Kinda Chic Trend Explained: Meaning & Origins
“It’s kinda chic to…”
If you’re on TikTok or Instagram, I’m sure you’ve seen posts with this caption popping up on your feed recently. If you’re wondering what this trend is all about, strap in – I’m going to talk you through the trend, its origins, and how you too can join in.
WHAT IS THE TREND AND WHERE DID IT BEGIN?
The trend first started gaining traction on TikTok feeds in April 2026, with creators posting videos celebrating body positivity and mental wellbeing. Captions would go something like “It’s kinda chic to love my body just the way it is” or “It’s kinda chic to take a mental health walk to clear my mind.” The idea was to celebrate what makes you, you, instead of striving for “perfection.”
But why “kinda chic” you ask? Well, the literal definition of chic is “stylish, fashionable, and elegant.” However, in this modern digital age of social media, the meaning has been adapted to mean “put together and having everything figured out” – if that is such a thing. Kinda chic is a light-hearted play on the meaning and connotations; a new meaning has been created that celebrates the little things in life. In essence the “Kinda chic” trend is about taking a step back from thinking “I should be doing this,” “I should be here right now,” or “I should have this,” and reframing your thoughts to centre yourself.
WHAT DOES THE TREND LOOK LIKE?
It’s simple, it’s about taking a step back from trying to achieve the perfect lifestyle and celebrating where you are right now and the things you have achieved. Some posts on social media include “It’s kinda chic to have graduated college,” “It’s kinda chic to have gone to the gym today,” and “It’s kinda chic to have a curvy body and love it.” These are the small things that are important in this trend – something we can all do.
It’s a near-impossible task to have everything figured out at any point in our lives, and the stress that comes from trying to achieve the impossible can be detrimental to one’s health and wellbeing. The Kinda Chic trend is all about putting yourself first. You may not have everything figured out right now, but let’s celebrate what you have achieved and where you are right now. It’s not about striving for perfection or what we deem is perfect; it’s about finding comfort and happiness in ourselves now, and that is what I believe is truly chic.
Think about it this way: our favourite fictional journalist Carrie Bradshaw is the definition of chic. Her signature curls, impeccable dress sense, career, and choice of friends – she was the blueprint. But behind the fashion was a woman who didn’t have it all figured out. For lack of a better word, Carrie was, for the most part a “mess.” She didn’t own her home, she was in debt, and she didn’t have the perfect relationship, but what she did have was a confidence in herself and who she was.
For Carrie, the journey was filled with ups and downs. That’s life, and that’s the beauty of growing up. And let’s be clear, we’re always growing. It doesn’t matter if you’re 25 or 55; we will always be learning and growing up. But Carrie never wavered when it came to who she was and what she had accomplished in life.
I think we can all take inspiration from Carrie and this trend. Let’s celebrate who we are and where we are now instead of dwelling on where we should be. You’ll be happier and healthier for it, and when you think in this way and protect your mental health, it’s easier to achieve your dreams and goals.
