Coquette Aesthetic: The Cute Trend You Need to Try This Year

We need to dive deep into the Coquette Aesthetic today. It is without a doubt the cute trend you absolutely need to try this year. And I am not just saying that because I am completely obsessed with it right now. I actually think it is such a fun, refreshing way to dress that makes you feel so good about yourself.

But um, before we get into the how-to stuff, let me tell you a little story.

Last month I was trying to find something to wear for a quick coffee date. I was standing there staring into my closet for like twenty minutes and realized everything I owned was just… boring. Sweats, oversized graphic tees, black leggings. It was giving zero energy. Then I remembered this crazy cute lace cami I thrifted like three years ago and never wore because I thought it was “too much” for everyday wear. I threw it on with a little pleated mini skirt, tied a random pink ribbon I found in my gift wrap drawer around my ponytail, and looked in the mirror. I swear to god I felt like a whole new person! It was kinda magical. That exact moment was my official gateway into the coquette life, and honestly I haven’t looked back since.

So… What Exactly IS the Coquette Aesthetic?

If you are sitting there wondering what the heck I am even talking about, don’t worry. I got you.

The coquette aesthetic is basically a love letter to all things romantic, soft, and unapologetically feminine. Think Lana Del Rey meets Marie Antoinette, but make it comfortable enough to actually walk down the street and get groceries in. It is all about embracing soft girl energy.

We are talking pastel colors, delicate lace, pearls, floral prints, and yes – an absolute mountain of bows. But the cool thing is, you don’t have to look like a literal toddler. It is about taking those childhood elements and styling them in a mature, chic way. You are mixing the sweet with the slightly edgy.

Why You Honestly Need to Try It

I know what you might be thinking. “Anne, I am twenty-something years old, I can’t walk around in frilly socks.” But hear me out! You totally can.

For so long, me and my friends felt like we had to dress super sleek, minimal, or business-casual to be taken seriously. We wore so much beige and black that our closets looked like a rainy day. This aesthetic is the perfect cure for that. It gives you permission to just have fun with your clothes again.

When you put on a piece of clothing that has tiny little roses on it or a soft lace trim, it just shifts your mood. You feel prettier, lighter, and more open. It is a really easy way to boost your confidence on days when you are feeling a little blah. Plus, it is so easy to incorporate into things you already own!

How to Build Your Coquette Wardrobe (The Easy Way)

Okay, let’s get into the actionable stuff. Because I want you to be able to close this tab and immediately know how to put an outfit together.

You don’t need to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. Please don’t do that! You probably have pieces that work already. Here is exactly what you should look for when you are putting together your looks.

• The Tops: Look for anything with pointelle fabric. If you don’t know what pointelle is, it is that soft knit fabric with tiny little holes woven into it, usually in a diamond or floral pattern. It is literally perfection. Also grab corset tops, baby tees with cute graphics, and anything with a sweetheart neckline.
• The Bottoms: Mini skirts are your best friend here. Pleated schoolgirl skirts or soft slip skirts. If you want to be super trendy, try lace bloomers or ruffled shorts! I know they sound crazy but paired with an oversized vintage sweater? Gorgeous.
• The Dresses: Slip dresses with lace trim. Floral sundresses. Anything that looks like you could gracefully run through a meadow in it.
• The Colors: Stick to a soft palette. Baby pink, powder blue, creamy whites, soft sage green. You can definitely mix in black for a “dark coquette” vibe, which is also super stunning.

Accessories Are Literally Everything

If you take away anything from this post, let it be this: the magic is in the details. You could literally wear a basic white tee and jeans, but if you add the right accessories, boom – you are coquette.

Bows are non-negotiable. Tie them in your hair, pin them to your bag, use thin ribbons instead of shoelaces. Just put them everywhere. Next, let’s talk about jewelry. Layered pearl necklaces, vintage-looking gold lockets, and delicate rings.

And we have to talk about shoes real quick.

Let me tell you about my personal journey with Mary Janes. So, I bought this super cheap pair online a few months ago thinking they would be amazing for my aesthetic. I wore them to the Sunday farmer’s market because I wanted to look cute while buying my overpriced strawberries. Bad idea. Within like twenty minutes I had blisters the size of actual quarters on my heels. I literally had to walk back to my car barefoot holding my iced latte like a crazy person while people stared at me.

Lesson learned! Invest in good shoes, girl. Now I have a pair of soft leather ballet flats that I practically sleep in because they are so comfy. Ballet flats and Mary Janes are the ultimate coquette shoes. Wear them with little white ankle socks that have a ruffle at the top. Trust me on this one.

Hair and Makeup: Keep It Soft

The makeup for this aesthetic is probably my favorite part because it is so incredibly easy and forgiving. It is the exact opposite of that heavy, intense contouring we used to do back in 2016.

You want a glowing, fresh face. The most important step? Blush. Apply a generous amount of pink or peach blush right on the apples of your cheeks and sweep a little bit across the bridge of your nose. It gives you that natural “I just came in from the cold” flush.

Keep your lips glossy and hydrated. Use a soft beige or light pink lip liner, blend it out, and top it with a super shiny clear gloss. For your eyes, just a little bit of mascara, maybe a tiny flick of brown eyeliner instead of black. It is all about looking effortless.

For hair, soft waves are always a win. If you are having a bad hair day, just throw it into a half-up half-down style and secure it with a giant silk bow clip. It takes two seconds but looks like you spent an hour getting ready.

It Is A Lifestyle, Not Just Clothes

The best part about the coquette trend is that it kind of bleeds into how you live your life. It encourages you to romanticize your everyday routine.

Instead of just drinking your morning coffee out of a boring travel mug, pour it into a delicate vintage teacup you found at an antique store. Buy yourself fresh flowers just because. Light a candle that smells like vanilla and rose petals while you read a book in the evening instead of doom-scrolling on your phone.

I tried to lean into the lifestyle fully last weekend. I attempted to bake one of those vintage heart-shaped cakes for my sister’s birthday. You know the ones with the crazy elaborate buttercream piping all over the edges? Yeah… it did not go well. I am terrible at baking and my kitchen looked like a bomb went off. The cake ended up looking like a slightly lopsided pink blob. But honestly? We put a cute little satin bow on the cake stand, lit some tall taper candles, and it somehow still totally fit the aesthetic! We laughed so hard and took a million pictures. It is all about the intention and having fun with it.

Your Next Steps

So, are you ready to try it? I really hope you are.

Here is what I want you to do this week: go into your closet and pull out one piece of clothing that feels feminine or romantic that you haven’t worn in a while. A lace top, a skirt, or even just a pastel cardigan. Challenge yourself to style it for a normal, everyday activity. Put a ribbon in your hair, swipe on some lip gloss, and just see how it makes you feel.

I promise you, once you start adding these little touches of coquette into your life, you are going to be hooked. It just makes everything feel a little bit more magical and a whole lot cuter.

Let me know in the comments if you are already rocking the coquette vibe, or what your favorite piece from this aesthetic is! I am always looking for new ways to style my ballet flats.

Love you guys so much! Talk soon.

– Anne