How to be Twee, as Told by Someone Who’s Been Wearing the Fashion for Years

2010s fashion is starting to make a comeback.

No, you did not read that wrong. With the revival of feminine styles such as the “2014 girly” aesthetic and American Apparel’s recent re-branding, we’re seeing a surge in the popularity of old fashion trends.

Arguably, the most recognizable of these styles is twee. With the recent re-popularization of She & Him’s “Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?” lead singer Zooey Deschanel’s signature style has had a bit of a resurgence. This style is characterized by a sort of girly modesty and an appreciation for the little things in life.

Twee puts an emphasis on vintage inspiration. Think tea-length dresses, colored tights, t-strap heels, and cardigans. Some of the most popular places to get twee clothing back in the 2010s were Unique Vintage and ModCloth. Thrifting was also very popular amongst fans of the twee style, as thrift shops have a large selection of unique pieces from the past.

When it comes to music, indie was the most popular genre amongst twee enthusiasts. Artists in this subculture ranged anywhere from Sufjan Stevens to Lily Allen, but The Smiths were arguably the most popular. They were the glue that held the twee community together. Their song “There is a Light that Never Goes Out” was even featured in one of Zooey Deschanel’s most popular movies, 500 Days of Summer.

Movies were also an important component of the twee aesthetic. Twee movies tend to put an emphasis on visuals. A good example of this is Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom, which excellently ties environments and imagery into the greater plot of the film. Some other famous twee films are Ruby Sparks, Juno, and The Royal Tenenbaums.

Overall, twee is a lovely style with a lot of interesting qualities and it’s definitely worth checking out.