CultureJuly 9, 2026

tradwife

/ˈtræd.waɪf/

Definition

A social media aesthetic or identity characterized by the performance of ultra-traditional domestic gender roles, often used as a stylistic trope.

Etymology

The term is a portmanteau of 'traditional' and 'wife,' gaining popularity on social media platforms like TikTok around 2020 to describe women promoting traditionalist domestic values.

In the news

In this article, Charli XCX adopts this aesthetic in her music video to satirize and play with the public's desire to categorize her into specific, rigid boxes.

‘Music, Fashion, Film’ and the death of ‘Brat’: Charli XCX’s new creative era

Read the full article ↗

EL PAÍS English

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