Remember when bling and bedazzled looks were all the rage in the 2000s? Well, they’re making a comeback, and with a new name, too: “whimsy-maxxing.”  From charm-covered bags and colorful accessories to playful outfits and quirky home décor, whimsy-maxxing is all about embracing life’s fun, fanciful side. But unlike the maximalist trends of the early 2000s, this new movement isn’t just about covering everything in rhinestones.

First things first: What does “Whimsy” really mean?

If you look up the word in a dictionary, “whimsy” is the quality or state of being whimsical or fanciful. To stretch it out a bit further, it’s associated with being playful, imaginative, and unusually charming. So using it in the context of “maxxing” something to achieve or prioritize fun, allowing yourself to enjoy things without needing a practical reason for doing so, isn’t so far off. 

What is whimsy-maxxing?

“Whimsy-maxxing” encourages people to seek out things that are spirited, unexpected, nostalgic, colorful, or simply make them happy—in short, things that are whimsical. 

Meanwhile, the “maxxing” part comes from internet slang, where adding “-maxxing” to a word generally means optimizing or going all-in on that particular thing. You may have encountered terms like “looksmaxxing,” for example, which refers to making an effort to improve one’s appearance.

With whimsy-maxxing, however, the goal isn’t necessarily to become more attractive, productive, or successful. It’s simply to make life a little more fun.

What makes “whimsy-maxxing” different from the obsession with bedazzled looks 20 years ago?

At first glance, whimsy-maxxing may seem like the 2000s all over again. After all, the Y2K era had no shortage of rhinestones, glitter, sequins, charms, butterfly motifs, colorful accessories, statement bags, and anything else that could catch the light. It’s when bedazzling was a lifestyle. But there’s an important distinction that we have to point out here.

The early-2000s obsession with bling was heavily influenced by fashion trends and celebrity culture. Perhaps you remember the OG “It Girls,” Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie? Yeah, the goal was often to look glamorous, trendy, or visibly expensive.

If you’re a millennial, you surely had rhinestone-studded jeans or tracksuits (hello, Juicy Couture), logo-heavy accessories, crystal-encrusted phones (plus points if it was a Motorola Razr), and anything else that screamed “look at me.”

Whimsy maxxing cares less about looking expensive or following a particular aesthetic. Instead, it’s about personal expression and joy. Your whimsical item doesn’t have to be fashionable, luxurious, or even conventionally attractive. In fact, part of the appeal is choosing something because it feels delightfully weird or uniquely you.

A charm-covered tote bag isn’t necessarily meant to show off how much you spent. It might simply contain tiny objects that remind you of your favorite things.

Why is “whimsy-maxxing” getting a bad rep?

As with virtually every internet trend, whimsy-maxxing has also attracted its fair share of criticism. One of the biggest complaints is that something as simple as being playful has been turned into yet another aesthetic trend to buy into. Suddenly, enjoying colorful clothes, trinkets, accessories, and cute objects can feel like something you need to purchase in order to participate. And that can quickly turn a wholesome idea into another form of consumerism.

There’s also another side to “whimsy-maxxing” that critics like to call “landfill-maxxing.” Concerns have been raised regarding the pointless use of plastic rhinestones and glitter on virtually anything whimsy-maxxers have decided to sparkle-bomb. Being whimsical should not equate to being wasteful.

Ultimately, if whimsy is supposed to be about doing things simply because they make you happy, there’s no need to spend a lot of money trying to achieve the look or actively contribute to the spike in consumerist waste. 

Is there a right way to go about “whimsy?”

There isn’t exactly a rulebook for whimsy, and that’s a good thing. The best way to approach the trend is to think beyond the aesthetic and focus on what genuinely makes you happy. If you want to get your whimsy on, don’t pay too much attention to what you have to buy or get to look whimsical. Instead, ask yourself, “What little things make ordinary days more enjoyable?” The answer is entirely up to you, of course. Just keep in mind that whimsy doesn’t need to be expensive, excessive, or approved by anyone else.

What are some ways to add a little more whimsy to your life?

Here are some ideas you can definitely try to bring a little more whimsy to your life:

• Wear a different sock on each foot.
• Mend or customize a piece of clothing with patches or another piece of fabric without worrying if your stitches look clean or even (imperfections are part of the charm!)
• Take the longer, more scenic route home.
• Snap random photos of things you encounter while on a walk.
• Use your fanciest plate for an ordinary meal at home.
• Take a moment to watch clouds drift in the sky.
• Experiment with the least-used shade on your makeup palette to create a new look.
• Build a fort with pillows and blankets in your bedroom and sleep in it. 
• Intentionally wear a mismatched pair of pajamas while you’re at it. 
• Pretend you’re a food critic and write down notes as you have your lunch at the school or office cafeteria. 
• Play some Christmas tunes before the “ber” months. 
• Write fun little notes addressed to yourself and stick them to your baon. 
• Take a day off from work to do whatever you want for a day. 
• Have dessert before the main course.
• Eat breakfast food for dinner.
• Collect stickers from the fruit you eat (also helps keep track of your fruit intake!)
• Make up stories about strangers you see at a café (quietly, of course.)
• Create a playlist for your current main character era.
• Check out your parents’ wardrobe for pieces you can wear. 
• Try a new haircut the next time you get one.
• Wear your favorite outfit on an extremely ordinary day.
• Dot your desk with origami “pets.” 
• Make zines and leave them in public places for others to enjoy. 
• Or, if you knit or crochet, make tiny stuffed creatures to leave in random spots to cheer up strangers.
• Wear a vintage ensemble while doing your usual supermarket run. 
• Learn how to fly a kite.
• Make a bouquet for yourself.
• Organize a “no reason” photoshoot with your friends.
• Build something out of cardboard destined for recycling.
• Give yourself a completely unnecessary but fun challenge, like finding five heart shapes during your walk.

How do you bring some whimsy into your life? Share your tips with us in the comments!

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