The Party Girl Renaissance: Embracing Chaos, Glitter, and Unapologetic Glamour
From Lockdown to Let Loose: Why Gen Z is Obsessed with the Party Girl Aesthetic?
Remember when we were all posting our morning routines, perfectly arranged avocado toast, and #fitnessgoals? Well, that era has officially been replaced by blurry night-out photos, smudged eyeliner, and the glorious chaos of the Party Girl aesthetic. After being trapped inside during the pandemic, Gen Z has thrown themselves into embracing the intoxicating freedom of nightlife culture with reckless abandon – and it’s not just about the parties, it’s about the entire vibe.
"Party Girl Style Is a State of Mind, Not Just a Look"
Being a Party Girl isn’t about attending every event you’re invited to – that’s an easy path to burnout, bad skin, and worse moods. As author Marlowe Granados puts it, “A true party girl can go anywhere and make it an occasion—even if it’s just a picnic. It’s a state of mind, a true philosophy of life. It’s about being fearless in your pursuit of a laugh.”
The Party Girl aesthetic embodies this carefree philosophy, merging nostalgic elements from the 70s disco era, 90s grunge, and Y2K excess into something uniquely 2024. It’s less about perfection and more about authenticity – messy, chaotic, and absolutely fabulous.
The End of That Girl and the Rise of Goblin Mode Glamour
What suddenly happened to all those fitness routines we used to follow, the discount codes for vegan sports outfits, and endless carousels of oatmeal breakfasts? The “That Girl” trend with its 90 million TikTok views has been swept away by our return to pre-pandemic normality.
In a world now fed up with the obsession for personal well-being and perfection, we’re witnessing what trend forecasters call an “indie sleazification” of beauty and fashion. The desire for a more tolerant, post-wellness aesthetic is taking the form of something more casual, sometimes less groomed, but infinitely more eccentric and whimsical.
As Marie-Michèle Larivée explains, “younger generations are now obsessed with an aesthetic that was in vogue before their future became uncertain and distressing.” After years of restriction, being without rules feels cooler – it doesn’t impose limits and doesn’t make you feel restricted in your daily choices.
Saltburn's Venetia: The Party Girl Icon We Didn't Know We Needed
In recent months, Saltburn has taken Gen Z by storm. Beyond collectively swooning over Jacob Elordi, we’re obsessed with the rich party girl lifestyle that the main character’s sister, Venetia, effortlessly embodies. Her influence is visible everywhere, especially on college campuses, where going-out outfits are becoming increasingly outrageous, crazy, and over-the-top.
Venetia perfectly captures the Party Girl essence with her rimmed, unorganized black eyeliner and slightly-brushed-through hair. She masters the art of looking put-together yet messy simultaneously – the hallmark of authentic Party Girl style. The previously “eat the rich” attitude has morphed into an “I want to be the rich” outlook, and party girls are ready to take the modern roaring twenties by storm.
The Party Girl Fashion Formula: Sparkles + Fur + Sheer = Iconic
Shine Bright Like a Disco Ball
One essential element of the Party Girl aesthetic is sparkles – from sequins to eye gems and everything in between. Picture girls in sparkly dresses or tube tops, paired with tights and statement heels. The goal? Looking like you tried to put together a killer outfit without trying too hard.
To balance the glitz, Party Girls often resort to intentionally smudged makeup (especially black eyeliner) and messy hair. This contrast creates the perfect “I just left an incredible party but I’m ready for the next one” vibe that defines the aesthetic.
Fur Coats: The Ultimate Party Girl Power Move
Another staple is the fur coat (faux, of course). We’ve seen a surge in fur coats, with many trying to channel the “mob wife aesthetic,” but the Party Girl uses fur differently – not as a symbol of glamour but as something fun and over-the-top.
They throw on cheetah print, wear it off their shoulders, and might wear nothing underneath. While fur coats traditionally symbolize wealth and status, the Party Girl transforms them into something campy and cool. Add a martini and a bold lip, and you’ve nailed the look.
The Art of Showing Skin
Sheer fabrics are essential in any Party Girl’s wardrobe. Whether it’s mesh, lace, or silk, these classic women-about-town love to show a little skin. A slight showcase of sexy underwear or a cute bra under a sheer dress creates the perfect balance of crazy style and glamour.
