What I’ve Been Into | The Cool Girl
The term ‘cool girl’ has become increasingly common over the past few years. But if you search ‘cool girl’ on Pinterest, you'll find a flood of photos featuring girls who, quite frankly, look the same—and don’t stand out at all. Very much so uncool. If you ask me who embodies cool, my mind immediately goes to icons like the ‘Milkshake’ singer Kelis, Pharrell Williams during his Bape-wearing Billionaire Boys Club era, or Cassie during her half-shaved head era. That’s cool. With that personal definition in mind, I felt inspired to write a post on what it really means to be fly, cool—whatever label you prefer—and what makes someone genuinely stand out.
Section I: The Origin of ‘Cool’.
It’s impossible to define the cool girl without drawing inspiration from urban culture. Black urban culture is, quite literally, the origin of so many trends we still see today, making it essential to reflect on what made that subculture so iconic. My first introduction to a real fly girl came when I was younger. I read The Coldest Winter Ever by Sistah Souljah and was introduced to the fictional character Winter Santiago. Despite her problematic behavior, Winter embodied the fly girl persona—always rocking the latest designer collections, keeping her hair and nails on point, and making sure she looked flawless at all times. That to me was what it meant to be a cool girl, that person who goes the extra mile to look good and stand out amongst her peers.
For a real-life example, I have to bring up Lil' Kim, a true fashion pioneer. Her influence is definite, inspiring today’s rap girls to elevate their style and push fashion boundaries consistently. What made Kim, and we can even add Foxy Brown to this conversation, so iconic was their talent as rappers and their ability to extend that talent into fashion. Kim’s collaborations with designers like Michael Kors and her partnerships with the legendary stylist Misa Hylton, who dressed her in outfits no one thought to wear, cemented her fly girl status. Her willingness to be experimental and bold in her style is what made her cool, allowing her place as an icon, and that to me is what coolness really is. Defining the odds and standing out in a world full of look-a-likes and trend followers.
Lets break down the key traits that define true coolness for anyone looking to elevate their style and stand out from the crowd.
Section II: Defining Cool.
Experiment; Ditch the Idea of Having a Signature.
The cool girl’s style shifts depending on the day of the week because of how versatile she is. One thing I consistently notice about cool girls is that they experiment. Yet, every look seems to suit her perfectly, no matter how bold. Take Cassie as an example; when she showcased her half-shaven hairstyle, it solidified her status as one of the "it girls" of that era and showcased her edgy style that grabbed everyone’s attention. While she experimented with other looks afterward, this hairstyle was most definitely a defining moment in her style evolution and marked her big break in the urban fashion world.
Another perfect example is Kelis—known for her wild, curly hair, she constantly experimented with bold colors when her popularity was at an all-time high. One day, her hair might be her signature copper brown, and the next, a bright green. Rihanna, too, is always switching up her look. Whether it’s changing her hairstyle, wearing unique jewelry, or experimenting with different silhouettes, her style is entirely her own. She knows how to explore new aesthetics while staying true to herself.
To be cool, you have to embrace the art of switching things up. A true cool girl isn’t afraid to try bangs, rock a nose piercing, or throw on a gold grill to add some edge to her style. These girls love keeping others guessing—they’re just as likely to shave their heads one week and sport a platinum blonde wig the next. Inconsistency is the move; predictability isn’t.
Limited Edition Everything.
I vividly remember my first real-life example of a cool girl, and one thing that stood out about her was her closet. It was filled with unique pieces I can almost bet no one else had. Whether it was a vintage Versace S/S 1992 mini dress or a limited-edition handbag with a year-long waitlist, a cool girl somehow always manages to get her hands on items that everyone is either craving or pieces so unexpected that no one else would think to add them to their style. This is what makes her so cool, she makes a cautious effort to curate her wardrobe with things that put her in a category of her own. She’s just not going to buy the latest trend just because everyone else has it and is very strategic as it relates to what she incorporates in her wardrobe.
