If you thought your awkward tween stage of dressing was behind you, you might just need to think again. On Monday, “New Girl” actress Zooey Deschanel took to TikTok with a video of herself and oh-so-adorable pup lip-syncing and showing some ultra throwback photos. She captioned the post, “I’d like to thank TikTok for teaching me what twee means.” But we argue it is, in fact, Deschanel that taught TikTok what Twee fashion is, at least in the aesthetic sense—let us explain.
In TikTok’s ongoing mission reviving early aught trends, the latest to resurface is twee fashion, categorized by indie fashion meets quirky and playful youth, to put it simply, Zooey Deschanel in the 2000s. Cardigans, layered clothing, leggings, bouncing dresses, and lots and lots of patterns. Oh, does it take us back to the glory days (or not so much) of scrolling through Tumblr and Pinterest.
@zooeydeschanel I’d like to thank TikTok for teaching me what twee means
Twee fashion making a comeback makes perfect sense, seeing that the Tumblr girl aesthetic just saw its second run in pop culture. The trend, which is typically accompanied by Deschanel’s and her band She & Him’s 2008 single “Why Do You Let Me Stay Here,” started going viral last month with over 60 million. views. Although it seems to be something to keep users busy while stuck back indoors if TikTok’s past aesthetic revivals are any sign of where this trend is heading, we’ll be seeing twee go from URL to IRL real soon.
Now that Zooey Deschanel knows of twee style, one thing is certain, she’s ready to take her rightful seat as the poster girl of the trend. Whether or not twee makes it onto the likes of Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber, and Dua Lipa, it’s just fun to reminisce of the before times. In honor of Deschanel making her comeback as one of 2022’s first style icons, we take a look back at some of her most twee fashion moments.
