As Generation Z leaves behind a season of debauchery in the wake of what has been dubbed ‘snotty summer,’ they are looking for new ways and styles to continue the rebellious fun.
According to the latest figures from Pinterest In searches, young people are going crazy for the latest “dark feminine energy” aesthetic, which takes on a gothic look and helps reveal their “dark side.”
The fashion trend, reminiscent of the intentionally sloppy look of summer’s snotty aesthetic, relies on dark, grunge-inspired clothing, smeared eyeliner, and Halloween-style corsets.
The aesthetic is described as representing the “darker sides” of individuals and is supposed to reflect a “metaphorical rebalancing” of power, and is underpinned by the power of the ce.
To achieve this look, young people put on tight corsets, lace garments, latex dresses and leather pants, to look both villainous and seductive.
According to the latest search figures on Pinterest, young people are going crazy for the latest ‘dark feminine energy’ trend, which embraces maximalism and sensuality.
The fashion trend, reminiscent of the intentionally sloppy look of the Summer Look brat, is based on dark grunge-inspired clothing, smeared eyeliner, and Halloween-style corsets.
Leaving no stone unturned, the look also calls for meticulously smudged eyeliner, dark, pouty lips, and deep wine-colored nails.
Unlike the slightly disheveled look that the snotty aesthetic encourages, the dark feminine look is intentionally glamorous. It is an aesthetic destined to destroy hearts with fiery looks.
The aesthetic is supposed to reveal a darker side of femininity, drawing a line under the “clean girl” aesthetic, which previously dominated Gen Z’s style.
Encompassing both style and “personality,” the trend also encourages “confidence and assertion.”
According to one TikTok creator, moving away from sweet, flirty femininity is about accepting repressed desires and rejecting “social expectations.”
At New York Fashion Week earlier this month, designers Luar, Wiederhoeft, Kim Shui, Christian Cowan and Jason Wu integrated the trend into their spring-summer 2025 shows as they revealed gothic and witchy-looking ensembles that line with aesthetics.
Searching for the trend reveals a number of 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 of the celebrities who are believed to embody the dark female personality.
Leaving no stone unturned, the look also calls for meticulously blended eyeliner, dark lips, and deep wine-colored nails.
Those eagerly looking to adorn themselves in witchy-looking outfits and smudged makeup have turned to Pinterest for inspiration.
Unlike the slightly disheveled look encouraged by the brat aesthetic, the dark feminine style is intentionally glamorous—a look meant to shatter hearts with smoldering looks rather than looking like you’ve just returned from a night out.
The aesthetic is supposed to reveal a darker side of femininity, drawing a line under the “clean girl” aesthetic that previously dominated Gen Z’s style.
The surge in interest is likely inspired by the red carpet as well, as pop singer Taylor Swift recently caught fans’ attention after stepping out in a typically dark feminine ensemble at the VMAs.
The Reputation singer wore a black and yellow tartan corset, paired with long latex sleeves with holes in the arms, finishing off the ensemble with smudged eye makeup, a look consistent with the dark grunge aesthetic.
Other celebrities who popularized the aesthetic with dark, moody outfits included 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 her chest.
Meanwhile, at the premiere of her new movie Beetlejuice 2, Jenna Ortega looked like a witch in a tight green corseted dress combined with black silk elbow-length gloves.
The surge in interest is likely inspired by the red carpet as well, as pop singer Taylor Swift recently caught fans’ attention after stepping out in a typically dark feminine ensemble at the VMAs.
Meanwhile, at the premiere of her new movie Beetlejuice 2, Jenna Ortega cut a witch figure in a tight-fitting green corset dress and black silk elbow-length gloves.
The trend search also offers images of several film and television characters who were seen as femmes fatales villains.
Other celebrities who popularized the aesthetic with dark, moody outfits included 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 tattered, remorseless appearance, a look that was embodied by the real-life actress.
Searching for the trend also yields images of several film and television characters who were seen as villainous femme fatales.
Kanako Takase, creative director of makeup brand Addiction Tokyo, said Glamor that the ‘cold glamor and dark elegance’ look was initially inspired by Bette Davis’ character in Madame Sin.
As Kanako explained, Bette Davis’s character was intended as a “cold, evil, rich criminal mastermind.”
Marilyn Monroe is another popular choice for Generation Z who look to “dark feminine energy” for inspiration. In the film noir Niagra, the blonde beauty plays a femme fatale, sporting a typically sultry but dark look throughout 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 appearance, embodied by the real-life actress at the time.