What Is a Material Girl?

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A closer look at the phrase “material girl” and what it means to be one
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Ah, material girl ...thanks to TikTok, it’s so much more than just a Madonna or Saucy Santana song lyric. But what exactly does it mean, and how did the term start trending in the first place? We’ve got all the answers to all your questions, including how you can live your very best material girl life (we are living in a material world, after all). Keep scrolling to get the inside scoop!

Things You Should Know

  • “Material girls” are people who really love luxurious things, and love to brag about some of their high-end treasures.
  • The “material girl” TikTok trend started in 2021 featuring Saucy Santana’s song of the same name. A different “material girl” trend surfaced in 2023, featuring Madonna’s song.
  • Channel your inner material girl by loading up your wardrobe with bright pinks and pastels, along with fancy accessories (like diamonds and pearls, knock-off or otherwise).
Section 1 of 3:

What does it mean to be a material girl?

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    Material girls like…well, material things! They put a lot of value on their physical possessions, and like to let everyone know exactly what they have. [1] Material girls are seen by some as stubborn and tenacious—they have their sights set on what they want, and they aren’t afraid to do whatever it takes to reach out and grab it.
    • The term “material girl” comes from the iconic 1984 Madonna hit of the same name, though it’s received more recent publicity thanks to Saucy Santana’s 2020 track “Material Girl.” [2]
    • The term “material gworl” has also gained popularity because of the way Saucy Santana raps the phrase in his song. [3]
    • The phrase “material girl” applies to everyone, including “material boys”—your gender identity is irrelevant.
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Section 2 of 3:

Material Girl Trends on TikTok

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    Using a bass-boosted version of Saucy Santana’s track, some users take the time to treat themselves to something nice or to brandish all of the expensive things they have. Other TikTokers take a more sardonic approach by showing off items they have that are decidedly not high-end (like inexpensive clothes, a practical car, etc.). [4]
    • This TikTok trend first started taking off in late 2021 when a Roblox TikToker made a post featuring an edited, bass-boosted clip of Saucy Santana’s track.
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    In their posts, TikTokers feature a video of their middle-aged or older parents currently, along with the caption, “My mom/dad said she rejected dozens of guys/girls in her day. I didn’t believe her/him until…” After, the TikTok features attractive photos of the parent back when they were a young adult. A clip from Madonna’s “Material Girl” plays in the background for all these videos. [5]
    • This TikTok trend started getting more traction in early 2023.
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Section 3 of 3:

How to Be a Material Girl

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    Do you have a pair of Louis Vuitton loafers sitting in your closet, or a Chanel bag just waiting to be perched on your arm for your next shopping trip? Being a material girl is about showing off all the lovely, high-end items you have—so, don’t be afraid to flaunt everything, whether you do it in person or on TikTok.
    • You might dress up in your Armani button-up with some straight-leg Armani trousers, or show off the luxury sports car chilling in your driveway.
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    Material girls are sure of themselves and know exactly what they want in life—and most importantly, they aren’t afraid to do whatever it takes to get it. In the coming days and weeks, put your most confident foot forward as you take charge a little bit more in your day-to-day routine.
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    A pastel color palette gives off an undeniably sophisticated, refined, and stylish vibe, which are essential qualities of any material girl. Bright pink garments (like a chic blouse or skirt) also pass the vibe check for any material girlies out there. [6]
    • You might match a pastel blazer with some pastel pumps and your favorite pair of shorts.
    • Make heads turn at your next formal event by slipping into a long pastel or pink dress, along with some eye-catching shoes.
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    Accessorize with a pair of heart-shaped sunglasses . Nothing captures the confidence and charm of a material girl quite like the right pair of sunglasses. A set of heart-shaped glasses propped above your hairline can really sell the idea that you’re a material girl living in a material world. [7]
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    Nothing spells luxury like diamonds and pearls, but it’s totally understandable if you don’t have a lot of cash to spare on expensive accessories. Not to worry—complete your material girl look with a convincing string of fake pearls and diamond jewelry. Finish off your look with an expensive-looking purse (bonus points if it’s a designer brand). [8]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.distractify.com/p/what-does-material-girl-mean-tiktok
      2. ↑ https://www.thecut.com/2022/06/saucy-santana-on-what-every-material-girl-needs.html
      3. ↑ https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/material-gworl
      4. ↑ https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/material-gworl
      5. ↑ https://www.intheknow.com/post/material-girl-tiktok-trend/
      6. ↑ https://jamomagazine.com/how-to-become-a-material-girl/
      7. ↑ https://jamomagazine.com/how-to-become-a-material-girl/
      8. ↑ https://jamomagazine.com/how-to-become-a-material-girl/

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