Nymphet Alumni
Nymphet Alumni
Ep. 121: Whimsimod
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In this episode, we introduce the concept of whimsimod to explain the recent trend of pattern-printed and adorably tailored fashion among sensitive indie starlets and Instagram baddies alike. In the process of unpacking this polished yet playful re-envisioning of femininity, we discuss the aesthetic shift from “kiki” to “bouba” over the past year, the history of girly youth diffusion lines like RED Valentino and Blugirl, the current hemline crisis and the accompanying novelty hosiery movement, seminal lady designers including Carolina Herrera and Kate Spade, and more. We also provide a forensic cultural history of the polka dot throughout the decades.

Links:

Image board

“The Power Of Two Claires: Miss Claire Sullivan Talks Designing Clairo’s Grammys Look” — Nylon

“Reflections of Clairo” by Clairo — Byline

beabadoobee — “Beaches” Jimmy Kimmel Live performance on YouTube

beabadoobee slayful Getty Image

Patternalia: An Unconventional History of Polka Dots, Stripes, Plaid, Camouflage, & Other Graphic Patterns by Jude Stewart

“The Polka Dot’s Past Is Weirder Than You Think” by Nancy MacDonell — The Wall Street Journal

Blondita, Lauren Perrin, Ben Doctor, Lucila Safdie

TJ Maxx psychosis monologue TikTok (?)

Miu Miu Fall 2023 Ready-to-Wear Collection — Vogue Runway

Addison Rae’s polka dot catsuit by Miss Claire Sullivan at Coachella

Addison Rae Vogue France cover story

Disney Channel’s Former Costume Designer Doesn’t Get the Y2K Resurgence Either — Vogue

Paloma Sandoval on Instagram

“That’s So ’80s:” Wes Gordon Finds Treasures in a Scrapbook From Herrera’s Past — Interview

“Carolina Herrera: Portrait of a Lady” by Anamaria Wilson — Harper’s Bazaar

Lynn Wyatt's Glamorous Life: Celebrities, Couture, and Castles | Paper Trail on YouTube

@chloyorkcity’s 80’s Excess series on TikTok

Surrey glasses on EyeBuyDirect

“The Enduring Legacy of Kate Spade’s Witty, Misunderstood Life” by Rory Satran — The Wall Street Journal

Vogue’s extremely belated trend report on statement socks and tights at NYFW

“1960s-Style Tights Are Back. How to Wear Them in 2022.” by Nancy MacDonell — The Wall Street Journal

Cero Magazine Issue 9 — Kiko Kostadinov Special Edition featuring our interview with Laura and Deanna Fanning!

Discussion about this episode

User's avatar
Reilly Cardillo's avatar

kate spade you will always be famous!! incredible would u rathers this episode ladies 🙂‍↕️ have y’all ever thought about doing a early 00s drum line/marching band ep? mcr, stomp, drumline, american pie “one time at band camp” etc etc

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Alexi Alario's avatar

Omg love this idea! ✍️✍️

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Leila's avatar

Love this because it’s what I’m seeing on my side of the internet rn - I think London based YouTubers like susielola, daughterofahoarder, vivientang are at the forefront of this - these girls are boots on the ground Vinted scavenging to shape this look xx

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elizabeth s's avatar

“an overall boobah sensibility” love it

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Jan's avatar

Once again the nymphies are at the forefront of culture!!! I think a ny based fashion influencer who encapsulates whimsymod in her personal style is @vivianyrl. Also been seeing a lot of tik toks of girls trying to bring whimsy into their life again w fun trinkets and hobbies

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Dora B.'s avatar

Lmao the way I audibly laughed my ass off at the clown-ass-juice swamp water to pink lemonade story

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logan's avatar

I used to date a guy who said he hooked up with Clairo and he would talk about it all the time…..so effing traumatic for me 😔

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Flynn Mary's avatar

the benson boone conversation is killing me

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Julia's avatar

okay calling clairo soft butch is insane…but love

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Paige Turner's avatar

It’s just such a natural coupling with the The Dare/The Hellp guys like esp with the relationship vibes u were speaking of

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Ally's avatar

clairo is frizzy white girl hair pride ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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helèn le trou's avatar

i’ve been wearing my cargo pants with my swing coat and ballet flats lol 😅

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