If you feel you’ve been seeing California beach girls everywhere, even in the northern tundra of Wisconsin, the bustling streets of NYC or the vast plains of Nebraska, you’re not imagining it. These are the VSCO girls, and they truly are everywhere. 

Young girls clad in Birkenstocks, puka necklaces, Pura Vida bracelets, Fjallraven Kanken backpacks, with a Hydro Flask water bottle, and a scrunchie, always a scrunchie, are the newest internet sensation, and they’re the VSCO girls.

What is a VSCO girl?

If you’re familiar with the Tumblr girl, the VSCO girl is today’s modern version. VSCO is an image sharing app, much like Instagram. The VSCO filters are very flattering, and they let people play with videos and images and then share them.

The description above is pretty accurate. They have a set of things they like and brands they promote, and they simply love scrunchies. (More on that later). Think of them as the modern version of a California preppy with a beachy vibe. 

The great thing about VSCO girls is they tend to have a natural vibe, an attitude of acceptance and positive change, and they are more eco-conscious. They’ve also done something that other internet “girls” have yet to do. They’ve stepped out of the computer and into real life (IRL). This means that if you drive by a middle or high school, you’re bound to see a flock of VSCO girls.

Effortless, natural, and self-expression

Some of the key aspects of being a VSCO girl are having an effortless quality that emphasizes less makeup and products and an easy hairstyle. The beachy look is a prime example because it never works with overdone hair and makeup. 

Not only is the look natural, but there’s also a desire to do things that support nature, saving turtles for one, and making smart and healthy choices. You’ll find that a lot of VSCO girls are diet conscious, and being vegetarian or vegan is part of their lifestyle.

Self-expression is also a key part of the aesthetic, which sounds contradictory since they wear what amounts to a basic uniform. It’s more in the vibe of acceptance and wanting to make a positive mark on the world that gives them a unique self-expression niche. 

These young girls like a comfortable lifestyle that supports their interests yet help them feel a part of something positive. They consider the VSCO app a place where people can come together and express their view of the world and meet other people with diverse experiences and outlooks.

Scrunchies

We said we’d get back to this one, and it must be noted that they simply love them, either in their hair or on their wrists as fluffy bracelets. Where the scrunchie love came from, no one can be sure, but there is a clear nostalgic or retro vibe associated with the VSCO girls. Scrunchies seem to be something they’ve latched onto.

In addition to the retro-fun of the scrunchie, they also love disposable or polaroid cameras, Crocs, and Birkenstocks. If it feels like they’re relying heavily on the 90s, and it could be because their parents lived through the era.

If you want to fit in with the VSCO crowd and do a scrunchie right, the best and easiest way to do it is to stack two of them on your wrist. If you’re going to go that extra step, twist your scrunchie in your hair to create a loose ponytail or braid. 

Keeping the scrunchie on hand (literally) means it’s there if you want to whip your hair back and out of the way.

Final thoughts

Now that you know what to look for, you might start seeing VSCO girls all around you. Who knows, you might even have one in your own household. 

While there is a certain “uniform” that they wear, they’re also very accepting of themselves and others. It’s a great vibe that has an eco-positive aspect to it.

The retro aspect of the VSCO attitude is fun to embrace. Scrunchies, Birkenstocks, and actual cameras are useful items full of whimsical charm. It’s not clear if the VSCO girls know they’re so in touch with their parent’s past, but the adults must see the reference.