If you've read my New York Fashion Week outfit recaps, you know this: I'm fearless when it comes to fashion. Impossible fashion trends are my specialty, and in the past year alone I've flaunted my bra, worn no pants to the Supreme Court - hell, I've even worn a thong over my pants. None of this phased me. In fact, it's the simplest, most wearable trends that scare me the most.
Copycore, tenniscore, and the “clean girl” aesthetic terrified me from the beginning. Their inherent wearability is the complete opposite of my lifelong love of weird clothing. Basic? Ivory linen? Cardigan? ! Absolute horror.
But when Bloomingdale's invited me on a two-day trip to Kennebunkport, Maine, to celebrate the opening of their new Camp Bloomingdale's Carousel, I suddenly felt drawn to—not the pyramid studs, animal prints, or metallics— —but instead eyelet lace, a Ralph Lauren baseball cap and a floral-print dress. Inspired by the eclectic farmhouse style cabin we stayed at at Hidden Pond, I decided to try out the biggest trend on the internet today - but do it in a way that felt unique.
While TikTok aesthetics are widely blamed for the demise of personal style, I find myself embracing them, layering the core pieces into a hybrid that feels entirely my own. Here's how I modernize a cookie-cutter aesthetic.
Tennis meets Cottagecore
I started my Maine packing list by picking out a few items from my black closet that felt right for a quaint coastal town with a name so cute it sounded like it was made up. That means my unique eyelet skirt, a never-worn Polo Ralph Lauren hat, and my crab-crested zodiac sweater. (This water sign is indeed a water sign.)
Naturally, these country club fundamentals reminded me of the preppy aesthetic that has been flooding my messages and inbox for weeks: tennis. The sporty aesthetic balances the unmistakable sweetness of the country core in a way that resonates with my boyish style—what I call country patio .
While the tennis core is more about ambience than function, this look has allowed me to successfully complete several unofficial New England sports: making cocktails, walking in the woods, and biking to the beach.
En Saison Eyelet Maxi Skirt Bloomingdale's
Eclectic grandpa goes to the cabin
When it came time for another New England staple (read: a good old-fashioned lobster bake), I combined the rustic look with an aesthetic as chaotic as the event itself.
The eclectic grandpa look, consisting mostly of quirky knits and button-down shirts, is a TikTok-born look that's closest to my usual style. I started with the aforementioned outfits - both in contrasting striped patterns - and added a floral print maxi skirt to really lean into the "eclectic" side of the trend.
Maine law states that sweaters must be worn over the shoulders at all times and any other style will result in a mandatory prison sentence. Being the law-abiding citizen that I am, I followed suit (sweaters?) and accessorized with my whimsical knitwear. I managed to combine both trends into one—let’s call it eclectic country—and I completed my “fit” with lobster red Mary Janes and a mini basket bag.
Reyes ballet flats Dolce Vita
Even though this trip to Bloomingdale's took me well outside of my fashion comfort zone (and New York State boundaries), I came home feeling more in tune with my style. Who would have thought that the horrific TikTok aesthetic would feel so real to me?
