*This article was written prior to the 2024 Presidential election.
As an Illinoisian, the term “Midwest” has always confused me. Literally speaking, most of the states aren’t even in the middle of our country. Historically speaking, the term was initially based on the location of a few states, like Kansas, before being hodgepodged in with the former Northeastern Territories (Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, etc). However, confusing geographical categorizations aside…the region has always had a clear and unified aesthetic, and recently, it’s been given its flowers through the likes of albums, trends, marketing campaigns, and music festivals.
But what defines Midwestcore? Contrary to popular belief, it’s not all camo and hazy, rinky-dink gas stations. Yes, trucker hats are quite big, but so are less glamorized aspects like political tension, jello salads, and endless amounts of corn. That may not sound ideal (trust me, it’s not my favorite either), but at the core, it’s home. It’s a little sleepy, neighborly, and originates the oddest recipes you’ve ever heard of. But it’s not all sunshine and soybeans. At first, the traction the “Midwest aesthetic” gained surprised me. My tunnel-visioned personal experiences of belonging to the .9% of non-white people in my tiny town made me a bit bitter. “What is fun or cool about it?” I thought to myself as I scrolled through Pinterest pages. I realized, this is (kind of) how older women living on the water must have felt about the “coastal grandma” aesthetic. Upon further reflection, I came to the conclusion that it’s truly not a big deal. It’s simply another form of specific expression used by the general population.
However, the best implementations of said aesthetic are from those who truly understand it. Take Chappell Roan’s debut album, “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” for example. From the yearning for something busier, brighter, and bigger to the rawness of a small-town queer, closeted experience, Roan hits life in the Midwest right on the nose. But that doesn’t restrain her from indulging in some of the campier elements. She’s still able to have fun with it as she dons camo corsets and assigns tour outfit themes like “Midwest princess”, affording me a newfound appreciation of the very place I grew up. It’s complex, it’s personal, but she’s giving it to everyone. The Midwest is ours to analyze and explore.
With all this newfound momentum, I hope the Midwest stays on everyone’s radar. It shouldn’t be swept to the side of American culture. It holds anthropological and social importance. If you’re not nostalgically linked, consider the political weight. With two, arguably three, swing states (Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin) and Tim Walz, governor of Minnesota, becoming Kamala Harris’s Vice Presidential pick, the Midwest is a powerhouse in the upcoming election. So expect to see an additional influx of Midwest-centered media, ads, and outfits. If the region still has you yawning, bedazzle a trucker hat and try a millionaire shortbread, then see how you feel.
Words by Miia Popovics
Graphic by Aubrey Lauer