The Anonymous Faces of EU’s Meme-Culture

A graphic showing the @bluejayvalidfits instagram page. Bluejayvalidfits is one of the major Instagram accounts centered around EU culture which is not directly affiliated with EU.

@bluejaysvalidfits and @elmhurstchicks are prominent Instagram accounts centered around Elmhurst University students that have two characteristics in common: both are run anonymously and with the main goal of strengthening school spirit.

College campuses across the nation have their own versions of these accounts. bluejaysvalidfits focuses on posting outfits of EU students and hyping them up, while elmhurstchicks posts campus and girl-oriented memes. Both, with over 500 followers, have gained popularity in the online realm, as well as on campus.

Students’ input can easily be gauged based on follows, likes, and comments that the accounts get, but what do the creators of these infamous accounts have to say about their creations? After a short Instagram DM interview, a better understanding of the account’s motives was revealed.

Elmhurstchicks noticed how other college campuses have meme accounts and aimed to create a stronger sense of spirit regarding EU. The need for clout or followers isn’t the main focus for this Instagrammer: “as long as I made one person’s day better, I’ve done my job!”

Most of the content created by elmhurstchicks is done “in-house,” but it is actively pushing to get students to share “videos of them goofing around.” Currently, the page revolves around story submissions from students that utilize memes and campus-oriented events.

The overall atmosphere of the elmhurstchicks account is very “girl’s girl.” It’s all about supporting other students through community and humor.

Bluejaysvalidfits presented a different atmosphere, while still having the same goal of uplifting the student body. This account focuses on “displaying the hardest outfit submissions that the people had to offer.” Students can submit their valid fits to the account, and once posted, fellow students can confirm or deny their validity.

A lot of hard work goes into the pages’ once-a-week posts as described by one of the bluejaysvalidfits self-titled “employees.”

The user claimed they took, “100’s of hours every week to curate the valid fits, write the captions, post on the story, engage with fans, and picking the songs.”

Valid Fits has created a signature element for their posts: an over-the-top caption, with all caps text and an insane number of emojis. These captions and writing style have become the standard for bluejaysvalidfits posts.

Student-submitted content drives the account; bluejaysvalidfits needs more student-submitted content to keep its account running. Growing the account is a main goal for the minds behind the account as they continue searching for the validest fit.

“Until we find it we have to keep looking,” said the account via DM.

On Sept. 17, elmhurstchicks and bluejaysvalidfits posted a collab highlighting “Bluejay Chicks Valid Fits,” where the outfits of female students were displayed. Commenters described it as a collaboration that will echo through eternity, and the most valid post. The goal of strengthening school spirit is evident across both Instagram accounts.

If you have a fit that you want to check if it’s valid, send it to bluejaysvalidfits. Have a funny meme or moment? Send a DM to elmhurstchicks. These accounts are always looking for more student engagement and submissions.