Trends used to take months to build. Now, it only takes one viral post for a new style, habit, or aesthetic to dominate your feed. These fast-moving “micro-trends” don’t always stick around long, but they say a lot about what people are obsessing over at this moment in pop culture.
Whether it’s a fashion shift, a lifestyle tweak, or a social media vibe, here are 10 micro-trends you’ve definitely seen lately—and maybe even adopted yourself.
1. Mob Wife Aesthetic
Gone are the days of minimalism. The Mob Wife Aesthetic is all about bold, flashy glamour—think oversized sunglasses, animal prints, fur coats (faux or real), gold hoops, and confidence. Inspired by vintage mafia movies and characters like Carmela Soprano, this aesthetic embraces maximalism and drama. It’s a clear rebellion against the “clean girl” look and has been dominating TikTok styling videos this year.
2. Clean Girl Fatigue
Speaking of which—people are over the slick bun and barely-there makeup. The “clean girl” look was cute, but TikTok users are now mocking its uniformity. The backlash has led to a more relaxed, real-life approach: messy buns, undone brows, and less-filtered beauty routines are now trending under tags like #AntiCleanGirl.
3. Girl Dinner
Not quite a trend and not quite a joke, “Girl Dinner” refers to the habit of throwing together a snacky, chaotic plate of food—usually consisting of pickles, cheese, crackers, olives, and maybe some fruit—and calling it dinner. Born out of humor, it’s become a widely embraced movement in self-comfort and casual eating, sparking endless parodies and genuine love for low-effort meals.
4. Tomato Girl & Vanilla Girl Aesthetics
Hyper-specific aesthetic identities are back. Tomato Girl is all about coastal summer style—sun-kissed cheeks, rustic linen, and Mediterranean vibes. Vanilla Girl, by contrast, leans into soft beige tones, cozy loungewear, and gentle, feminine energy. Both offer comfort and escapism, and creators love crafting hyper-curated TikToks to showcase which “girl” they are. Expect more “[Insert Noun] Girl” identities to emerge soon.
5. Depop Maximalism
Fast fashion fatigue has pushed younger audiences toward second-hand style—specifically, loud, mismatched vintage pieces you’d typically find on resale apps like Depop or Vinted. Users are styling Y2K skirts with 80s tees and random accessories, proudly labeling the chaos as “Depop Maximalism.” It’s fun, waste-conscious, and completely unbothered by traditional fashion rules.
6. Sleepy-Tok
Sleepy-Tok is a strangely soothing side of TikTok where people document their nighttime wind-down routines, sleep setups, or even themselves falling asleep on camera. Viewers are weirdly obsessed with ASMR blankets, ambient lights, and “get unready with me” videos. It’s half self-care, half voyeuristic, and fully trending in 2025.
7. Old Money Fashion
Fueled by shows like Saltburn and viral Pinterest boards, the “Old Money” look is dominating right now. Think cable-knit sweaters, pleated skirts, loafers, and neutral colors—like someone who summers in the Hamptons but doesn’t own a TikTok. This trend focuses on quiet wealth aesthetics, and it’s especially popular among Gen Z who pair it with ironic captions to keep things tongue-in-cheek.
8. Brown Is the New Black
Fashion influencers have shifted away from black and white minimalism and toward brown tones—chocolate, taupe, coffee, and caramel hues. This “brown-core” color trend is everywhere from coats and handbags to nail polish and home decor. It adds warmth to classic neutrals and gives off a softer, richer vibe.
9. Soft Launching Relationships
Forget full-blown couple photos—2025 is all about the soft launch. People are teasing new relationships with blurry hand-holding shots, cropped shoulders, or captions like “guess who” with zero context. It’s subtle, slightly chaotic, and oddly addictive. Social media loves a slow burn, and this trend has turned online stalking into a full-time hobby.
10. #CoreCore Edits
A bizarre but beautiful trend, #CoreCore is a genre of TikTok video that combines moody music, melancholic video clips, and deep existential quotes. It’s not promoting a product or aesthetic—it’s an emotional vibe. These edits feel like digital poetry, and they’ve become especially popular among younger users looking for emotional release or introspection.
Micro-Trends Are the New Macro
These micro-trends reflect how culture moves today: fast, fragmented, and deeply specific. You don’t have to commit to a lifestyle—just dabble in a moment. Whether it’s wearing a cherry-red lip or making an overly aesthetic snack plate, participating in these little trends is about self-expression, community, and having fun online.
The beauty of micro-trends is that they come and go quickly, making space for constant reinvention. So if you’ve been seeing Mob Wife coats one week and sleep-optimized TikToks the next, don’t worry—you’re just living in the feed.