#plazacore

Round 1, Match 120 — Lobotomy Chic vs. Plazacore

Lobotomy Chic is an aesthetic that focuses on exploring femininity through meta-irony, detachment, and nihilism. It is also heavily influenced by different early 2000s aesthetics and early 2010s Tumblr aesthetics, such as Indie Sleaze, Morute, Dark Nymphet, and Trailer Park Princess. It is mostly used by teenage girls who feel empowered by detaching from reality and acting as though apathetic and mysterious, and there is a lot of overlap with the Waif and Coquette community. The name was coined by writer Rayne Fisher-Quann on her article “The cult of the dissociative pout”. The term is a combination of “Heroin Chic” which glamourizes an unhealthy and deathly, detached style, and "Lobotomy" - a procedure that was executed on mental patients during the 1950s and caused them to act mentally detached and out of place. Many lobotomy-chic girls jokingly state how they need to get this procedure, pointing at the aesthetic’s twisted-dark-humor nature. Due to its focus on broadness and obscurity, it's hard to precisely define the aesthetic visually, though it is recognizable due to its tendency to appear "niche". Usually, lobotomy-chic references 90s, early 2000s, and even early 2010s aesthetics, by the use of flash photography, wearing messy/no makeup, preppy clothes styled in an unorganized manner, and Catholic/Christian symbolism (mostly used ironically). The visuals of this aesthetic will mostly focus on places/fashion/pictures that feel "out of place" and esoteric (for example, preppy school girls photographed in liminal spaces), to enhance the effect of dissociation.

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Plazacore is a fashion microtrend that originated on TikTok and Instagram in the early 2020s. The aesthetic is a modern reinterpretation of a classic Preppy, "Upper East Side" style, characterized by its combination of playful, youthful elements with sophisticated and elegant garments. The name is a direct reference to the Plaza Hotel in New York City, the setting for the iconic Eloise children's book series. The aesthetic is heavily inspired by the whimsical yet luxurious lifestyle of the book's protagonist, a mischievous little girl who lives in a suite at the Plaza. This is often blended with the polished, schoolgirl-inspired fashion of another iconic fictional New Yorker, Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl. Plazacore fashion is a curated combination of classic preppy staples with youthful and feminine details. It revolves around high-quality fabrics and structured silhouettes. The primary element of the Plazacore wardrobe is tweed, most often seen in matching blazer and skirt sets. Babydoll dresses, particularly those with exaggerated Peter Pan collars and puff sleeves, are another key garment, directly referencing the look of Eloise. Other popular items include cape coats, cardigans, and high-waisted shorts. The most common patterns are classic preppy prints like houndstooth, plaid, and gingham. Accessories are essential in the Plazacore aesthetic. Hair bows and headbands are the most iconic accessories, a direct nod to Blair Waldorf's signature style. Pearl jewelry, such as necklaces and bracelets, adds a touch of classic elegance. Tights, either opaque in white or a bright color, are frequently worn with skirts and dresses. Footwear is typically classic and feminine, with Mary Janes and ballet flats being the most popular choices. The color palette is diverse, oscillating between soft pastels (like powder pink, baby blue, and mint green) and bolder, more traditional preppy shades like bright red, royal blue, and forest green. The classic combination of black and white is also a staple of the aesthetic.