Hey friend! How are you doing? I am doing good. And I hope you are too. I think you will agree when I say that the word aesthetic is everywhere these days. Especially on social media! Whether it is TikTok, YouTube or Instagram, the term aesthetic is so in use that sometimes you wonder, what exactly is aesthetic? And why is it that only certain things are considered aesthetic? So, today I will walk you through and tell you what aesthetic really is! And as we dwell on the term, I will also discuss where you can find aesthetics daily, why you should have a particular aesthetic, who is considered aesthetic, how to find your aesthetic, the types of aesthetics and much more. So, make yourself a cup of tea, cosy up on your couch and read on!
What in the world is aesthetic?
Hahaha! I know that the burning question in your mind is, ‘what in the world is aesthetic?’ Honestly, it’s not that complicated! However, if I start saying now that aesthetic by definition and blah blah blah, you will probably beat me up! Wouldn’t you? So, let’s not do that! Aesthetic is nothing but a fancy-schmancy word for ‘beauty’! That’s it!
But it doesn’t confine the term to physical beauty! It could be anything! It could be a plant, the clouds, the way a person dresses, the organisation in your home, the style of food presentation and even the keyboard I am typing on! Really! It could be anything! Now you may be like! What? What the hell does that mean?! How can a keyboard be aesthetic? Hehehe! I can understand. Let me explain. Often what makes a thing aesthetic is its Colours, design and how well they look put together. Anything presented in a way pleasing to the eyes and brings about a feeling of beauty is aesthetic. Now, aesthetics is highly subjective. You see because we all see and perceive things differently. And that’s why there isn’t just one type of aesthetic. That’s also a possible reason why aesthetics is hard to explain!
Where can I find aesthetics?
Like I said earlier, you can find aesthetics anywhere and everywhere! Because it’s perception first. It’s a visual experience! And hence you can find aesthetics anywhere in daily life. Down below are a few places aesthetics is associated most commonly!
- Aesthetics in fashion: First and foremost is fashion. It doesn’t make sense to talk about aesthetics and not include it. Because fashion and style are all about aesthetics and looking presentable. But what does it mean when someone says that your outfit is aesthetic? Aesthetics in fashion means taking pieces of apparel and combining them in ways that look pleasing to the eye. But it doesn’t necessarily mean in just one way as there are different types of aesthetics which I will discuss a little later. Based on the aesthetics you are into, you can style apparel differently. And that’s what makes aesthetics so appealing.
- Aesthetics in food: No, I am not a lunatic! I know it might sound strange when we say aesthetics in food because it drifts away from what is usually thought about when we talk about food. For obvious reasons, when we say food, it is expected that we will talk about nutrition and taste rather than aesthetics. But believe me, it is crucial. We eat with our eyes first before we quite literally eat it. Therefore aesthetics in food means its appeal in terms of presentation. Food is a visual experience first and then a sensory experience. Remember that pizza commercial that always makes you droll? Often we buy something to eat because it freaking looks good on the menu. How often have you wanted to try something from a different culture you have never tried before because it looks damn good and freaking delicious? That’s where aesthetics in food come in. Aesthetics in food means a delightful presentation of food that makes a person droll.
- Aesthetics in decor: Our conversation about aesthetics will be incomplete without mentioning design and decor. Design and decor are where the core idea of aesthetics lies, and possibly this is also where the term aesthetic got all its attention. Aesthetic in design and decor is a vast term, something out of the scope of this blog post. I will write a dedicated post regarding the same. But for now, let me explain briefly what aesthetics in design and decor means. Aesthetics in design and decor means that you decorate a place or a room around a particular visual style that is appealing, welcoming and makes you feel good. There are so many different aesthetics when it comes to design and decor. Industrial aesthetics, Japandi aesthetics, Scandinavian aesthetics, Korean aesthetics, minimalists aesthetics, vintage, shabby chic, rustic, and eclectic are a few to name. This list doesn’t end at all. You can also find aesthetics based on culture and tradition, cultural movements and also according to personal ideologies. There is so much to talk about in this section that I think is best for another day.
- Aesthetics in medicine and surgery: Aesthetics in medical treatment, Shocked? Don’t be! It’s been there for ages. Now, what do we mean by aesthetics in medicine and surgery? In the medical world, some treatments and procedures exist solely to beautify. Treatments like dermabrasion, derma fillers, Botox, veneers, hydro facials, double eyelid surgeries and rhinoplasty are some common examples of it. It may seem superficial upfront, but these treatments have a psychological impact!
Why should I define my aesthetics?
There is no hard and fast rule that you should have a certain aesthetic. You can follow a type of aesthetics today, and as you evolve as a person, as we all do at some point in life, we may vibe and connect with a different aesthetic. And so there isn’t a rule per se that you should and must have and follow one type of aesthetic for the rest of your life. It’s ok even if you don’t want to recognise yourself with one particular aesthetic and are someone who appreciates aesthetics for its broader and general understanding. But if you do consider choosing an aesthetic for yourself, then choose one that sits right with your ideologies and belief.
How do I find my aesthetic?
Finding your aesthetics may at times seem confusing. How do you choose one type of aesthetics when you evolve as a person over time? I understand that. Your aesthetics will change as you grow as a person. We may not be able to find an aesthetic for all the phases of your life at once, but let us try and see how to find your aesthetic for who you are currently. To begin, observe what you vibe with is there a particular colour that you like, do you believe in the ideas of minimalism, or is it maximalism that speaks volumes to you? Do contemporary things interest you, or is it traditional stuff that you like best? As you define and understand what your vibe is. Start creating a mood board on Pinterest and keep finding more inspiration until your find the one that best suits your interest.
Who is an aesthete?
An aesthete is anyone who has an eye for art and appreciates beauty and artistic aspects of daily life. You don’t need a certification or degree in art to be an aesthete. Anyone that has an art appreciation is an aesthete.
What are the different types of aesthetics?
Oh boy! Where do we begin? I wish there were simple classifications to explain the types of aesthetics! But unfortunately, there isn’t one! But what there is, is a vast genre! There are so many different types of aesthetics that everyone has a place in it, but it is out of the scope of this blog post. I am going to share it in a post soon. But for today, let me tell you some common ones. Some of the most common aesthetics we often see on social media are cottage core, minimalist, boho, badie, e-girl, adacemia and Korean aesthetic.
So that was everything about aesthetics. I know I haven’t discussed the types of aesthetics but let’s do that the next time we meet, which will be very soon! For today, I hope you found the answers to the questions you were looking for about aesthetics, and if you haven’t found your aesthetic, I hope that you will start creating a mood board soon, which will aid you in finding it. I will see you soon with yet another blog post. But until then, bye!
Hey there! I’m Tahlia and nice to meet you.
I’m a dentist by graduation and a content creator by interest. I live in Malnad, IN. I tap my feet to the rhythm of music and love reading novels. Photography and eating Pani Puri are some of my other favourite things.
