Christian Girl Autumn

Christian Girl Autumn
Caitlin Covington wearing typical CGA fashion and drinking Starbucks.
Other names	CGA
Decade of origin	Late 2010s
Coined by	@lasagnabby (Isabella Tortorelli) on Twitter
Key motifs	Pumpkin spice lattes, chunky knit scarves, pumpkin patches, falling leaves, UGG boots
Key colours	Warm neutrals (beige, cream, tan, brown), earth tones, maroon, burnt orange
Key values	Comfort, coziness, tradition, nostalgia, simple pleasures, curated domesticity
Related aesthetics	Autumn Aesthetic Basic White Girl Cinnamon Girl Normcore VSCO Girl
Iconic figures	Caitlin Covington, Emily Gemma

Christian Girl Autumn is an aesthetic that gained prominence in 2019. It is defined by a highly curated and idealized vision of the autumn season, encompassing a specific fashion style, a palette of warm, neutral colors, and a set of cozy, traditional fall activities.

The aesthetic originated as a viral Twitter meme that initially served to mock a perceived stereotype of "basic" white women. However, the term evolved and was largely reclaimed after the real-life influencer pictured in the meme, Caitlin Covington, embraced the title and became its public face.

History

The original viral tweet that initiated the trend.

The phrase "Christian Girl Autumn" was coined on August 9, 2019, when a Twitter user named Isabella Tortorelli (@lasagnabby) posted a 2017 photo of two bloggers, Caitlin Covington and Emily Gemma. The photo, which depicted the women in matching fall outfits with large scarves and perfectly styled hair, was captioned, "Hot Girl Summer is coming to an end, get ready for Christian Girl Autumn 🍂😍."

The tweet went viral, and the image quickly became a meme used to stereotype the women and the archetype they appeared to represent. Users made assumptions about their political beliefs, presuming they were conservative, homophobic, and embodied a form of "political myopia."

The narrative shifted when the women in the photograph were identified and their actual views became public. Covington clarified that she was not a Republican and was a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. In 2020, she famously donated $500 to the GoFundMe for Tortorelli's gender transition. Following this, Covington leaned into the meme, embracing her role as the "queen of fall" and turning the aesthetic into a significant part of her personal brand, with an annual "return" that is anticipated by her followers.

Cultural Significance

Beyond the initial mockery, the appeal of Christian Girl Autumn lies in its projection of an aspirational lifestyle. The aesthetic represents a form of comforting nostalgia and an escape into simple pleasures. It is often described as a "safe place" from the anxieties of the modern world, exuding a sense of "effortless happiness" and wholesome, traditional comfort.

The aesthetic's immense popularity also highlights the commercialization of seasonal trends. Covington's status as the face of Christian Girl Autumn has led to numerous brand collaborations with companies like Walmart and Abercrombie & Fitch, who partner with her to market fall collections that align with the aesthetic she popularizes.

Visual Aesthetic

The visual identity of Christian Girl Autumn is a highly polished and picture-perfect vision of fall. It is set against idyllic backdrops such as pumpkin patches, corn mazes, or forests with vibrant, falling leaves. A key prop within the aesthetic is a seasonal coffee drink, almost always a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks, which is often featured prominently in photos. The aesthetic is warm, clean, and heavily curated for social media platforms like Instagram ("Instagrammeable") and Pinterest.

Fashion

The fashion of Christian Girl Autumn is defined by its coziness and adherence to a specific "uniform." The central garment is a chunky knit sweater or cardigan, typically in a warm, earthy, or neutral color. This is most often paired with skinny jeans and ankle boots, with UGGs being the most iconic footwear choice. The single most recognizable accessory is an oversized, plaid "blanket" scarf. Hair is typically long, dyed in a natural color, and styled into perfect, loose waves or "barrel curls," while makeup remains moderate and natural-looking.

Gallery

Chanel Oberlin from Scream Queens ordening a pumpkin spice latte