What is the coquette aesthetic?
The coquette aesthetic is a fashion trend characterized by romantic, ultra-feminine clothing. The definition of coquette, which is originally a French word, is a flirtatious woman who wants only to gain the attention and admiration of men. The coquette style has moved beyond this misogynistic definition, however, to create a campy and feminine aesthetic that embraces all things romantic, girly, and hyper-feminine. Common features of a coquette outfit include flirty and dainty elements like ruffles, bows, frills, lace, and satin. Floral patterns and light pastel colors are often featured—especially baby pink and blue. Much of coquette fashion calls back to youth and teenage girlhood, which followers of the trend see as an empowering way to highlight the things that make girlhood so special while also reclaiming the ways in which their girlhood was ridiculed or taken away from them. For example, being or dressing like a “girly girl” was a major insult for many who grew up in the 2000s and 2010s. Now, they see the coquette aesthetic as a way to play out some of those childhood dreams and fantasies in a playful and self-aware way without having to feel any guilt or shame.
Wardrobe Essentials for the Coquette Style
Bow details Bows are basically synonymous with the coquette aesthetic, and there’s no such thing as too many! You can place a bow in your hair, on your shoes, or even tied around your headphones! Bows add a cute and feminine touch to anything, and you can even make them yourself with a lacy or pastel-hued ribbon!
Ballet flats Jumping off the balletcore trend, the coquette aesthetic has definitely made ballet flats its own. Ballet flats with a bow accent are especially popular, as are shades of classic pink, off-white, black, and patent red. The best part of these ballerina-inspired shoes? They can be dressed down with jeans or substitute for heels on an elegant date night!
Corset Hailing all the way from the palaces of Marie Antionette, corset looks are fully back in style. Today’s corset tops, however, are all about fashion and not about function (aka, they won’t squeeze the air out of your lungs). You can pair a corset top with a flirty skirt, a slouchy pair of jeans, or even over a white linen button-down!
Maxi and midi skirts Longer-length skirts give an air of romance, femininity, and effortless style to any look. They also fit nicely with the Victorian and Regency-era styles that inspire the coquette aesthetic. Plus, midi and maxi skirts are super versatile as they can be styled either casually or for a formal event!
Sheer tights with cutesy patterns Basic black tights don’t do it for the coquette aesthetic—instead, opt for tights in sheer lace fabrics and cool white or pastel hues. For the ultimate coquette look, find tights with frilly embellishments or whimsical patterns!
Lace Lace is the coquette fabric, and you can wear it in practically everything. Layer a lace long-sleeve top under a corset, tie your hair back with a lace scrunchie, or pair a lace maxi skirt with a classic pair of Adidas sneakers.
Floral patterns Flowery patterns are the epitome of femininity and romance, so they’re also a must-have for the coquette-style aesthetic! You can easily transport yourself to a secret Victorian garden or the vine-covered balcony of Juliet Capulet with flowing floral dresses, flower-patterned tops, and rosette details in your accessories.
Pearl accessories Pearls are timelessly feminine, and it’s no wonder that they’ve made a comeback for the coquette era. Adorn your neck with a pearl necklace, frame your face with pearl earrings, or look for clothing with shimmering pearl details. The vintage charm of pearl jewelry is sure to add that special touch to your coquette style.
Heart-shaped locket A heart-shaped locket is as sentimental as it is stylish, and it makes the perfect romantic addition to any coquette outfit. Look for a heart locket in gold (the signature jewelry color of the coquette girl) and add a personal touch with photos of your loved ones hidden inside!
Scrunchie As a modern alternative to the hair bow that’s just as flirty and feminine, a scrunchie is the perfect addition to any coquette look. Try a scrunchie in subtle girly fabrics and colors like eyelet lace, gingham, or pastels. Wear it in your hair (or on your wrist) for an accessory that’s both fun and functional.
Cozy pajama set The coquette aesthetic never rests (even when you do!). Make your coquette vibe work overtime with a cozy pajama set in soft cotton fabrics. Look for a sleepwear look with lace accents, frilly hems, or sweet bow details in shades of pink and white. If sets aren’t your thing, a lacy nightgown would definitely do the trick!
Vintage thrift store finds Not so long ago, frilly, ruffled, and lacy items would’ve screamed grandma vibes—now, you’re probably desperate for your granny’s old hand-me-downs! Instead of ransacking her attic, check out your local thrift store for coquettish clothing and decor items like gold-gilded picture frames, mirrors, ruffled pillows, dainty figurines, and vintage garments.
16 Coquette Aesthetic Outfits
Vintage Florals Coquette Outfit Look for a floral blouse with as many girly details as possible—cute bows, frilly ruffles, and delicate lace are all excellent options. Pair the top with vintage-inspired lace shorts and pastel-colored ballet flats.
