characters. Our love for them is often really specific for a time and place in our life and soon we'll fall in love with something else and that's kinda the beauty of it. When I get tempted, I try to do things like picking an outfit for the day that the character would pick if they rummaged around my closet, doing something they inspire me to do, create a playlist that fits their vibe or just find someone to geek out about it with.
@Verilybitchie did a great video about this in "the consumerist dystopia of Harry Potter"
@@shashooitznc5860agreed, I started doing only cosplays of characters that I believed that I could acquire all of the elements second hand. It's limiting obviously but it's still enjoyable with none of the anxiety about what you're going to do with custom props afterwards
I feel you! Huge Star Trek and Outlander Fan here and I have fallen for cosplay and merch
Recently went to see the lion king in theatre and bought a fridge magnet as a memento... i did not need that at all. I do the same at concerts I feel I need merch or it didn't happen.
There is a difference between minimalism as an aesthetic (or design movement) and minimalism as lifestyle. Minimalist design can be very boring, I agree. But minimalism as lifestyle doesn't have to be connected to the design/aesthetic. In the lifestyle it's about having what you need and enjoy (so for you that's having a skull, for me that's lots of plants) and not having stuff because it's expected of you :) It also applies to other parts of your life (events, relationships, etc.) and the beauty is, that minimalism is different for everyone :)
What was your intention of posting this comment?
@@StephenieRose-fu2ro informing people that there is an important difference between the lifestyle and aesthetic and hopefully stopping the misconception that you can't have stuff when you are a minimalist
@@katjaheidweiller7187 I love minimalistic art. My fav music genre is punk rock and punk musicians make their songs very simplistic like no guitar solos as a way to rebel against mainstream rock and how they play their music.
@@eko9554 interesting take! I never thought about music genres as minimalistic
I am one of those "pink obsessed gamer girls", I was influenced by all the pink cuteness in my Instagram feed. I bought almost every single pink accessory I could find, trying to keep up with the others. All that lasted until I started my minimalist/sustainable path, I deleted all my social accoutns because most of the time I spent it seeing what other got, the new pink trend, etc. After that I felt so much better, huge boulder off my shoulder. Now I only buy things if I truly need them, BUT, if I can get them in pink that'll be much better lol
I used the fabric of my bride gown to make the dress for my baby's baptism, it felt really special and also giving a 2nd chance to that gown.
In its true core I think some "aesthetics" are more of a lifestyle which could be sustainable.
Cottagecore is appreciating nature and the local community, making food at home, mend and do crafts.
Academia is to choose quality and keeping the history in mind, taking care of old things.
For me both of these aesthetics are ways to remember the past and all the work that is needed to make something.
Finding an aesthetic could also be a part in stop caring about current trends.
The problem comes when we want it to look a certain way which doesn't necessarily shows the reality of living with those lifestyles.
19:30 I am having some conflicting thoughts about this portion of the video. Because while I honestly agree with you, my heart cries seeing an old home be ripped apart and modernized instead of being taken care of, I also know from a cultural heritage management standpoint that we can't save everything.
In my studies we often talked about how most of us in that particular field burn for certain periods in history and are desperate to "save everything!!!😱" that is reaching a certain age. However the earth is not getting bigger, we simply cannot save everything from every period of time because there's not enough physical space😅 And it hurts, but I try to remind myself that saving a few good examples is all we can really do.
There is the argument of sustainability and using your materials for all it's worth, and that is best found in maintaining what we have. But at the same time, if the lady paints over the old tile, at least she's still using the tile, she didn't rip it up and out. So there is something to be said about certain renovations, even if it hurts my heart to see old things loose their character😅 renovating an old house, even if it's not to my taste, is saving and prolonging the use of materials.
Oof as a white girl who loves beige and off-white, I needed this video lol. I really do have to remind myself that my aesthetic is okay but like... I don't want that to get in the way of using what I have. Gotta take a deep breath and think about whether I can repurpose something instead of buying a new one.
I have a problem with all these aesthetics that have come up. Why does my taste have to conform to an aesthetic at all? Why can't be my own unique style, that maybe takes something that I like here and there and combines these bits in an original way that is ONLY mine?
I mean, to me following aestethic trends ultimately leads to the loss of our uniqueness (besides consumerism). From my perspective (I'm an uncool, untrendy mess) this "rise of beige" problem is really infuriating.
