Thanks to the smash hit of Charli XCX's latest film, we're coming off a sassy summer and ready to jump on another social media trend. Join TikTok as the “very subdued” movement takes off this fall. We'll break down what it means and give you tips on how to navigate it.
If you look up the word “demure” in the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, you'll find that it is defined as “an adjective often used to describe a modest, quiet, well-behaved, and demure woman.” As for etymology, the origin of the word is unclear, but it is believed to have first appeared in English dictionaries in the mid-14th century.
In modern parlance, the meaning of “being very discreet” has remained mostly the same, but the context in which it's used has definitely changed, especially for anyone who's been scrolling through TikTok lately.
Gone is the “cheeky” summer, and a “very modest” fall is here
In an unexpected turn from the almost anarchic irreverence of being “so Julia-like” in a lime green T-shirt, social media users are now publicly proclaiming themselves, as the cast of Bridgerton put it, to be the embodiment of this new buzzword.
It's all thanks to none other than TikTok star Jules Lebron, whose “very understated, very mindful” approach to every aspect of her life has sparked a new wave of adoring fans. This is best exemplified in a recent video in which Lebron talks about appropriate makeup for interviews: “Have you seen me wear makeup to work? Very understated, very mindful.”
No Patty or Selma or Marge Simpson, because the goal here is to exude modesty. “I don't come to work with green eyebrows. I don't look like a clown when I go to work. I don't overdo it. I'm very mindful when I'm at work. You see how well-groomed I am? How I look when I come to an interview is how I look when I go to work,” she adds. So, essentially, “very modest” means the polar opposite of loud, bratty behavior.
Jolly Nee
#fyp #modest
♬ Original Sound – Jules Lebron
With over 12 million views since it was first uploaded, Revlon's modesty advice has spawned a veritable etiquette guide covering all the occasions when you can be as modest as possible, whether that be when applying deodorant (smelling nice is a basic requirement) or when you're in Las Vegas (don't serve lemonade with a bottle of vodka).
All this coincides perfectly with the emergence of the Coquette Movement and Babygirlism, and if you don't know what these phrases mean, then a separate explanation is needed.
Jolly Nee
#fyp #modest
♬ Original Sound – Jules Lebron
Of course, this is all in the name of good humor, but if you want to know how to go about life a little more modestly, mindfully, and gracefully, here are some tips from experts in modern etiquette for X.
How to be “very modest” – some tips
1. Always maintain a modest demeanor, no matter what the situation.
When I'm about to jump to conclusions, I remember to be elegant and reserved. pic.twitter.com/eVRD5uJ5NB
— Meech (@MediumSizeMeech) August 11, 2024
2. Drinks like club soda are very mild.
See how Rory is so reserved? pic.twitter.com/bE91AZRySy
— Netflix (@netflix) August 12, 2024
3. Sitting cross-legged, as internet baby girl Jacob Elordi demonstrates here, is the height of modesty.
Very modest and very caring pic.twitter.com/BK95XekExd
— ؘ (@taysrussells) August 12, 2024
4. Being modest takes effort. So be brave.
Stand up and be humble
Nobody seems to want to be mindful these days. pic.twitter.com/Dbo8UaKNRL
— Rap Game Ina Garten (@KaraBTweets) August 13, 2024
5. They have very modest impulse control and self-esteem.
Can you see why I haven't texted that guy in weeks? So thoughtful, so unassuming, so sweet.
— ☆彡 (@Harryssfw) August 12, 2024
6. Calm and polite, BLACKPINK's Lisa knows how to exude understated elegance
Check out how she drives a car sober…very discreet https://t.co/w4O8h4mIut
— Freddie (@jentiecult) August 12, 2024
7. The grace and attitude? Shawn Mendes is a natural.
Very modest. Very considerate. pic.twitter.com/wStOl6qoq3
— Noah (@Nwnysb) August 10, 2024
(Main and featured images courtesy of Lifestyle Asia Singapore)
This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Singapore.
The information in this article is accurate as of the publication date.
