Overview
#Girlhood became a 2023 aesthetic celebrating feminine experiences—sleepovers, friendship bracelets, giggly photoshoots, shared secrets. The trend romanticized universal “girl” experiences across ages.
Cultural Impact
Girlhood wasn’t about age but shared experiences: putting your hair up with a claw clip, crying in bathrooms with friends, trading clothes, making playlists. It felt nostalgic yet timeless.
Hashtag uses:
- Photo dumps of friend groups
- “This is girlhood” captions on mundane moments
- Feminine aesthetic mood boards (pink, sparkles, flowers)
- Barbie movie tie-ins (celebrating femininity)
- Nostalgia for childhood/teen years
- Inclusive “girlhood” definitions (trans women included)
Key Moments
- May-July 2023: Trend accelerates pre-Barbie movie
- July 2023: Barbie film amplifies girlhood celebration
- August 2023: “Hot girl summer” shifts to “girlhood summer”
Why It Resonated
In an era of rigid gender roles and “tradwife” backlash, girlhood embraced femininity without pressure. It was joyful, messy, and genuine.
Inclusivity Debates
Discussions emerged about who gets to claim “girlhood”—trans women’s inclusion was debated, with progressive spaces affirming trans girlhood experiences.
Aesthetic Elements
- Colors: Pink, lavender, pastels
- Activities: Journaling, friendship bracelets, Polaroids
- Music: Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter
- Vibes: Slumber parties, thrifting, late-night talks