Soft Girl Outfits That’ll Be All Over TikTok This Spring
Cue the pastels, florals, and Y2K details.
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In today’s fashion cycle, trends come and go faster than ever thanks to TikTok. Blink, and you’d have missed the strawberry dress, JW Anderson’s Harry Styles cardigan, Angelcore, the duvet dress challenge, or Miu Miu’s teensy-weensy miniskirts that had millions glued to their FYPs. But one very TikTok-famous trend seems to have staying power: the Soft Girl.
While you may not know the spring trend by its formal name, you’ll undoubtedly recognize its pastel color palette and frilly details. The TikTok Soft Girl fashion aesthetic started in 2021 and has since morphed into a broader subculture obsessed with all things cute. Its frilly, pastel look draws inspiration from Bratz dolls, early 2000s pop stars and Japanese kawaii culture. Soft Girls are slightly edgier than the Cottagecore and Regencycore crowds. Though all three may wear the same puff-sleeve dress, only the Soft Girl would choose to style hers with chunky black shoes, colorful hair clips, and a y2k baguette bag.
Whether you're well-versed in the vibe or just dipping your toe into the trend, we’ve got all the cardigans, mini skirts, and statement accessories you need to style Soft Girl outfits for spring 2023.
A retro Fiorucci angel tee is an essential component of any Soft Girl's spring wardrobe. This sleeveless lavender number looks sweet styled with light-wash jeans and white sneakers.
Soft Girls prefer their denim to be light wash and flare-leg. These versatile GRLFRND jeans will only continue to get better as the years (and TikTok fashion trends) go by.
With its puff sleeves, smocked details, and dainty prints, the viral Hill House Home Nap Dress is the very definition of the Soft Girl aesthetic.
Schoolgirl-inspired pleated mini skirts are a mainstay of the Soft Girl aesthetic. Dyed a vibrant Barbie pink, this timeless tennis skirt feels right on trend for spring 2023.
Knit from a cozy blend of wool and cashmere, this preppy Vince pullover will bring the soft to your Soft Girl outfits.
Soft Girls love matching sets — like this spring-ready pink top and pants — for their versatility. Pair them together, or mix-and-match each piece solo with your go-to jeans and tees.
Certified Soft Girl, Ariana Grande, recently sported this pastel chunky cardigan in a TikTok vid, so don't be surprised when you start seeing it everywhere this spring.
This cardigan-inspired white tee features a functional ring detail at the bust, helping you achieve the barely-buttoned look TikTok loves with far less risk of a wardrobe malfunction.
To successfully achieve the Soft Girl aesthetic, you'll need to enlist pastel-colored staples like this lavender striped polo shirt. Bonus points if you add a matching bucket hat or hair bow.
When a Soft Girl gets cold, she reaches for a cozy teddy jacket that can be layered over loungewear, casual outfits, and office looks alike.
Cardigans equal tops, at least according to TikTok. Give your spring outfits a Soft Girl twist with a lightweight, fitted cardigan that looks straight out of the early 2000s.
Soft Girls contrast super sweet dresses like this with chunky loafers and lace-trim socks. Accessorize with a scrunchie or colorful hair clips for extra oomph.
Soft Girls like to wear a basic white tees with just about everything. Pair this simple long sleeve with jeans for an effortless outfit, or layer it under a tank dress on a breezy spring day.
Preppy plaid mini skirts are a Soft Girl staple. Pair this pink tartan number with a color-coordinated cami and cardigan for an easy everyday outfit.
A pastel button-up shirt can be layered over and under flirty dresses and fuzzy knitwear pieces.
A cropped hemline and subtle off-the-shoulder neckline bring just the right balance of sexy and sweet to this lilac layering top.
To master the Soft Girl aesthetic, you'll need to learn the art of print mixing. Having this maximalist Sandy Liang sweater in your knitwear arsenal makes it easy.
The one trendy accessory the Soft Girl aesthetic absolutely requires: ballet-inspired pastel knit leg warmers.
Tuck a y2k baguette bag under your arm and throw on some chunky black loafers to balance out the sweetness of this floral tank dress.
Show off your artsy side with this aesthetically-pleasing Monet Pillow Sweater. Its muted tones and cozy vibes offer a slightly more grown-up take on the Gen Z-driven fashion trend.
I'm Cosmopolitan's Associate Fashion Editor and write about any and all trends, major celeb fashion moments, and why wide-leg jeans are basically the best. I originally moved to New York City to audition for RENT, only to find out that the play closed 10 years ago.
Sarah Maberry is a fashion and luxury commerce editor at Hearst Magazines, where she covers fashion, beauty and pop culture. A seasoned trend forecaster and fashion historian, she analyzes viral products and trends on a deeper level, helping readers determine what's worth buying. When she’s not writing for ELLE, Harper’s BAZAAR, Town & Country, Esquire, Cosmopolitan and other publications, she can be found roaming the Museum at FIT (her alma matter) or sewing her own couture while she binge-watches reality TV.
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