Social Media Aesthetic: Necessary or Restrictive?
To be pigeonholed is a universal career term. Some may deem it a death sentence and others merely a challenge. It is an invisible label our resumes (whatever medium they may constitute) are tagged with in order to categorize ourselves. The phenomenon extends beyond corporate culture and movie roles, we see it within our social media feeds constraining us to distinct aesthetics. Be it ‘clean eating’ ‘workout warrior’ or still shots in black and white, established creators are well revered for their identifiable posting patterns. To establish such an identity is an overwhelming concept for many blossoming influencers, so we chatted with Sophia Jaramillo of Menswearsoph and Brooklynn Gallagher on their approaches to building a cohesive online persona without sacrificing room for exploration of self.
When did you first start using TikTok and Instagram?
Sophia: I have been using Instagram as a content creator since about 2014, and I am super familiar with the platform and working with primarily photo content. I have begun using TikTok as a platform for content creation on-and-off for about a year now, and am really trying to focus on TikTok as an avenue for sharing what I do.
Brooklyn: Ten years ago I started my Instagram. It took me 10 years to get to 10k followers on Instagram and 2.5 months to get to 10k followers on TikTok. I started TikTok during the beginning of the pandemic, paused from it and then picked back up this past year.
Did you have a clear vision of what aesthetic you wanted your TikTok to look like? How did you craft that if yes?
Sophia: I think my vision for my TikTok aesthetic is a work in progress at the moment, and I didn't come onto the app knowing exactly what I wanted to create and how. I have gone through different phases in terms of aesthetics, and have taken inspiration from many creators on how to craft a video. I believe I am still working towards how I want my account to feel, and I think with just continuing to create content that my niche style will manifest itself.
Brooklyn: I see myself in my content. It represents my personal style and my personality as well. You're figuring out ways you want to convey or reveal yourself in your Instagram. You can put out this version of your life that is super curated. For TikTok you are still being strategic, but it doesn't have to be as planned. You are also trying to convey more of your personality. My advice for TikTok is to try anything. See what you bring value to. My followers look to me for realistic sizing. One day I can be a size 6 and one day I can be a size 12. I think people wanted to see more representation of the body type I had and wanted to see what I'm wearing and then go buy the same dress or outfit.
How would you describe your aesthetic?
Sophia: My aesthetic is definitely informed by my love of vintage, especially the 60s and the 70s. I also love a ton of color and personalization, which you can see in my posts and in my illustrations (which sometimes intertwine). I would probably file myself in the category of funky vintage rainbow girl. I also try to be the most authentic version of myself I can possibly be, and not try to project any unrealistic concept out to my audience, nor do I enjoy posting things I don't stand by.
Brooklyn: This question is always tricky for me because I definitely lean for a classic and minimal style while also playing with a more edgy and modern vibe. I'd say it's constantly evolving but draws from classic styles with a modern influence.
How do you find your aesthetic manifests beyond just your social platforms? How does it affect your style and do you find they go hand in hand?
Sophia: I am always wearing and perhaps doing the most colorful things I possibly can. Keeping a busy and colorful schedule is when I am most happy, and when I feel the most content. My art is also super colorful, bright, and fun which is almost directly connected to my socials. (I would also venture to say that I am a colorful and bright person, but I digress).
Brooklynn: I recently moved to Los Angeles from NYC and find that the weather is an extension of my aesthetic. I need palm trees and nature and sunshine and I find my content performs better when I am surrounded by these things. I think because my aesthetic is not particularly girly and leans more heavily into shapes that this is reflected in how I see things.
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Do you ever find yourself gravitating towards creating content that is not necessarily in line with your aesthetic? Do you fight that urge or embrace it?
Sophia: Because my aesthetic is being really true to myself, and because the nature of an aesthetic is ever-changing, I honestly do not feel the need to fight any urge, since the urge seems true to me and my brand. I really value this aspect of my style of content creation.
Brooklynn: I prefer TikTok for this reason so much more. I honestly regret not getting it earlier. I kind of did it more in the pandemic and there was too much blending of work/play in my apartment. I just like it so much more. I find it so rewarding. Instagram is definitely so much more creative and more of an art form. Once you have your aesthetic, you have to stick to that. Which is great but when you want to try new things it's not welcome in the algorithm. TikTok is much more inclusive of this and I find myself experimenting much more on TikTok with the content I create.
How would you encourage fellow content creators to find and pursue their own aesthetic?
Sophia: I think that pursuing yourself and what feels most true to you and what you are interested in is very freeing, and will come across to your audience as authentic which has lots of value. In a world that is becoming very saturated with content creators and internet personas, what will help you shine is your authenticity. We want to see what you love and what you do, not what you think you have to love.
Brooklynn: For instagram I wish I shared more of what I knew and stayed consistent. With my advice on instagram: just share things, things that you are doing for you. I'm not trying to see another girl doing something that is not her. do the things you know and you like and don't make it too difficult for yourself. If it's too difficult, then it's not consistent. It doesn't have to be hard and if it's too hard, it's not the right fit.
How do your social presences reflect and not reflect who you are?
Sophia: I am definitely an optimist and I love to share what I am interested in to my audience. A lot of what goes into my everyday life I am very transparent about over the internet. However I do have my bad days and do get insecure about my platform and growth. I really try to maintain my mental health by taking breaks when I need them, that way I won't face burnout or won't feel that I am creating anything inauthentic.
Brooklynn: Something I love is blurring the lines between masculinity and femininity. I wear a lot of my partner’s pants and pair them with sexy corsets which offer such a striking contrast. I think my social media reflects this well, my playful and experimental side which I’ve definitely gotten to advance more with the blossoming of TikTok. I am very thoughtful about the pieces I wear and try to share clothes that are aspirational but attainable. I don’t want to link a $7000 dress and I won’t because thats not who I am and not what I wear.
