The Psychology of Aesthetics: When Style Becomes Personality

“Appearances are not deceptive, they are revelatory”- Susan Sontag 

In today’s visual culture, aesthetics have transitioned from preferences to perceptions. What once was an indicator of taste now acts as a social language. Our styles often communicate who we are before we ever speak. From the trendy minimalist “clean girl” aesthetic to the more novel, creatively chaotic “messy person,” appearance has become a quick way for others to form impressions about our values, emotions, and personality. Rather than being shallow, these choices often reflect how people want to be seen and how they make sense of themselves. 

Philosophy states that the concept of aesthetics goes beyond the idea of beauty, also encompassing perception. Aesthetics is derived from the Greek term aisthesis, which means to perceive through the senses. Key thinkers like Immanuel Kant argued that aesthetic judgment involves both personal feeling and shared cultural understanding, meaning that what we find appealing is influenced by society and culture. This helps explain why modern aesthetics feel deeply personal yet spread so quickly online, with trends shaping both individual taste and collective ideas of what “looks right.” 

From a psychological perspective, our style acts as a social signal. Research in social and personality psychology shows that people form first impressions in seconds, often relying on visual cues such as clothing, grooming, or the way we organize our surroundings. The “clean girl” is often perceived as disciplined, organized, and reliable, while the “messy person” is often associated with creativity, openness, and spontaneity. While these impressions can be informative, they are not always accurate. Humans rely on quick judgments as a cognitive shortcut, but these assumptions can oversimplify personality. 

Aesthetics also play an important role in self-expression. People use style to communicate identity and manage impressions consciously. For instance, the cottagecore aesthetic, with its soft pastels, vintage-inspired dresses, and nature-focused imagery, allows individuals to show calm, nostalgia, and a love for simplicity. Especially for young adults, adopting a particular aesthetic offers a way to explore identity, signal values, and connect with like-minded communities. Style becomes a tool for self-definition, helping individuals communicate both to themselves and to the world who they are. It allows identity to be visible, tangible, and shared. 

At the same time, the power of aesthetics also comes with its share of pitfalls. Quick judgments based on appearances lead to stereotyping. A “clean girl” is not always perfectly organized, and a “messy person” is not necessarily careless. Following trends too rigidly can also turn self-expression into performance, limiting authenticity and autonomy. The healthiest approach is to treat aesthetics as a flexible tool rather than a rule. Style can influence how others see us and help us express identity, but it should never define us entirely. True individuality emerges when aesthetics enhance personality without letting trends dictate it.