Tired Of "Cool Girl" Fashion? 9 Ways To Add Interest And Femininity To Your Wardrobe
Have you ever felt personally victimized by the image and how-to of girlhood being pushed by modern lifestyle media? If so, you’re not alone. Womanhood has become synonymous with 20-step skincare routines, a love of Caesar salads paired with french fries and diet Coke (I’m still trying to figure this one out), and pilates classes. Oh, and let us not forget cool-girl fashion.
There have been many times over the past several years that I’ve looked up from my laptop or phone screen and thought to myself, “Am I a troll? I must be.” At the very least, I thought, “I am very uncool and I don’t fit in with my fellow women.” Objectively, I realize this is ridiculous. As a 31-year-old married woman with two—soon-to-be three—children, a fulfilling professional career, and a lineup of enriching hobbies, I’m hitting all of the notes of womanhood. With a strong interest in fashion, beauty, and the more romantic aspects of life, I’d even go as far as to say I’m “girly.” I’m just not girly by today’s popular standard, and I’m definitely not “cool.”
As I mentioned, I’m fairly fashion fluent. I’ve maintained an interest in the subject since childhood and have been writing about clothing since 2020 (we all have that one pandemic hobby that stuck around). I’ve watched cool girl fashion surge in popularity over the last several years and have made notes. At first, I was really into it. I’ve even written about it. But lately? I’m frankly really bored with it.
We’re entering a new era. Women are embracing their femininity. Marriage and children are back on the docket. Folks are quiet quitting because, as it turns out, a glamorized job doesn’t stack up against a robust personal life. And, just maybe, cool girl fashion isn’t quite as cool as we once thought it was.
What is “Cool Girl” Fashion?
Let’s be honest—we’ve lived (and continue to live) through strange times, my friends. The COVID-19 pandemic really threw us, our society, our culture—heck—our entire world for a loop (to say the least). Girlies went from living in loungewear every day (after all, we had absolutely nowhere to be) to emerging from their social isolation in Y2K throwback pieces and businesscore power suits.
As life began to normalize, the more extreme fashion aesthetics began to dissipate and approachable chic-yet-practical trends took their place. This is when cool girl fashion really got its legs. Spaghetti straps, chunky square belts, kitten heels, crop tops, and oval sunglasses began overtaking our social media feeds and favorite fashion blogs. And, before we knew it, there was no greater piece one could own than an oversized neutral blazer.
Cool girl fashion is urban and relies heavily on businesswear—which gives it both an edge as well as an air of masculinity. While different, cool girl fashion does also overlap with the concept of a capsule wardrobe, whose popularity has followed a similar timeline (thank you, TikTok). The major difference lies in longevity—a capsule wardrobe is built to endure the test of time. Cool girl fashion is all about living in the moment.
How to Add More Interest to Your Daily Looks
While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with loving businesscore, or wanting to dress like an uptown “Gossip Girl” character come to life, I know I can’t be the only one who's been craving something more. For one thing, I am not and never will be considered “cool” by Gen Z standards. For another, cool girl fashion is not even close to practical for my lifestyle (ie: working mom of three who loves the great outdoors).
While everyone else was making career and wellness-oriented resolutions this past Jan 1, I was making a very different vow: I promised myself that I would stop trying to fit into a mold that was never meant for me. I love fashion and I love dressing in a way that is unique, practical, and feminine. All of these truths can exist at the same time. Here’s how I’m doing just that, and how you can, too.
Lean Into Color
Cool girls love a neutral. And for a while, so did I. There was something appealing about being able to seamlessly mix and match pieces from across my closet to make countless outfits. The problem? All of those outfits started to feel exactly the same.
This January I performed a major closet clean out and, unlike previous purges, this time I didn't focus on fit. I focused on color. I weeded out five white sweaters—five! And I still have a handful lining my closet shelves. How many white sweaters does one person need? While a classic white cable knit is chic and timeless, owning more than a handful starts to set you up for fits that are downright boring.
Maybe your vice isn’t white sweaters. Maybe it’s tan blazers, little black dresses, or the perfect white tee. While a handful of neutral, outfit-building staples are helpful and—dare I say—necessary, letting them overrun your closet will quickly lead to outfits that just feel kind of “blah.”
