The new ‘it’ girl of the season has arrived. She stands on a pedestal that girls nowadays aspire to be on. Collectively, we are all living vicariously through her. From simply being referred to as Lionel Richie’s daughter and a ‘nepo baby’ to now being known for her ‘old money aesthetic,’ Sofia Richie has climbed far up the ladder. With ballet flats, coordinating sets, sleek buns, class and elegance substituting the flamboyant dresses and overarched eyebrows of the ‘Kardashian aesthetic’, the Internet has been in a frenzy.
People are moving away from the unrealistic beauty standards and notions set by one of the most popular families in America and are instead embracing a more authentic view of fashion. Women are encouraged to be themselves as they aim to merely accentuate their features, whether that’s through clothes or makeup.
Richie’s rise to TikTok fame began with a ‘get ready with me’ video that she had uploaded just a few days before her wedding. People seemed to gravitate towards her grace and subtle, yet luxurious style. The make-up products she used went out of stock instantly. Even today, one has to quite literally go on a scavenger hunt to find the Chanel Rouge Coco Baume in 928 Pink Delight that she used on her reception. She famously claimed that the shade was genius and that the product was secretly tucked in her dress for her to comfortably reapply. But that’s not all. This fashion muse and ‘Chanel’s poster girl’ now has her own fashion brand in the works; the expectation and excitement of which is unparalleled. The fact that the hashtag #sofiarichiestyle has 404 million views speaks volumes about the ‘quiet luxury’ mogul.
As a model, Richie has graced the campaigns of renowned brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Chanel, and Dolce & Gabbana, cementing her status as a fashion powerhouse. Her clothing choices are known to be a blend of casual sophistication and contemporary chic. However, her influence on Gen Z fashion extends beyond just aesthetics. She actively promotes sustainability and ethical styling practices which aligns with her commitment to environmental consciousness and responsible consumerism, making her a fashion maven in the truest sense.
Her exemplary style evolution from a ‘party girl’ to that of classic glamour is truly phenomenal. With bomber jackets, crop shirts and a classic flannel around her waist, she made the covers of Teen-Vogue and Elle. This style gradually transcended into what was much more feminine and graceful. Her recent easy yet stylish looks have been anchored by the unassuming white T-shirt, which has become a dependable staple. She exchanged her flashy and overdone outfits for timeless trench coats, delicate slip dresses, warm knits, and chic shoes like Gucci loafers and Hermes sandals. Despite Richie's preference for monochromatic looks, she occasionally dons a flash of brilliant colour. She typically wears beige, or black-and-white colour schemes when going out, but if she wants to stand out, she prefers bright, electrifying hues like lime green. Her everyday attire seems to be made up of refined fundamentals. Consider stylish T-shirts, pants, button-down shirts, a great pair of blue jeans and a jacket as some examples of her go-to outfits.
The ‘rich culture’ of the fashion industry is undergoing a massive yet much-needed change as it’s taking on a more timeless look where being subtle is preferred over flashy displays of wealth. That’s exactly where Sofia Richie saves the day. Her ability to seamlessly blend high fashion with accessible trends, coupled with her strong social media presence and philanthropic efforts, has solidified her status as the ultimate guide to glamour.
The only question remains - will her fame persist or will it crumble? After all, we’ve all heard that trends change, and so do people. 2016 was known for its full-glam looks and 2023 has completely forgone that concept only to replace it with a clean-girl minimalistic approach. From ‘it’ girls like Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber, no one is able to sustain their spotlight for long. However, Sofia Richie continues to state that she is not going anywhere soon and her increasing fame can account for that. Let’s hope that’s true.
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