Whether it be bows or pleats, the meteoric rise of coquette is impossible to ignore. But the coquette aesthetic is no stranger to the internet. Like most trends, “coquette core” is circling back years later, after first gaining traction on Tumbler in the early 2010s. Tags such as “soft girl” and “cottage core” served as precursors to the final coquette aesthetic, which seems to be an amalgamation of the hyper-feminine trends of the past. The word itself comes from the 17th-century French term “coquette,” which was used to describe women with flirty and playful attitudes.

In media, coquette core is best represented by those such as Lana Del Ray, whose old Hollywood style and siren-like singles capture the seductive femininity that is often attached to the coquette label. Recently, artists like Chapell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter have been seen dripping in pearls and lace, embracing the playfully feminine themes that are so classically coquette. 

The work of Sophia Coppala is often cited as the beginning of the coquette movement on screen, specifically the “Virgin Suicides,” which hit theaters in 1999. The subsequent popularity of coming-of-age movies (such as Marie Antoinette, 2003), specifically those centered around girlhood, solidified the dominance of coquette-core in modern media. Almost twenty years later, this aesthetic is still going strong, represented in recent films such as “Pricilla” (2023) and “Companion” (2025). 

Besides movies and music, pastels and pinks have also had a major impact on the fashion scene. Designers like Cecile Brahnsen and Simone Rocha often tout out the babydoll silhouettes and ballet inspired looks that are seen on the red carpet. Fast fashion was quick to replicate this, with brands such as Shein and Princess Polly offering hundreds of coquette options, from flowy dresses to crop tops.  

The rise of coquette core on TikTok exists in tandem with the stunning popularity of terms like “demure” and “girl math,” which have become viral snippets of a much larger movement. The celebration of femininity on social media has become an outlet for many girls, providing a space that allows for the overt embrace of womanhood. Although many see this as an opportunity to reclaim and celebrate girlhood, existing discourse also critiques the nature of “coquette-core” arguing that it pushes women backward, playing into the male gaze. Many worry that the cottage-core frills overlap far too closely with the trad-wife of the 1950s, idealizing harmful gender stereotypes and playing into patriarchal themes. In addition, a quick Google search of Coquette Core will reveal that it caters mostly to a thin, white audience.

Tags such as “thinspo” often trend right alongside coquette, raising questions about the harmful undertones of the movement.The lack of inclusivity and general diversity in an aesthetic that is supposedly a space for everyone to celebrate femininity raises the question; is it doing more harm than good? 

The impact of the coquette aesthetic is stunningly clear, having made an appearance everywhere from film to fashion. Its lasting effects and continual re-birth ensure that despite the occasional name change, the bows and florals are here to stay.