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Image | Oliver Bonas (Hat) / Nasty Gal (Shoes) / & Other Stories (Top) / UK Tights (Tights) / Illustration by TSD
You have to be an avid fashion enthusiast to keep up with fashion trends, especially when it comes to micro-trends, which tend to come and go quite quickly.
You may have seen that ‘twee’ has re-emerged on TikTok – the popular platform that has become much more than just a venue for funny prank videos and DIY hacks, but a source of inspiration for fashion ideas and trends as well.
SO, WHAT IS TWEE FASHION?
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, ‘twee’ is defined as “affectedly or excessively dainty, delicate, cute, or quaint”.
It’s essentially a three-way combination of British prep, retro aesthetic and bold colours which give a nod to the classic designs of the 1960s and 70s, so think, Peter Pans collars, oversized patterned cardigans and bows on everything!
If Zooey Deschanel from New Girl springs to mind, you’d be spot on! I mean, she’s practically been dubbed the “Twee Queen”.
Zooey Deschanel in “New Girl” / Photo Courtesy Of Fox Image Collection via Getty Images
But other pop-culture icons and celebrities like Alexa Chung and Taylor Swift honed this ‘sweet girl’ aesthetic too when it became popular in the early 2000s through to the 2010s which was mainly influenced by the indie-pop music scene but it is now back and making its rounds.
Here is what you will need to take on this whimsical fashion re-entry.
Patterned Tights
Patterned tights appeal to the retro-chic element of twee fashion. Mix and match going big on colour and prints like vibrant florals or abstract shapes or keep it simpler with black designs which will be easier to match your outfits with, yet not completely plain-Jane.
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Hair Bows
Never forget about the accessories! The Minnie-mouse-inspired hair adornment will easily super-charge your femininity that you can show off in the summer.
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Peter Pan Collar
Nothing quite says “twee” like the signature Peter Pan collar. In and of itself, this oversized collar makes a statement without any of the other components of a twee outfit. A detachable collar can be layered on top of any garment, or you can go for an A-line dress or top with an integrated collar.
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Beret Hat
The beret hat (which originates in the 17th century in the non-Basque area of Oloron-Sainte-Marie, a small town in southern France) was a firm favourite from the original twee movement. Snag one of these brimless hats in wool to keep you stylishly warm in the colder months.
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Mary Jane Shoes
Mary Jane shoes are characterised by having a rounded closed toe with one strap fastened on one side with a buckle or button. These cute and dainty shoes are the quintessential footwear for a schoolgirl, but they are also a woman’s wardrobe staple for vintage attire too. Go flat with ballet pumps or switch it up with a bit of heel.
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