I agree so much! I mean I like dark academia, hobbitcore, nerdy fandom stuff, and goth fits(at least I think they're goth) and honestly I won't give up one just to fit another's aesthetic. Might make my feed look like a mess but at least it has personality beyond being in a cliche. Though, if they made feminine sexy fandom clothes, I would go for them more often than others I suppose.
I think the idea of aesthetics can help you to be more sustainable, depending on how you use it. It can helo you stay away from fast fashion trends so you only buy things that you actually like and will use for a long time. A reason i haven't bought fast fashion in a long time is that i now thing mote about if i'm going to wear the piece of clothing many times or if i just think i like it because it's trendy
I actually like my neutrals because they are easy to match/ add bits of colors to plus they are timeless for me. In 5-10 years I know I will still like the neutral things that I bought so there's the sustainability part, but guess I was also fortunate to build my home around the 2019-2021's so I was able to curate the look I wanted.
I could not agree more! Your point of removing individuality particularly resonates with me. I've never fit into one aesthetic because * plot twist * people are more complex in terms of interests, hobbies, and likes than what is part of one single aesthetic. Growing up, I so tried to erase parts of myself that would not align with whatever aesthetic I was into at that time and the thought of young girls doing that makes me so sad.
In terms of sustainability, I think this obsession with sustainability can also be connected to actions for appearance's sake that in fact are in direct opposition to the 'core' of the aesthetic. For example, with zero waste, how many people (including myself at some point!) throw out perfectly good plastic tupperware and replace it with new glass containers because the zero waste aesthetic and old plastic tupperware do not go together? All while the most sustainable action would be to keep the plastic containers and use them for as long as possible...
We bought a house built in the 1860s, and it’s been wonderfully fun to look for old pieces that just feel like they fit in our house. I don’t want to change anything about them unless it’s to repair something that isn’t working properly because I love stories the wear and tear tells. I like to preserve the original workmanship where I can. That said, if something is functional but really ugly (meaning I don’t like the design, not that it’s beat up and worn), I have no problem recovering, painting, or otherwise altering it to make it work for me. It gives it more use than it might have otherwise seen.
My husband (craftsman, intense interest in historical architecture and the importance of beauty) is 100% here for your beige rant.
Related: our house (built in 1879) is filled with our grandparents' furniture because none of our cousin's wanted it. 🧐 He also put a ton of work in to restore the original banister.
Is the human skull vegan? 😂
When I moved to my current area, I went to a new dentist. They gave me one of those bamboo water bottles as a “welcome”/ “thank you” gift. I guess it was to encourage me to come back but it had the opposite effect. Like why do you need to give me a gift to convince me to come back to your practice? The actual dentistry should do that on its own.
On another note, I’ve watched some house flipping/ home renovation shows/ videos. Most of it is just stripping all the character away and making everything white/ “trendy”, like you said. But Ariel Bissett is doing a really good job of keeping the character of her old house while making it her style.
About the fast fashion, when I was a kid, I hated going clothes shopping because I was never interested in what was “trendy”. I knew what I wanted and the stores didn’t have it. My mom would say “well that’s not in style right now”. I think more thrift stores need a bigger kids clothing section for this reason. Like not just baby clothes, but bigger kids too. Start em early 😋. Also, it’s difficult to find a balance between super maximalist and super minimalist fashion youtubers. It’s either super boring with just black, white, and beige blazers and basics or too over the top for me with a bunch of layering and loud patterns, colors, or shapes. Your style is a pretty good in-between though
it's the lure of simplicity and perfection. all the choices have been made, if you buy xyz you can have that perfect ideal home/look/life. the idea that what you buy might transform you into someone better. very human, I think, to look for an easy solution that will fix your life.
Make due with what you have. Just rearranging the stuff you have. Sometimes messy can be beautiful.
I agree about the interior design stuff. I wouldn't paint over vintage tiles, brick, art, etc. However, if those bricks had harmful mold or there were structural issues underneath the tiles (like a kitchen or bathroom), then I would, unfortunately, let them go for health and safety purposes.
I like the idea of aesthetics for myself, but I am trying to consciously buy the things I like related to the aesthetic. For me, this means when I go clothes shopping (secondhand), I look out for the certain things I like, but I am not looking to completely replace my wardrobe now, I am just looking to get certain pieces to fit the "aesthetic" every so often when I see something that I like and fits me well.
This was an interesting chat. I enjoyed hearing your perspective on aesthetics. For me, having a somewhat consistent aesthetic and a minimalist mindset really helps me limit my purchases. I think my occasionally caving to replacing something with a more aesthetic version is far-and-away overshadowed by how much less im purchasing in general. I hope that makes sense. I do totally agree with you about destroying the character of vintage homes, clothing, etc. We need to be delicate with that.. and reno is generally so wasteful.
