The summer of 2026 has ushered in a fresh social media phenomenon that’s taking Instagram by storm. The phrase “kinda chic” is popping up everywhere, transforming how users express their individuality while simultaneously blurring the lines of originality. This new trend encapsulates a mixture of aspiration and relatability, inviting both admiration and a sense of irritation.
The Rise of “Kinda Chic”
If you’ve scrolled through your feed recently, you’ve likely encountered a carousel of images or videos adorned with the phrase “Kinda chic to,” followed by a description of activities or looks that defy traditional notions of chic. This versatile format has embraced everything from “kinda chic to repeat outfits” to “kinda chic to bake a quiche.” Indeed, one post featured an appealing quiche that could have made even the most discerning foodies take notice.
The trend appears to have roots in the body positivity movement, with plus-size influencer MariaBegins credited as an early pioneer. In a series of posts from April, she used the format to promote self-love despite facing online negativity. “Kinda chic posting myself online despite the hate comments I receive,” she shared, encapsulating the spirit of the trend.
A Homogenised Feed
According to Google Trends, searches for “kinda chic” have surged by an astonishing 5000%, with the associated hashtag racking up more than 60,000 posts on Instagram alone. On TikTok, users have created content that suggests it’s “kinda chic to do it alone and scared,” resonating with solo adventurers and garnering substantial engagement.
However, as the trend proliferates, it has sparked critiques from fashion insiders. Brenda Weischer, a Berlin-based fashion editor, has labelled it “template slop,” pointing to its rapid adoption as a sign of a lack of originality. Social media consultant Bella Younger echoes this sentiment, projecting that we are in for “a long hot summer of copy, paste on social media.”
Celebrities Join the Bandwagon
The appeal of “kinda chic” has not escaped the notice of celebrities. Drew Barrymore recently declared, “kinda chic to be in your 50s,” while Reese Witherspoon celebrated female camaraderie with “kinda chic to cheer on other women.” Even Ashley Graham leveraged the trend using her iconic Victoria’s Secret runway image to assert, “kinda chic to know cellulite never held you back.”
Brands are also quick to catch on. Retailer Boots chimed in with “kinda chic to reapply your SPF,” while Aldi took a humorous turn, posting “kinda chic to sell a foldable sock hanger by the wine.” Virgin Atlantic even joined the fray, stating, “kinda chic to book a flight with no annual leave left.”
The Dilution of Chic
What’s behind the meteoric rise of “kinda chic”? Much like the evolution of terms such as “cottagecore” and “normcore,” the word “chic” has morphed into an all-encompassing descriptor, losing its once exclusive allure. Fashion circles have largely abandoned the term, with Vogue declaring it “dead” last year. The 2017 film *Phantom Thread* captured the disdain some have for the term, illustrating its contentious relationship with the fashion elite.
Yet, the algorithms that govern social media thrive on this type of content repetition. Younger notes that users often resort to familiar formats that guarantee engagement rather than taking creative risks. “We are now all talking about how homogenous social media is, but it has become very difficult to find content that doesn’t fit strict parameters,” she explains.
Why it Matters
The “kinda chic” phenomenon highlights an intriguing paradox in the world of social media: a desire for individuality that often results in conformity. As users flock to this trend, it raises questions about the nature of personal expression in an increasingly homogenised digital landscape. With the line between aspiration and imitation becoming ever blurrier, the impact of this trend may shape how we view creativity, originality, and authenticity in the age of social media. As the summer unfolds, it will be fascinating to see how this trend evolves and whether it can transcend its current formulaic nature to inspire genuine innovation.