What is E-girl style and how to create an image?

If you compose a kind of symbiosis of emo, goth, add a little "timber-girl" with anime and season with the aesthetics of BDSM - you get the strangest and most popular subculture of recent years. Let's dwell on who e-girls are, how they look, how they behave and how they differ from all other areas.

"E-girl" is one of the directions of the teenage subculture represented on the Internet. This name comes from the American term "electronic girl", which means "electronic girl". Indeed, style is inextricably linked to digital platforms.

For the first time this definition came into use a couple of decades ago, at that time it had, rather, an offensive meaning. The dictionary of modern slang called so bloggers who tried to increase the number of their subscribers at the expense of an extraordinary, flashy, pretentious and even somewhat sexy bow. At the same time, many of them were by no means limited to soft flirting - and sent their spicy photographs for donation. As a result, by 2010, a new designation e-girl had steadily entered into use, which described them as people with low moral values. In fact, this name was identical to the charge of promiscuity.

The situation changed radically as soon as the social network Tiktok appeared. It is a Chinese internet platform that allows anyone to shoot short videos. To attract subscribers, its users transform into different characters, create mini-clips, act out funny scenes from movies and grimace. The application quickly burst into the TOPs and in 2019 became the most downloaded in the world, surpassing Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

The rapidly growing popularity of the social network has attracted the attention of advertisers. Not surprisingly, well-known Tiktokers began to enter into lucrative advertising contracts with businesses from a wide variety of industries, from product manufacturers to fashion houses. In an effort to grow subscribers, many recalled the tactic of electronic girls, when the audience was attracted not by the content itself, but by the image of the blogger.

This bow turned out to be bold and creative - there is nothing surprising in the fact that it quickly became popular. Even those teenagers who were not initially familiar with this definition began to parody the e-girl style. Moreover, a special hashtag #Efactorygirl was even spread in Tiktok. Under it, budding bloggers posted videos in which they showed how they turn from ordinary schoolgirls into a kind of mixture of Billie Eilish, Lolita and anime heroines.

Nowadays, in the slang dictionary, the term e-girl is defined as "a subspecies of the emo subculture that has become widespread on Internet sites." From Tiktok, this image quickly migrated to other platforms. For example, on Instagram today over 600 thousand publications can be found on the #egirl hashtag.

In its image and appearance, "e-girl" is somewhat similar to anime cosplayers. They also have a lot in common with the Kawai subculture that has spread in Japan. In general, the similarities between the images of an electronic girl and Japanese schoolchildren are hard to miss.

Nevertheless, the e-girl subculture is in many ways different from all other areas. Earlier youth movements united a team of like-minded people, they tried to convey their values ​​and beliefs to those around them. And their non-standard, even eccentric appearance was used exclusively for self-identification and attracting increased public attention to their beliefs. For example, the same emo gathered in large groups and went to party on the streets.

"E-girl" is an atypical subculture, but rather an imitation of it, presented exclusively in social networks. It is unlikely that you will meet an electronic girl at school and on the street. In ordinary life, it is quite difficult to guess that a new generation of emo is hiding behind an ordinary girl of 11-14 years old. Despite the fact that the representatives of this trend look the same, nevertheless, each of them is absolutely indifferent to what they do and what the others think. The key for them is not an idea, but an exclusively external image. At its core, "e-girl" is an alternative personality, but this mystery is what makes her interesting.

By the way, e-boys also exist. However, even on the Internet, they are much less common than e-girls. Electronic boys can paint their nails, eyeliner, tint their hair in fake colors.

In order to become an e-girl, you need to create your own accounts in social networks Tiktok and Instagram. It is there that the representatives of this subculture demonstrate their unusual image. It is hard not to understand that they got to the e-girl page, since they are distinguished by their individuality and unearthly bow.

This subculture combines the features of many other stylistic trends. This is a mix of cosplay, gothic, hip-hop and even BDSM. The electronic girls' appearance mimics a caricature of Japanese schoolgirls. That is why the hobbies of the representatives of generation Z are quite extensive. They closely follow online trends, draw anime, understand video games, and listen to popular artists. There is no single musical direction for them, each of the "e-girls" selects a playlist, focusing exclusively on personal preferences.

And of course, every girl who wants to become an e-girl should get acquainted with the checklist for this direction:

• T-shirt with long sleeves;
• high-waisted jeans;
• hairpins and colored elastic bands for hair;
• strap with a pair of rows of holes;
• sneakers or sneakers with massive soles;
• silver chain with a lock;
• Polaroid camera;
• makeup liner.

