Let’s make a timeline, shall we? Nineties minimalism came back in full force in the early 2020s—or, more accurately, a bastardized, social-media-heavy version of it also known as the clean-girl aesthetic. The trend emulated Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s effortless polish and made it a full-time job, with Sofia Richie emerging as its modern poster child. The uniform was instantly recognizable: basic tank tops, slicked-back hair, barely there makeup, and, without fail, teeny-tiny sunglasses.
Take a stroll through SoHo today (or just a seat at Fanelli Café) and you’ll notice those petite Matrix-style frames have all but nearly disappeared. In their place? Giant, face-swallowing sunglasses. As one shopper told me, “I’m not a bug-eye girl, but the trend has had me wondering if I need a pair.”
