What is an e-girl?
E-girl — is a youth subculture and aesthetic that emerged in the late 2010s on the platforms TikTok and Twitch. The term is derived from the English electronic girl ("e-girl"). To understand who an e-girl is, it's important to note that it was initially a purely digital image created for social media, which later transitioned into everyday street fashion.
The style is an eclectic mix of grunge, skate culture, Japanese anime, gothic, and 2000s emo aesthetics. The visual code of the movement is built on the contrast between childishness and dark, alternative motifs.
Distinctive features
The core of the look is a specific makeup look. It includes a generous application of blush to the cheeks and tip of the nose, faux freckles, and bold, graphic eyeliner. A recognizable detail is the miniature hearts drawn under the eyes with black eyeliner.
Hairstyles feature unnatural, vibrant hues. Popular choices include dyeing contrasting front strands near the face in pink, green, or blue. Split hair coloring, where the hair is parted into two contrasting colors, is also common. The hairstyle is accessorized with an abundance of bright hair clips.
Accent accessories create an aggressive aesthetic. Layered silver chains with chunky pendants in the shape of locks or blades are used. Leather chokers with metal rings or studs adorn the neck. Piercings, especially septum piercings, and wide belts with metal eyelets complete the look.
What to combine with
The basic stylistic element of this trend is layering. An oversized printed T-shirt is worn over a contrasting base layer. Prints include anime scenes, rock band logos, or dark illustrations. The base layer is typically a black-and-white striped long-sleeve top or a mesh turtleneck.
Short pleated tartan skirts are worn as waistbands, paired with fishnet tights. Alternative bottoms include wide-leg jeans and high-waisted cargo pants, accessorized with chains dangling from the waistband.
Footwear is chunky and thick-soled. Rugged black platform boots, reminiscent of classic Dr. Martens, are predominantly worn. Bulky skater sneakers with a flat, high platform are also incorporated into the look.
