After several seasons dominated by aesthetics such as clean girl, minimalism and quiet luxury, a far more maximalist trend is reclaiming space across social media: bedazzling. Its premise is almost the exact opposite: more sparkle, less fear of going over the top.
What Is Bedazzling?
The idea behind bedazzling is simple: covering objects, accessories or elements of an outfit with crystals and rhinestones until they become impossible to ignore.
Its comeback ties into the renewed fascination with Y2K aesthetics, an era when excess, sparkle and personalization were central to the visual language of pop culture and celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Britney Spears.
Now, that visual language is being reinterpreted by a generation that has turned TikTok and other social platforms into a showcase for transforming DIY projects into content, inspiration and trends.
Kylie Jenner Is Embracing the Sparkle Too
One recent sign of the trend’s return came from Kylie Jenner. During her birthday celebrations, the entrepreneur brought the crystal-covered aesthetic into different elements of the party: from the cake to the drinking glasses, gems and rhinestones became a defining part of the visual concept.
Across social media, the aesthetic is also appearing on nails, makeup, accessories, clothing and everyday objects. What might once have seemed excessive is finding its place again within an aesthetic conversation that is beginning to move beyond everything clean, understated and restrained.
After years of trying to make everything look natural, clean and understated, perhaps the new way to stand out is to do exactly the opposite: cover everything in sparkle until it becomes impossible to look away.
Tomilli.com