CW: Mentions eating disorders and pedophilia.
Lately, we have seen a return to hyper-feminine fashion which encourages all things “girly” and beautiful. Inspired by Paris, ballerinas, and it girls such as Blair Waldorf of Lily-Rose Depp, one of the most famous trends is known online as coquette.
A quick search on Pinterest will open up a world of images associated with femininity: lacy dresses, bows, Mary Jane shoes, flower prints and hearts. From an outlook, this trend may seem harmless and beautiful. Many women* admit that they had an aversion to being “girly” as children, and forms of internalised misogyny continue to affect us. Being able to express ourselves and embrace traditional beauty, simplicity and elegance is empowering for many, by subverting gender roles and using them to one’s own advantage. In fact, the word ‘coquette’ is used to refer to flirtatious women* who flatter and manipulate men to get what they want. In a way, it could be said that hyper-feminine fashion manipulates the male gaze and patriarchy into working for their own benefit.
Conversely, some believe that hyper-feminine fashion caters too much to the male gaze, and that women* cannot be themselves by trying too hard to appear beautiful and appealing to men, especially since being a ‘coquette girl’ is not just about appearance, but also personality and interests. For example, activities such as reading, baking, and listening to Lana Del Rey are strongly encouraged. Moreover, simple and subtle make-up is preferred, and we all know how men love to insist that natural or no make-up is the ideal. In such ways, hyper-feminine fashion is perfect for attracting men, leading to criticisms that it is not actually empowering as much as it panders to the male gaze.
Even more dangerously, the ‘coquette’ community continues to come under fire for encouraging seriously negative topics—whether it be overt or subtle. When searching online, the trends in the physical characteristics of people who embody and embrace hyper-feminine fashion are glaringly obvious: thin and light-skinned. Hyper-feminine fashion has been called out on social media extensively for failing to include people of colour and a range of body types—to the point where some believe they encourage disordered eating and unrealistic standards. The aforementioned role models of hyper-feminine fashion are, indeed, skinny white women.
Moreover, some argue that certain subcultures of hyper-feminine fashion slyly encourage characteristics which can be seen as infantilising and pandering to pedophiles: innocence, petiteness, and looking as childlike as possible are valued traits. Although a niche community which claims no such associations, one known as ‘nymphette’ is not far from pedophilia through buying into and sometimes sexualising childish fashion trends, and romanticising related topics such as Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita.
Then, given such avid criticism, why is hyper-feminine fashion only getting more popular? One reason is because it is not the only trend to face such remarks. Y2K fashion, which has seen a huge resurgence in the last couple of years, faces the same issues. While that is not an excuse, body standards and gender roles have always existed, and one fashion trend is unlikely to make much difference. Rather than blaming those who embrace this trend, perhaps it is more useful to look to those in the fashion industries who propagate and dictate women’s bodies. There may be no solution and as long as we give problematic communities attention, they will continue to thrive. Even the cottagecore aesthetic was criticised for a lack of diversity when it first rose to popularity, and came to be claimed by people of various backgrounds, body shapes, and gender expressions. It appears that the coquette aesthetic is on the same path, as many people are embracing and adapting it, making hyper-feminine fashion more inclusive.
In fact, the sad reality is that elements such as the male gaze and beauty standards are already deeply embedded in society, and practically inescapable—no matter which aesthetics we buy into, problems will always exist. Whatever their reasons for liking and choosing a certain style, policing how women* choose to express themselves and what makes them feel good is even less empowering.
Image credits: Jaguar MENA// Flickr
FAQs
Coquette is supposed to be flirtatious, which can be seen as seductive by men. The hyper-feminine fashion is quickly allowing for a more pedophilic view of the way coquette girls are dressing. The idea of looking like a young girl may get mistaken as something negative. The trend does not stop at only clothing.
What is the coquette aesthetic critique? ›
The coquette aesthetic has often been criticized about how it tends to romanticize things like mental illness, suicide and dressing in a childish way. While all of these criticisms are valid, it is important to remember that aesthetics are all about how someone participates in them.
Is coquette good or bad? ›
In fact, the word 'coquette' is used to refer to flirtatious women* who flatter and manipulate men to get what they want. In a way, it could be said that hyper-feminine fashion manipulates the male gaze and patriarchy into working for their own benefit.
