Pumpkin Spice and everything nice: The Christian Girl Autumn aesthetic

Fall is officially in the air, which can only mean one thing: the resurgence of Christian Girl Autumn. Pumpkin spice lattes, knee-high boots, and endless social media posts of feel-good scripture contribute to this aesthetic.

But where did this trend come from? And how did it become so popular?

The term dates back to 2019, when X user @lasagnabby posted a picture of two bloggers, Caitlin Convington and Emily Gemma in matching neutral cardigans and oversized scarves, with the caption “Hot Girl Summer is coming to an end, get ready for Christian Girl Autumn”. 

Convington laughed the sarcastic jab off and embraced the joke wholeheartedly. She continued to create picture-perfect fall posts: idyllic scenes of pumpkin patches and corn mazes, seasonal sugary beverages, oversized sweaters and chunky UGGS. 

Convington quickly became something of an internet celebrity, gaining hundreds of followers in a matter of weeks. Today, she earns tens of thousands of dollars for every sponsored autumn post. Her major partnerships include Saks Off 5th and Nordstrom, both luxury clothing retailers.

Whether people replicated it genuinely or as a joke, Covington’s content has inspired thousands. The most literal interpretations take the “Christian” component even further, intertwining screenshots of the Psalms or photos of neatly highlighted Bible pages with golden forest backgrounds and cozy attire. 

Christian Girl Autumn’s greatest appeal is its picture of pursuing peace and joy in the little things and its representation of comfort and nostalgia. One can get lost in the warm oranges and browns, soft cardigans and flannels, in the scents of cinnamon and long-awaited change and stillness.

Whether one embraces the Christian Girl Autumn aesthetic or pursues other fall festivities, Autumn is ready to “leaf” its mark. 

Photo by Lesley Bryant.