Kate Moss: The Original Party Girl Queen
Many of today’s Party Girl trends can be traced back to the ultimate icon: Kate Moss. Her smudged eyeliner paired with teeny dresses barely covering her body defined an era. Her 1999 Versace chainmail dress perfectly embodies this contrast – the dress screams wealth, but the smudged eyeliner ties her back to her roots and party girl reputation.
In 1993, she was spotted wearing a sheer silver dress that left nothing to the imagination – a look that’s been replicated countless times by today’s fashion influencers. Undoubtedly crowned the queen of this aesthetic, Kate Moss remains the ultimate Party Girl inspiration.
The Modern Roaring 20s: Why We're All Going Wild
So why has this renaissance occurred? Why are young people so drawn to this aesthetic right now? We’re currently in 2024 – or as some might say, in the middle of the new Roaring 20s.
In the 1920s, following the devastation of the Spanish Flu pandemic, style became risky, fun, eclectic, and crazy. People were ready to leave their houses, hit the clubs, and break the rules after being cooped up and facing mass tragedy.
Sound familiar? After COVID forced us all indoors for over a year, Gen Z is desperate to express the wild energy that’s been building up. We channeled this craziness into a style and mindset that’s as outlandish, fun, campy, and gaudy as possible. Four years later, we still have pent-up energy to release, and this aesthetic perfectly embodies that craving for uninhibited fun.
Euphoria's Influence: When TV Shapes Reality
The world of Euphoria has played a significant role in popularizing the Party Girl aesthetic. Rue (played by Zendaya) has reclaimed the appeal of “goblin mode” – legitimizing the right to embrace imperfection, especially after a wild night out.
Together with her castmates, she’s relaunched the Party Girl look with their technicolor eyeshadows, face gems, and unapologetic approach to beauty. In direct contrast to the “clean girl aesthetic,” this new trend celebrates the messy, the colorful, and the wonderfully chaotic.
The Beauty Industry Takes Notice
The beauty industry has quickly caught on to this shift. Kesha, the queen of all party girls, has launched her makeup brand @kesharosebeauty, focusing on hyper-colored shimmer eyeshadows and inviting followers to share their “wildest looks” on social media – a direct challenge to the natural makeup of the “clean girl.”
Emma Chamberlain’s skincare brand @badhabit perfectly embodies the trend with its neon-colored creams designed not to erase bad makeup habits but to take care of skin stressed by too many late nights and excessive glitter use.
How to Channel Your Inner Party Girl
Ready to embrace your inner Party Girl? Remember that the essence of Party Girl style is movement and comfort. As Marlowe Granados notes, “A true party girl must not be too constrained by her clothes—sometimes a strap falls off her shoulder or she hitches her skirt a little higher and her heels come off.”
Take inspiration from fictional Party Girls like Fran Drescher in The Nanny and Parker Posey in Party Girl (1995). Both have colorful fashion senses with loud prints and miniskirts, paired with the most important Party Girl element: a sense of humor. There’s an inherent playfulness in Party Girl fashion – one is never strict on fun when it comes to parties and clothes.
And don’t let cold weather stop you – the minidress still gets worn, but this time under a big shaggy coat. The combined style will inspire you to be bold and lighthearted when it comes to dressing.
Beyond Trends: Finding Your Unique Party Girl Persona
When it comes to inspiration, cast your net wide across countries and decades. Today, it often feels like the same set of 20 people is deemed stylish, forcing us to recycle the same narrow array of outfits. To carve out your own taste, your horizons must be broader.
As Cher famously said, “Until you’re ready to look foolish, you’ll never have the possibility of being great.” A true Party Girl has no qualms about pursuing what she finds pleasurable, despite the consequences.
The holidays and weekends are perfect excuses to embrace your Party Girl tendencies – to wear what might otherwise be “too much.” And who knows? Maybe you’ll surprise yourself with how easily you embody the role – and then perhaps you’ll never give the Party Girl up.
In a world where trends come and go faster than ever, there’s something refreshingly authentic about the Party Girl aesthetic. It’s not about perfection or aspiration – it’s about living in the moment, embracing the chaos, and having the absolute time of your life while looking fabulous doing it. So smudge that eyeliner, throw on some sparkles, and hit the town – the modern Roaring 20s are calling, and they won’t wait forever.