DEEP DIVE

Many popular social media teen stereotypes and archetypes have both ‘boy versions’ and ‘girl versions.’ There are eGirls and eBoys; gamer boys and gamer girls; soft bois and soft girls; and now VSCO girls and VSCO boys.

Less widespread or definitive than the term VSCO girl, a VSCO boy is someone who either uses VSCO, matches the aesthetics of the VSCO app, could be considered a VSCO boyfriend, or who is a male version of a VSCO girl.

Urban Dictionary defines the term as a “boy version of a VSCO girl” who “wears white vans with Nike shorts and vineyard vines [sic].” Other styles associated with this trend include Apple Watches, hoodies, shell necklaces, bracelets, scrunchies, and Hydroflasks.

According to Joey Pescatore (@joeypescatore_), who could be considered a VSCO boy himself, the VSCO trend is becoming “more equally split in terms of gender” as more boys use the app and “put their own spin” on its aesthetics.  He noted that TikTok likely has something to do with the trend’s increasing gender diversification.

When “VSCO” is used by Gen Z-ers as an adjective, it can be used to describe a variety of things. As boys adapt this term and style for their own application, they are forming a new trend with similarities to VSCO girls, in addition to distinct and unique aspects and characteristics.

On Instagram, the hashtag #VSCOboys has been tagged almost 10,000 times. On TikTok, one of the places this trend is most visible, videos with the hashtag have been viewed over 50,000 times. One popular TikTok video format is a sort of “how-to video” where boys show how they match their style to the VSCO trend. As the VSCO girl trend grows and as more boys use VSCO and/or adopt VSCO styles themselves, there will likely be more related content.