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We all have that aspect of ourselves, whether it's a piece of clothing or a specific hairstyle, that we unintentionally become known for.
A trending video on TikTok featured a group of young women singing a made-up song based on these attributes, titled “Boots and a slicked-back bun.” Now, many others have taken to the platform to put their own spin on the trend, creating similar songs based on themselves.
Maisie Sellwood, Amelia Gregorian and Eloise Lord, the creators of the viral video, recalled in an interview with the site New York Times They were getting ready for a night out when Sellwood asked Lord what she planned to wear. “I was sitting on the bed while Ellie was starting to get ready and I said, ‘Ellie, what are you wearing tonight?’”
Her friend's response was, “You know, the usual: boots and a slicked-back bun.”
This led Sellwood to repeat the outfit plan over and over again, discovering a catchy beat. “We were doing a pub crawl in Margate [England]“And after a few cocktails we were just singing ‘boots and a slicked back bun,’” Sellwood said.
The trio of girls loved the chant so much that later that night, they filmed themselves singing all of the staples of their outfit, including “cowboy boots and a blouse” and “Sambas and a little red bag.”
Its video has received over eight million views as of July 16, with many people claiming the catchy tune was the “song of the summer.”
“Charlie [XCX] “She's about to try this and throw it on the 'Everything Is Romantic' remix,” one comment read, referring to the singer's song “Everything Is Romantic,” while another wrote, “Boots and a slicked back bun look good.”
Some commenters even shared what they would sing if they had to do their own version of the song. “My song would be: Tired and a little bit hungry,” one person jokingly wrote.
“How about some Burkeys (Birkenstocks) and some tweezers?” read another suggestion in the comments.
Since the video was posted, many people have made their own versions, including actress Amy Poehler, whose video also features Rachel Dratch and Rashida Jones. In the clip, the three of them go over their outfits like “earrings and a short black dress”; “ponytail”; [tail] and a cashmere shirt”; and “Sambas and a little blue purse.” In each scene, Seth Meyers could be seen sneaking behind the comedians.
Even companies have gotten in on the trend, with TBH Skincare creating their own version, which has since been viewed four million times. In their song, employees sing the following lines: “Gen Z boss and a miniskirt”; “Tiny boobs and a short haircut”; “5’4” and attitude”; “Secret product and a trench coat”; “New Frank Green and a sneaky liaison”; and “Fake tan hands and a hoop.”
“Nothing has made me want to work for a company more,” one person wrote in the comments.
Another commenter agreed, writing: “This is the work environment I’m looking for! I love it!”
“'5'3' and attitude is the title of my biopic,” one commentator joked.
However, some people took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to label the trend “embarrassing.”
“Generation Z is entering its era of millennial shame,” said one mail read.
