What Makes an IT Girl, an IT Girl?
By: Jillian Antretter
A question nearly everyone can answer. A question with countless possibilities, one that embodies empowerment. If you asked yourself the same question, most would say an “IT Girl” is a woman who stays true to herself, no matter who is watching. A woman who is loved by the public eye. A muse of society through their style, beauty, and most importantly, their personality. She becomes a visionary for a group that yearns to be like her.
But where did this term, “IT Girl”, come from? Well, the history of the rst is quite simple. During the 1920s, Clara Bow was known as the most inuential American actress of the silent lm era. In 1927, she starred in a lm called “It”, centered around a young woman who possessed an irresistible charm. This lm popularized the idea that “It” was an unexplainable mix of beauty and personality almost everyone adored. Thanks to Clara Bow, the term “IT Girl”extended beyond the lm and into real life. She created a character for society; a woman who was bold, independent and alluring.
Once this term was created, it continued to evolve, causing almost every decade to have their own dening “IT Girl.” A woman who has captured the essence of her era through fashion, cultural inuences, or becoming an activist. Whether she was a supermodel, actress, or singer, pop culture can't decide between loving her and wanting to be her. However you choose to dene an“IT Girl”, one thing remains true, she's always a bit of a mystery. She does whatever she wants, stays unapologetically herself, and somehow always leaves her audience in awe.
An “IT Girl”denes her era, and in the 80s, Madonna did just that by boldly challenging social norms for women in the music and fashion industry. She brought the idea of “self expression” to life. With the help of her music and style, she reminded women they could push boundaries and embrace their true selves without fear of judgment. Two of Madonna's hit songs, "Like a Virgin”and “Material Girl,” amplied the message of female empowerment and embracing one’s sexuality.
Known for her lace gloves, bold accessories, and a personality, who symbolizes condence and freedom, she was inspired to live a life of bold choices and fearlessness, embracing her individuality without hesitation. Madonna is a perfect example of an “IT Girl” because she became a muse of the 80s, thanks to her carefree spirit that reminded the public that they have the choice to embrace individuality. She was mysterious at times because of her constantly evolving persona, leaving the world shocked and wanting more from her unpredictability and boldness from her lyrics to her fashion. She redened what it meant to be a woman in music and fashion.
But what happens if you jump to the 2000s, where an “IT Girl” becomes “IT Girl(s).” A period when fashion was chaotic and pop culture was equally unpredictable. It was a time where fashion collided with fame, and almost every trend felt like a bold statement. Destiny’s Child, a powerful girl group known for their iconic matching styles, and of course, their advocacy for female empowerment. Starring Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams, they became symbols of the 2000s. Almost everyone wanted to match their style, sing like them, and be seen in their iconic music videos. Reminding people fashion is playful and can be styled in one look, but expressed in three different ways.
Their music became some of the most empowering anthems of the era. Their song “Independent Women”, with lines like “Cause I depend on me if I want it” and “Try to control me, boy, you get dismissed,” went against what society had long believed about women. Simply that they needed a man to dene their worth or support their success. Which, of course, is a awed and outdated belief. Their music celebrated self-reliance and challenged outdated norms and rearms that women are in control of their own lives, choices, and destinies.
But who are the “IT Girls” of today? Of course, we still have our iconic singers, actresses, and supermodels, but now there's also the rise of the “Internet IT Girl.” Emma Chamberlain, known as “miss internet”, or “comfort queen”, has become one of the most inuential gures of the internet. She started her career as a youtuber, by creating authentic and unltered vlogs. Her presence on social media became known as “comforting” because she was simply herself. She spoke her truth, opened up about her struggles with mental health, and maintained a level of honesty that resonated deeply with her audience. Throughout her career, she has made people feel understood, reminding them it’s okay to take a break when you're having a bad day, that “life” happens to everyone. She is the “relatable influencer”, vlogging her day to day life, becoming familiar to many.
Emma Chamberlain’s fashion was also one of the key reasons she became an “Internet IT Girl.” Back in 2017, when she was just starting her career, her style was seen as simple yet fun and playful. She posted “try on haul” videos, telling viewers, “just trust my vision.” By letting her audience in on her process of styling, she essentially became a stylist for her followers, inspiring them to experiment with their own looks. She not only created new trends for Gen Z but also brought back styles that no one expected to make a comeback. I mean, she had us wearing scrunchies again in 2018. Her unique blend of authenticity and creativity made her a trendsetter, proving being real and relatable can make you just as iconic as any traditional celebrity.
No matter the time period, an “IT Girl” is a symbol of individuality, empowerment, and cultural inuence. She is someone who refuses to be defined by society's expectations, creating her own narrative and inspiring others to do the same. Whether through music, fashion, or social media, “IT Girls” continue to shape and redefine what it means to be iconic. You never know who the next “IT Girl” might be, but the world is always searching.