I think gas stations first became a source of style inspiration for me after watching Lucy Wagner (Britney Spears) sing "Bye, Bye, Bye" in her bucket hat in the back seat of a yellow convertible. The movie was "Crossroads," released in 2002, and it was full of fashion ingenuity. Wagner later filled up the tank of her Buick in velour pants, a graphic tee, and messy ponytail - and that scene was pictured on the
"You're probably going to think everything is heinous but it's a mindset shift...don't judge a gas station by its cover!"
So, when WSJ named artist Josie Francis the face of the latest viral TikTok trend, gas station core, I was instantly curious about Spears's old stomping grounds and their sartorial impact. Is gas station core still the same aesthetic I knew and loved when I was 10?
Today, gas station core is mostly about sifting through the nearly-empty racks and shelves next to your favorite candy to find hidden "gems": affordable items you can work into a grungy look. Think oversize tees and outerwear, rugged utility clothes, and outdoorsy accessories. Francis shared an arsenal of tips for achieving peak gas station core, although she did note that you should interpret the "ugly" trend to make it your own. "Think twice about everything, give it a chance," she told POPSUGAR. "You might see a hat and right away your brain might tell you that it's ugly as f [DID SHE SAY FUCK?] - and it might be - but don't walk away yet. Is it actually ugly ugly OR could you make it fun and style it in a way that would make sense? You're probably going to think everything is heinous but it's a mindset shift...don't judge a gas station by its cover!"
Ahead, discover the ethos of the gas station core TikTok trend, then see how I made it my own with outfits you can shop.
What is gas station core?
Gas station core is the latest viral TikTok "ugly" trend that involves collecting affordable, mostly oversize pieces from the convenience shops at gas stations. Wardrobe essentials in a gas station core closet include hunting and fishing gear; big, roomy tees with a wolf print, perhaps; reflective sport sunglasses; slogan baseball caps; and utility vests.
Francis pointed me to the section of the store with miscellaneous merch and lonely hats, both hidden gems that could have been plucked from a thrift store. She maintains that she'll never spend more than $35 on any one item, as the whole idea of gas station core is to shop on a budget. Her personal favorite gas stations to shop at are in Wisconsin off of I-94, but I ended up finding great material at my local stops in Jersey City, NJ.
How to wear the gas station core aesthetic
While Francis's look is colorful, quirky, and grungy all at once, I used my gas station finds to pay ode to the '90s and 2000s. TikTok videos will suggest you wear your items with Daisy Dukes, baggy jeans, and Converse and cargos.