Twee has made a return. Where? How? Everywhere from social media like Tiktok.
Even if you have no idea what Twee means you may still have heard “twee” mentioned somewhat. Now, what does it all mean?
For some Twee may mean Peter Pan collars while others decidedly indie guitar bands from the UK. The question is what is Twee?
Twee means an escape from adulthood in a sensitive and thoughtful manner. It is rebellion with charm and a touch of style or even cuteness. Twee icons from C86 indie pop to the Smiths to Belle and Sebastian to Zoey Deschanel and more can be twee even movie directors.
Let’s once and for all settle the facts and determine what Twee is exactly. Look at these Twee facts below and decide for yourself.
What does the word “Twee” mean?
In summary, Twee can best be described as an aesthetic that can be at once silly, tacky, or cool. Twee is an English word that is an adjective. So, when you use Twee it describes a noun. For example, you can say someone has a twee fashion sense. Twee also has connotations as being related to what would be “babytalk” as well.
In its essence, the full meaning of Twee in its original form is, “”tiny, dainty, miniature.” Also, the origin of the word starts from 1905. Also, the word “Twee” was associated with the pronunciation of the word “Sweet” in a child’s voice enunciation pattern. Initially twee was used as a word in the same way “tummy” is used compared to stomach.
Twee has changed since its days of being mentioned. Today, the term twee applies to many things, people, and places even as well. Looking at how Twee has evolved from the early 1900s to the 2000s is fascinating.
In the last 20 years, Twee has become associated with everything from TV shows to certain celebrities. Therefore, looking at some facts about Twee in all its forms makes sense. Let’s delve into some of these twee facts below:
Twee made a comeback in the late 2000s because of Tumblr
Tumblr was more popular pre 2010. This microblogging and social networking site helped bring the idea of Twee to the American market and more. Tumblr permits people subscribed to post visual media and content to a blog with a short format.
Many Bloggers were in love with this twee look that began to spread on Tumblr. If you use Tumblr, you are able to follow other users’ blogs. From there, this is when Twee really began to establish itself and remerge again.
At the time initially, the Twee or hipster style was summarized as cutesy, quaint or vintage. Then Twee became a very popular trend with a lot of popularity among younger people and a generally newer demographic.
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Some celebrities symbolize Twee like Zooey Deschanel and supermodel Twiggy
Every year, it seems that Zoeey Deschanel is seen as the most visible front for twee fashion and style. As an actress and a celebrity Deschanel has embodied twee along with other celebrities like British author Alexa Chung
Nobody shows off twee fashion more than actress and musician Zoey Deschanel. However, some other notable celebrities include Taylor Swift and Tavi Gevinson.
Celebrities and even movie characters can carry a touch of twee and not realize it like Harry Potter. However, the ultimate twee artists can include musicians as obscure as Sarah record artists like Heavenly to bigger bands like Death Cab for Cutie, Regina Spektor, and She & Him.
The aesthetic in the style and music is key to determine the thrust of tweeness in these celebrities.
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Twee style includes fashion accessories from the 1960s
Think mod and swinging London. Think the Beatles. When you think of twee style many things may come up. However, the biggest thing to remember is the cutesy factor. For men and especially women in, there needs to be some fashion elements noted that evoke a subtle cuteness.
What did Twiggy the model from the 1960s wear? What did bands from the 80s like the Pastels or Heavenly wear? Loafers are often seen as very twee. Along with patterned tights, knee socks, satchel or messenger style bags, round-framed or oval shaped glasses, and in general more unique accessories like berets.
There are many 1960s or British fashion accessories that are associated with twee and can be found mostly on TikTok now. Twee has really exploded and come back because of social media and nostalgia.
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TikTok helped bring back Twee in a big way again
TikTok is responsible for the rise and fall of many trends. When TikTok speaks, people listen.
In recent years, TikTok fashionistas and trendsetters have debated even about Twee. Why? The idea of twee has been divided because of just the idea of a resurgence, which goes against the twee ethic of not following trends.
TikTok being a massive social media presence has been great for various artists and even trends. So, even if a person is related to twee trends then it could mean the whole viral buzz could include the whole movement of twee.
Twee clothing accessories trended and were appreciated because of TikTok’s algorithm. TikTok helped propel items like layered knits, flats, and scarves as fashionable and twee. TikTok is designed to spread trends and that is what it did with especially Twee fashion.
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Twee style favors distinct accessories and hairstyles
When you have bangs and any sort of fringe as a hairstyle then you can be twee. Why? The birth of twee is tied to the UK, so there is an appreciation for bangs perhaps due to the Beatles. As a lady, if you wear bangs or any fringed hairstyles and Mary Janes then it is very twee.
Wearing loafers, Patterned Tights, fit and flare dresses, and especially cardigans will make you very twee. Why? You show off a sensitive, earnest, caring, but quietly rebellious side.
