Meaning of demure ● Demure means modest, reserved and shy. On social media, the word has slightly strayed from its meaning ● Demure can be a lifestyle choice or a way to present yourself modestly by being mindful of your surroundings ● Social media users are using the word to describe their dressing style, manners, cleaning habits or even personal boundaries ● The word ‘demure’ is also used with other words like ‘mindful, ‘cutesy’ or ‘respectful’ The story behind ‘demure’ ● The trend began gaining traction in early August when TikTok influencer Jools Lebron posted a few funny videos telling followers how to be ‘demure, modest and respectful at the workplace’. The video has been viewed over 4 million times ● Though it was Lebron’s videos that popularised the catchphrase, the word had been used previously in 2022 by other content creators as well ● Lebron uses the buzzword in her videos with a pinch of satire and a bit of a joke People’s reaction 112682701 ●Some users are sharing their experiences of being ‘demure’ and ‘mindful’ in public places, hinting at the unrealistic expectations placed on women ● People also believe that ‘demure’ is a quiet response to the ‘brat summer’ trend relating to a woman who likes to be messy, fun and loud, and note how the two trends are polar opposites ● Some users believe that the trend highlights the voice of a trans woman who finds it difficult to fit into the beauty standards set by the mainstream culture.
