Exploring the Night Luxe Aesthetic Taking Over TikTok
The âclean girlâ aesthetic is making room for a darker, more glamorous trend. If you have noticed an influx of espresso martinis, blurry flash photography, and sequined dresses on your TikTok feed, you are witnessing the rise of ânight luxe.â Let us look at exactly what makes this opulent trend so popular.
What Exactly is the Night Luxe Aesthetic?
For the last few years, social media has heavily promoted early morning routines, green juices, and minimalist workout sets. Night luxe is a direct rebellion against that highly optimized lifestyle. It trades 5:00 AM Pilates classes for midnight jazz bars.
The hashtag #nightluxe has generated well over 100 million views on TikTok. Videos feature creators dressed in dark colors, sitting in dimly lit restaurants, and enjoying decadent food and drinks. It brings back the energy of 1920s socialites mixed with the effortless cool of 1990s supermodels. The focus is on indulgence, mystery, and dressing up just for the fun of it.
The Signature Night Luxe Menu
You cannot capture this aesthetic without the right food and drink. The trend focuses heavily on classic, slightly retro indulgences.
- Espresso Martinis: This is the unofficial mascot of the night luxe trend. A proper mix of Ketel One vodka, Kahlua, and freshly brewed espresso is an absolute requirement.
- Dirty Martinis: For those who prefer a savory drink, a gin or vodka martini with blue cheese-stuffed olives perfectly matches the aesthetic.
- Oysters and Caviar: Dining in this style is not about heavy meals. It is about ordering small, luxurious plates. Oysters on the half shell and small caviar bumps are heavily featured in these videos.
- Steak Frites: If a full meal is required, classic French bistro food like steak frites pairs beautifully with the dim, romantic lighting of a night luxe evening.
Wardrobe Essentials for the Midnight Hour
Dressing for this trend requires leaning into texture, shine, and dark colors. You want to look glamorous but slightly undone.
Silk slip dresses are a foundational piece. Brands like SKIMS and Reformation offer slinky, form-fitting options that look incredible under dim restaurant lights. To add a layer of edge, throw a black oversized leather blazer over the delicate silk. Brands like Aritzia and Zara make great oversized blazers that fit this look perfectly.
Accessories are where you can truly shine. Opt for metallic or crystal-covered bags. The Paco Rabanne chainmail bags or the Saint Laurent Le 5 Ă 7 shoulder bag are highly sought after by creators in this space. Finish the outfit with sheer black tights from Calzedonia and a pair of pointed-toe pumps from Steve Madden or Jimmy Choo.
Beauty and Fragrance Details
The beauty routine for this trend steps completely away from the âno-makeup makeupâ look. You want your makeup to look like you have been out having fun for a few hours.
A smudged, smoky eye is essential. Using a soft eyeliner pencil, like Charlotte Tilbury Rock âNâ Kohl, allows you to create a lived-in wing that does not need to be perfectly sharp. Pair this with a deep berry or wine-colored lip. Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey or MAC Lipstick in Diva are classic, moody shades.
Fragrance is also incredibly important to the vibe. You need a rich, heavy perfume that lingers in a crowded room. Tom Ford Black Orchid and Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium are top choices, featuring notes of dark chocolate, coffee, and patchouli.
How to Capture the Perfect Night Luxe Photo
The visual style of this trend is highly specific. You will not find bright, golden-hour lighting here. Everything happens after dark, and the photography reflects that.
Flash photography is absolutely mandatory. Taking photos in a dark setting with a harsh flash creates high contrast and makes jewelry, lip gloss, and sequins pop. Many creators use disposable cameras, like the Fujifilm QuickSnap, to get an authentic vintage look.
If you are using your iPhone, turn your flash on and move the camera slightly right as you take the photo. This creates a purposeful, blurry motion that makes the night look chaotic and fun. You can also use editing apps like Dazz Cam or VSCO to add grain and lower the exposure, making the image look like it was taken on a vintage film camera.
Planning a Night Luxe Evening
To fully experience the trend, you need the right location. Look for establishments with low lighting, velvet seating, and live music. Speakeasies, classic hotel lounges, and jazz clubs are perfect.
In New York City, places like Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle Hotel or the various Soho House locations set the perfect backdrop. If you are in a smaller city, look for local cocktail lounges that do not have televisions on the walls. The goal is to find a space where you can sit in a leather booth, sip a cocktail, and feel completely detached from the busy outside world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the night luxe aesthetic have to be expensive? Not at all. While the aesthetic looks expensive, you can easily replicate it on a budget. You can find excellent silk slip dresses and oversized leather jackets at thrift stores. Making your own espresso martinis at home and taking flash photos with your phone costs very little.
What colors dominate the night luxe wardrobe? Black is the primary color. It is often accented with metallic gold, silver, deep emerald green, and rich burgundy. The focus is less on bright colors and more on light-catching textures like silk, satin, and sequins.
Is the âclean girlâ aesthetic completely over? No, the two trends actually complement each other. Many people embrace the clean girl aesthetic during the day for productivity and health. They then switch to the night luxe aesthetic on Friday nights when they want to let loose, dress up, and enjoy a cocktail with friends.