As well pairing playful prints, stand out collars, and having a mustache as a guy give you more twee points. One of the classic recent Twee images is of actress Zoey Deschanel wearing opaque tights, ballet flats and sporting a cute handbag. This is twee. And, as a guy, think Morissey of the Smiths in the 1980s with black rim glasses.
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Ukuleles and typewriters and other items are linked with Twee culture and style
There are various furniture items and even musical instruments that would be associated with twee in particular. Ukuleles, typewriters, vintage objects and colorful bicycles with baskets are synonymous with twee.
Old antique items would be seen or viewed as charming and all together twee. For example, one of the more popular notions of twee involves the ukulele. Especially of a guy or gal playing ukulele or as well a guy playing guy especially in an elementary or more simple manner.
When you play a ukulele or guitar in a public place and sing especially like you are around a campfire.
Typewriters are retro and charming and therefore twee. The soullessness of computers and digital technology makes typewriters cool again. In general, items like this bring back a time of innocence and charm that Twee lovers enjoy.
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Sweet music is twee especially from the United Kingdom from the label Sarah Records
In summary, extremely or sugary music would be characterized as twee.
‘Twee’ as a music tag came back with jangly guitar pop bands in the 1980s. Bands like Shop Assistants or Talulah Gosh, also were part of UK music magazine’s NME’s C86 cassette compilation as well. Some even say Amelia Fletcher of Heavenly and Talulah Gosh is an early twee icon.
The twee aesthetics that were linked with twee-like music was 1960s inspired but with more of a modern twist on alienation and childish abandon. For example, many of these sweet sounding bands expressed their interest in bright colors, nostalgic or overly sensitive lyrics. Bands like the Smiths or the Pastels could be sweet and sour and beyond in their mix of emotions. Moreover, there was a feminine 1960s mod sense of style.
This specific UK label, Sarah stood apart with how the bands and music aimed to be as precious or twee as possible with jangly guitars, sweet melodies, and precious heartfelt pop songs. Other bands that carried on this style included groups like Orange Juice. As well, UK label Creation that released The Pastels and other twee or sweet indie pop bands. All in all, harmonic pop is the key to twee in music.
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Movies can have a Twee style like Juno and other films
Movies can evoke a lot of emotions and feelings and even stylistic colors or aesthetics. If there is a movie that brings about feelings of being sensitive, whimsical, and twee then it is “(500) Days of Summer” and “Juno.” A sweet and eccentric movie may always be deemed twee at some point as well.
The movie “Juno” is often referred to as twee. Wes Anderson, a movie director, is known for quirky and sweet movies so that makes the movie even more Twee. This movie shows a sweet story of a success story fraught with humor, sweetness, and tragedy.
(500) Days of Summer stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt who shows off his skills as an actor with depth and a range of fragile emotions. The fact that the main star is a hopeless romantic and greeting card writer makes him very twee. Zooey Deschanel is in this movie so it makes even more twee.
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Hats can especially evoke and bring about a sense of Twee style
Hats may be a classic accessory, but they say so much more about your style. A big floppy hat will bring back a sense of the 1960s as well. Twiggy, a model from the 1960s, can be considered one of the first Twee fashion icons.
If you want to sport wide-brim fedoras as a guy or gal you will stand out in twee fashion. As well, a newsboy cap, that adds a touch of whimsy to any outfit. What needs to be noted is that the Twee fashion needs to have a look of cuteness and seriousness all at once.
Many fashion trends coming from the UK and even Europe like in France or even Italy can add a sense of charm and style that is Twee. Hats like berets or cool stylish hats can give off an affectedly dainty, delicate, or charming quality that defines twee.
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Riding a bike can make you twee if you do it a certain way …
The freedom of a bike is clear, but any hipster or true rebel will know a bike is freedom. So, riding a bike shows this earnest free side to be themselves. If you ride a fixed gear bike with romantic notions then you are getting more and more twee.
Bikes are symbols of freedom, love, intimacy, and style in 2023. Therefore, the idea of being twee and charming makes sense if you ride a bike. Because you appreciate the morning breeze that kisses your face when you ride through traffic.
When you ride to escape the trappings of adulthood then you really do embody everything twee. Brooklynites in New York on bicycles are the ultimate twee style.
Summary
The origin of the word “twee” dates back to 1905, when it was used to describe something that was tiny or dainty. It was also associated with the pronunciation of the word “sweet” in a child’s voice enunciation pattern. Over time, the meaning of the word has evolved and expanded to encompass a variety of things, people, and places.
Today, the term “twee” is associated with a wide range of things, from indie guitar bands to TV shows and certain celebrities. It is often used to describe an escape from adulthood in a sensitive and thoughtful manner, characterized by rebellion with charm and a touch of style or even cuteness.
In summary, “twee” is a word that has evolved over time and is now used to describe an aesthetic that can be at once silly, tacky, or cool. It is often associated with things that are small, dainty, or miniature, and has connotations of sweetness and childlike innocence.