Flowery Balletcore Coquette Outfit Embrace your inner prima ballerina with a bouncy bubble skirt and floral bustier top. Tie some lace-up ballet flats over soft woolen leg warmers. Finish off the footloose-and-fancy-free style with a messy top bun or a slicked-back ballerina bun!
Floral Embroidered Coquette Outfit Make your way over to the sweeter side of the coquette aesthetic with a floral embroidered sweater. Style the soft and chunky knit top with a pink floral midi skirt. For a finishing touch, tie back the front pieces of your locks with a sweet little hair bow!
Sensual Florals Coquette Outfit Up the drama with a puff-sleeved corset dress in a vintage floral print. Add elements of the coquette aesthetic with sheer socks and an oversized hair bow. Then, finish the whole fit off with either platform heels or a classic ballet flat.
Flirty Tutu Coquette Outfit Fully embrace your fairytale fashion fantasies in a mini dress that pairs a romantic corset bustier with a tulle tutu skirt. You can dress this look up or down with floral tights and bow heels for date night or a cute cardigan and ruffled socks for an everyday look.
Babydoll Dress Coquette Outfit A pink mini babydoll dress is the perfect modern take on the feminine styles of the Victorian era. Look for a dress with coquette-inspired details like bows, rosettes, or whimsical ruffles. Style the fit with a flirty pair of heels to fully embrace this ultra-girly look!
Romantically Ruffled Coquette Outfit Max out the femininity with this maximalist take on coquette fashion—start with a puff-sleeved mini dress that combines all the best of the girly aesthetic. We’re talking bows, pink florals, lace ruffles…and whatever else you can dream up (or find in your online shopping spree). For an extra touch of romance, add a rosette clip to tuck away your bangs or fasten the ends of a loose braid.
Pastel Pink Two-Piece Coquette Outfit There’s no easier way to embrace the coquette style than with a trendy two-piece set that you can just throw on (before twirling around in it!). Try a pink or floral set with a cropped tank and a long maxi skirt, and accessorize with a heart-shaped locket or pearl necklace.
Cute in Crochet Coquette Outfit Crochet clothing was made for the coquette aesthetic—soft, feminine, and reminiscent of childhood memories of arts and crafts. Look for a crocheted two-piece set in soft whites, pinks, and baby blues, or pair a crochet top with a more modern piece like high-waisted jeans or a denim skirt.
Cozy Winter Coquette Outfit Give yourself a cute and rosy winter look with an oversized pink sweater (try threading some ribbon through the knit if it’s loose enough!). Pair your sweater with some sheer white floral tights for a look that’s equal parts snuggly and soft, or add balletcore-inspired leg warmers for a colder climate.
Sexy Lace Corset Coquette Outfit If the cutesiness of the coquette style isn’t totally your thing, try a hot pink lace corset top to keep the coquette feel with a bit of edge. Add some casual slouchy jeans for a more modern feel, and accessorize with pearl earrings, a hair bow, or a cute cardigan.
Flirty Bow Bustier Coquette Outfit Choose a bustier top that has a large bow placed over the top of the bust. Bonus points if the pattern features dainty florals or delicate lace! Layer the bow bustier over a sheer lace top to up the romance factor, or pair it with some baggy jeans for a more casual look.
Slinky Slip Coquette Outfit Pink out the perfect maxi-length slip dress in a coquettish color like pink, white, lilac, or baby blue. Opt for a silky fabric that adds a perfect touch of femininity and sensuality. Finish off your coquette look with kitten heels and flirty bow earrings.
Casual + Lacy Coquette Outfit This laidback outfit still holds onto all of the best parts of the coquette style. Look for a V-neck, cap-sleeve top in a pink floral pattern with lace accents. Put the finishing touch on the look with a ruffle mini skirt and a pink satin scrunchie.
Sultry Dark Coquette Outfit The dark coquette aesthetic offers a sultrier alternative to the pink and pastel hues of standard coquette styles. Pair a frilly white top with black lace pants, then add pops of red with a crimson headband or scarlet slingback heels.
French Girl Coquette Outfit This dark coquette outfit embraces the vintage, Parisian-inspired styles of its mainstream aesthetic. Shop a black midi dress with a bustier top or lacy bodice. Wrap a velvet ribbon around your waistline and tie it in a swooping bow. Make the whole look pop with some Mary Jane flats, chic floral tights, and a show-stopping red beret!
History of the Coquette Aesthetic
The coquette aesthetic rose to mainstream popularity on TikTok in 2022. In 2023 and 2024, the coquette trend became immensely popular, but prior to that, it had been gaining traction on Tumblr since the 2010s. Originally, however, the Tumblr community connected this style to the term “nymphet”—a word used to describe a supposedly sexually precocious and attractive underage girl. But the “nymphet” aesthetic—which is synonymous with Vladimir Nabakov’s Lolita—became problematic due to its connection to pedophilia and the sexualization of minors. Therefore, the name evolved to coquette in order to avoid the word “nymphet” being banned on social media sites. Plus, the coquette aesthetic has evolved to be much less explicit.
