Has Aesthetic Pleasure Gone Too Far? An Exploration of Minimalism and the Colourless Childhood

By Bethany Dowell

At the age of six, a typical outfit for me consisted of a Peppa Pig T-shirt, paired with a flowing skirt. Complimenting that, I would wear clashing tights and plastic pink Disney Princess shoes. Upon reflection, I cringe at these incongruous patterns, graphics, and textures. Regardless, each mismatched item had a charm that sparked pride in my questionable yet personal fashion choices that gave me a sense of independence.  

Entering adulthood, the responsibility and dread of buying Christmas gifts for my younger cousins had dawned upon me. Each year, I’m confronted with the same issue: children’s products have become dull, muted, and uninspiring. After hours of wandering Princes Street in Edinburgh for `my last-minute Christmas shopping, I can’t help but feel deflated when I leave with nothing more exciting than a set of sage green pyjamas and a box of chocolates.  

It's undeniable that neutral colours, such as beige, taupe, and brown, are currently taking the world by storm, especially in the fashion and homeware world, evoking a pristine and clean image. While strutting to the Main Library in a curated ‘clean’ outfit subconsciously aids my motivation during deadline season, there is the question of whether it’s possible to eradicate certain shades from our lives for the sake of maintaining a particular aesthetic. This is especially contentious when considering the future of childhood, where we should ask ourselves if aesthetic pleasure is more important than an unfiltered and evocative upbringing, one full of colour to spark creativity and joy for a child that they can reflect on fondly just as we do.  

Graphic designer Natalie Meldrum, who founded the brand Pretty Brave, emphasises the crucial role colours play in child development. For example, vibrant colours can be stimulating and energising, while muted tones can be calming, encouraging a healthy mixture of intensity and calming hues, which aids active recall. Therefore, vivid and mellow colours are productive to a child’s development, however, only in equal measure.  

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On TikTok, the “Sad Beige Mom” aesthetic, a term created by Hayley DeRoche, has been both glorified and critiqued. While some users enjoy the satisfaction of a child and their parent matching outfits, others have noted the lack of vibrancy in a child’s life. Despite this, it’s unfair to judge someone else’s lifestyle. Most likely, inspiration has stemmed from pop culture icons such as Kim Kardashian, whose household is renowned for its “expensive” look, with beige furniture compactly fitted into the orchestrated corners of the house to resemble a film set.   

What must be noted is that those we take inspiration from in forming our aesthetics most likely have the time and resources to construct their lavish clothing and homes, with a full PR team advising their social media presence; therefore, we don’t have access to their unfiltered lifestyles, which most likely have colour and mess permeating through real-life experiences. Arguably, while it is true that elements of “the sad beige mom” can be incorporated into reality, attaining this aesthetic constantly while raising a child is unrealistic. While a white sofa may look chic, it only takes one muddy afternoon outdoors for a child to leave it splattered and stained. Therefore, aspiring for an aesthetic is one thing, but living within a strict colour palette is impossible, especially when childhood doesn’t unfold in neutral colours.  

Ultimately, everyone is indeed entitled to live and parent as they choose; however, it can be unproductive and damaging to glorify the polished images presented to us online. Colour and chaos are a part of life, and children need them to co-exist with mellowness for learning and development. Thus, in moderation, minimalist and clean parenting can operate effectively; however, it’s essential to remember that a desired aesthetic isn’t more important than the excitement and mayhem involved in growing up. Ultimately, beige may appear sleek, but it’s the richness of colour that makes a childhood unforgettable.