What Defined the "It Girl" in Every Decade?

1900s: The Gibson Girl

At the turn of the 20th century, The Gibson Girl defined the moment. Dreamed up by illustrator Charles Dana Gibson, she was stylish and sporty. The Gibson Girl was just rebellious enough to scandalize her corseted predecessors. Real-life muses helped bring her to life: Irene Langhorne, a Southern socialite known for her wit and charm, was a direct inspiration. Evelyn Nesbit, a model whose dramatic life made her one of America's first tabloid celebrities, captured the Gibson Girl's beauty and boldness. Together, they embodied a perfect blend of elegance and energy. With piled-high hair, swooping skirts, and fierce independence, the Gibson Girl proved that being fashionable and formidable could go hand in hand.

1910s: The Edwardian Lady, The Suffragette, & The War Worker

In the 1910s, the "It Girl" had a few different faces. Early in the decade, the Edwardian Lady reigned, floating through life in flowing dresses, giant hats, and elegant empire silhouettes. As the decade wore on, styles transformed radically. Fashion wasnt just about elegance and looking pretty. As women fought for the right to vote, the Suffragette became an icon in her own right with her own style. She paired smart tailoring with bold sashes and political fire. When World War I broke out, the War Worker rose to the spotlight, trading corsets for a utilitarian look. Both the Suffragette and the War Worker proved that women could wear the trousers, too.

1920s: The Flapper

Picture it: jazz blaring, fringe flying, and a generation of women refusing to stay quiet. After centuries of corsets and rules, women in the 1920s broke free. The Flapper was a cultural earthquake in a beaded dress, redefining femininity with short hair and shorter hemlines. She smoked, she danced, she drove; she made it clear women werent going to sit quietly in the corner anymore. She was fearlessness personified. Icons like Louise Brooks and Clara Bow, who was the first to be called an It Girl, lit up the era. With her bobbed hair, bold lipstick, and love of a good party, the Flapper wasnt just a trend: she represented a whole new way of living.

1930s: The Silver Screen Siren

When the world fell into depression, Hollywood turned up the glamour. The 1930s woman didnt care about youth or rebellion; she was all about devastating elegance. Designers like Madeleine Vionnet revolutionized fashion with the bias-cut gown, creating dresses that clung and flowed like liquid light. The Siren glided across the silver screen, impossibly polished and dangerously alluring. None embodied the moment better than Marlene Dietrich, who blurred gender lines, dripped charisma, and made it clear she had no intention of playing by anyones rules - on screen or off. Whether wrapped in satin or suited up like a dashing rogue, the '30s It Girl knew how to smolder. In an era desperate for escape, she gave audiences something they couldnt look away from.

1940s: The Pin-Up Girl & The Land Girl

The 1940s was a complicated decade full of struggle and too complex for any single vibe to fit. The "It Girl" went one of two ways: glamorous or gritty. On one side, The Pin-Up Girl ruled. Stars like Rita Hayworth and Ingrid Bergman lit up movie screens and barracks walls. Satin gowns and sultry smiles became weapons of mass distraction. On the other, The Land Girl and wartime workers stepped up. They traded lipstick for overalls and proved resilience could be just as iconic. Young fashion icons like Gloria Vanderbilt kept glamour alive on the home front, but practicality became its own kind of chic. As bikinis debuted on beaches, women in trousers made their mark on city streets.

1950s: The Bombshell & The Housewife

After World War II, America was desperate for two things: comfort and control. Hollywood still had room for sultry blonde bombshells like Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield. At the same moment, a different ideal took root closer to home: the perfect suburban housewife. On one side, the Bombshell smoldered in curve-hugging dresses and platinum curls, selling dreams at the movies. On the other, the Housewife smiled in nipped-waist dresses and pearls, selling the dream of domestic bliss. Whether lighting up a billboard or a backyard barbecue, the 1950s It Girl was all about perfect presentation. But beneath the satin and smiles, both versions sold fantasies - ones often far removed from real life.

1960s: Camelots Elegant Icon & The Mod Girl

The 1960s didnt have just one "It Girl;" it had a full-blown style revolution. Early on, elegance ruled, with icons like Jacqueline Kennedy and Audrey Hepburn setting the tone. Jackie brought polished sophistication to the White House, while Audrey gave the world timeless minimalism with ballet flats, little black dresses, and gamine charm. But by mid-decade, youth culture took over. Thats when the Mod Girl stormed the scene. With her doe eyes, mini-skirts, and fearless attitude, Twiggy became the face of a new generation. She was bold, boyish, and unbothered. Mod Girls rocked sharp lines, loud prints, and looks that screamed London cool instead of Paris chic. They didnt just want to look different from their parents: they wanted to live differently too.

