This article was submitted by a contributing writer. To submit your own work for The Connector, email features@scadconnector.com.
New Pinterest search: Coquette by Samantha Nicklaus
“OMG, that’s so coquette!”
“Is this giving coquette?”
“That’s so cute! The little bows, it’s definitely giving coquette.”
SCAD students have a knack for keeping up with fashion trends — this past winter quarter wasn’t any different. While walking around campus you could see the attention to detail students put into their outfits to fit the latest trend. Bows and everything feminine is what we call the coquette aesthetic.
What is Coquette?
Dating back to the 1600s, “coquette” is a word derived from French, meaning flirtatious. Search the definition and Merriam-Webster will state, “a woman who tries without sincere affection to gain the attention and admiration of men.” Now, spin this around a bit and you will see that women have created a sweet and romantic fashion trend, otherwise known as the “coquette aesthetic.” This trend plays with lace, pastel colors, and the number one necessity: bows, lots and lots of bows.
The it-girl aesthetic
There is a constant circulation online of cute trends. We have Japanese Lolita fashion, Balletcore, Cottagecore, and Princesscore. This is ultimately what coquette is, all of these trends combined into one. It’s almost like a girl’s dream Pinterest board.
This aesthetic started as a trend on TikTok around December of 2023, when girls were jokingly putting bows on things like their food, pets, and Kpop photocards, usually with the audio “Let The Light In” by Lana Del Rey. In an instant, coquette became viral and girls began to incorporate bows into their everyday style.
Now, you will see pink and white bows on berets and bows tied in hair. People have been using them as shoelaces, some have them on socks and/or nylons. Bows in nail art have become a big thing now. This past Valentine’s Day, people had their nail techs design little bows on their nails to match the vibe.
Feminine flair
The coquette aesthetic has a feminine touch. It’s soft and can be a simple look. I, for one, have taken it upon myself to create a Pinterest board for inspiration. It’s such a classy and flattering style, the fact that women have taken something as simple and small as a bow and made it an entire aesthetic is something powerful. It’s really uplifting and so “I’m just a girl” to take this and make it our own. To have an outlet to be ourselves, play around with fashion, and not feel judged for dressing the way that we want. Adding a little bow to a purse, wearing a lacey top, or putting on pearls, it’s feeling powerful in a world against women. We’ve created — and are living in — our coquette world.
An aesthetic for all
Even though this aesthetic revolves around pink, pearls, lace, and everything cutesy, that doesn’t mean you have to stick to just that. If pastels aren’t your thing, just like it isn’t mine, use a black bow, use black lace, and use colors that you are comfortable with. People will see a bow, and it will make anything and everything coquette. Taking an aesthetic and making it your own is the whole point of fashion, so don’t think you can’t participate in this sweet romantic trend because the colors don’t match you.