Core Beliefs

As if life wasn’t complicated enough.

Nowadays, it’s not just about the general condition of our homes, yards, and wardrobes; I would describe all of mine—house, lawn, clothes—as “works in (no) progress." We have moved far beyond these trivial concerns, friends. In 2025, it’s all about the aesthetics.

Quick definition first: “aesthetic” is a Greek word, referring to the philosophy of feeling (perceiving) that something is beautiful. Of course, that makes anaesthesia mean "feeling nothing whatsoever." Get it?

At some point in the recent past, the fashion and design universe has grabbed hold of the term and run amok with it. Need proof? I was just reading about something called “Mermaidcore,”  which is an “aesthetic” that includes wearing seashell earrings, and hanging living room drapes made of shiny scales (I guess?) Intrigued, I then swam right over to a Wikipedia page listing DOZENS of aesthetics, in helpful alphabetical order. Now I am much better informed, and as a public service, I am passing this wisdom on to you.

Herewith, a random selection of aesthetics and what they involve (note: I often joke in this blog. The following are NOT jokes):

Appalachian Gothic: foggy mountains with supernatural sightings, flannels, work boots, miners' hats with lamps (again, not joking)

Barbiecore: pink everything (of course), from fingernails to sportscar.

Beigecore: neutrality is the theme here—an example given is spray-painting your Christmas tree and all the ornaments beige. The Kardashian lifestyle is referenced.

Corporate Grunge: vintage computer graphics, and retro typography. Grainy overlays, a gritty, edgy feel

Mob Wife: leopard print (coats, tops, pants), bright red lipstick and big sunglasses

Industrial Decay: celebrating the beauty of rust, crumbling structures and urban deterioration

Vacation Dad: exactly that—what dads would wear on vacation. Sub-genres include: Disney Dad, Yacht Dad and Grill Guru

Although my first reaction was “ok, whatever,” upon further reflection, I kinda like the idea that beauty can be seen in such a wide variety of looks and styles. Art is not just for painters and sculptors. Anyone can BE a work of art, and everyone can (and should be) an art appreciator too. In centuries past, there were generally agreed-upon standards of beauty during different time periods—and outside of those times, deviations seemed not just unfashionable, but ridiculous. Imagine King Tut in a powdered wig, Joan of Arc in a hoop skirt, the Apostles dressed like The Beatles; today, one can see people looking exactly like that in Times Square alone!

Modern aesthetics are so various and fluid that I do wonder what future generations --when, quite possibly, everyone on earth will resemble R2D2--will make of this quirky, lively 21^st century. We defy a general label, that’s for sure, and maybe we’re living in the last gasp of individuality. I sure hope not. In any event, let’s celebrate all of our amazing “cores,” be they Astropunk, Forestgirl or (my fave, for obvious reasons) Grandmacore.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So let’s behold it, everywhere.