1970s: The Disco Diva & The Bohemian Beauty

In the 1970s, the woman of the era was either lighting up the dance floor or chilling out in a field. On one end of the spectrum, the Disco Diva ruled the night. Sequins, sky-high platforms, and larger-than-life energy defined icons like Grace Jones, whose ferocity and androgynous beauty pushed boundaries with every beat. Meanwhile, the Bohemian Beauty floated through the decade in maxi skirts, fringe vests, and natural, effortless glam. Stars like Pam Grier made it iconic - rocking afros, bold prints, and a confident, earthy style that was as powerful as it was free-spirited. Whether spinning under a glitter ball or rocking suede and denim at a festival, the '70s It Girl celebrated self-expression, liberation, and a whole lot of fabulous fashion.

1980s: The Power Woman & The Material Girl

In the '80s, style was all about making an entrance; no one was sneaking in quietly. Power dressing took over corporate America. Women donned skyscraper shoulder pads, tailored suits, and silk blouses sharp enough to double as armor. At the same time, pop culture turned up the volume. Madonnas Material Girl era threw subtlety out the window. Teen girls followed her lead, rocking corsets, layered lace, and neon excess with a wink and a snarl. Some stars, like Whitney Houston, split the difference by embracing a glamorous, polished look that shimmered without shouting. Whether closing a deal, ruling the charts, or dazzling under stadium lights, women in the '80s made one thing clear: fashion was now a power move.

1990s: The Supermodel & The Grunge Queen

Cool didnt come in just one size or one style at the end of the 20th century. Supermodels like Cindy Crawford ruled the runways and magazine covers. They channeled an almost athletic glamour with blown-out hair, bodycon dresses, and a permanent backstage pass to every exclusive party. They were polished, powerful, and seemingly untouchable. But right alongside them, a different kind of icon was taking over. Winona Ryder helped usher in the era of the Grunge Queen. Think thrift store flannels, combat boots, messy hair, and an effortless vibe that screamed, "I didnt try, and thats the point." Style in the 1990s was whatever you wanted it to be as long as you made it look effortless.

2000s: The Boho Babe

After a decade of effortless glam, fashion got messy, and that was exactly the point. The 2000s style star was the Boho Babe: think flowy tops, distressed denim, giant sunglasses, and enough fringe to start a stampede. Celebs like Sienna Miller made boho-chic feel effortlessly cool, even when it was anything but effortless. Meanwhile, Paris Hilton gave the trend her own twist, mixing laid-back California girl vibes with tabloid-ready glam. It was a high-low free-for-all where a $20 vintage vest could sit next to a $2,000 designer bag - and somehow, it worked. The 2000s were all about looking like you woke up fabulous (even if it took hours to pull it off).

2010s: The Tumblr Girl

Before TikTok ruled the internet, there was Tumblr, and it created a whole new kind of style star. The Tumblr Girl aesthetic blended moody minimalism, indie grunge, and a hint of soft rebellion. Oversized flannels, chokers, ripped jeans, and Doc Martens were practically mandatory. These lewks were always paired with carefully curated selfies in perfect lighting. She wasn't chasing mainstream trends: she was curating a vibe. From pastel hair to sharp winged eyeliner, the Tumblr Girl made personal style feel like an art project you posted online for the world to admire. Long before "aesthetic" became a buzzword, she proved that the right outfit could be a whole mood.

2020s: That Girl

Effortless isnt really effortless, but that hasnt stopped anyone from chasing the illusion. "That Girl" became the new style blueprint: polished, hyper-organized, and living a life straight off a Pinterest board. Her look leans minimalist, built around dewy skin, slicked-back buns, and gold hoops. Her look is a nod to the Clean Girl aesthetic that swept through TikTok. Stars like Taylor Swift, especially in her Midnights era, captured the vibe: calm, curated, and quietly unstoppable. With the decade only halfway through, the trend cycle is already picking up speed. Whether the future swings back toward maximalist chaos or keeps things muted, the real flex is making it look easy, and making it look like you.

Which decade's 'It Girl' vibe would you rock? Which one would you run from? Let us know in the comments below!