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Let’s Talk About It: Were Latinas Embracing the Coquette Aesthetic in the Past?

Credit: Toni Frissell - This image is available from the United States Library of Congress

TikTok is at it again. This time around it has sensationalized its users with the latest popular style: coquette. The coquette style is a flirtatious, romantic, and hyper-feminine trend that has amassed billions of impressions on what is sometimes referred to as the “clock app.” This trend is also characterized by whimsical staples like milkmaid tops, ribbons, baby doll dresses, tights, ruffles, and pastel colors. 

Though it seems to be an innocent trend, it is important how certain components of this aesthetic can be tied to Latina and Indigenous cultures.  

Delving into the roots of this trend reveals a fascinating connection to Latinas and Indigenous people, who have been incorporating components of the coquette aesthetic for generations. Indigenous individuals, for example, have adorned their hair with ribbons, weaving them intricately into braids — a style that predates the current TikTok craze. Historical Latinas, notably Frida Kahlo, were trendsetters, donning ribbons in their hair long before it became this viral sensation. 

However, it is important to note that the coquette aesthetic’s journey traces back to figures like Marie Antoinette but gained prominence in the early 2010s as an alternative style. According to People, coquette fashion has always been around. But it made its rounds quietly, finding a home on platforms like Tumblr, adorned with charming girly bedrooms, Lana Del Rey GIFs, and romantic poetry. 

Coquette Style vs Latinas

In today’s world, the coquette aesthetic has experienced a remarkable resurgence, fueled by TikTok and Pinterest. The trend draws inspiration from shows like Succession, Bridgerton, and the influence of Lana Del Rey’s music. Additionally, Latinas and Indigenous influencers are reclaiming and celebrating their cultural roots, infusing the coquette style with a unique blend of heritage and modernity. Humor is being used too. A lot of Latina TikTok users are merging the suffix of the word to create their own “aesthetic.” Versions of the word include: bailarette, gastadorette, and beliquette. 

@chmireles

🎀✨🫰🏻 #coquette #belica #parati

♬ Cara A La Muerte (En Vivo) – Gerardo Ortiz

Despite the trend’s popularity, critics argue that the coquette aesthetic may inadvertently glorify darker elements of historical periods, such as the infantilization of women. Furthermore, the trend has historically been led by thin, White women, prompting a necessary conversation about inclusivity within the coquette movement. 

As the coquette aesthetic continues to captivate fashion enthusiasts, let’s not forget how Latinas and Indigenous people have been ahead of their time – per usual.  

Are you feeling this aesthetic? 

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