Crystal-clear skin, matcha in hand and a basic white T-shirt cropped to just below the waist: these are the hallmarks of the "clean girl" aesthetic.
Coined in 2021, the niche microtrend was one of the world’s first social-media-led movements to successfully transcend the algorithm with an ideology of slicked-back buns, pared-back makeup and regimented skincare regimens. This isn’t the first time you’re hearing about it, and it won’t be the last. So, in this excessively accelerated trend cycle, why has the clean-girl aesthetic been the one to endure?
What Is the Clean-Girl Aesthetic?
As the name suggests, the key to achieving the clean-girl aesthetic is to curate an appearance that suggests a hyper-manicured persona. Outfits, which typically involve a pair of Levi's 501s or an athleisure set from Alo or Adanola, should look like they’ve just been ripped from the plastic of a dry-cleaner's garment bag. Hair must be free of flyaways, thanks to the help of a smoothing wax and Olaplex’s cult-favourite No. 7 Bonding Oil. Makeup will be minimal—if any at all—and must always feature some sort of hydrated, glossy lip, commonly courtesy of Rhode Beauty’s Peptide Lip Treatment.
In the period that immediately followed the pandemic, our fixation on hygiene made it easy to understand why this trope flourished. The pendulum swung from the Y2K stylings of the likes of Blumarine, Diesel and Euphoria, and landed on a more sanitised silhouette where a veil of effortless perfection must be projected. Though she’s never personally acknowledged this title—nor rejected it for that matter—Hailey Bieber’s approach to beauty and fashion became the template to follow.
But time has a fickle way of making us forget. As our collective tastes shifted from "glazed doughnut" complexions to a more achievable appearance that reflects a life well lived—see star-shaped pimple patches that conceal a breakout, "soft blur" makeup speckled with abandon over our cheekbones, the remnants of last night’s eyeliner—how has the clean-girl aesthetic held its own?
Is the Clean-Girl Aesthetic Trending in 2025?
If the sentiment on TikTok can be taken as some sort of barometer, it’s safe to say that the clean-girl aesthetic is no longer trending as furiously as it was in the early parts of the decade. Nevertheless, the remnants of its reign persist. In 2025, the way to garner the most cultural cache is through a shroud of relatability. To remain a person of influence, you can no longer act above the masses, but as a part of them.
It’s this quality that has encouraged Kylie Jenner, someone who rejected accusations of enhancing her lips through the use of filler, to open up about the specifics of her breast augmentation. Or for Addison Rae to earnestly express a desire for stardom in her self-titled debut album and accompanying promotional posts, both of which are crafted through a lens that is reminiscent of the things you’d reblog on the Tumblr pages of yore.
The most successful example is arguably Charli XCX’s 2024 album, Brat. To aggressive club beats, the British musician sang about everything from calling the paparazzi on herself, throwing parties and generational trauma. The accompanying visual language favoured disorder in leather micro-shorts, hole-laden ribbed white tank tops and unruly hair tousled by a combination of dance floor sweat and dry shampoo.
In light of this, you might think that the clean-girl aesthetic was left behind as soon as we started swapping iced lattes for ice-cold dirty martinis. That’s not an entirely accurate read, however. It’s not that the aesthetic has waned, but rather acquiesced and evolved into something more modern.
How to Achieve the Clean-Girl Aesthetic in 2025
If you look at current dressing methods that have taken hold, you’ll notice that most bear resemblance to the clean-girl aesthetic. Take quiet luxury, for example. Though slightly more mature in tone, both looks prioritise a form of polished minimalism, albeit at varying degrees of what can be considered elegant and aspirational. As the fashion landscape evolves further into one interested in Chloé’s bohemian sensibility and the "sleazy" attitude prominent in the late 2000s and early 2010s, the prototypical "clean girl" as she first appeared will become less and less relevant.
To be a clean girl in 2025 is to still adore the features that made the trend so popular in 2025, but to do so with more self-awareness. Instead of flaunting blemish-free, "woke-up-like-this", flawless skin, clean girls are acknowledging the expansive and sometimes exhausting routines they’ve implemented to emulate a shower-fresh appearance.
On a fashion level, things have pretty much remained the same, save for the addition of accessories like bag charms that help showcase individual personalities. Instead of there being one overarching clean-girl uniform, those who adopt this trend are now taking more risks and branching out from a prescriptive template.
You’ll still find sophisticated neutrals and timeless shapes, but this might take on a more charming and vintage feel with the presence of polka dots, lacy slips or even capri pants. "Crunchy scents" like Chanel’s Chance or Glossier You will always be key, as will skin tints and jewellery from Mejuri.
Don’t think these trends are fleeting, either. This more classic approach to the clean-girl aesthetic will see it prevail well through the late half of the decade; it might just take you more time to decode when you spot these styles in the wild.
Shop Clean-Girl Aesthetic Staples
The basis for a quintessential clean-girl outfit is a crisp white T-shirt. Leset's Laura Margot style is the perfect fit (not too boxy or tight) and is just sheer enough (you'd be hard-pressed to see a bra through the sturdy fabric). Plus, it comes with endorsements from several celebrities, including Natalie Portman and Jennifer Lawrence.
These slightly baggy jeans from Agolde are a best-seller, but the one thing that separates clean-girl-approved denim from other styles is this classic lighter wash.
These ruched loafers are so versatile and a great way to bring in an air of polish without investing in something too structured or matronly.
Soft tailoring is also an indicator of a clean girl, lending a refined (but never stuffy) shape to any silhouette.
The suede Le Cambon from Manu Atelier will convince anyone that you're sophisticated.
Clean girls will use any outing as a chance to look put-together—even exercise. This pretty pair of trainers will help you turn heads whilst walking to Pilates, on the gym floor at HIIT classes or even just whilst strolling to a coffee catch-up.
If there's a pair of leggings that every It girl is wearing, it's these.
Another tailoring essential. Wear over wide-leg trousers or with a miniskirt.
Capris are one way to bring in a bit of individualism to your clean-girl uniform.
Dôen dresses are so dreamy. Their romantic shapes and whimsical silhouettes have this innate ability to look good on everyone.
Simple, understated and classic.
The Uniform is the ultimate base layer in any clean girl's beauty bag.
These satin shorts will help your look feel more modern and sophisticated, even if you're just on a morning pastry run.
Swap out trainers for something a little bit sweeter.
Clean girls can never have too many elevated tops to wear with their collection of straight-leg jeans.
Tie around your waist to bring another element to your pared-back look.
Perfumes don't get much cleaner than this.
Refined and elegant.
Pendant necklaces are certainly the way to do the clean-girl aesthetic in 2025. Just ask Pia Mance, founder of the Hailey-Bieber-approved accessory label Heaven Mayhem.
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