The list of must-haves for any "e-girl" things include mesh beadings and oversized hoodies, complemented by trousers or jeans with a high waist. Such clothes create an interesting tandem of light pretentiousness and restrained casual, giving the bow a characteristic look. Another distinctive feature is the turtleneck, which is worn under the oversized T-shirt. It is desirable to have a print with the image of a popular anime series or the logo of a popular group (usually punk or grunge). And of course, A must-have for every e-girl is a couple of coarse shirts with the image of a flame.

This is interesting: outerwear and shirts are often tucked into the top of their pants - with the help of this technique, electronic girls visually lengthen their legs.

As for the design of the lower body, socks, knee-highs and stockings in combination with black mesh tights are especially popular among supporters of the e-girl subculture. As for shoes, the choice is huge. Typically, teens wear plaid sneakers, sneakers and high-soled boots.

Their hairstyles, haircuts and makeup are considered a fundamental element of the style of modern emo. An electronic girl is unthinkable without hair dyed in rich blue, pink and crimson colors. The most daring tones the strands in lime, yellow and turquoise tones. In this case, staining can be complete or partial.

If you are not ready to radically change the color of your hair, you can simply collect two ponytails or bunches. They are secured with small hairpins or fabric hair ties. Some e-girls cut their bob and do bangs with ragged edges.

They pay special attention to makeup. Let us describe its characteristic features.

Large arrows and an abundance of blush. They are present not only on the cheeks, but also on the nose and bridge of the nose, thus creating the effect of a reddened nose. Freckles are considered an obligatory attribute. And the eyes are drawn by arrows, often even multi-colored.

Small patterns under the eyes become the key motif of the make-up. They are usually made in the form of stripes, dots and hearts. False eyelashes and glitter are very popular. All this allows you to create an unearthly and dreamy bow.

Two more distinctive features of the e-girl look are multi-colored hair clips and piercings. These teenagers wear a lot of chains, and it could be the classic silver version with a small lock, or even a key chain. Electronic girls wear them around their necks and on their hands, even they have earrings in the form of chains - the list of must-have accessories for them will never be complete without an impressive number of chains.

And of course, they shouldn't forget about bracelets, wide belts and miniature sunglasses.

The girl "e-girl" does not transfer her image to real life, however, she tries to make her home fully consistent with the on-screen bow. That is why the rooms of these girls are usually decorated in pink, raspberry and turquoise colors.

Posters of favorite artists and images of anime characters are used here as decor items. Many music CDs can be seen here.

Many people confuse the style of e-girls with the directions of VSCO-girl, as well as Soft-girl. This is not surprising, because all these movements arose at approximately the same time and their supporters subtly resemble each other. Nevertheless, if you take a closer look, it will be clear that these movements are completely different in their message and design.

So, VSCO girls choose femininity and naturalness. They show their feelings with ease. Their gestures and postures in video and photos are always impulsive, but invariably sincere. The makeup and clothing of fans of this subculture does not differ in brightness, the colors are usually restrained and close to natural. VSCO girls seem to bring softness, warmth and kindness to the world around them, their tasks include promoting love for the nature around us.

"Soft Girl" are sensitive and incredibly vulnerable young girls. They love to wear shirts with shapeless jeans, loose tees, and oversized hoodies. The makeup is discreet and neat.

Electronic girls look completely different. Both in clothes and in makeup they demonstrate a challenge. They prefer black shades with contrasting accents. They are attracted by large patterns and massive accessories. An abundance of blush and a variety of decor are used in the make-up.

The e-girl checklist includes oversized T-shirts and hoodies. Printed sweatshirts depicting the heroes of your favorite anime movie or musical group are especially popular. However, this is not necessary - any cartoon will go: from Rick and Morty to Gravity Falls.

In the TOP, for girls 12-13 years old, oversized clothes are invariably - most likely, in a similar way, adherents of stylistics are trying to smooth out the image of a slutty beauty with whom e-girl was associated in the early 2000s. As Billie Eilish says: "Until you see what is under my clothes, you have no right to condemnation."

However, by no means all e-girls are hiding under oversized sweatshirts. Many of them have short skirts, stretch turtlenecks and Japanese anime dresses in great fashion.

Another characteristic feature of e-girls is the abundance of black nets.

And of course, this style is unthinkable without accessories - first of all, these are colored hairpins and chains.