The messy girl aesthetic isn’t just an excuse to leave your bed unmade or skip brushing your hair (although… no judgment). It’s a mood, a style, and a low-effort look that somehow always reads high-fashion—think “I threw this on” meets “I’m the main character in an indie film.”
Whether you’ve seen her all over TikTok or realized you are her, here’s how to curate the messy girl look—without looking like you actually just rolled out of bed (even if you did).
1. Start with a Slouchy Silhouette
Loose fits are the messy girl’s uniform. Think oversized tees, boyfriend button-downs, wide-leg jeans, and vintage hoodies. The idea? Your clothes should look like you borrowed them from your ex or found them at 3 AM on Depop.
Style tip: Tuck one side of your shirt in and let the other hang. Wear your sweater off one shoulder like you didn’t mean to. It’s “Oops” energy—but make it chic.
2. Let Your Hair Do Its Own Thing
The messy girl’s hair is undone—and that’s the whole point. Textured waves, slightly greasy bangs, claw clips hanging on for dear life? All approved.
Style tip: Skip the blowout. Spritz some dry shampoo, run your fingers through, and toss your hair up into a loose bun with strands falling out.
3. Minimal Effort, Maximum Layers
Messy girls love layering like they love ignoring texts. A tank over a tee, a cardigan over a slip dress, a hoodie under a trench coat—it’s chaotic, but intentional.
Style tip: Mix high and low—like a designer trench with gym shorts. Let textures clash. Add a scarf just because.
4. Your Bag Should Look Like It Has Snacks, Crystals & Chaos
The messy girl’s bag is heavy with mystery. You might find a half-used lip balm, a paperback novel, and loose change from three countries.
Style tip: Go for a beat-up leather tote, a slouchy hobo bag, or anything Y2K with too many zippers. Bonus if it’s thrifted.
5. Makeup? Smudge It.
Forget contour kits and airbrush finishes. The messy girl’s beauty look is lived-in. Maybe you cried a little. Maybe you forgot to take your mascara off. Either way, it’s working for you.
Style tip: Go for flushed cheeks, bitten-lip stains, and a bit of shimmer on the lids. A makeup look that says “I just made bad decisions at brunch” is basically the goal.
6. Nails? Chipped, Obviously.
Perfect nails don’t match messy girl energy. A chipped polish tells a story—and maybe she doesn’t have time for a salon visit, okay?
Style tip: If you want to fake the look, go with neutral tones (nudes, blacks, burgundies) that wear off gracefully.
7. Confidence Is Your Final Layer
The messy girl aesthetic isn’t really about clothes—it’s about an attitude. A little chaotic, deeply emotional, unapologetically expressive. She’s late to the party and stealing all the attention.
Style tip: Don’t try too hard. Ironically, that’s the key. Just be—unfiltered, authentic, and fabulous in your own offbeat way.
The messy girl look is a fashion statement with feelings. It’s the cool older sister of “clean girl,” with a little more eyeliner and a lot more life experience.
So the next time you’re not sure what to wear, don’t overthink it. Throw on your biggest button-down, skip the hairbrush, and let your energy do the talking.
