You’re scrolling through TikTok in the morning before rolling out of bed to get ready for school (a daily struggle, tbh) when you see “✨How to Get the Coquette Aesthetic✨" flash across your screen in sparkly pink letters. If you’re wondering if you've just stumbled across what might be the newest Internet-favorite aesthetic, the answer is “yes!”
Although it can seem like the Internet is magically churning out new trends out of nowhere, some of these “-core” aesthetics (like gorpcore or the "Clean Girl" aesthetic) are actually just pre-existing styles and subcultures that have been around for a long time and were recently repackaged with specific names. Each one is meant to help you put words to the nebulous vibes that you already love but don’t always know how to define, like the frilly, lacy, hyper-feminine look that's been around for years and has been recently redefined as the coquette look.
If the girly, sugar-sweet style is a vibe that you've heard your friends talking about and you're curious to learn more, we’re about to bring you up to speed on what exactly the coquette aesthetic is, where the name came from, and how to shop the vibe, ASAP.
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What is the coquette aesthetic?
Frills, lace, bows, hearts, and ribbon (in excess!) are all part of the coquette look. The aesthetic is about embracing and indulging in all things romantic and beautiful, like lace, pom-poms, flushed blush, pretty hair accessories, and light colors. The coquette aesthetic is sometimes associated with the Soft Girl look, which focuses on a slow lifestyle, as well as balletcore, which is based on dance and rehearsal apparel.
One celebrity is often credited for helping shape the musical stylings of the coquette aesthetic — Lana Del Rey's lyrics from her 2012 album Born To Die have become a coquette staple. The indie singer is even name-dropped in a circulating TikTok audio saying "this is so Lana Del Rey Vinyl" in reference to hyper-feminine or coquette things.
It's important to note that coquette takes inspiration from the Lolita look, a Japanese subculture of people who enjoy dressing in Victorian- and Rococo-era fashion named after Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. These related aesthetics have been criticized, but the coquette look is ultimately about unapologetically embracing beauty, love, and grace in your aesthetic and lifestyle choices.
Where does the name "coquette" come from?
The Oxford Dictionary defines the word coquette as "a woman who flirts." You might've heard of someone being described as coquettish, or acting like a coquette. But don't worry, you won't need to pull out your best flirting tips in order to embrace the romantic "Lana Del Rey Vinyl" aesthetic. The coquette look now simply refers to light-hearted, girly styles that are often associated with love and romance, like pearl necklaces, heart prints, and ditsy flowers.
How do you dress like a coquette?
Dressing in the coquette aesthetic involves classic "girly" pieces like hair bows, lace dresses, sheer tights, baby tees, floral embroidery, and fluffy earmuffs. You'll also see people wearing knit sets, pearl choker necklaces, cotton camisoles, shrug cardigns, fuzzy hats, and mini skirts in pink, cream, or other neutral tones. If the outfit incorporates dainty, soft elements with accessories that are totally darling, you're on the right track.
Where can I shop the coquette aesthetic?
Now that you're caught up on the coquette look, here are some of our favorite pieces to help you incorporate some of the styles into your own wardrobe.
🌸🎀 Shop the Coquette Look 🎀🌸
Floerns Tie Front Long Sleeve Rib Knit Cardigan
Loud Bodies Gisele Dress
Verdusa Lace Trim Heart Print Cami Pajama Set
Uncommon James Chain and Heart Necklace
Loud Bodies “Tove” Shirt White Organic Cotton
Hannah is the assistant shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things from cute apartment decor to trendy fashion finds, TikTok products that are actually worth your $$$, and the perfect gift to buy for your boyfriend's mom. She previously wrote for Seventeen and CR Fashion Book. Follow her on Instagram for hot takes on red carpet fashion and unhinged updates on the books she’s reading on the train.
