Originally published in print in October 2023.
“Aesthetic” is a word that you like to throw in the title of your Pinterest board, Spotify playlist, and in the hashtags of your ootd, potd, votd, botd, totd, etc. Alas, we bring ourselves back to the question; what is aesthetic? And why does the arts block show so many versions of the “best” ones?
It seems like nobody wants to work these days, get your tush up and work to find your personal aesthetic. We’re here to provide you with the only four Aesthetics that exist, matter, and run the Arts Block. If you heard otherwise, it was probably a clueless first year who only went to Trinity because of Normal People. WARNING! No other aesthetics exist except for what this quiz gives you. You can only be it for the rest of your life. Once you’re ready to use this quiz to become the arts block fashion icon legend royalty, you are granted the privilege of strutting past the benches outside numerous times a day so everyone sees your fit.
AESTHETIC (ɪsˈθet.ɪk)
is a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste and with the creation and appreciation of beauty.
DILEMMA!
You’re running late to your dreaded 9 a.m. lecture in the arts block on a September morning…
Grab your outfit, quick, let’s go!
- You need a top… a t-shirt ofc
- A) Black long-sleeve mesh / Victorian shirt
- B) 2000s henley top
- C) Shirt.
- D) Von Dutch crop top yuppp
- Pants on fire…
- A) Long skirt
- B) Any cargo pants
- C) Levis washed 501s
- D) Diesel belt skirt over flared jeans
- Shag a jacket 😉
- A) Penny Lane shaggy coat
- B) Arc’teryx jacket
- C) Gilet / Utility vest / Denim Jacket
- D) Long leather trench coat
- Shoose yo shoes
- A) ANY PAIR OF DOCS
- B) Salomans / New Balance
- C) Nike air forces for da win
- D) Prada loafers / New rocks
- Any bag going?
- A) Shakespeare and Company tote til I die
- B) Crossbody leather backpack
- C) That anti-thief backpack
- D) A leather handbag that your laptop doesn’t even fit in
- UPDATE! IT WAS RAINING = HAT TIME
- A) 2000s paperboy hat
- B) BEANIE
- C) Baseball cap
- D) Fur and Me bucket hat purrr
- JUUL- I MEAN JEWELLERY TIME
- A) Gold heart locket
- B) Silver chunky rings
- C) Just a watch and Class Ring
- D) Tiffany necklace / Vivienne earrings, etc
MOSTLY A’s
Coquette, Feminine, LDR, Gilmore Girls, Boy Genius, Taylor Swift, Greta Gerwig
Lucy’s Lounge and Flip Clothing, Fownes St. Upper
Om Diva and Jenny Vander, Drury St.
Bow and Pearl, Swan Centre.
Greens are Good for You, Lemon St.
Etsy jewellery
Most importantly: your Granny’s closet.
Mostly Bs:
Gorp, Sambas / Spezials, Salomans, Skater, Sporty, New Balance ahh fit
Nine crows, Mary St.
35 Vintage, Fade St.
Dublin Vintage Factory
High Rollers Skateboard Store, Aungier St.
Charity shops, NCBI (windsheeters)
Phibsborough Market (independent sellers)
MOSTLY C’s
Clean, Basics, Cos, Weekday, Ralph Lauren, 501s, Reeboks, sweatshirts
Zara, TK Maxx, Urban Outfitters
COS and dopl., Exchequer St.
Indigo and Cloth, Essex St. East
Online:
Uniqlo, Monki, ASOS and Weekday
MOSTLY D’s
Burberry, Prada loafers, Maison Soki tights, Branded Luxury, Smaller Designers
Brown Thomas and Arnotts
Tola Vintage, designer section
Online:
Depop, Facebook marketplace (join local groups in Dublin area), Adverts.ie (variety of listings)
Now that you have found your lifelong aesthetic forever… I guess better luck next time with the quiz taking. It’s dangerous and could change your whole wardrobe if you’re not careful…
WORDS: Emma Doherty