Early inspirations for the coquette style include Vivienne Westwood and Lana Del Rey. The aesthetic draws from fashion trends prominent in both pop culture and historical eras. Coquettish looks emulate the silhouettes and fabrics of the Victorian, Regency, and Rococo eras. It also draws inspiration from the novels of Jane Austen and the Brontë sisters, as well as the more modern Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. Two of the most revered examples of coquette fashion in the present day are musician Lana Del Ray’s personal aesthetic and Sofia Coppola’s costuming choices in her 2006 film Marie Antoinette. More recent films and television programs like Netflix’s Bridgerton and 2023’s Barbie have also been connected to the rise of the coquette aesthetic. Predating these media references, however, renowned designer Vivienne Westwood showcased coquette looks inspired by late 19th-century French fashion in her Spring 1994 and Fall 1995 shows—titled “Cafe Society” and “Vive la Cocotte,” respectively.
Controversy Around Coquette Styles
Controversy of coquette styles critiques the sexualization of youthful looks. Much of the inspiration for the coquette aesthetic comes from Lolita, Vladimir Nabakov’s 1955 novel, whose titular character is an underage girl in a sexual relationship with an adult man. Critics have drawn this connection and also highlighted the girlish and infantilizing looks associated with the trend as a glorification of sexualized innocence and youth. More broadly, the coquette aesthetic is thought to reinforce damaging gender roles for women as hyper-feminine fashion tends to pander to the male gaze. Another major controversy around the coquette aesthetic is its focus on outdated ideals of European femininity and beauty. As a result, most of the imagery around this style focuses on thin, white women and excludes diverse bodies and skin tones. However, defenders of the aesthetic argue that any person who wishes to dress in this aesthetic is not responsible for misogynistic or even pedophilic reactions to it. Similarly, most people believe that anyone can and should wear this aesthetic—regardless of gender, body type, and skin color. Additionally, they find the coquette aesthetic empowering as a way to reclaim their girlhood and challenge the male gaze, not to pander to it.
Related Aesthetics
Coquette aesthetic is similar to balletcore, cottagecore, and Regencycore. A lot of coquette fashion is similar to classic ballet outfits, including pastel pink hues, sheer tights, and the iconic ballet flat. The trend also incorporates elements of regency-era looks, such as floral prints, sultry corsets, and pearl details. While not universal in the coquette aesthetic, many coquette outfits feature the softness and whimsicality of the cottagecore aesthetic—pairing their soft florals with cozy cardigans and flowing skirts. If you’re not sure what your exact aesthetic is, take this quiz to find out if you’re more cottagecore or coquette.
Coquette includes many sub-aesthetics, including the similar “nymphet.” Nymphet and coquette are often confused with one another, but the nymphet aesthetic focuses primarily on sex appeal while the more recently popular coquette aesthetic leans toward girliness and femininity. Other sub-aesthetics of the coquette style popular on social media include: Dark Coquette: Similar to the femme fatale archetype with vampy cocktail dresses, fitted suits, fur coats, bows, and a red and black color palette. Dollette: Most representative of mainstream coquette fashion with pink hues, florals, and ballet-inspired elements. Gloomy Coquette: A darker version of Dollette that includes gothic imagery of angels, graveyards, and porcelain dolls. Farmer’s Daughter: A cottagecore variation that centers on a hyper-feminine and sexually precocious girl living in rural America. Key West Kitten: Inspired by Florida beach culture in the 1960s-1980s, with neon pinks and turquoise infused into summertime clothing. Waif: A toxic and unhealthy spin on the Coquette aesthetic that references drug use, mental illness, extreme thinness, and a tortured imperfection. Winter Fairy Coquette: Combines coquette with a “fairy grunge” aesthetic with ripped clothing, fur-inspired pieces, and a mostly white color palette. Bubblegum Coquette: Nostalgic looks of the late ‘90s to mid-2000s with adolescent imagery like lollipops, bows, butterflies, and all things pink. Coquette Academia: Combines coquette femininity with academic looks like weed jackets, lace blouses, and corduroy pants. Trailer Park Princess: Inspired by lower-class, vintage Americana styles that often feature more racy and adult lingerie looks. Blokette: Combines traditionally masculine and feminine pieces like Adidas Sambas, ballet flats, athletic pants, sports jerseys, pleated skirts, and hair ribbons. Buckle Bunny: A cross between coquette and cowgirl aesthetics with Western-inspired wear in shades of pastel pink and creamy white. Keep in mind that many of these aesthetics aren’t just used for style purposes—they’re used as personal aesthetics on social media that may influence someone’s online persona, decor choices, music tastes, and more.
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