What Is the Coquette Trend and Why Is It Everywhere?

Quiet luxury, dark academia, mob wife: If there’s one thing TikTok does well, it’s making beauty and style trends go viral. While there are countless such trends all over social media, the coquette aesthetic in particular has been gathering tons of notice as of late. (Case in point: The hashtag #coquetteaesthetic has racked up more than 18 billion views on TikTok alone.) While on the surface, the trend is all about embracing youthful femininity, it’s one that anyone can adopt — regardless of their gender identity or age. Need proof? We’re sharing everything you need to know about this viral style trend below, plus a few tips on how to add a little coquettish romance to your everyday look. 

What Is the Coquette Aesthetic?

Coquette is a French word that describes a person (usually a woman) who likes to flirt. But while the coquette aesthetic is flirty, it’s more grounded in innocent girlishness than overt flirtatiousness. Though that may sound a little Lolita, the aesthetic isn’t meant to be sexual. Rather, for many people, it’s a way to reclaim and celebrate femininity with a whimsical — and often tongue-in-cheek — spin. 

Unsurprisingly, key elements of the aesthetic include traditionally girly elements like bows, ruffles, and pastel hues. You might see those embracing the trend swap their mules for Mary Janes or trade in their bodycon dresses for babydolls. 

Where Did the Coquette Aesthetic Come From? 

Fashion is cyclical, and the coquette aesthetic isn’t exactly new. In fact, some elements of the trend — lace, ribbons, corsets — are strongly reminiscent of Victorian fashion. It’s hard to pinpoint what sparked interest in the hyper-feminine style this time around, but period dramas including Bridgerton and feminist flicks such as Barbie almost certainly played a role. 

The coquette aesthetic is also in many ways intertwined with social media’s “romanticizing your life” trend, which champions slow living and finding joy in the small things, like picking flowers or enjoying a solo picnic in the park. It’s also possible that the youthful trend is a deliberate rebuke of the hyper-sexualized images we’re bombarded with every day on social media — a playful reminder that there’s more than one way to celebrate femininity. 

How To Incorporate the Coquette Aesthetic Into Your Grown-Up Wardrobe

As with all trends, there isn’t a right or wrong way to embrace the coquette aesthetic — you should always wear what makes you feel the most comfortable and confident. But if you are looking to inject a whimsical sense of romance into your wardrobe, try these tips.

Pursue a Pastel Palette

A defining feature of the coquette aesthetic is an emphasis on colors traditionally seen as “girly”— think baby pink, pale lavender, and buttercup yellow. Try swapping your go-to black blazer for a candy-colored jacket, or trade your date-night LBD for a playful pink dress.

Try Different Textures 

Silk, velvet, satin, and chiffon all fit in perfectly with the coquette aesthetic. For a grown-up twist on the trend, try pairing a slinky satin skirt with ballet flats and a fitted white tee, or scoop up a chiffon dress with ruffled accents for an extra-playful vibe. 

Experiment With Accessories

If you want to experiment with the girly aesthetic but don’t want to commit to a new outfit, consider taking coquettish accessories out for a spin. Velvet hair bows, lace-trimmed socks, and heart-shaped pendants all allow you to flirt with your femininity without requiring a total wardrobe overhaul. 

Pay Attention to Detail 

As they say, the devil is in the details. With the coquette aesthetic, that’s especially true. Look for details like scalloped edges, Peter Pan collars, and pearl embellishments. These subtle accents pay homage to the coquette aesthetic in a way that’s impactful but understated.