In 2024, it appears that the emergence of hyper-feminine styles, often dismissed or overlooked in previous decades, is gaining prominence. While it's important to acknowledge fashion's historical focus on the feminine form, recent decades often relegated overtly "girlish" styles to the margins. The recent cultural impact of Greta Gerwig's Barbie, epitomised by Barbiecore, has propelled hyper-feminine dressing to the forefront of fashion discourse.
Details and Accessories, at Simone Rocha Spring Summer 2024 Women Ready to Wear Fashion Show on September 2023 in London, UK
The Simone Rocha girlie
Today, brands such as Molly Goddard, Sandy Liang, Simone Rocha, and Cecilie Bahnsen are at the vanguard of this hyper feminine movement, spearheading the exploration of other sartorial subcultures like mermaid-core, coquette, regency-core, and cottage-core. While the endurance of this aesthetic remains uncertain, its influence on fashion and contemporary notions of womanhood is undeniable. Here, we celebrate the discerning style of online personalities who not only embrace this aesthetic but also imbue their self-expression with the enriching vitality of feminine energy.
For those looking to embrace mermaid-core, Luna Baba, or @lunipoops on Instagram, offers inspiration. As a content creator and owner of Mew Swim, a brand characterized as "a constantly evolving fantasy rooted in femininity, fragility, endurance, and pain," Luna has garnered a following of 108,000 on Instagram and TikTok. The online personality often incorporates eclectic accessories such as printed stockings, spike-y footwear and a pointe bra into her aesthetic.
Hailing from Nashville, Texas, in the United States, Alondra Flores (@thealondraflores on Instagram) has amassed a following of over 200,000 on Instagram and 50,000 on TikTok. With content spanning outfit inspirations, home furnishings, and personal vlogs, the content creator's distinct pink-and-white aesthetic channels princess vibes.
If you admire a gal who serves up both looks and fashion history, be sure to follow New York-based Mina Le on her Instagram, @gremlita. The content creator and model, whose style blends cottagecore with 1920s makeup looks, is also a podcaster and YouTuber – with over 1.4 million subscribers. Her video essays often delve into fashion and pop culture, exploring topics like the trend of dressing like a little girl and the rise of ‘-core’ and ‘girl’ aesthetics.
For the beauty enthusiasts, we've got you covered. With Douyin makeup (a makeup style popular on the Chinese video platform Douyin) gaining traction on the internet in recent months, @faaaariii_ is one of the many Douyin creators who also regularly posts on Instagram, boasting over 834,000 followers. It's not hard to see why—the content creator experiments with doll-like makeup and fashion, ranging from school uniforms to punk-inspired ensembles.
If you're not particularly fond of pinks but still want to explore hyper-feminine silhouettes, Yami, also known as @mocatccinooo on Instagram, experiments with bright colors like blues, reds, and purples while maintaining a soft approach to her style. Often spotted in an array of mini skirts, the content creator frequently enhances her outfits with cute ribbon accessories and lavish nail sets.
For the hopeless romantics craving a taste of Victorian-era elegance, look no further than UK-born, US-based Kimberley Gordon (@wedreamoficecream on Instagram), the brains behind fashion brand Selkie. From corsets to flouncy dresses and bonnets, Selkie offers a dreamy array of romance and nostalgia-inspired garments in sizes ranging from XXS to 5X.
Unless you've been living under a rock, you would know that Sabrina Carpenter is an icon in the making. The pop star gained prominence with hit songs like Feather and Nonsense and was recently in town to open for The Eras Tour. Yet, Carpenter's super girly style—both on stage and on the red carpet—hasn't quite received the attention it deserves. From dressing up as Rapunzel in a coquette mini dress last Halloween to cute heart-shaped garments, the singer is providing lessons on how to subtly embrace the trend.
Boudoir chic has been on the rise in recent years, with modern expressions seen in brands like Dolce & Gabbana. For a more vintage and girly take on the aesthetic, look to content creator Janice Hampton, a.k.a. @janiceglimmer on Instagram, who is based in New York City. Hampton loves a good luxe 'pinup girl' look and often integrates lingerie and garter stockings into her style.
If you're a Disney enthusiast, Chazlyn Yvonne, who goes by @chazlyn.yvonne on Instagram, adores a good princess dress—and she knows all the best photo spots in Disneyland. Based in Los Angeles, California, this content creator offers plenty of pink-tinted and whimsical inspiration on beauty, fashion, and lifestyle, all inspired by fairy tale princesses.
The best thing about the rise of feminine energy is finding a safe space to express yourself freely— such as Fluent In Pink, a pink-loving, all-inclusive community created by content creator Mollie Daniela or @molliedaniela on Instagram. Fluent In Pink frequently hosts members-only events like a Galentines' picnic and content days (open to everyone, not just content creators!), where participants dress up, take photos, and shoot videos of one another. Daniela also creates content herself, sharing tips on plus-sized friendly outfit ideas and why plus-sized representation matters.
First popularised in Japan as a subculture inspired by the Victorian and Rococo eras, lolita fashion still wields plenty of influence in today’s pop culture. Laylay, who goes by @laylay_z on Instagram, is one of the many content creators who does the subculture justice with head-to-toe lolita looks, featuring Harajuku-inspired platform shoes, puffy sleeves, and elaborate headwear.
No one is doing it quite like Chloe Cherry who is better known as @perfect_angelgirl on Instagram. The breakout star from Euphoria, who was once an adult film actress, is known for her unconventional personality and style. Her doll-like energy has become a staple of the aesthetic, featuring mini ribbon dresses, big red lips, and crop t-shirts with direct messages like "Google Me" and "Sex doesn’t sell, voyeurism does."