TikTok's "tomato girl summer" is our new fave fashion microtrend
Each season, we do our very best to embrace at least *some* of the many, many cultural phenomenons that TikTok throws at us. We've already been caught up in cottagecore's dreamy aesthetic of milkmaid dresses and English gardens, and ofc, embraced the all-pink-everything of Barbiecore practically ever since rumours of the movie's release first surfaced. Now, however, it's time to wrap our heads around yet another style aesthetic – and it's possible the most niche one yet. Meet "tomato girl summer", the newest micro trend that's taking the internet – and fashion world – by storm.
What is tomato girl summer?
Uh-huh, we get it – the name is confusing. It poses more questions than answers, right? Microtrends like whimsigoth and balletcore certainly paint a clearer picture of the lewks in question... But once you tap into the Mediterranean-inspired tomato girl vibe, it starts to make waaaay more sense. The location is key for one – as is the, um, fruit (it's not a vegetable, apparently!).
Think full-blown European summer vaycay vibes. You'll find a tomato girl escaping to the Amalfi coast, Greek island hopping or lazing around a rustic tiled terrace in Tuscany. She'll be eating plenty of pasta with tomato-based sauces (obvs), or grazing on plates (hand-painted and ceramic, of course) of fresh toms hand-picked from the vine, served with creamy burrata and drizzled in local olive oil.
Inspo comes courtesy of the iconic Sophia Loren and Monica Bellucci, or even better, the classic Italian nonna (grandmother) – while the heat of the sun-soaked locale results in a wardrobe consisting of cottons, linen and silk. Crochet will also feature heavily.
Naturally, the colour palette centres around red, as well as neutrals such as freshly laundered whites, terracotta tan, dark browns and black. Olive green and sea blue make an appearance, too. Nothing too edgy or futuristic for the very earnest tomato girl – and if it's vintage or a handed-down through the generations, that's an added bonus.
The dress code is hella romantic, and so is the girl. Think a lace-up or ruched bodice corset top, sweatheart necklines, maxi dresses and midi skirts worn with a vintage mule heel or ballet flats. A floral printed slip is practically a uniform, while those with a penchant for the quirky should opt for fresh fruit and veggie motifs. Ruffles and puff sleeves won't go amiss either (see Selena for the perfect example) – in fact, they'll look particularly fetching worn while thumbing a classic novel on a quiet café patio.
And to complete the look? Add some extra glamour with a patterned headscarf (vintage Hermès, per favore!) and embroidered straw or leather bag, or opt for kitschy accessories and jewellery featuring food-inspired charms.
Where did the trend come from?
Well, whilst TikTok most likely coined the viral term – with mash-up videos showing seascapes, freshly made pizza and lace aplenty – Instagram feeds are home turf for a tomato girl's picturesque holiday album. You'll have noticed an influx of influencers and pals spending their summer frolicking along European coastal backdrops prompting the obsession. The Sicilian setting for series two of The White Lotus is a whole tomato girl vibe, too.
Are celebs into the tomato girl trend?
Celebs are *majorly* leaning into the trend. The likes of Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Billie Eilish, EmRata and Selena Gomez have all adopted the look with open arms – while Jacquemus' glorious FW23 show saw a veritable army of tomato girl celebs descend upon the Palace of Versailles last month in full Mediterranean-inspired garb.
On the Italian Riviera, meanwhile, Kendall and Kylie displayed peak tomato girl at sis Kourt's wedding in Portofino last year and they've continued to channel the trend ever since. Harley Viera Newton – founder of HVN, a classic tom girl brand – also gave a masterclass in nailing the look in her recent holiday Insta snaps.
Despite the new adorbs name, it's a pretty timeless look and one that you can seamlessly weave into your wardrobe. You might even find you have some old pieces that fit the brief perfectly... Sustainability is a major tomato girl vibe, after all.
But if you're after brands that understand that TGS assignment, then look to Reformation, Rixo and Californian-based ethical label Lisa Says Gah. The latter's Tapas collection *nails* the tomato girl's laissez-faire approach to holiday-ing – and we are totally here for it. Summer 2023, here we come.
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