Tomato Girl Summer vs. AI Slop

What this summer's most wholesome trend tells us about what people want to see

I love a good trend, especially ones that gain so much momentum it becomes a part of art, food, fashion, and all aspects of pop-culture. 

While last summer, we saw Gen Z brands embracing Brat summer with the iconic neon green and throw backs to indie sleeze club culture, this summer is much more wholesome… almost to an extreme. It’s the summer for laid-back fashion, no makeup makeup, paper books, and digital cameras, all thanks to one fruit that represents the latest aspirational lifestyle. The Tomato. 

Tomato candles, tomato manicures, and a tomato cocktail for every spirit like the vodka tomato-tini, cherry tomato margarita, and the tomato spritz. 

If you haven’t heard of Tomato Girl Summer yet, it’s all over the newsfeed and one of the most telling signs that the definition of luxury is changing and our relationship with technology is ever so complicated.

It’s the antithesis of AI slop, a refreshing, nostalgic, reminder that there’s nothing more chic than a quick trip to the farmer’s market and a picnic blanket with friends all captured on your digi (digital camera for those who don’t know). Mother Nature is our greatest luxury and the ultimate connector for family, friends, summer romances, and all types of serendipitous experiences.

So how did we get here… 

Many culture writers say Erewhon has been the global catalyst that turned food into a highly sought after luxury good starting with in-store only items like the Hailey Bieber $17 Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie, which perfectly compliments her billion dollar beauty empire and its glazing products (like the donut) and color shades like date cake, toasted teddy, PB&J, and other sweet, nostalgic flavors.

Erewhon has become a travel destination for domestic and overseas luxury lovers much like visiting Harrods in London or Colette in Paris during its twenty year run. Each location is loved by locals equally as much as tourists, which makes a Sunday afternoon shop feel like something you’d read on @overheardLA. You’re there to see and to be seen, notoriously by the hot foods bar if you’re single.

But, there’s so much more emotionally and societally at play when it comes to understanding Tomato Girl Summer, it’s escapism during a time when young people are still grappling with the change in political leadership, the ongoing genocide in Gaza, endless doomscrolling and fake news, economic instability with fewer internships and entry-level jobs, and not to mention this generation felt the most isolated during the pandemic with no traditional sense of in-person school, celebratory events like prom, and carefree summers. We can all agree, it’s time to collectively “touch grass” this summer.

Tomato Girl Summer is the aesthetic equivalent of a European summer for girlies on any budget, it’s reading a paper book in the park for the intellectual girlies who love Kaia Gerber’s virtual book club, a cute picnic date for the romantics, a savory summer cocktail for the girls aspiring to be a modern Martha Stewart after seeing her documentary, and a creative way to tap into the extreme highs and lows of fashion today — it’s 90s dad shorts from Depop and new statements piece from Lisa Says Gah, Staud, or Loewe if you’re ready to fully commit to the trend. 

So what does this mean in the era of AI… 

One of the most fascinating juxtapositions right now on social media is the oh- nah-tuh-rel aesthetic that’s the culture of the moment. It’s about connection, authenticity, and using the internet as a scrapbook to remember magical offline moments with friends. This is the opposite of what we’re seeing with AI slop that’s cartoonish and mostly based on tired stereotypes. Its goal is cheap clicks and even more brain rot, not human connection.

If anything I think we’ll see more people fight back against AI Slop this summer and ChatGPT will continue to be even the most offline Tomato Girl’s therapist, stylist, life coach, and quiet confidant, who like any bff is there to give you advice whenever you need her.