Brat summer is over! Gen Z women have ditched lime green for gothic make up (and it’s inspired by Charli XCX’s pop rival)
As Gen Z leaves behind a season of debauchery in the wake of what’s been dubbed “brat summer,” they’re looking for new ways and styles to continue the rebellious fun.
According to the latest figures from Pinterest In searches, young people are getting into the latest ‘dark feminine energy’ aesthetic, which embraces a gothic look and helps reveal their ‘dark side’.
Reminiscent of the deliberately unkempt look of the summer aesthetic, the fashion trend is based on dark, grunge-inspired clothing, smudged eyeliner and Halloween-style corsets.
The aesthetic is described as a representation of the ‘dark sides’ of individuals and is said to reflect a ‘metaphorical rebalancing’ of power – and is underpinned by the power of CE.
To achieve this look, young people don tight corsets, lace garments, latex dresses and leather pants, to look evil and seductive at the same time.
According to the latest figures from Pinterest searches, young people are going crazy for the latest ‘dark feminine energy’ trend, which embraces maximalism and sensuality
The fashion trend, reminiscent of the deliberately unkempt summer look, is based on dark, grunge-inspired clothing, smudged eyeliner and Halloween-esque corsets.
The look leaves nothing to chance and also requires carefully blended eyeliner, dark pouty lips and rich wine-colored nails.
In contrast to the slightly disheveled look encouraged by the brat aesthetic, the dark, feminine appearance is deliberately glamorous. It’s an aesthetic meant to shatter hearts with smoldering looks.
The aesthetic should reveal a darker side of one’s femininity and draw a line under the “clean girl” aesthetic that previously dominated Gen Z style.
The trend, which embraces both style and ‘personality’, also encourages ‘confidence and assertiveness’.
According to a TikTok creator, it’s all about embracing repressed desires and rejecting “societal expectations.”
At New York Fashion Week earlier this month, designers Luar, Wiederhoeft, Kim Shui, Christian Cowan and Jason Wu incorporated the trend into their spring-summer 2025 runway shows, unveiling gothic, witchy-looking ensembles that echoed the aesthetic.
If you look through the trend, you will discover some dark female icons who have led the trend with their mysterious and dark aesthetic.
Alexa Demie, Rihanna, Megan Fox and Lana Del Ray are some celebrities who are thought to embody the dark female personality.
Leaving nothing to chance, the look also requires carefully blended eyeliner, dark pouty lips and rich wine-colored nails.
Those eager to adorn themselves with witchy-looking outfits and smudged makeup are turning to Pinterest for their inspiration
In contrast to the slightly sloppy look encouraged by the brat aesthetic, the dark, feminine style is deliberately glamorous – a look meant to shatter hearts with smoldering glances, rather than appearing to have just returned from a night out.
The aesthetic should reveal a darker side of one’s femininity and draw a line under the “clean girl” aesthetic that previously dominated Gen Z style
The surge in interest is also likely inspired by the red carpet, as pop singer Taylor Swift recently caught fans’ attention after stepping out in a signature dark feminine ensemble at the VMAs.
The Reputation singer wore a black and yellow plaid corset, paired with long latex sleeves with holes in the arms, finishing the ensemble with smudged eye makeup — a look that was consistent with the dark grunge aesthetic.
Other A-listers popularizing the aesthetic with dark, moody outfits include Camila Cabello, Megan Thee Stallion, Lisa, Suki Waterhouse and Chappell Roan.
Selena Gomez also channeled the dark, feminine look at the Toronto International Film Festival, wearing a low-cut black sequin dress with a rose on the chest.
Meanwhile, at the premiere of her new film Beetlejuice 2, Jenna Ortega cut a witchy figure in a tight green corset dress paired with elbow-length black silk gloves.
The surge in interest is also likely inspired by the red carpet, as pop singer Taylor Swift recently caught fans’ attention after stepping out in a signature dark feminine ensemble at the VMAs.
Meanwhile, at the premiere of her new film Beetlejuice 2, Jenna Ortega cut a witchy figure in a tight green corseted dress and elbow-length black silk gloves.
Searching for the trend also brings up photos of a number of film and TV characters who have been seen as villainous femme fatales
Other A-listers popularizing the aesthetic with dark, moody outfits include Camila Cabello, Megan Thee Stallion, Lisa, Suki Waterhouse and Chappell Roan.
Angelina Jolie’s character in the 1999 film Girl Interrupted also plays a femme fatale with box-cut bangs and a ragged, unapologetic look – a look that was epitomized by the real-life actress.
Searching for the trend also brings up images of a number of film and TV characters who have been seen as villainous femme fatales.
Creative director of the makeup brand Addiction Tokyo, Kanako Takase said Glamour that the appearance of “cold glamor and dark elegance” was initially inspired by Bette Davis’ character in Madame Sin.
As Kanako explained, Bette Davis’ character was intended to be a “cold, evil, and wealthy criminal mastermind.”
Marilyn Monroe is another popular choice for Gen Zers looking for “dark feminine energy” inspiration. In the film noir Niagra, the blonde beauty plays a femme fatale, donning typically sensual but dark looks during the 1953 production.
Angelina Jolie’s character in the 1999 film Girl Interrupted also plays a femme fatale with box-cut bangs and a ragged, unapologetic look – a look epitomized by the real-life actress at the time.