What is the "Hot girl walking" style?

Let's learn about the "Hot girl walk" style that is making waves.

Like many trends and media that are now ingrained in our cultural consciousness, the “hot girl walk” (HGW) movement was born out of the collective nightmare that is the COVID-19 pandemic. Its originator, TikTok user Mia Lind, also known as @exactlyliketheothergirls, first shared the term in 2021 and since then, the phenomenon has only grown. The hashtag #hotgirlwalk has garnered 879 million views on the app alone.

After the lockdown, many of us started taking these long walks to get out of the house, to escape – literally and figuratively – the confines of quarantine, while watching our favorite media or chatting (socially distanced) with friends and family.

The idea of walking for miles while listening to your favorite podcast, calling a friend, or just going outside isn’t exactly mind-blowing, but it’s the intentionality that sets this hot girl walk apart from the leisurely strolls we’re used to. As @exactlyliketheothergirls explained in her original TikTok, hot girl walking is different from other forms of walking because of the three specific things you’re allowed to think about while you’re walking: your goals, gratitude, and of course, your hot, youthful beauty. In other words, it’s a time to look inward, reflect, and empower yourself.

"Hot girl walk" has become a completely genuine trend, becoming an indispensable term in the Internet vocabulary and even a commercial success.

What was once seen as an escape from the mental stresses of quarantine has quickly become a full-fledged lifestyle. The phenomenon has taken on a whole new dimension for many. Rather than an outlet for mental health, some see it as a form of exercise—focusing on physical transformation—while others use it as a form of socializing, meeting friends on their girl walks. Even women who previously felt unsafe walking alone have started walking with girl groups, finding safety and friendship in each other. It’s a practice that empowers everyone. Empowerment comes in many forms, just like walking, so lace up your shoes and go girl walking yourself.

Interestingly, like many concepts that the 2020s have called their own, we’ve seen the hot girl walk throughout pop culture history. Take that iconic slow-motion scene from Mean Girl where Cady Heron finally infiltrates The Plastics. With the strutting of these high school bullies, this is definitely the “hot girl walk” style that we remember from many high school hallways. Consider iconic supermodels like Naomi Campbell and Shalom Harlow both wearing the “hot girl walk” style. Yes, comparing the catwalk to the sidewalk is a bit of a stretch. But the spirit behind these iconic walks from the 90s can easily be adopted and incorporated into your own walk today. Just remember, hotness is an ideology.