What is the meaning of dark coquette? ›
Dark Nymphet, also known as Dark Coquette, is a coquette substyle rooted in '50s and '60s coquette culture. It is closely related to the Femme Fatale Hollywood archetype, although it has more youthful, Nymphet themes, than seen in traditional femme fatale. Vamps typically embody beauty, mystery, seduction, and danger.
What is the psychology behind coquettes? ›
Coquettes are somewhat narcissistic as well and have no qualms in making their victims pursue them relentlessly. They create a sense of insecurity in their targets and when they reach the brink, they pull them back with show of warmth and attention. They play with emotions swinging between love and hate.”
What is the male version of coquette? ›
Coquette is the feminine diminutive of the French word coq, which means co*ckerel or rooster. The word was originally applied to men in the form of coquet to express how men would strut to attract women the same way roosters do to attract hens.
What are the characteristics of a coquette girl? ›
Coquette aesthetic is a 2020s fashion trend that is characterized by a mix of sweet, romantic, and sometimes playful elements and focuses on femininity through the use of clothes with lace, flounces, pastel colors, and bows, often draws inspiration from historical periods like the Victorian era and the 1950s, with a ...
What type of seduction is a coquette? ›
The Coquette is the kind of seducer who leads a person on without offering instant gratification. Their modus operandi is to delay satisfaction alternating between unexplained warmth and coldness so that the victim stays in a state of anticipation not knowing what is coming next.
What is the moral of The Coquette? ›
Through this narrative of decline, Eliza's friends Lucy and Julia send her letters that frame the story as a moral tale which urges American ladies to guard their virtue by preferring reason to fancy, domesticity to coquetry, duty to pleasure, and truth to art.
Is coquette going out of style? ›
It's all about the dainty details. Ariana Quihuiz has been a contributing writer for InStyle since 2023. Her work has also appeared on Brides, PEOPLE, and E! Online. Most fashion trends come and go, but the coquette aesthetic is here to stay.
The Coquette is hot and cold. They touch and go. They attract you with hopeful words or sensual maneuvers and then step back and distance themselves from you. They entice you and frustrate you at the same time, and we're attracted to this because of our human nature to want what we can't have.
What is the difference between cottagecore and coquette? ›
Whilst 'cottagecore' relies on linens, plaid and oversized cosy silhouettes, 'coquette' leans more towards exaggerated hyper-feminine looks, like puffed shoulders, statement collars and 3D flower appliqués.” In 2024, rocking the coquette aesthetic is all about infusing your wardrobe with a touch of whimsy and romance.
What do you call a coquette girl? ›
a seductive woman who flirts, often for personal gain. synonyms: flirt, minx, tease, vamp, vamper.
What is the clean girl aesthetic? ›
The clean girl aesthetic is about creating a sleek, almost effortless persona. It's characterized by elevated loungewear and a no-makeup makeup look — ultimately, this look is very similar to the “French girl aesthetic” and other European-inspired looks.
How to be a coquette girl? ›
Choose items that accentuate the female form, while still feeling innocent and classy. Items with bardot or sweetheart necklines and off the shoulder sleeves are delicate yet tasteful. Dresses or tops with puff sleeves, bishops sleeves or balloon sleeves are highly feminine yet still have a vintage feel.
Why is coquette trending? ›
The aesthetic gained popularity on Tumblr in the early 2020s and TikTok around 2022, but has roots in earlier feminine fashion trends, including Japanese Lolita fashion, often compared to other aesthetics such as Balletcore, Cottagecore, and Princesscore.
What is the difference between Cottagecore and coquette? ›
Whilst 'cottagecore' relies on linens, plaid and oversized cosy silhouettes, 'coquette' leans more towards exaggerated hyper-feminine looks, like puffed shoulders, statement collars and 3D flower appliqués.” In 2024, rocking the coquette aesthetic is all about infusing your wardrobe with a touch of whimsy and romance.
What does coquette mean in fashion? ›
Coquette, by the Oxford Languages definition, simply means "a woman who flirts." The trend inspired by that definition includes details like lace, pearls and bows in a frequently pastel palette. Other hallmarks of the look include ballet flats or Mary Jane shoes, corsets, puff sleeves and gold jewelry to finish.
