The ‘coquette aesthetic’ has floated its way from Tumblr archives to TikTok feeds and now straight into our wardrobes and red carpet moments. Flirty, hyper-feminine, and unapologetically romantic, this trend is painting fashion in pastel tones, bringing back lace, bows, blush, and that dreamy 'soft girl' glow.
Let’s break down this globally viral trend, where it came from, who’s wearing it, and why it’s everywhere in 2025.
At its core, the coquette aesthetic is about embracing delicate femininity with a playful edge. Think heart motifs, sheer fabrics, flushed cheeks, pearl accessories, and ballet-inspired details. It’s a look that balances innocence with flirtation like modern-day Marie Antoinette meets Tumblr-era Lana Del Rey.
While the term ‘coquette’ historically referred to a flirtatious woman, the 2020s revival is more about aesthetic expression than vintage tropes. It’s soft. It’s self-aware. And it’s perfect for TikTok's visual storytelling culture.
Buckle Up! From waist chains to big belts, Y2K waist accessories are back
The coquette trend first bloomed on Tumblr in the early 2010s, coexisting with soft grunge, romantic poetry edits, and indie visuals. Fast forward to today, TikTok has breathed new life into it, thanks to Gen Z creators romanticizing everything from their morning coffee to cottagecore-inspired outfits.
The rise of trends like ‘clean girl,’ ‘balletcore,’ and ‘fairy grunge’ all created the perfect storm for coquette style to re-emerge only this time, it's more polished and mainstream.
Bollywood’s rising fashion icons aren’t far behind. Khushi Kapoor recently turned heads in a pink mini dress adorned with delicate bows an outfit that screamed coquette chic. Meanwhile, Ananya Panday leaned into the aesthetic with a soft blush-toned ensemble complete with frills and glossy lips.
Across the globe, Sabrina Carpenter is arguably the unofficial poster girl for this trend. With her signature puff sleeves, micro skirts, rosy makeup, and ribbon-stacked hairdos, she’s transformed every stage into a romantic runway.
Even on red carpets, we’re seeing more lace, tulle, and baby pinks than ever proof that coquette isn't just a fleeting TikTok trend; it's a global fashion wave.
From therapy to trend: Crochet-core fashion dominates this season
This aesthetic taps into something deeper than just fashion. In an era dominated by high-speed routines and hustle culture, coquette style invites softness, nostalgia, and romantic escapism. It celebrates looking ‘pretty for yourself,’ indulging in dainty details, and finding joy in hyper-femininity.
Plus, it’s versatile. Pair a frilly top with jeans for a casual look, or go full-on balletcore with tulle skirts and Mary Janes. There’s room to play, personalize, and perform your own version of soft glamour.
The coquette aesthetic isn’t just a look it’s a mood. It whispers elegance, flirts with fantasy, and paints femininity in every pastel shade. Whether you’re on the streets of Mumbai or the stages of New York, this globally loved trend proves that soft is powerful—and pretty can be bold.