Dear Faye,
Coquette is the trend that has feminists of yesteryear shaking their heads in despair. The word literally translates to a flirtatious woman who manipulates men, yet the aesthetic has us tying bows onto everything from ponytails to vodka cranberries. Coquette has celebs such as Sabrina Carpenter and Hailey Bieber, in a chokehold – and we’re following faithfully behind them. But doesn’t that throw feminism back 100 years? Isn’t that the exact opposite of what women have fought for since the suffragettes? Doesn’t dressing like Marie Antoinette mean you won’t be taken seriously?
NO, coquette girls such as I scream in unison! Coquette is an outlet for the ultra-girly; a rebellion against the notion that women have to forgo everything sugar and spice and all things nice to portray themselves as viable for gender equality. As the Barbie movie taught us, the modern woman can be an absolute powerhouse and do it all whilst wearing pink. Yes, I do want to dress like I’ve just been a part of flash dance with Ryan Gosling, or that I’ve just been picked up from my pink dream house in a 1950s Ford Mustang.
If you, too, want to join this movement and embrace coquette, here’s how you can do it. First up, milkmaid styles are super coquette, as are flirty lingerie-esque camis. Tops should be adorned with ribbons, lace, frills and teeny tiny satin roses. If you get cold, throw on a cute cardigan that resembles the ones babies wear to christenings. Or, a ballerina bolero because ballet-core and coquette are BFFs.
Bloomers are set to be the short of the summer and while you may be thinking that they belong in an episode of Bridgerton, I’m thinking mysterious coquette dream girl. Think white and lacy, paired with a baby tee (with a graphic of a bow on it, obvy). Or opt for a gingham pattern because gingham is absolutely everywhere. The it-pattern for strawberry girl summer, gingham may resemble a checkered picnic blanket but is the go-to for boxer style shorts, preferably in cherry red or baby blue.
In terms of skirts, puffball, ra-ra and tiered styles are so coquette. Sundresses are also a coquette staple. Broderie, linen and pointelle are the fabrics of coquette. In terms of skirt lengths, although maxi styles are popular this season, flirty thigh skimming lengths are far more coquette, as are playsuits and rompers.
For accessories, follow the lyrics of the high priestess of coquette culture, Lana del Rey, and put on heart–shaped sunglasses. These funky frames are all over ASOS right now, but here at Snatch, we’re all about sustainability. Vinted produces a huge selection of second-hand, more unique pairs which are kinder to your wallet and the planet. For a true coquette look, go for a cat eye–shaped heart with red, pink or white frames.
The effect of a frilly or knee-high sock shouldn’t be underestimated as footwear should be exactly as adorable as the rest of the fit. No Nike Dri Fits here!
Ballet flats or Mary Janes are the coquette shoe of choice to complete the look. Ballet flats should be baby pink and satin, Mary Janes glossy and brown, black or cherry red. Alternatively, if you’re still traumatised by the stench of the 2010s sockless ballet flat trend, coquette-ify your trainers by purchasing ribbon from a haberdashery or craft shop and replacing your laces with it. You can also do this with cowboy boots, for an Americana coquette vibe, by looping the ribbon through the back of the boots.
When searching for vintage coquette pieces online, try and avoid brands such as Shein, Cider and Romwe. Although these fast fashion brands are selling a lot of coquette pieces, even when they’re sold second hand, they aren’t sustainable due to their labour processes. It’s a thumbs down from me.
So, that’s coquette. If you really want to go the extra mile, look lost in your local park with a cherry coke, pack of Marlborough golds and a copy of Nabokov’s Lolita in your hands.
Pictures: Rosaleen Harris-Davison
Designs: Pius Bentgens