Move over clean girl – messy girl is taking over. But who is she, and where did she come from? #legend is here with the answer
“Messy” is a strong word. It conjures all sorts of negative imagery. Maybe you think of that time your dog ate the wrong thing, or that one friend’s apartment. But suddenly, it’s all over our feeds: the messy girl isn’t a kindergartener who couldn’t keep their spaghetti in their mouth anymore – now she’s a symbol of beauty, allure and grungy seduction.
Smudged eyeliner, bird’s nest hair, an outfit with zero thought – is this real style, or just another trend vomited up by the internet? Is it about being free, or is it all carefully planned? There’s a lot to unpack here, so keep reading to discover all about the latest social media phenomenon.
Who is she?
2025 was all about the Clean Girl: flawless skin, silky hair, a composed appearance. In contrast, this year’s lived-in makeup and unkempt seems the complete opposite. But it’s important to know that the Messy Girl isn’t dirty, she’s just different.
She’s somewhere in between just woke up and just got back from partying – half-asleep but still having fun. She doesn’t care what you think: not trying too hard, and okay with not being perfect.
Where did she come from?
This look isn’t really new. 90’s icons like Courtney Love and Kate Moss wore this chic ages ago, and it’s always kept a subtle presence in culture – from the runway shows of Hedi Slimane to the carefree attitudes of Charli XCX and Billie Eilish.
There’s a reason she never went away – the messy girl encompasses a captivating appeal of self-confidence, empowerment and defiance. It’s a casual look that fits for the modern woman – going against the curve in her own, independent way.
Is she actually messy?
There’s a certain contradiction in the name itself. Real messiness isn’t actually that cool. None of the influencers making smoky-eye tutorials on Instagram or Tiktok have ketchup stains on their clothes or makeup bleeding where it shouldn’t.
The truth is the Messy Girl puts in effort to how she looks – it’s intentional. Looking tired, dressing unintentionally fashionable and staying aesthetically unorganised is hard: a skill to master rather than just pure instinct.
So, what does it mean?
The Messy Girl more than what she looks like. Not just distressed clothes and weary eyes, it’s a way to say no to society’s expectations of appearance. In a world where everyone uses filters, the Messy Girl tries to be real. She says it’s okay to be tired, okay to be imperfect, okay to be you.
Nevertheless, people have raised problems with the Messy Girl. Somehow, she always seems to be a very thin, tall, famous white woman. Does this make it exclusionary? Can it feel real for everyone? When a style becomes a trend with rules, does it lose its freedom?
Becoming a Messy Girl yourself
We at #legend offer a different perspective – true messiness isn’t about looks, but about how you feel. Wearing what empowers you, whether a fancy dress or ripped jeans, floral blouse or vintage band t-shirt. Not following society’s limitations and restrictions, the real messy girl is she who chooses herself over the world’s unrealistic expectations of her.
See also: New year, new skin: Post Lunar New Year skin reset