Had a 12h day - work, piercing Studio emergency visit and had to see the vet. Now leftover curry 🍛 and a new gittemary video ❤
I've been watching your videos for only a couple of weeks but I really love all of them! Keep on going and greetings from a Spanish girl living in Sweden
Curated homes are such a foreign concept to me. I literally can't fathom how people manage this financially.
Really enjoying this style of video - it has the vibe of chatting with a friend, chill and casual yet I also learn loads at the same time! Would be happy to see more videos in this style :)
when I was in my young 20s I was really into the slightly hippy / whimsy goth aethetic, I went to festivals, studied art and was generally into hippy esc things. i never really got into the overconsumption (my community was kinda anti consumption) but I think it also gets dangerous when the aethetic bleeds over into all areas of your life - the music you listen to, what you do and don't say, how you talk, activities you do. I could see the (healthy) contradictions within myself (that I've learnt make me who I am!)but I remember feeling so confused that I was so inconsistent, that I could be all love and light one moment and then 'get off me I don't do long held hugs' the next. that I could be all sit by the fire with a pot of herbal tea and meditate and then party with friends and trash my body the same night. I'm 30 and now life is so simple 😂 a very thought provoking video.
Old school Goth Clubber, "Black Swan" was an aesthetic for Industrial Girls. It came from the blend of Army Surplus & Dance/athletic wear, and the ability to mimic the dance moves of others. The Ideal Industrial Girl body was muscular & fluid - think old school Russian Olympic propoganda posters & Dynism ofthepre war futurist movement. Cargo pant were utility - no purse & baggy for comfort. Worn low on the hips , tummies are sexy, but mainly to show off a well muscled back, paired with a crop sports bra to accent shoulders and upper chest muscle tone. Pants were rolled And scrunched under the knee to show off muscled calves and toned upper ankles. Boys/men high top basketball shoes were the footwear of choice for dancing and getting around. The silhouette created was that of a bold lower body slim lower legs big feet, long neck - a swan at rest. My Point- Black Swan was an aesthetic started to suit the practical needs of those in a specific subculture to with it own ideal standards... flash forward Fast fashion knocks off the Aesthetic and reasons behind it are lost or ignored and worse the creators of the Aesthetic are shut out of it. That is what I think of Aesthetics 😎☕💋
To me the beige aesthetic has always been so weird, maybe because my grandmothers had eclectic styles and not everything matched, and I always loved the mismatched yet cohesive vibes their homes had. I have that in my own home as an adult, pieces that may not normally seem like they go together, but in my space it all makes sense. A vast majority are thrifted or were inheritance pieces. It makes it more interesting and I love seeing other people doing similar to me, their own eclectic style, because you can get a better sense of them and the stories behind different pieces are always cool.
I love using the knowledge I have learned from this channel, and many others, to blend Minimalism and low waste. Minimalism is lifestyle that preaches loving what you have and using up what is practical, so that you can know what you truly treasure. I love antiques and I have made my house a sort of museum to properly display my pieces like a collection, this includes my Harry Potter collection. My house also happens to be all white and brown, this is so the furniture pieces are the artwork, and my house always looks clean bc I'm a working mom.
Hello Gittemary,
I agree with all your points except your take on minimalism. Maybe I got what you said in the wrong way, but I don't get what's the harm in liking things white or with a certain color palette or look. I think that the point with everything and every aesthetic - not only minimalism - is not falling into the consumerism rabbit hole and start buying things mindlessly just to obtain a certain image you have in your head. Personally I don't follow strictly a certain aestethics but I feel more drawn to minimalist: I like wooden white and gray furniture because it makes me feel relaxed, calm and it’s easy on the eye, and I regret buying red furniture for my bathroom (it's a little too REDRUM :) ). But this doesn't mean that I'm going to change it any time soon because it's so far from my vision: until it's not falling into pieces, it will stay there :) In my kitchen cupboard I have lots of glass containers, everyone different from the other because they are from different brands and contained different products (chickpeas, pickles, you name it). Would I love it more to have containers of the same brand or line? Yes, of course, but I won't change them either until the break into a million pieces.
