It’s been a long (and wild) Brat Girl Summer. But now? We’re getting modest, we’re getting respectful – we’re getting demure. In recent days, the “very demure, very mindful” trend has taken over the internet.
According to Merriam-Webster, reserved refers to a person who is modest and reserved. According to the internet? Being reserved is a state of mind, a lifestyle choice, and a way of being. It’s cute, it’s dainty, it means not doing too much (but just the right amount). Think of a polite female cough at a dinner party – noticeable, maybe a little cute, but not disturbing. Social media users are using the term to describe this photo of President Dwight D. Eisenhower – need we say more?
It all started with a satirical TikTok video that went viral, created by self-proclaimed “wild diva” Jools Lebron, that advises women to present themselves conservatively in the workplace. “See how I do my makeup for work? Very modest. Very mindful,” Lebron says in the video. “I’m very modest. I’m very mindful. See my shirt? Just a little chee chee out, not my cho cho. Remember why they hired you.”
The tongue-in-cheek TikTok has over 13 million views and has grown into a full-blown series. Lebron soon began sharing more videos about how to be demure in different situations. In one, she shows herself very demurely picking up her ID at the bar: “Very demure. Very attentive. I don’t come to the bar and get a drink. I come, get my ID and leave.”
Other YouTubers were quick to jump on the modesty bandwagon. One person showed her followers “how to stay modest and take your antidepressants,” and another video shows how to be mindful while eating pizza. Wondering how to be modest after leaving a one-night stand? There’s a video for that, too.
Yes – “very understated, very mindful” is also a design philosophy. To achieve this, think understated elegance with a touch of playfulness. Soft color palettes that whisper rather than scream, carefully chosen accessories, pretty furniture that isn’t too flashy. It’s understated, but not dead inside. And because we’re very conscious of why you’re here, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite spaces that are so understated (with just a little bit of kitsch).
Discreet guest toilet
A powder room is generally understated. This powder room, designed by the firm Le Whit for designer Christina Wang, is VERY understated with its chic but understated palette of blush tones and tiled floor. It’s no surprise that this mindful look was inspired by Phoebe Philo’s shops for Céline.
Playful entrance area
On the fourth most expensive street in the world, interior designer Georgia Tapert Howe puts a premium on first impressions with this stunning entrance. It’s a gentle nod to playfulness, but still remains perfectly balanced and understated. It’s very… can you guess what I’m about to write?
Cute rose room
We can’t get enough of this vibrant Los Angeles home designed by ELLE DECOR star Tiffany Howell for writer-director Mara Brock Akil. Very cute, very demure, or as Jools Lebron says, very “demure.”
Living room in soft pink
So chic! Carly Cushnie’s goal for her first interior design project was to create a “clean, calm and relaxing space.” Very thoughtful of her. See those clean lines and subtle curves? Very understated. We’re impressed!
Sophisticated children’s room
“With its soft tones and plenty of curves, this Manhattan apartment is the definition of elegance,” wrote our (very attentive) interior designer Bebe Howorth of this space designed by Husband Wife. It’s sweet, it has personality, but not too much—it’s very understated.
Chic walk-in closet
The ELEGANCE. It’s easy to go overboard with a walk-in closet, but this one – designed by French designer Pierre Gonalons – is very well thought out. It’s the perfect reminder to be very conservative when getting dressed (no cho cho out, of course).
Feminine fabrics
Designer Anne McDonald was understated before understated was cool. This feminine and refreshingly chic master bedroom completely charmed us with its understated vibe. (Or should we say Dreamsecure?)
Dreamy terrace by the pool
“We want a place where we can nap anywhere,” the owners of this Long Island summer home told designer Melissa Lee. With low-slung pool loungers and fringed umbrellas, we could be mindful all day long.
Walnut wobbly bed
The custom “walnut wobble” headboard in this New York apartment, designed by Cochineal Design, adds just the right amount of personality to the room without being too extravagant. You could say it’s very mindful.
Mindful living room
All-star design duo Ashe Leandro was very thoughtful with this living room, combining organic shapes with an original mantel. So clean, so fresh, so very you-know-what!
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