*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and I earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of the links, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon associate I earn from the qualifying purchases*.
The Korean ‘Soft girl’ aesthetic is currently trending in the fashion world and is known for combining cute pastel colors with a bit of youthful innocence. This playful style was first identified in South Korea and then popularized across social media apps such as Instagram and TikTok.
You can identify the Soft girl look from its main features: the pastel pink and baby blue colors, hair clips, pleated skirts, and oversized sweaters. This aesthetic is not only a fashion choice for many but also a way of expressing vulnerability and sweetness.
If you are interested in incorporating this style into your wardrobe, there’s no need to go all out with the look right away. Starting with small accessories or subtle color choices is a great way to start experimenting with this adorable aesthetic that is all about femininity and comfort.
Origins of the Korean ‘Soft Girl’ Aesthetic
The Korean ‘Soft Girl’ aesthetic, which appeared at the end of the 2010s, is a fashion and lifestyle trend that is centered around sweetness, innocence, and pastel colors.
You can trace its roots to several cultural influences in the Korean society, combining both modern entertainment and traditional fashion.
Influence from K-Pop and Korean Drama
K-pop girl groups such as TWICE and IU contributed in making the soft girl aesthetic popular from 2017-2018. Their music videos displayed pastel colored outfits, cute accessories and gentle makeup which are some of the characteristics of this fashion.
This trend was also fueled by Korean dramas. Shows like “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo” and “Strong Woman Do Bong soon” had female leads that were both strong and soft, in oversize sweaters and minimal makeup.
This aesthetic was made to go global with the help of social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Influencers started posting tutorials on how to achieve the soft girl look, which involves having dewy skin, rosy cheeks and glossy lips.
You might notice that soft girl fashion often includes:
- Pastel color palette (pink, lavender, baby blue)
- Oversized cardigans and fuzzy sweaters
- Hair clips, headbands, and scrunchies
- Round glasses and minimal jewelry
Evolution from Historical Korean Fashion
The soft girl aesthetic is inspired by very soft hanbok traditions, most especially if the focus is on the softness of the outfits and the modestness of the fit.
The women during the Joseon Dynasty of Korea (1392-1910) wore light colors and simple accessories, thus suggesting innocence and purity. These principles have been incorporated into the soft girl aesthetic today, although in a more modern way.
The 1990’s ‘ulzzang’ trend in Korea which promoted big eyes, small faces and cute styles can be connected directly to the current soft girl style. This earlier movement provided the foundation for the aesthetics development.
When you are into soft girl fashion, you are rebelling against harsh beauty standards in a very soft way.
Instead of heavy contouring and bold fashion statements, it embraces:
- Natural beauty with light enhancement
- Comfort without sacrificing femininity
- Playfulness through accessories and color choices
Defining Features of the ‘Soft Girl’ Look
The soft girl aesthetic is centered on an ultra-feminine, cute, and innocent look that comes from combining comfortably fashionable clothing, delicate and whimsical makeup, and accessories. This style is a dreamy, romantically playful vibe.
Key Clothing Pieces
You can start with these pieces for the ultimate soft girl aesthetic:
Bottoms:
The soft girl wardrobe is based on pastel colours, including pink, lavender, baby blue, and mint green. First of all, let me suggest pleated tennis skirts or high-waisted mom jeans as base garments.
Tops:
Oversized sweaters and cardigans are a must for that cozy, innocent look that is so important to the aesthetic. Pair these with Peter Pan collars or cute graphic t-shirts with hearts, clouds or cartoon characters on them.
Layering:
You can wear a collared shirt under a sweater or a thin turtleneck under a cardigan. Plaid patterns and floral prints are also traditional for this style.
Outerwear:
Search for puffy jackets or fuzzy coats in soft colors. Tennis skirts can be worn all year if you pair them with cute tights, or knee-high socks when it gets cold.
Makeup and Hair Styling
As a soft girl, your makeup look is youthful and fresh, with a touch of pink. You want that glow so you start with dewy foundation and concealer.
Blush
It should be applied generously on the cheeks and across the bridge of the nose in a ‘W’ shape. The shades pink or peach will help you achieve that perpetually blushing look.
Eyes
Eyes should be kept very simple with some soft shades of eyeshadow, maybe pink or neutral. You can also add some sparkle with a bit of glitter or highlighter in the inner corners of the eyes. Mascara should put some definition on your lashes without going overboard.