When speaking on the topic of having all the latest, limited-edition everything, I have to mention a cool girl muse, Alexis Phifer. She’s famously known for being Kanye West’s ex-girlfriend, but she’s so much more than that. She was wearing Goyard bags and Bottega Veneta before the current girls today were even thinking about these brands, and I wholeheartedly believe Kanye got his influence to get into fashion from her. When recalling when he first met her, he said, "Alexis was wearing Miss Sixty. I had on this throwback jersey, and the first thing I said to her, because I could tell she was stylish, was, 'I don't normally dress like this!'" This is the image of a cool girl; she makes everyone second-guess what they’re wearing just by how good she looks. She’s such a trendsetter that everyone wants to be like her, yet her influence and coolness is something that can never be replicated.
Pro Tip: A cool girl’s closet ranges from a $15 thrifted dress to a $2,000 designer bag. Many people think wearing head-to-toe new designer collections is what makes you cool, but that’s far from the truth. Knowing how to diversify your wardrobe with a mix of high and low items is key. I know people who fall into this category who don’t wear designer at all, but they know how to style—and that’s ultimately the main factor in looking good.
Up Your Fashion Knowledge.
If your knowledge of fashion brands doesn’t go beyond Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Balenciaga, and Hermès, you have some catching up. Many people claim to be fashion girlies, but they’re just not. What makes a woman truly cool is knowing about niche-specific brands and having researched to understand those brands inside and out. Real style comes from knowing a brand’s history and its collections. If you want to be claimed as a fashion girl (which is ultimately who a cool girl is), you need to broaden your fashion expertise or at least freshen up on the basics.
Make it a daily habit to expand your knowledge of the fashion industry constantly. Whether discovering up-and-coming designers, drawing inspiration from stylists for your own looks, or studying recent and past runway collections— fully immerse yourself. What drives a cool girl is a constant inspiration, and going the extra mile to learn about these things sets you apart. A true cool girl can spot someone walking by and instantly identify the designer and collection they're wearing. Be dedicated to knowing all things fashion.
You’re Not Like Them, You’re YOU.
The main characteristic of a cool girl is her confidence. You need to have the confidence to rock a mink fur coat and know you’ll look amazing. You need to feel assured that going platinum blonde won’t look silly on you. A cool girl has the trust that she’s a trendsetter and this is what sets her apart from the rest. She’s unafraid to experiment, break away from the status quo, and create her own look based on her vision, not just what’s popular. She’s confident in her ability to influence, and that’s what it truly means to be an influencer.
When Lil’ Kim stepped on the MTV awards carpet wearing a fluorescent purple jumpsuit with one breast exposed, she had to have the confidence to do such a thing. Similarly, when Pharrell Williams entered the hip-hop scene, he brought a skateboard-inspired twist to urban fashion, helping to popularize streetwear brands. For another “cool boy” highlight, model Alton Mason stands out with his blend of masculinity and femininity in every look. He’s the type to rock a sweatsuit with gold chains and then balance it with a pair of heeled boots, adding the perfect dash of femininity. He’s unafraid to experiment, finding a style that’s uniquely his. In a world full of followers who quickly jump on every trend, it’s essential to start building your own lane when it comes to style.
Newsflash; Having an ‘Aesthetic’ is Stupid.
As a generation, we need to let go of this idea that having an aesthetic—and strictly sticking to it in terms of what you wear (and sometimes even how you act)—is essential. This concept of “aesthetic” really took off in the 2020s; before that, you rarely heard celebrities or the general public talking about it, and even if they did, it didn’t have the rigid meaning it does today. By claiming an aesthetic, you’re putting yourself in a box. The idea is that you can’t dress outside of that aesthetic without crossing into another one, and supposedly, being all over the place with your style is a no-go, right? Wrong!
Cool girls don’t live by aesthetics and don’t limit their style to any one category. Take one of my cool girl muses, Victoria Beckham. Despite her nickname “Posh” and wearing chic, conservative outfits from time to time, she has also rocked joggers with Timbs and skimpy dresses, looking amazing in both. This versatility and freedom from an aesthetic are what makes someone cool. You should be able to dress feminine one day and like a tomboy the next because you have the range to do so. Stop focusing on having an aesthetic and start figuring out what actually looks best on you.
In Conclusion…
Thoroughly enjoyed creating this post! When it comes to the topic of style, I think being an individual is so incredibly important. In a world full of trends and imitators, the true essence of being a cool girl lies in authenticity, confidence, and a bold approach to personal style. I hope this blog post provided you all with a bit of inspiration for your style journey!
