Are you a Lana Del Rey fan who lives for ultra-romantic fashion pieces and clings to trends that involve ribbons, lace, and Bridgerton-esque motifs? Then the coquette aesthetic is most definitely for you. But what is a coquette exactly? I read The Art of Seduction by Robert Greene cover to cover a few years ago, so I have a bit of an educated idea.
In the book, Greene breaks down multiple archetypes, describing them as characters we can play in life and love, and he includes historical examples along the way. He compares the coquette to the relationship between Napoleon Bonaparte and Joséphine de Beauharnais—her theatrics, vanity, and narcissism drew him in. Even though the coquette is known for being extremely adept at any aspect of traditional femininity, a big part of the archetype in the book I read is independence, so don’t forget that as you don your pearls and lace.
As for understanding what being a “coquette” means when it comes to fashion choices, I spoke to three Gen Z creators about this aesthetic. It seems that they all agree that, in the world of social media, the coquette aesthetic refers to a style that emphasizes a playful and flirtatious attitude, often characterized by dainty and delicate elements such as ruffles, bows, and pastel colors. Devin Apollon said it best: “Girlycore with a mix of sultry Old English elegance.” Below, find the 15 pieces that they suggest you shop to get in on the aesthetic.