Hair
For hair, try some half up styles with cute clips, space buns, or loose waves with face framing tendrils. Hair accessories like scrunchies, butterfly clips, and colorful barrettes are great finishing touches.
Accessories and Add-Ons
Accessories are what really finishes off the soft girl look. Layer some delicate necklaces with heart pendants or a pearl choker. If you have several piercings, feel free to wear multiple earrings—tiny hearts, stars, or flower studs.
Fun and playful bags include mini backpacks, heart-shaped purses, or totes with cute prints or characters. White platform sneakers, Mary Janes, or pastel colored shoes are perfect to complement the aesthetic.
Don’t forget these essential add-ons:
- Hair clips with pearls or pastel colors
- Knee-high or frilly ankle socks
- Friendship bracelets and charm bracelets
- Playful phone cases with cute designs
Your nails can also improve the outlook with pastel colors, heart shapes or small stones. Joy and sweetness should be expressed through every part of your appearance, as the soft girl aesthetic is about that.
Embracing the Lifestyle
The Soft Girl aesthetic is not only a fashion style, but a full-on lifestyle that encompasses personality, entertainment, and social media presence. This belief system includes cultivating certain character qualities. While also consuming media that promotes the cute, gentle vibe instead.
Soft Girl Personality Traits
- Being a Soft Girl, you are encouraged to be kind and positive in your everyday communication. This aesthetic celebrates emotional vulnerability instead of concealing how you feel.
- You may start to develop more caring behavior towards your friends and tend to appreciate small things more often. Soft Girls appreciate realism and have no problem with displaying kindness, shyness, or enthusiasm towards something they like.
- Your communication style likely includes gentle words, supportive phrases, and plenty of heart emojis. Soft Girls often avoid conflict, preferring harmony in their relationships.
- This personality can also be applied to hobbies – journaling, baking, collecting plushies, and crafting are some of the Soft Girl activities that are a great way to create something gentle.
Music and Media Preferences
Your soft girl playlist probably has some K-pop groups like Twice, BTS and Blackpink in it, their music is upbeat and the groups have a colorful vibe to go with it. Japanese city pop and lo-fi beats are great for when you’re studying or journaling and help set the perfect mood.
TV shows and movies that resonate with Soft Girls often include:
- Anime series with cute aesthetics (Studio Ghibli films, Sailor Moon)
- K-dramas with heartwarming storylines
- Coming-of-age films that explore emotional growth
Watching YouTube channels that are dedicated to stationery reviews, room makeovers, and day in the life vlogs becomes daily. You could end up following content creators whose aesthetic values are similar to yours.
Your media landscape is complete by manga and webtoons with soft art styles and sweet relationships, from which you get your inspiration for your own style and outlook.
Social Media Influence
Your primary platforms for Soft Girl inspiration are Instagram and Pinterest. The accounts you follow are of the ones that feature pastel outfits, aesthetic room decors and all the wholesome content that supports your lifestyle choice.
TikTok’s #softgirl hashtag (with billions of views) provides endless tutorials on:
- Makeup techniques for rosy cheeks and glossy lips
- DIY accessories and room decorations
- Outfit coordination tips
You likely document your own Soft Girl journey by posting styled photos, sharing your favorite quotes, and connecting with others in the community. The encouragement you receive online will help to keep up your enthusiasm for the aesthetic.
Some social media challenges are based on Soft Girl transformations, or there are “What I Bought Today” videos that help to create a sense of belonging and validation within this supportive online space.
The ‘Soft Girl’ aesthetic is more than just a Korean fashion trend, it is a way of life. It is a gentle rebellion to the strict society rules and this is done through the use of pastel colors, oversized clothing, and innocent accessories.
The Soft Girl aesthetic is not only about looking pretty when you are embracing it but also about the fact that one should not be afraid to show their kind and gentle side, their weaknesses if you will. Many people like the style because of its playful approach to fashion where the only aim is to please oneself and not others.
If you enjoyed this article about Korean Soft Girl style, don’t miss checking out my other blogs about current fashion trends and cultural happenings! You might just find your next fashion inspiration or even learn how fashion influences our lives.
*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and I earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of the links, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon associate I earn from the qualifying purchases*.