Meet Tik Tok Latest Trend: Weirdieval

The creation of increasingly niche aesthetics – such as Regency Core, Barbie Core, and Tennis Core – derived from pop culture trends is nothing new. And this summer, surprisingly, the game of clothes has crowned a new trend as the one of the moment: Weirdieval. For those unfamiliar, open TikTok and search for the name that echoes and haunts. See metallics mixed with earthy tones. An unconventional visual meeting your true warrior. Aside from the videos of influencers and netizens that stick to it - TikToks with Paco Rabanne this, Dilara Findikoglu that - runway shows might give you a hint. 

 What's Weirdieval?

As for its name, Weird Girl core plus Medieval equals Weirdieval. With looks largely inspired by Bella Hadid in 2022, featuring mismatched accessories like knee-high gym socks paired with pumps, fluffy pieces such as arm warmers, and contrasting textures, the Weird Girl core took over Tik Tok with a total of 113.8 million posts. From its close connection to the noughties street style of Tokyo's Harajuku district to designers such as Marc Jacobs for Heaven and Chet Lo who have mastered the vibe, the Weird Girl Core departs from standards, embraces experimentation, and flirts with maximalism. As for Medieval fashion, think Joan of Arc, gauzy scarves, warrior tunics, #knightcore (which has 37.7M videos on Tik Tok), Paco Rabanne metallic dresses, Hari Nef in Barbie’s Premiere in London wearing Dilara Findikoglu knife dress from Fall 2023, or Balenciaga's armor boots. When Weird Girl and Medieval join forces, screens are flooded with pixie looks, armor looks making modern-day Joan of Arcs, pirate-like white tunics with giant leather belts, obscure capes, feudal suede dresses, elvish boots, and middle-age hairstyles. 

 Medieval era meets the 90s and 2000s

Although not historically accurate, Weirdieval plays with elements from the medieval era, combining them with aesthetics from the '90s and '2000s. To envision this new craze, picture Betsey Johnson's macabre corseted Fall 1999 gowns. Imagine Chloë Sevigny in a dirty white dress, thick rope around her torso, steel shoulder plates, black headphones, and a pixie haircut dressed as Joan of Arc for Halloween in 2007. Consider Alexander McQueen's Spring 2019 opening look, a dainty lace dress with puff sleeves and a blacksmith-like apron around the model's waist. Or even Bella Hadid closing Vivienne Westwood Fall 2020 in a sheer lace bridal gown with a brown waist belt with a knife. Anyway, Weirdieval merges middle-age’s occultism and eeriness with Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings and Richard Donner’s Ladyhawke fantasy and the unconventionality of the 2000s.

 Weirdieval in television and cinema

With shows like The Great, Bridgerton and My Lady Jane trending now more than ever—and bringing back the Regency Core with its tiaras, pearls, corsets, and royal dresses—it makes sense that Weirdieval has popped up on social media. Given that pop culture is the major driver of fashion trends these days, Weirdieval gained momentum due to the success of productions like HBO’s The House of the Dragon and Denis Villeneuve's Dune—see Florence Pugh as Irulan Corrino donning metallic gowns that resemble armor. 

The nichest the better

Like a subculture, Weirdieval is highly niche, appealing to a small group of people while providing a pseudo-feeling of community and distinction. Amidst the sea of trends that come and go, netizens are focused on finding their individuality –  although that can be difficult in a world that shares everything. But when these niche trends become mainstream, individuality becomes an impossibility since even those who weren't initially interested embrace the trend to be in fashion. After the revival of minimalist trends from the sleek '90s and the rise of aesthetics like "quiet luxury," it's not surprising to see a rupture with what was then the norm. The burning question is, will you let Weirdieval tame your heart while you search your inner edgy knight?