Messy Look, when the chaos of normality becomes cool

Fashion is art. More accurately, it's an expression of the society we live in. As such, it must tell the story of imperfection, the chaos that governs our existence and often our aesthetics. If it doesn't, it's not keeping up with the times. Today, it's hard to say that the fashion industry doesn't have rigid standards of perfection, but certainly some brands are getting closer to meeting the demands of their increasingly diverse and attentive audience, thanks to easily accessible media outlets. Amid the creative chaos of fashion, one trend is exploding, and it's the rebellion against polished perfectionism.

More and more people are embracing a messy, spontaneous, almost anarchic style. In response to the unattainable standards we're subjected to, social media is filled with oversized outfits, unlikely mix-and-matches, and vintage pieces seemingly chosen with eyes closed... and we absolutely love it. It's a renewed form of personal expression that screams authenticity, leaving behind the notion that style must always be flawless to be cool—quite the opposite. Here are some examples of how fashion narrates the power of normalcy.

Mary Quant and the Miniskirt

In 1963, Swinging London was at the forefront of the birth of the miniskirt as we know it today. This garment was created as a symbol of what was happening in the world: Mary Quant, inspired by young women who cut their skirts shorter, decided to produce a clothing line that celebrated this new rebellious trend. Today, the miniskirt is part of fashion history, remaining a symbol of the growing feminist movement.

Our Icons Have Always Been Messy

A trend that has lasted far too long is the Clean Girl aesthetic, which, just by its name, doesn't sound promising: having a full face of makeup like in 2016 or curly hair that isn't slicked back into a sleek bun is "not clean"? To be clear, the most iconic female characters from our favorite series or movies were never the epitome of the clean girl, and we loved them for their sometimes messy and very personal look. Here are some examples of the non-clean girls we adored.

Serena Van Der Woodsen

Serena Van Der Woodsen remains a style icon for thousands of girls worldwide, and her wild hair, for starters, is the symbol of her allure. As a true fashion victim, S boasts a vast collection of 2000s trends, skillfully mixing them with accessories and hairstyles with a boho chic vibe. This lethal mix, with no rules but full of personality, could never leave room for the boredom of perfection. It's also thanks to Blake Lively, her actress. Although her reputation may not be at its peak, the actress who brought Serena to life in Gossip Girl launched her hair-care line after seven years of research, winning over consumers. Blake Brown offers eight products for healthy, recognizable hair—just like Serena's—at prices below $25.

Effy Stonem

Effy Stonem still captivates young fans of Skins, the millennial and early Gen Z youth series par excellence. When actress Kaya Scodelario was asked what she would say to Effy if she existed outside the screen, she replied, "I’d ask her where she shops." Her style is predominantly grunge with a touch of indie-sleaze, distinctly British—since the series is set in Bristol—and accessorized with boho chic flair. She taught us that an oversized t-shirt can turn into a mini dress, and with a pair of fishnet tights, the night's look is ready.

Perfection: The Worst Habit?

The messy style gives us some freedom and probably makes us feel a bit like Kate Moss. This aesthetic showcases beauty in normalcy and proves that letting go of the dream of desperate perfection can only do us good. We all agree that bad habits are wrong, but unfortunately, they are also normal, and as imperfect beings, we must find an escape in our routine, starting with style.

After all, we are the daughters of the final scene of Black Swan, directed by Darren Aronofsky. Nina Sayers, the prima ballerina who plays both the White Swan and the Black Swan, feels she has finally achieved absolute perfection, but this has driven her mad. 

Normalcy Takes the Runway with Miuccia Prada

One of the most striking tributes to the chaos of life came, just last season, from the industry's oracle, Miuccia Prada. For her Miu Miu SS 2024 collection, Ms. Prada sent her models down the runway in mismatched outfits made up of swimwear, tailoring, and evening gowns, with bags bursting with life's debris that couldn't be contained. The collection was a tribute to a "logic of today's beauty, which explodes and dresses itself." Beauty, the notes continued, "must echo the complexity of our times: This collection is a reflective exploration, a reactive address of beauty for modern times." The garments were intentionally disheveled, washed, or marked to look worn.

Who Captured Imperfection Best?

The Attico tells us that their SS25 collection is built around the most human element: emotions. They are reflected in the various shades of color, contrasts, and transparencies. There are also sportswear pieces that surprise us in the context of the show. The collection, titled The Sound of Breaking Glass, explores the fragility of a broken heart and features a second collaboration with Nike.

The creative directors of The Attico, Giorgia Tordini and Gilda Ambrosio, both recently experienced heartbreak. For their Milan Fashion Week show, they chose to translate this experience into a collection that explores strength transforming into fragility and explains why imperfection must be told.