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Warning: In this case, the “Rich Northeast Frat Boy” is used to describe the fashion and thoughts that surround the habits and ideas behind the aesthetic. This is in no way intended to be a hateful or insulting reference.
It’s time to finally address what happened in January. Everyone out of nowhere became so fascinated with the years 2015/2016 that it sparked internet wide “throwbacks”. Everyone was reremembering those years which seem like yesterday but in reality have now been ten years ago. I’ve been saying this for a while, “the last good summer was in 2016.” So why is it coming back? Well it's now been six years since COVID-19 and I think many of us have been caught up with the consequences of the pandemic and the consequences of our concerning political system. But the reminder that 2016 was 10 years ago and for the last 10 years we’ve been living in what feels like a simulation of uncomfortable and unhappy living was perhaps what we needed to break through. At this point what else could possibly go wrong?
2016 throwbacks revived a number of fashion and social trends. The most interesting one was people commenting how they “would love to be a rich frat boy from the northeast in 2016.” Let’s jump into what this truly means for society's desires and fashion trends.
There is an obvious wealth that holds to the majority of the coastal northeast. Think hamptons, cape cod, connecticut, etc. We did witness the “coastal aesthetic” a few years back but this is different. This isn't elegant and graceful. This is sloppy, careless, “I don’t want to think about real life, I just want to party”, wealth. This kind of 2016 mindset comes with a dress code.
People are wanting to become part of a time and class that are able to party their way through hardships. Rich frat boys are able to party all night and do who knows what but still wake up and go to their job that their dad got them.
Can we really blame people for wanting a life that seems so free? So free and so easily given to them?
There are obviously incredible problems with putting this aesthetic on a pedestal like: the harmful hazing, the privilege, the oppression by such groups onto minorities, the wealth gap, the racism, the abuse, and on and on and on.
However, we can not lose focus on why society is looking back in favor of such aesthetics: People wish for a simpler and more fun time, and who has an easier ability of attaining this time than the rich white boy. Maybe we can wear the clothes and party like the aesthetic without leaning into the oppressive tendencies held by these groups.
Either way it becomes obvious we as a youth are looking for an outlet.
Inspiration: Think bright pastels, Vineyard Vines and Tommy Bahama worn to a crazy house party. Short colorful chino shorts with collared shirts tucked in with a leather belt. Think super short shorts and long blouses with spaghetti straps. Big coach sunglasses that can cover up your tiredness and hair that can be moved around to look put together if needed. Headbands, flats, and designer purses at a party. It mixes “professional” and wealthy aesthetics with party mode.
