How To Nail The Space Girl Aesthetic That's Taking Over TikTok

Zendaya stunned fans when she walked out in her "Dune: Part Two" premiere look in London, which featured a metallic armor suit with jaw-dropping plexiglass cutouts. In the wake of her iconic red carpet reveal in February 2024, a new fashion aesthetic has taken root. Her galactic ensemble, which is actually from Thierry Mugler's Fall '95 collection, has sparked an interest in sci-fi fashion, and this space girl aesthetic has been aptly named "robocore." On TikTok alone, the craze has skyrocketed in popularity with over 8.6 million views in the #scififashion hashtag.

What's more, the young actor's robotic drone suit is only the beginning of this sci-fi revival, as her timely premiere outfit piggybacks off one of 2024's major trend predictions. According to a TikTok video posted by stylist Emily Carmeli, you can say goodbye to minimalist "clean girl" fashion and expect to see an uptick in loud and colorful space-centric styles, including metallic fabrics, organic accessories, chainmail detailing, and galaxy prints. Similarly, keep an eye out for geometric cuts, otherworldly textures, and chunky silver jewelry.

"This is the perfect example of the trend we are seeing: the juxtaposition inherent in retrofuturism, this push and pull between nostalgic sci-fi elements from the 20th century, and the future," Carmeli comments in another video. As such, trendsetters may want to brush up on the sci-fi and dystopian classics, such as "The Fifth Element," "Metropolis," "Blade Runner," and "Star Wars," for styling tips and inspiration. It's time to revisit the Y2K obsession with futuristic fashion — but with modern flair.

Zendaya's cutout armor suit was a much-needed reminder of the sci-fi genre's sexy side. Therefore, to rock the space girl aesthetic, the key is to channel the femme fatales of the galaxy, such as Princess Leia from "Star Wars" and Leeloo from "The Fifth Element." Stick to the general theme of midriff-baring bandeaus and daring slips of fabric. Complete your sensual space glam 'fit with a sleek jacket, chunky silver accessories, and platform boots.

Working girls deserve to take advantage of the spacecore aesthetic as much as everyone else. Adapt this galactic style for the office with structured pieces. Instead of a zippered corset or slinky metallic crop top, for instance, don an oversized blazer or a sweater in icy outer-space blue. And if metallic pants are still too quirky for your employer, stick to sci-fi-esque accessories, such as a silver handbag or futuristic sunglasses.

Metallic textures tend to hog the spotlight when it comes to this aesthetic, but they are certainly not the only textures you should pay attention to. Consider armor-like materials similar to chainmail, such as reflective rhinestones and durable leather. The unconventional outfit coordination happens to contribute to the "otherwordly" theme, so there's no need to worry about clashing.

Thierry Mugler based the robot suit worn by Zendaya off the character Futura in "Metropolis." So, what better way to brainstorm ideas than to look back at all the classic sci-fi film costumes and Y2K fashion trends? Dystopian sci-fi characters such as Leeloo from "The Fifth Element" and even the main character from the family-friendly movie "Zenon" make the perfect style icons for creating your very own spacecore aesthetic.

Silver and blue make the ultimate space girl combo. Look for bright or neon blue shades to add a pop of color to your outfit. Blue accessories, outerwear, or core pieces are all perfect options to bring your 'fit to the next level. You can also combine blue with metallic textures and blue-toned beauty looks for a high-fashion runway effect.

Dress for battle: space edition. Embrace the mysterious and otherworldly aspect of the spacecore aesthetic with fitted bodysuits and outwear. Sleek fabrics and slim-fitted layers give this look a modern feel when combined with unique elements such as cut-off hemlines or cropped pieces. Play around with space dune neutrals (desert browns and golds) or classic black to keep it futuristic.