Plus I think that minimalism is a great way to learn to live with fewer things, thus buying less things, thus contributing to create less waste. That’s my two cents on the topic
Gittemary has a video in her “The Impact of” series where she explains this further. She explains that the minimalist aesthetic actually has colonial origins that were created by white peopleto further separate themselves from the rich and colorful cultures of poc. She also explained that she doesn’t like the expectation that all environmentalists have to look the same way. It’s not minimalism as a lifestyle Gittemary is against. It’s just the aesthetic she’s not necessarily into.
@@wireddifferent4343 I didn't see the video you are referring to, I'll look up for it. What I'm trying to say is that not all people who love to have a minimalist life (both in the looks and in its essence) are brainwashed and will do everything it takes to adhere to a certain aesthetics.
@@EleonoraFestari Of course! The minimalist lifestyle and aesthetic are perfectly valid. As long as you’re not contributing to hyperconsumerism, do whatever works for you. I just wanted to provide a different perspective of Gittemary’s point.
There's nothing wrong with liking certain colours or styles! The problem is all the people who throw out furniture because their old things don't match their new beige everything aesthetic. Or paint beatiful wood antiques white to match their linen drapes
omg loved this video we have lotsa overlap in our takes ig because of the overlap in our interests, which is crazy because youve shaped my interest in zero waste just a few years ago, its just crazyy
An attic wine girly is what I aspire to be. Regarding art, thing to a thrift store and purchasing painted canvases for the express purpose of painting over them to create your own art is totally acceptable and encouraged by me. I love to see it.
This was exceptionally interesting.
I've personally tried to take aesthetics and turn them into a way to be more deliberate and sustainable.
We just bought a 1940 house in really awful shape - and previously owned a 1923 house that was also in pretty awful shape. We did paint everything ivory in both of them. However, we also try to do everything we can to respect the historical component of the house with the renovations we do.
We buy almost all our furniture second hand and have a pretty eclectic mix that works for us. But I think it's important to remember (as you pointed out!) that old things often take a lot of modification to make work!
This was very poignant. I fall in the middle of the spectrum. I have a hard time not being swept up in the aesthetics of others but I amso repurpose what I have more often then not and breath new life into my belongings when my tastes change.
i get from this: 1) that i feel completely differently about handmade or very, very old (historical interest) vs. machine-made, which doesn't bother me 2) the difference between throw-away, which one doesn't care about, and 'meaningful' objects which one cares about: i haven't heard the difference expressed as one of meaning or care or relationship before
I haven’t been back here for a while and I really loved listening to this, in fact I watched it twice because the first time I was so fascinated by watching you do your makeup that I realised I’d missed half of what you said, so I put my headphones on and listened without watching while making breakfast the second time 😁. I’ve also resubscribed. Thank you.
Really like this video! I am definitely down for more like these 😊
As far as painting over existing artwork…it would depend on what it was for me. I would try to take historical value into account. And I’d think hard before doing it because tastes change, but because art is subjective, I could see where a previous look just isn’t the vibe you want in your home, and painting over in beige colors could be like a blank canvas of sorts? A starting point to create your personalized look? I dunno, I don’t want to sound too flippant because I cringe at the thought of so easily painting over something that has a lot of personality (and possibly many hours of work behind it), but I also hesitate to say people should compromise on pursuing their own personal taste in favor of preserving something they don’t like. 🙂
Thank you very much for this wise idea of yours! It's so unique and at the same time so on the topic of the day! I think this was the huge problem for me to try and put myself subconsciously into a certain aesthetics, which actually annoyed me deep down, because I like different kind of things and they are not "trendy" and necessarily beautiful at all, they are cosy and keep memories. And now after watching your video I feel much relieved and happy! It's such a shame that we live in this point of consumerism, I hope that this kind of lifestyle eliminates itself with the flow of the time.
I agree with all you said! I love things that have a story and history to them. I’d never adjust it to something that’s Instaperfect. I have an old mirror that I got from my grandfather. It’s black and gold painted as it has always been. No way I’m ever going to change that. As far as consumption goes: the most sustainable thing to do is to use what you already have…
I love these videos. Please keep doing thise series of more essay like analysis
I really like your channel. Your insights are very enlightening.
I am a cottage/forest core girl. For me that includes nature books, working with with fiber arts and my pets.
I wish you do more video like it.
You just inspire me make modification to a dress I had buy but was finding too exposing. I will add an extension and wore it!
Thanks you.
I think I finally found my community 🥲 my house is a chaotic mess and I love it!
This video is interesting in the context of your last talk about the "eco" / "Boho" aesthetic assumption! Thanks!
i love your rambles!!
