Oh, Utah. A state of salt lakes, beautiful landscapes and… Mormons. As a place, many overlook it as a jumble of the Midwest regions. However, in the online sphere, Utah has been marking its territory in an unexpected way.
The infamous “Utah Fit Check” is a term that’s been floating around TikTok recently. It involves a very specific type of person and outfit that always originates from Utah. What styles are they trying to emulate? Why have they become so infamous in those outfits? And more importantly…why Utah?
Halfway Trendy
At first glance, a “Utah outfit” may seem trendy.
A pair of baggy jorts or jeans, paired with a smaller shirt and a chain necklace. From just the description, these outfits seem inoffensive enough. However, the “Utah fit check” doesn’t get any attention for just being “inoffensive.” So how did they gain such an unsavory reputation?
Starting with the pants, the bottoms of these outfits often err on the side of the extreme. Baggy silhouettes in pants, such as the barrel jean or all things wide-legged, have been having a comeback. As the 90s and early 2000s have experienced a revival in pop culture, fashion trends are also reflecting these decades. However, many people criticize how far the Utah fit check takes this silhouette.
Often paired with a cropped or slim-fitting shirt, this silhouette is highlighted in an even starker contrast.
In some outfits, a button-up shirt is also often paired with baggy pants. This style has origins in Japanese street fashion, something also viewed as trendy. As an intersection between formal wear and casual wear, the contrast of these outfits is what makes them more appealing. The boys and girls of Utah obviously have inspired tastes that often align with the trends of the current generation, but where do they fall short?
A State of No Style
Some commenters online have mentioned that it’s not just what goes into the outfit, but what goes on around it.
These fit checks are often filmed inside gas stations or other insane locations. The hairstyles are often all shades of blonde or bronde, a brown and blonde mix. A crimped S-shaped wave defines a girl’s hair, while a curly mop top is common on boys. Although inspired by baggy street styles, none of the excessive accessorizing with belts, rings or jewelry seems to be present.
These outfits, while trendy, tend to lack a sense of character. While the clothes themselves have urban origins, the contrasting, almost rural surroundings make them feel jarring. While a silhouette may be bold in its extremity, it can also be something that looks disproportionate on a body type.
Finally, the seemingly absurd location of Utah might just be the cherry on top of this fashion disaster. Of course, there’s no harm in any of these people dressing this way, especially as most of them are teenagers just beginning to explore their fashion sense. However, the almost middle-of-nowhere attributes and remoteness of Utah create a jarring contrast that many people online have latched onto. Whether it’s a way to break the mold or stand out from their state’s conservative styles, Utah’s online reputation has now forever been changed by just a few outfits.
Tag us on Instagram, @VALLEYmag, with pics of your attempts at a Utah fit check!
