How Aesthetic Taste is Formed: Why We Choose Different Fashion Styles

Walk down a busy street in any global city and you’ll find yourself in a vibrant parade of personal aesthetics. One passerby may be dressed in minimalist neutral tones, another in loud vintage florals from the 70s. A teenager might sport Y2K butterfly clips and flared jeans, while someone else embraces goth fashion with heavy eyeliner and all-black layers. Why do people—living in the same world, breathing the same air—express themselves through such radically different fashion styles?

The answer lies in the concept of aesthetic taste: a complex, deeply personal phenomenon shaped over time by memories, culture, personal values, media exposure, social dynamics, and subconscious influences. This article explores how our aesthetic sensibilities are formed, why they manifest in divergent fashion styles, and how understanding them can enhance our relationship with clothing, creativity, and ourselves.

What is Aesthetic Taste?

Aesthetic taste is the internal compass that draws us toward certain visuals, designs, colors, textures, and themes. It’s what makes you feel drawn to a particular outfit on Pinterest, or repelled by a fashion trend that others love. Just like musical preferences, aesthetic taste is both personal and social. It is not fixed—it evolves over time, in response to emotional experiences and cultural exposure.

Fashion is one of the clearest expressions of this taste. Through the clothes we wear, we communicate how we see the world and ourselves. Whether intentionally curated or subconsciously assembled, our fashion choices become the canvas on which our aesthetic identity is painted.

The Roots of Style: Why People Gravitate Toward Different Fashion Aesthetics

1. Memory and Emotional Imprints

One of the most influential factors in developing aesthetic taste is personal memory. Often, we’re not aware of how deeply our childhood, family dynamics, or even fleeting moments of nostalgia inform our fashion choices.

• Someone who grew up watching their elegant grandmother embroider handkerchiefs might later develop a love for vintage lace and soft cottagecore silhouettes.

• A teenager who associates bold colors with the joy of their childhood cartoons might lean into Harajuku or maximalist aesthetics as a form of self-expression.

• An adult reclaiming a painful past might use edgy punk fashion—chains, leather, bold slogans—as armor.

Our wardrobe becomes a form of memory-keeping. By wearing certain textures or shapes, we unconsciously recreate or rewrite stories from our past.

2. Cultural Background and Identity

Culture provides a rich framework that informs how we see beauty. From traditional fabrics to societal ideals of gender and beauty, fashion cannot be separated from the cultural soil in which it grows.

For example:

• Japanese street fashion (Lolita, Visual Kei, Mori Girl) often fuses centuries-old aesthetic philosophies like wabi-sabi with contemporary youth culture.

• South Asian fashion incorporates centuries of textile traditions, from intricate embroidery to sari draping, into modern wear.

• African prints and patterns carry ancestral significance, tribal identity, and political history.

When people from diasporas blend their cultural heritage with global influences, the result is a deeply layered fashion identity that celebrates complexity.

3. Film, Television, and Internet Culture

Media plays an undeniable role in shaping fashion preferences, particularly in the digital age. Iconic characters, film aesthetics, and even background set designs can lodge themselves in our subconscious and inform what “style” means to us.

For example:

• The rise of dark academia was inspired by films like Dead Poets Society, Harry Potter, and classic university settings. Turtlenecks, trench coats, and tweed blazers symbolize introspection and intellectual romanticism.

• Balletcore borrows from cinematic portrayals like Black Swan, emphasizing soft pinks, wraps, and tulle in a way that feels both graceful and haunting.

• The Y2K aesthetic resurged due to nostalgia-fueled media consumption of early 2000s shows (Lizzie McGuire, Mean Girls, Bratz), with its rhinestone tops, platform shoes, and shiny accessories.

The internet has only magnified this effect. Tumblr, Pinterest, TikTok, and YouTube become visual mood boards where people are constantly exposed to new styles. The more we scroll, the more we refine (or distort) our aesthetic taste based on what’s trending or what resonates emotionally.

4. Psychology and Personal Identity

Fashion also reflects our inner world—our mental health, confidence levels, and desire for belonging or rebellion.

• An introvert might gravitate toward soft, comfortable pieces that don’t attract attention (think: normcore or loungewear aesthetics).

• A non-binary person exploring gender expression might embrace androgynous fashion or mix aesthetics across the spectrum.

• A person experiencing grief or existential change might feel drawn to gothic, monochromatic, or spiritual attire as a form of processing emotion.

Psychologists have also pointed out that choosing and wearing clothes that align with one’s authentic taste (rather than social pressure) can boost confidence, reduce anxiety, and increase a sense of agency.

