Sade Girl Aesthetic: Why It’s Time To Credit Black Style

The Sade Aesthetic has taken over the internet but by no surprise.

Youth culture is always on the hunt for the next trend. 

An individual’s outfit can scream to the world their identity and form of self-expression in that moment. One day someone is pulling inspiration from a quirky Pinterest board.

The next day they are saving a I.AM.GIA model’s photos on Instagram to purchase the same edgy tops.  

Meanwhile TikTok has become a hub for micro trends in the internet world. Pulling from various subcultures. It seems with each passing month there is an obscure aesthetic going viral!

We have seen the hay days of bloke core, coquette and whimsigoth take fashion to new heights. Dark academia influence girlies to romanticize a studious life like Rory from the Gilmore Girls.

Yet in this season of colder weather and shorter days, we have been introduced to another alluring trend. The Sade Girl Aesthetic.

The Rise of the Sade Girl Aesthetic on TikTok  

This trend is based on the legendary British Nigerian R&B singer Sade Adu. Known for her unique sound, Shes' released hits like “Smooth Operator” “Sweetest Taboo” and “Like a Tattoo.”

Sade’s style alongside her music made her all that more iconic.

Defined by rich burgundy colors, matte red lipstick, animal print, sleek black pieces, tailored pants, crisp linen white tops and gold statement jewelry.

It is dark feminine yet slightly conservative. The Sade Aesthetic leaves an air of mystery and class. 

Her look was an extension of her artistry, deeply emotional, raw, bold, and authentic. 

On TikTok and Pinterest, Sade Aesthetic taps into the same essence. As we see this trend become more popular, black admirers cannot help but notice something upsetting. The erasure of its origins, black women.  

Cultural Appropriation and Erasure of Black Influence In The Internet Fashion World  

We have seen all the carefully crafted collage videos. White, Latinx, non-black racially ambiguous women wearing the Sade Aesthetic inspired outfits on Pinterest.

TikTok style forecasters doing style breakdowns while using non-black women as a point of reference.  

This is not the first time a trend on social media has erased black influence. This has been an ongoing act of appropriation. Let us dive into the “clean girl’ aesthetic, a look originally worn by black & Latinx women in the 90’s. Described by slick back's, layered jewelry and simple outfits.

Typically, jeans and basic tops. Fast forward to today and it was completely repackaged as the clean girl aesthetic.  

We scrolled through Sade Aesthetic outfit videos and make-up tutorials hoping to find more representation.

However, the result was not favorable.  In a pool of around 30 videos, only five held imagery of black and/or black bi-racial women.

Let’s just say the trending content on the Sade Girl Aesthetic was disappointing and lackluster.  

Many of the top-ranking videos promoting the “Sade Aesthetic” makeup looks and outfits are now from non-black content creators.

Pushing this look as something new and daring without acknowledgment of its roots. As non-black creators adopt this look, like most trends hopped on, they reap rewards and praise without engaging in the cultural significance behind it.  

The irony is not surprising, the aesthetic that black women like Sade create to represent their beauty and elegance is once again being removed from blackness.

In many ways, this erasure is reflective of a deeper issue. How trends popularized by black culture get repackaged for mainstream white consumption.  

The focus shifts away from the original creators and the communities who birthed these aesthetics, while their contributions are either minimized or outright ignored. 

Why Acknowledging Black Roots in Fashion Matters 

It’s more than about credit- it's about the cultural significance that these aesthetics carry. For Black women, looking to Sade Adu as a style icon is about more than just her appearance.

It is about the pride in seeing a black woman celebrated for her natural beauty, her grace, and her effortless style. 

 It is about reclaiming a narrative in a world where black beauty is often either hypersexualized or dismissed altogether. 

When these aesthetics are co-opted by non-black creators without acknowledgment, it diminishes the importance of representation.

It suggests that the beauty and style black women have long possessed is only valuable when it is adopted by someone outside the community. That type of erasure is harmful, and it perpetuates the long-standing cycle of appropriation in fashion and beauty spaces.   

The Sade Aesthetic is undeniably captivating, but its origins should not be forgotten as the trend continues to grow.

TikTok creators and influencers need to give credit where its due and acknowledge the Black woman who pioneered the look.

Celebrating Sade Adu’s contributions to music, style and culture is not just a matter of giving credit, but also recognizing the broader cultural context that surrounds this aesthetic.  

Supporting and Celebrating Black Creators in the Sade Aesthetic

As consumers, we should also be mindful of the content we engage with. Follow Black Creators who are highlighting their own interpretations of the Sade Girl aesthetic. Educate ourselves on the cultural and historical context of these trends. And most importantly, support and amplify the voices of the Black women who continue to drive the culture forward.  

Revisit the Sade Girl Aesthetic and start to look deeper into the content to gain a more holistic perspective.

Truly engage in the comments under posts and listen first before responding. There is dialogue taking place right under the misrepresentation to try and address the issue.  

Only will acknowledgment of the trend's origins remedy the lack of black presence within the trend. So, moving forward, the imagery will reflect the Sade Aesthetic in its truth and entirety.  

In a world where trends come and go at the speed of a TikTok scroll, it is more important than ever to remember where these trends come from- and to honor the legacy of the black women who inspired them.

The Sade Aesthetic is more than just a look, it is a testament to the lasting influence of black beauty and ingenuity in fashion, and it deserves to be recognized as such.

✍️ Written by Olivia Thompson