For the past 2 years or so, I’ve been reading the term Geek Chic in every kind of blog, specially fashion blogs and personal blogs belonging to fashion conscious girls. I don’t know personally these people and I don’t see the reasoning behind their use of the term but I can’t help but to feel a little irked when I read that Geek Chic is owning the latest Apple product or that it is using this big black-rimmed clear lensed glasses.

Urban Dictionary nailed it in one:

Geek chic is a cynical marketing trend that tries to tap into the large geek demographic by superficially adding generically geeky elements to otherwise non-geeky people. By wearing glasses, carrying the latest Sharper Image gadgets, and casually dropping computer terminology and Star Trek references in their speech, geeks are supposed to believe these same models and actors/actresses that would never consider them in real life is a “cool” version of themselves. Obviously, only the most naive geeks fall for this.

Now, while this definition is a very tough one for newbie geeks out there, I can’t help but to nod along with it.

To be Geek Chic is much more than to follow the geeky fashion trends, much more than being active on Facebook and having a blog just to have a blog. It is much, much more than to carry around the latest gadgets and much much much more than being a school-oriented nerd.

Geek Chic to me, falls into a gray zone. While not entirely geeky (you know that my Sci-Fi and gaming knowledge is of newbie level), it is not entirely following this new fashion trends. While geeks are starting to take more care on what they’re wearing, you see staple geeks wearing their same “uniforms” over and over again (like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, always wearing the same thing). Geek Chic is the combination of someone that cares about their appearance (and I’m not talking about someone following the fashion trends and buying expensive stuff), has confidence and most importantly has a lot of knowledge and passion for what they know about.

As a definition, a geek is someone who knows about technology, science, video games, sci-fi and all the typical “geeky stuff”. Geeks are also expected to look dorky and be pretty awkward. While most geeks also have other interests that they are very passionate about (like music, photography and writing, just to name a few), they are mostly recognized as being computer savvy and kind of nerds.

So after all this nonsense, what do I consider to be Geek Chic?

Geek Chic is a person who takes care of themselves and cares about how they look (as in clean, comfortable and confident). They also have a lot of knowledge in whatever subjects they like (computers, internet, video games, etc) and they are not afraid to show it. Some of us geek chic people wear PRESCRIPTION glasses, but it’s because we can’t handle contacts or don’t want to handle contacts. Geek Chic doesn’t need to have all the new toys that companies throw at them, they know how to mix and match what they have and how to choose something that will give them value and last for a long time. Geek Chic could pass as a normal person on the street. A Geek Chic doesn’t need to show that they are geeky, their knowledge speaks for them, their qualities speak for them, their confidence and the way they carry themselves speak for them.

Being Geek Chic is not being a closeted geek. Geek Chic is a geek that is not afraid of putting themselves out there. Geek Chic is not a geek that hides beneath a curtain of arrogance to be respected. Geek Chic is not someone who slaps glasses and a pocket protector on themselves to show that they know what they’re talking about. Geek Chic is not a fashion trend.

Geek Chic is an attitude, a way of life some may say.

I don’t know if I made my point but I hope that you got a new perspective on the term. Now tell me what YOUR definition of Geek Chic is. You don’t have to agree with me, I don’t expect you to, I just want to know what you think.

Posted on: February 21, 2010 2:43 pm
Filed under: Julie By Juliette Maxwell