While I have never actively curated an aesthetic of my own before I have tried to come up with an aesthetic that fits me, I have asked some friends for what they think because I struggled to come up with an aesthetic to describe me. My good friend Gweg said that this is the aesthetic he thinks fits me “you have a thrift goat mixed with light old soul” aesthetic, I took this as a major compliment and I think it does fit me pretty well. I thrift pretty much all of my clothes and haven’t bought anything new in at least a few years. I also do love old things in general, I think they have such a unique charm to them that makes a space, or person feel homey and well lived. Once I had this pointer I started exploring more what this aesthetic could mean and where it might originate from. For me this aesthetic is defined as the use of predominantly second hand clothing, décor, and items, these can be sourced from thrift stores, antique stores, estate sales, whatever really, just not buying new is the biggest requirement, and antiques or vintage is second most important.

I wouldn’t really say this super draws on any major 20th century design movements but if I had to pick one it would be post modernism as this aesthetic strays away from preconceived notions of art or design and is more of a hodgepodge of things. I would say the main thing that contributed to me having a touch of this aesthetic is the fact I grew up in rural Massachusetts in a 200+ year old home, this alongside the fact my parents loved antiquing, and garage sales etc. so I was always present in these places browsing for trinkets and odds and ends.

While I haven’t fully settled on an final project yet, and therefore haven’t also fully decided on an aesthetic, I do think I will probably follow a similar vein to the vibe I currently give off. I can at least confidently say I will not be making anything that has a modernist aesthetic that is for sure.
References:
Figure 1: https://www.olympusproperty.com/apartments/id/meridian/olympus-at-ten-mile/blog/find-treasures-at-meridian-antique-stores
Figure 2: https://personal-aesthetics.fandom.com/wiki/Eco_Thrift_Store
2 Comments. Leave new
Your insights about how the home environment from our childhoods tend to influence our personal style were fascinating. What an accomplishment that you haven’t bought new in 5 years, the earth thanks you! I would love to get more detail from you about what specific items you’re attracted to at the thrift, for example which of the lamps in the first picture would you buy to decorate your apartment if they were all the same price? I know you mentioned post-modernism, but I’m very interested in what visual elements of this movement appeal to you.
Your reflection on your personal aesthetic is both thoughtful and engaging. It’s clear that your upbringing and experiences have deeply influenced your style, and the way you’ve embraced a “thrift goat mixed with light old soul” aesthetic feels authentic and unique. I love how you’ve tied your love for secondhand items and vintage charm to your identity, and it’s inspiring to see how you’ve made sustainability a core part of your aesthetic by avoiding new purchases. The connection to your childhood in rural Massachusetts and your family’s love for antiquing adds a rich, personal layer to your story. You mentioned that your aesthetic doesn’t fully align with any major 20th-century design movements but leans toward postmodernism. Could you elaborate on how you might incorporate postmodern elements into your project, such as mixing styles or materials in unexpected ways? Additionally, how do you plan to balance the eclectic nature of your aesthetic with creating a cohesive design for your final project?