Bimboism 101: how Gen Z is giving 'bimbo' a feminist makeover

Schmeitgeist

Bimbo, a word that's always been used to attack women, isn't the most obvious starting point for a Gen Z feminist subculture.

But if you scroll through #BimboTok and you'll find girlies, gays, theys, and more, proudly declaring their bimbo status and looking the part while they do it.

Expect to find hyper-girly pink outfits, high heels, lowrise jeans, short skirts, pigtails, tiny handbags, slogan tees, and honestly, some very impressive eye makeup.

The twist is, none of it is not about impressing men. If anything, it's about trolling them and the rest of the world by faking dumb, dropping out of "elitist" expectations, and pushing back against the idea that hyper-femininity is something to be ashamed of.

Now, what started as an online subculture has bled out into the mainstream, and is attracting critics, who are worried it's doing more harm than good.

In episode one of the new season of Schmeitgeist, Ange Lavoipierre goes inside the bimboism trend, and finds out what it's like to play the bimbo, from a comedian who's made it her job.