How to Nail the Soft Girl Summer Look
Social media seems to spit out a new microtrend almost every single day, largely thanks to Gen Z’s desire to define their own personal style. Ironically, the soft girl aesthetic is inspired by Y2K and Japanese kawaii fashion, leaning heavily into pastel shades and feminine silhouettes.
From flowy and floral summer dresses, chic knitwear staples, and girly high-waisted Bydee thong bikini bottoms with matching ruffled tops, there is no better time than now to embrace your inner-feminine energy and have the ultimate soft girl summer. After all, life is infinitely better when you embrace the joy of positivity, color, and fierce female friendships.
What is the Soft Girl Aesthetic
If you have social media of any kind, you have likely heard of the soft girl aesthetic. This look is best described as deliberately, almost overly feminine, with plenty of pinks, beautiful pastel shades, and glitter. There is a particularly large emphasis placed on makeup and accessories to finish any look.
But the aesthetic is more than just dressing in cute outfits. It exaggerates the very things most teen girls have been mocked or undermined for loving. The driving force behind the trend to begin with was to allow women to explore the part of their identity of being soft and openly loving traditionally girlish things, which are often viewed as a vulnerable retaliation against those who make them feel ashamed.
Soft Girl Style Trends
Soft girl clothing can range from oversized hoodies with cute graphics and flirty crop tops to white pleated tennis skirts with matching tanks. The ultimate goal is to build an outfit that oozes a soft and comforting aura while maximizing feminine flair.
Dreamy Dresses
The soft girl style is a very feminine aesthetic, so it should come as no surprise that having a wide range of flowy and flirty dresses with plenty of girly details like puff sleeves and lace finishes is an important component.
The beauty of dresses is that they are incredibly versatile and can be carried over into fall and spring by pairing them with warm cardigans or knitwear to keep cold temperatures at bay. Opt for a neutral white base, soft pastel shades, or delicate patterns like polka dots and floral to embrace your ultimate inner girl.
Pastels & Knits
While pink is a large part of the soft girl aesthetic, it is not the only color you are allowed to wear. Whether you are building a cozy, casual weekend look or dressing up for date night, you will want to select pieces that feature soft pastels, neutral shades, and light tones.
The best way to wear these colors is in knitwear, one of the holy grails of this style trend. From cute sweater vests to crew neck cardigans, showcase those beautiful tones through chic knitwear. As an added extra, invest in a few pieces with cute graphics or stylish patterns to add interest and dimension to your look.
Athleisure Inspired
This may come as a bit of a surprise, but athleisure has a place in your soft girl summer style. The key is to maintain the golden rule of selecting pieces like oversized hoodies, pleated tennis skirts, cycling shorts, and sporty tanks in soft, feminine colors.
Finish your look off with a pair of tennis sneakers, your favorite summer sandals, or knee-high socks with a comfortable pair of slip-on slipper-inspired footwear.
Hair
While soft girl fashion can feel quite nebulous, the hairstyles within this aesthetic are much easier to define. Quintessential hairstyles include delicate ponytails, high ponies, bouncy curls, and plenty of whimsical plaits.
Accessories should be maximalist and almost childlike, with hairclips and jewelry that have flower, butterfly, and teddy bear motifs. Bows are also a popular addition to half-updos or a cute finishing detail for dresses, socks, and handbags.
Makeup
Soft girl makeup trends tend to fall into two main categories. If you are feeling bold, you can rock a sharp, winged eyeliner that is perfectly contrasted by plenty of blush and highlighter across the cheeks and nose. Pops of color can be added by vibrant eyeshadow or a bold lip.
Alternatively, you can opt for a full, natural look with soft hints of pink or coral blush, simple mascara, and light-pink-stained lips. Softer makeup works well to complement but not overwhelm an outfit that demands to be the star of the show.
Worth the Investment
If you end up falling in love with the soft girl aesthetic, but don’t love the idea of having to revamp your entire wardrobe, there are a few simple staples you can add to your wardrobe that will make a huge difference in embracing this new style.
Cropped jackets and cardigans are an absolute must, preferably in pastel shades or cute patterns like floral, bows, or polka dots. Pleated miniskirts or tennis skirts are also a popular clothing item, and can be found in a wide variety of beautiful patterns and colors. For reliable, versatile layering pieces, turn to trusted basics like tanks and white t-shirts to let your soft-girl staples shine.
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