‘Dark bimbo aesthetic’ is currently trending, marking a stark departure from the Bimbocore Barbie-aesthetic we’ve seen over the last two years.
‘Bimbo’ was a surprising trend of 2021 and 2022, embraced by the LGBTQIA+ community and a new generation of feminists. Its most recent iteration, the “dark bimbo aesthetic” is something you may have already noticed. Leading the charge are hollow-eyed, heavily tatted models like Gabbriette, and glam-goth grunge queens like Paloma Elsesser.
Back in the ’90s and 2000s, the term “bimbo” was, of course, a misogynistic term used to dismiss and insult women. Often, the women who were dubbed “bimbos” were those who embraced their sexuality, or anyone who didn’t fall into the narrow definition of acceptable femininity and womanhood. Famously, that photo of Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan exiting the club was dubbed the ‘Bimbo Summit’ by the New York Post. The 2000s — what a time.
On The Cut, Laura Pitcher described the new bimbo someone who is “a socially aware, politically engaged person who is capital-C Confident”.
“A bimbo finds (versus forfeits) power in expressing femininity,” Pitcher added.
As described by TikToker @m4llgoth, celebrating the bimbo is all about confronting internalised misogyny. At the same time, @TheSilverChick noted that on film and television, the trope of the hypersexualised “dumb blonde” was actually used to circumnavigate censorship laws. Check the Tok out, it’s worth a watch.
So What Is the Dark Bimbo Aesthetic?
But, in 2023, a different kind of bimbo is trending, the “dark bimbo.” If you want to understand dark bimbo, think of a Bratz doll on a bad day, not Barbie. Think Angelina Jolie when she was in her Billy Bob Thornton era.
It’s sultry, sinister, and being picked up by TikTok girls who have been indulging in the “dark feminine”, witchy manifesting and “siren-eyed” aesthetics. Alexa Demie and “Jennifer’s Body”-era Megan Fox have been the aesthetic models for these looks, but dark bimbo is taking this aesthetic to new heights.
Dark bimbo is ghoulish and goth, but where is the bimbo of it all?
Models like Gabriette are spearheading a sickly, sinister and slick look, that is still sexy. Heavy on dominatrix leather, dead-eyed stares and witchy hair, the dark bimbo is a more aggressive take on the classic bimbo trend.
If you want to co-opt it, here’s how.
Block out your brows (or skip your pencil, depending on how brow-endowed you are). Slick your hair, and overline your lips. You don’t need any blush or bronzer for this look, but metal wear and spiky nails are welcome.
Slip into some hip-hugging leather or a vampy black dress, bam! You’re done.