Add statement colorful clothing pieces and accessories that will compliment those neutral basics and help your OOTDs pop. Here are some options I love:
Embrace Individuality
A few years ago, I added a pair of slate blue Tecovas cowgirl boots to my shoe rack. I had never considered myself a cowboy boot kind of gal, but something about these boots just drew me in. And by gosh, if they aren’t one of my favorite shoes to date. I have worn these boots innumerable times.
Sometimes I think we have a tendency to overthink personal style—something that happens more often when we’re trying to follow the status quo. To dress in a manner that’s more interesting, sometimes the easiest thing to do is to stop thinking so much. Follow your instinct. If something is outside the box—maybe even a little quirky—but it speaks to you, listen.
Dabble in Different Feminine Trends to Spark Ideas
Trends are a double edged sword. While, on the one hand, they contribute to fast fashion and a deep-seated feeling of “never having enough,” on the other they can spark a lot of inspiration and help us think about style and our wardrobes differently.
I do not advocate for jumping head first into every trend that crosses your TikTok feed—doing so is a quick way to turn your bank account against you and ensure you never truly discover your own personal style. But if you’re looking to add more femininity to your wardrobe, then there are a handful of recent microtrends you can draw inspiration from.
Cottagecore is perhaps the most well known contemporary aesthetic that relishes in overly feminine pieces. In a similar vein, rococo fashion, balletcore, and regency core celebrate ornate accessories and soft color palettes. When it comes to embracing a sense of freedom and effervescence, Bohemian style is the fashion sphere’s current golden child
When In Doubt, Wear a Dress
Dresses have been the signifier of womanhood since the beginning of time (well, practically). If you’re feeling tired of loose denim and cargo pants, opt for a dress instead. Aside from being effortless (I love a one-and-done outfit), you might be surprised by how doing so can also positively influence your mood. I.e.: Instant everyday romanticism.
Prioritize Feminine Details
One thing that really bothers me about cool girl fashion? Its utter rejection of all things overly feminine. I don’t want to dress like my husband! I don’t always want to be drowning in loose denim or boxy button-downs. At least not every day. On the other hand, I also have no intention of donning a crop top and am proud to say I happily left razor thin straps back in high school. I want lace, ruffles, and bows. I want cinched peplum tops, tiered skirts—I want puff sleeves, darn it!
When it comes to dressing more feminine or adding interest in general, the devil can truly be in the details. Aforementioned lace, ruffles, and bows are all exceedingly feminine. As are oversized collars, billowing sleeves, and embroidered details. Textiles are also feminine identifies in and of themselves. Romantic textures include velvet, silk, satin, linen, and chiffon.
Mix in Feminine Accessories
Similar to the above, feminine accessories can go a long way in making an outfit more interesting. Think bow barrettes and clips, retro-style sunglasses, delicate jewelry, and scarves. These pieces transform an outfit with minimal effort and, when outfit planning and purchasing, at a lower cost than larger clothing items or shoes.
Add Florals
Floral prints are inherently feminine. Whether it’s a botanically embroidered basket bag adorning your arm on a picturesque spring day or a microfloral dress on a hot summer afternoon, this time-honored pattern is a sure-fire way to layer in femininity.
Pearls Are a Woman’s Best Friend
Classy girls wear pearls. And while diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, there is something so much more chic and everyday about a statement pearl. We’re quick to associate the gemstone with jewelry, but these little beauties are a stunning addition throughout your outfit composition as well. While you may spend a little up front on acquisition, pearl-adorned clothing and accessories are sure to be those you’ll reach for constantly.
Prioritize Quality
While certainly not always the case, there are definitely times when “cool girl fashion” just feels—for lack of a better word—cheap. Neon hues, cheetah print, and polyester suits purchased at a budget-friendly price can send a certain signal. Maybe I’m just overly critical, but I don’t think anyone can make a case against quality. When you value your wardrobe and carefully curate what goes into it, the results speak for themselves.
Maybe using the same handbag every day or re-wearing a favorite dress as soon as it’s fresh from the wash isn’t “cool”—but it is intentional and has a tendency to spark joy. You can amass piles of cheap clothing and shoes for the sake of chasing every trend or you can prioritize individual style and craftsmanship. The latter is ultimately more chic and feminine.
There is no right and wrong way to approach fashion. But if you’re tired of feeling like you’re doing it wrong because you don’t want to dress “cool,” you're not alone. And you’re not uncool! There is nothing more captivating than a woman who’s found her own unique style. And there is so much beauty and freedom in dressing femininely. Personally? I don’t want to be a cool girl. I’d rather be an it girl, instead.