Lana Del Rey is arguably the most influential artist of this generation; not only for her beautiful songs but for her persona. Patriotism in women did not begin with a love for our country, but rather, a love for what Rey stood for.
Her Persona
The American singer-songwriter rose to fame around the early 2010s, with notable songs such as “Video Games” and “Born to Die.” Quickly, her presence became something completely brand new. Her inspiration for her music is directly derived from 1950s-1970s aesthetics, glamorizing working-class America. Her music videos feature lots of elements of these themes, adding to her music as well as her character as an artist.
Her lyrics have been known to be controversial, with critics arguing she tends to romanticize components such as drug abuse and grooming. However, her art has been a way of conveying struggles teenage women may have faced. Rey’s appearance as a Tumblr icon in the 2010s encouraged girls to accept these feelings, not as a norm, but as an honest American teenage experience.
Her Fashion
Rey’s characterization of outfits can be described as the “coquette aesthetic,” which can be defined as a hyper-feminine style with sweet and romantic elements. Although in her earliest times as an artist there was more of an “American” idealization of the coquette trends, her outfits when performing are anything but flashy in the best possible way.
Types of outfits included in this aesthetic include ripped jeans or jean shorts, graphic tank tops, heart-shaped sunglasses and 1960s makeup. Rey exemplifies a fresh but familiar type of icon that pays tribute to a true American dream.
Her sense of fashion swings depending on the occasion; one day, she could be walking around town in a flowy dress, the next, she could be performing on stage in a tank top and jeans. Rey doesn’t speak through her outfit choices but through her confidence: A message all women can take in stride.
With a cigarette in one hand and a microphone in the other, Lana Del Rey is the definition of a shameless beauty. Since the 2010s, Rey has not only given us beautiful music with soft yet powerful vocals, but also a sense of style that shaped us one way or another. Whether you are a newbie to her music or a die-hard fan, it’s important to remember your roots and pay tribute to our American icon.
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