Written by: Bryan Yew, Reika Sim, Sarah Mustaffa
What is Coquette?
Have you been seeing pretty pink bows being used as an accessory on hair and bags, but you’re not sure why? You might be witnessing the popular trend known as the Coquette trend. Coquette, inspired by its meaning of “a flirtatious woman,” involves a soft, hyper-feminine style of dressing, usually accompanied by matching hair accessories and outfits. Some signature items of clothing from this look include babydoll dresses, as well as pastel colours.
Many people are incorporating the Coquette aesthetic into their own personal style. One such person would be Elliyana Binte Mohamed Sharizan, who is an 18 year old student in the Diploma of Communications and Media Management at Temasek Polytechnic.
“I tend to lean towards the feminine side with my clothes. So coquette is the perfect style for me! I also think that the coquette style is very appealing to the eyes and I like how aesthetically pleasing it is. ”
Many people like Elliyana are also incorporating the coquette style in their everyday life. Ribbons not only adorn hair, they also are tied around headphones, stuck on computers, and so many more.
“I think the reason why the coquette style is popular is because it’s a very cute style. The bows and delicate nature of the coquette style appeals to mainly the female population. This may be due to the feminine traits the trend has,” said Elliyana.
She added: “I feel that social media, especially TikTok, has influenced its popularity as coquette became a trending subject thanks to its reach. Now, there are many influencers sharing their advice online, showing others how to bring the coquette trend into their own lives.”
The history of Coquette
While Coquette may be trending on social media now, did you know that the Coquette aesthetic has been around since the 1700s? The trend can be linked back to the Queen, Marie Antionette, who often wore similar dresses that sometimes included bows. In the 2010s, the Coquette trend had a slight comeback due to the app Tumblr, where users would design their blogs according to the Coquette aesthetic. However, in recent years, thanks to apps such as Pinterest and TikTok, this trend has had a resurgence, and it may have also been partly due to Gen Z’s urge to covet unique pieces of fashion into their wardrobe. Shows such as Bridgerton, along with pop singer Lana Del Rey, have been a huge influence on this trend.
What Coquette fashion entails
1. Go Overboard!
When it comes to Coquette fashion, there is no such thing as too many bows. They are one of the most famous motifs of the Coquette aesthetic. Use ribbons to decorate anything you desire, from your hair to your shoes and even to your headphones, the possibilities are literally endless. The ribbons themselves are usually in light, soft colours, such as light pink, pastel blues, creams and whites. This represents the sweet and innocent look of this aesthetic.
2. Go with the Flow!
Another defining feature of Coquette fashion is the flowy dresses and skirts. Examples of which would be chiffon or tulle. These dresses usually involve ruffles and lace, as well as bows. These dresses are also usually accompanied by knitted cardigans in cream and light colours creating a sweet, girl-next-door look.
3. Let Natural Beauty Shine!
Coquette fashion also places a large focus on subtle, natural-looking makeup that enhances a person’s natural beauty. It draws attention towards rosy cheeks and fluttery lashes. Glossy lips and eyeliner done in a cat-eye’s stroke complete the look!
The trendsetters of Coquette
Celebrities have long been trendsetters in the world of fashion, often influencing popular styles and trends that remain iconic for years to come. Recently, a growing number of celebrities have been embracing the coquette trend. Some of which include the popular singers Lana Dey Rey, Gracie Abrams as well as Olivia Rodrigo.
Designers are also hopping onto this trend, such as Sandy Liang, with her astoundingly adorable collections. One of which is her Fall/Winter 2023 collection for New York Fashion Week. Bows are her signature accessories and she uses them for almost every collection she designs.
“I feel like it’s cool that people are really loving [the girlish aesthetic]. I’ve always seen the bow as a symbol of childhood, so that’s why it means so much to me,” Sandy Liang says in an interview with Highsnobiety when questioned about her love for bows.
She is known for her feminine style when it comes to her designs, encompassing a sweet and romantic look.
Coquette’s lasting impact
Fashion and style have always been used to express oneself. The coquette aesthetic in particular has helped many to bring a sense of “girlhood” into their daily lives, and to take pride in their femininity. The aesthetic has also allowed many to tap into nostalgia, seeing it as a reflection of their childhood. Coquette shows that most trends are just a way for people to connect with each other through shared interests and ideas, Coquette being the idea of embracing one’s femininity. It is amazing how so many of us can feel empowered simply by wearing a cute little bow. So why not experiment with the style and wear a Coquette look of your own?
