Maybe it’s cringe to name a fashion trend after yours truly, but the thing is...it’s actually really spot-on. Sorry! I think when you see the eclectic, vintage-y vibes designers sent down the runway for fall/winter 2023, you’ll understand what I mean—they’re basically plucked from an archival issue of Cosmopolitan. The irreverence, the miniskirts, the skin! It’s giving ’90s, early aughts, and a little dash of Carrie Bradshaw, which, hello.
Anyway, don’t just take it from me. I work here! You could say I’m biased. In case you need further convincing, allow me to introduce you to our lovely model, YouTube creator Nailea Devora, who is demo-ing how to pull off Cosmocore to a damn T. More on her below. We’ve got everything covered!
PERFECT CASTING
Some important things about Nailea Devora: She’s a wildly successful YouTube creator and TikTok star (but you knew that), she’s a fashion and beauty girlie (like, Yves Saint Laurent shows, a partnership with Revlon, the whole deal), she’s hot as hell (please see: all these pictures), and she loves Halloween (direct quote: “Halloween is for the girls”). Her style strategy is also, conveniently, exactly like ours. “I don’t put myself in a box or label myself as one aesthetic or another,” she says. “That’s just limiting. I like to think there are no rules when it comes to fashion.” Okay, yes. Now do yourself a favor and go down a rabbit hole of her vids.
THE X FACTOR
Like we said, the whole vibe is ’90s/early aughts Carrie Bradshaw, with emphasis on those little details—ahem, nipple flowers—that make a look stand out.
OLD MEETS NEW
To really sync up with this style, you want to hit that vintage/modern mix but with a spicy twist. Bustier bodices for dayyyyys.
AND DID WE MENTION SKIN?
Yes, backless. Yes, see-through. Yes, both at the very same time.
UNDERWHERE
It certainly wouldn’t be very Cosmo without a lingerie moment.
DEEP Vs > EVERYTHING ELSE
Channel J.Lo’s 2000s Grammys dress, please. If not, a vintage DVF wrap is an iconic choice too.
GO BIG OR...THERE IS NO OTHER OPTION
Western saloonwear meets Madonna’s lace era = genuinely why not?
ON THE CHAIN
Chainmail, obviously. Did you know you can wear these sweet bralette things as necklaces? Because that’s what we’re doing from here on out.
PICK UP ON THE PATTERN
Life’s too short! Wear all the prints together and instantly be better than everyone else. Sorry to them.
MAKE IT MODERN
Now here’s the updated Carrie: a tank with a feathery mini instead of a tulle skirt. And functional black boots because we’re on the go!
Photographer: Brendan Wixted. Stylist: Cassie Anderson. Creative director: Mallory Roynon. Senior producer: Liesl Lar. Producer: Lee Havclicek. Production assistant: Emily Geraghty. Makeup: Vincent Oquendo. Hair: Levi Monarch.
Rachel Torgerson is the fashion features and lifestyle director at Cosmopolitan, overseeing fashion and lifestyle coverage online, in print, and on our various social media platforms. She has over a decade of experience in the fashion and media industries. Before landing at Cosmopolitan as a digital fashion editor in 2016, she worked at Us Weekly, The Knot, and Fitness Magazine, among others. When she's not discussing runway trends, you can definitely catch her trying out (and, in many cases, failing) a new crochet cardigan pattern or in a spirited debate about the difference between the Bridgerton books vs the Netflix series. Follow her on Instagram and TikTok: @RachelTorgs
