Remembering 2019: The Art of the Art Hoe

Nostalgia is something that I often say will kill me. It was big enough of a deal to me that I did an entire research presentation about it in high school. That being said, I am the person who constantly reminisces on the past, even if it was only months ago. Study abroad, summer camp and high school beach trips are all just some of the things I constantly think back on. However, as I listened to “Flower Boy” by Tyler, the Creator yesterday in the shower, I started to think about 2019.

2026 saw the resurgence of the “2016 aesthetic”. According to Forbes, the dog filter, Vine and MAC makeup were some of the pivotal aspects from the era being discussed. For others, it was more the nostalgia of the time that caused such a resurgence. Think listening to the newest Ariana Grande album on the way home from school, unicorn frappuccinos and the distinct purple-blue filter that was on every photo.

A tweet embedded in the article said, “The nostalgia for 2016 and the 2010s in general just shows how bad and dark this decade has been. In my honest opinion the 2020s is the worst decade we’ve had since the 80s.” While this may be true for some, let us dive into 2019 and truly get a feel for the aesthetic that took over the time. These are my top personal picks.

To start with music, we have to mention Tyler, the Creator. “Flower Boy” came out in 2017, but the album itself just takes me back to being in middle school in 2019 (which is crazy to say). Steve Lacy, Lil Wayne and Rex Orange County were all featured throughout the album, and I can truly say it is one of those albums I will always come back to. The color palette of the album, the sunflowers and the mustard yellow all popped up constantly throughout the late 2010s, and it is truly a product of its time. If you need recommendations, try “Pothole,” “Droppin’ Seeds” and “Glitter.”

Other popular 2019 picks include early Clairo, Boy Pablo, Rex Orange County and Los Retros. This time saw a surge in California and the Bay Area, and you can see it reflected in the guitar, warm reverb and upbeat lyrics. Music videos were low quality and filmed on digital cameras and computers. Where there wasn’t high production value, there was a consistent soft indie vibe that complemented the style of the era.

As far as the 2018-2019 media goes, I immediately think of Gerties and Sister Squad. Collaborations in 2019 took precedence over everything, and I still find it crazy that most of these popular YouTubers like Emma Chamberlain and Hannah Meloche were only around 17-18 years old. Emma Chamberlain to me is arguably one of the most iconic influencers from this time. Her influence on my middle school friends and me was insane, and I remember watching her videos and immediately begging my mom to figure out where the nearest Brandy Melville was so I could buy her clothes. Her relatability to teenage girls for being outwardly awkward influenced the era of being “quirky”. Now, in college, I cannot believe random groups of influencers were taking midnight trips to Vegas, harboring secret relationships (thank you Ethma) and balling out on Dote vacations.

I could spend hours talking about 2019, but I’ll leave it at this. There wasn’t a time when you could attend a concert in a brandy shirt and a cardigan, film a video with a sparkle filter and then post on Instagram using insane VSCO saturation. I feel lucky to have been in middle school during this time and to be able to look back on this era with nostalgia. I wonder when checkered vans will make their appearance in the fashion of future generations.

Editor: Sydney Annis

Graphic: Sarah Chastain