Awesome video! I love this format, please keep them coming. Lol.
Painting beige over vintage tiles (without taking care of them) IS like tearing a dress apart, but you use the lining rather than the fabric. It can be useful and yes, you're repurposing it, but maybe that dress could have been destined to someone that wanted to keep it as it was.
thank you for making such an informative video!
that plant that is behind you, what plant is that? It looks like Ivy but that can stick to walls etc and can cause problems
It is impossible to not be the target of marketing. Every piece of tech listens to us now. Then we are blasted with ads pertaining to that conversation. I like Dark Academia but I have never purchased anything for it. I repurpose items or find them. Surprising how many people just want to give away their vintage typewriter or victrola. Live with intention and don’t give in to FOMO.
When I hear color of the year I could scream
As an archaeology postgraduate 90% of academics do not conform to the dark academia/academic aesthetic. Sometimes there's liking academia and liking the aesthetic/idea of it and they're both okay
I was with u…we were there…and then I heard human skull in the living room and went wait what??👀lol
I guess having to deal with a shit show of chronic illnesses that makes me too damned fatigued is going to be a bit of a win for the environment because I have zero capacity to keep up with worries about mine or my living situation's appearance? At this point my capacity for appearances is does the whatever the frick thing that I'm looking at is "does the thing function in some way that is close enough for what it was designed to be" kind of thing. This applies to just about everything that exists in my possession.
My zero waste aesthetic is bringing my dinner- leftover-lunch to work in old jam jars that I carry in an upcycled cloth drawstring bag 😂 Ugly is an aesthetic right?
Zero Waste Club do talk about how their products are made and the people who make them, and many Fair Trade suppliers sell sustainable products - especially bags, fabric products, which they sell anyway. The Leprosy Mission sell mesh cotton veg bags, for instance. Living Crafts in Germany make in germany with organic cotton. The problem is finding good suppliers. But i agree with overconsuming. As regards water bottles, you can get incredible ones for five quid. But, stuff made in China may now be made by Uyghur slaves, so anything normally made in China is off limits if i were a good person.
My personal favourite are people who are obsessed with "boho" style but who've completely missed the memo on what boho actually is. The boho aesthetic is based on making do with what you find on the curb or for cheap in a thrift store, etc., maybe giving it a coat of paint or whatever to refresh it. Boho is NOT buying a bunch of crap from Bezos and decorating your place so it looks like Woodstock exploded. The charm of the boho aesthetic is that is isn't curated, it just kind of evolves. If you have to ask, "is this boho?" you've missed the entire point of boho!!! /end rant
Label the bronzer or put a sticker on to tell then apart.
I am so sick of people buying beautiful older wooden furniture and painting everything.
❤❤❤
Thank you for bringing up race as a complicating factor in this discussion! I’m a Black woman who lives in the USA. Before my first trip to Paris a few years ago, I went down a rabbit hole online of “what to pack so you look like a French girl rather than a tacky tourist.” A lot of the suggestions made sense, but after a while I noticed that the overall aesthetic being pushed was extremely specific to white women, French or no, and had nothing to do with, for example, the many women whose heritage goes back to former French colonies like Gabon, who are just as Parisian as anyone else. After that, I just did what I pleased: no one writing those fashion advice articles was talking to or about me.
This comment isn’t directly about sustainability, but I absolutely see the connection to what you’re talking about.
I definitely see the connection as well, thank you for sharing your perspective 💚 there is so much more to be done in terms of how we view these standards and aesthetics and what features we celebrate
Aesthetics just mean the intentional appearance.
I hate the We Wear Pink on Wednesdays attitude. What is wrong with creating our own personal aesthetic?
I was born in 1976. I grew up in the Canadian arctic. We all laugh at thisninclusion stuff. Wevgrew up together, had the same experiences but thank you virtuous whire euro women for reminding us of cultural differences.
My favourite zero waste youtubers are Sustainably Vegan and Ana Goldberg, and they both are too poor and too conscious to do what you say, so i can recommend them.
🤍🤍🤍
Homegirl doesn't know what minimalism is
I'm sure you're take was interesting, but I'll never know as I couldn't handle your mispronunciation of "aesthetic"! "Th" is a soft sound NOT the hard "t" you gave it. Perhaps checking the correct pronunciation before doing a video where you say the same word repeatedly is a good idea.
That s what you got from the video ?
I love that the only other comment of yours i can see is a similar criticism about pronunciation. Really bringing some great energy to the comments section ✌🏻