Mapping Fashion Aesthetics: A Glimpse Into Popular Styles

To better understand how aesthetic taste manifests, let’s look at some of today’s most recognizable fashion aesthetics:

1. Minimalist

• Keywords: Neutral tones, clean lines, simplicity

• Inspiration: Scandinavian design, architecture, Zen Buddhism

• Emotion: Calm, control, intentionality

2. Cottagecore

• Keywords: Florals, lace, vintage aprons, prairie dresses

• Inspiration: Rural life, nostalgia, Victorian romance

• Emotion: Safety, innocence, escape from modernity

3. Y2K

• Keywords: Metallics, crop tops, butterflies, low-rise jeans

• Inspiration: Early 2000s pop culture

• Emotion: Playfulness, self-assertion, nostalgia

4. Grunge/Punk

• Keywords: Plaid, band tees, leather, DIY elements

• Inspiration: 90s rock, anti-establishment culture

• Emotion: Rebellion, rawness, resistance

5. Dark Academia

• Keywords: Blazers, Oxford shoes, dark knits, bookish themes

• Inspiration: Gothic architecture, classical literature

• Emotion: Melancholy, intellect, romanticism

6. Balletcore

• Keywords: Tulle skirts, leotards, wraps, ribbons

• Inspiration: Dance aesthetics, femininity

• Emotion: Fragility, discipline, grace

7. Techwear/Futurism

• Keywords: Utility belts, dark layers, tactical elements

• Inspiration: Cyberpunk, dystopian films

• Emotion: Power, mystery, future-readiness

8. Vintage/Retro

• Keywords: Timeless silhouettes, authentic past eras (60s–90s)

• Inspiration: Old films, thrift culture, family hand-me-downs

• Emotion: Nostalgia, individuality, timelessness

These are not fixed boxes. Many people mix elements across styles—one might wear a dark academia blazer with a Y2K mini skirt. The hybridization of styles is a signature of Gen Z and Millennial expression, rejecting fashion “rules” in favor of authenticity.

The Role of Social Influence and Subculture

As social beings, we’re also influenced by peer groups, online communities, and subcultures. Fashion becomes a way to signal belonging or, conversely, to stand apart.

Subcultures like goth, emo, lolita, visual kei, skater, or mod are more than clothing—they’re social ecosystems. They offer identity, shared values, and safety for those who feel alienated from mainstream culture.

Social influence can also subtly reshape our aesthetic taste. If a person joins a visual art group, they may start appreciating experimental silhouettes or unique textures. If they fall in love with someone who loves classic cinema, they may unconsciously begin to dress in a more vintage style.

Taste is both contagious and evolving. The more time we spend in certain communities, the more our wardrobe reflects it.

Choosing a Style That Reflects You

So how do we choose what style to follow?

The most enduring aesthetics are not those we pick because they’re trending, but because they feel like home. It’s not about choosing the most popular style—it’s about finding one that aligns with your emotional landscape, memories, and sense of self.

Ask yourself:

• What colors make you feel calm, empowered, or joyful?

• What textures remind you of comfort or beauty?

• What characters, stories, or visuals stick in your mind long after you’ve seen them?

• What do you want your clothes to say about you?

Developing aesthetic taste is not about imitation. It’s about observation, reflection, and experimentation. The more aware you are of your influences, the more intentional and fulfilling your style journey becomes.

Embroidered Clothing: Where Nostalgia Meets Personal Expression

In the search for timeless, personal, and meaningful fashion, embroidered clothing stands out as an aesthetic bridge between past and present. Embroidery isn’t just decoration—it’s storytelling. Every stitched flower, word, or image is a mark of identity.

Whether you’re into cottagecore, vintage, or indie aesthetics, an embroidered shirt can become the centerpiece of your look. It speaks of craftsmanship, patience, and detail in an age of fast fashion.

Some people are drawn to movie embroidered shirts—tops that feature scenes, quotes, or symbolic elements from beloved films. These garments transform passive media consumption into wearable homage, letting fans carry pieces of their favorite stories on their bodies.

Embroidered clothing connects with so many of the elements we’ve explored:

• Memory – Perhaps your grandmother sewed. Or maybe a movie quote stitched on your shirt reminds you of your teenage years.

• Culture – Embroidery is a staple in many traditional garments around the world.

• Media – Fans of Studio Ghibli, Tim Burton, or vintage Disney often seek embroidered clothing that reflects their beloved cinematic worlds.

• Personal identity – Custom embroidery allows for complete creative freedom. Your shirt becomes your story.

As fashion turns increasingly toward personalization, sustainability, and craftsmanship, embroidered garments are more than a trend—they’re part of a fashion future that values emotion, memory, and artistry.

Conclusion

Our aesthetic taste is not a static preference, but a dynamic reflection of who we are, where we’ve been, and what we long for. From childhood memories and cultural heritage to movie scenes and social subcultures, countless threads weave together to form the tapestry of our style.

Fashion is more than fabric—it’s narrative. It’s nostalgia wrapped in color, rebellion stitched in seams, identity worn close to the skin.

In that spirit, choosing something like an embroidered shirt—with its intricate storytelling and personal resonance—is not just a style choice. It’s a declaration: This is who I am. These are the stories I wear.

So the next time you find yourself drawn to a specific silhouette, a texture, or a lovingly stitched motif, remember: your aesthetic taste is a map of your soul—and your clothes are the journey.