Femme Fatale

A Femme Fatale is a character trope embodying a mysterious, beautiful, and seductive woman who uses her charms to manipulate and ensnare others, often leading to dangerous or deadly outcomes.

The term originates from the French femme fatale, meaning "deadly woman." This archetype, prevalent in literature and film noir, typically portrays the character as villainous or morally ambiguous, employing feminine wiles like beauty and sexual allure to achieve hidden objectives. She may also use coercion, lies, or subduing methods, similar to the magical powers attributed to her in earlier tales. In some narratives, she presents as a victim.

The character, sometimes also referred to as a "vamp," draws from early 20th-century portrayals and archetypes. The Femme Fatale is defined by her manipulative nature, employing sensuality and implication rather than overt sexual advances. She may feign helplessness or appeal to greed or revenge. Her motivations are frequently self-serving, and she may shift allegiances.

The character is often associated with specific visual and aesthetic cues, such as elegant attire, including high-class gloves and veiled hats. In film and literature, she is frequently portrayed as a chanteuse or a woman in red, although she may blend into her surroundings. In certain contexts, she may also be portrayed as a prostitute or a "college widow."

History[]

The Femme Fatale (also referred to as a Vamp,^[1] Maneater, among several other titles) is a stock character that came into prominence with the film noir movie genre and dime novels of the 20th century. The most prominent codifier is Brigid O'Shaughnessy in the most famous film noir, The Maltese Falcon (1941), in which she uses her beauty as a distraction and murders the protagonist's partner.^[2] Femme Fatale means deadly woman in French, referencing the actions of this character trope. These days, there are also most male characters in media that break the gender stereotypes and embody the "Femme Fatale" trope too, starting from the late 10s/early 20s with which they can be referred to as the "Homme Fatales".

Personality[]

A Femme Fatale embodies the seductive and mysterious traits of a woman, normally avoiding giving information about themselves. Femme Fatales are typically not the emotional type and tend to keep their emotions outwardly neutral and ambigious. They normally don't have long relationships but if they do their significant other is either her partner in crime or her submissive(or both). Their main goal is to entice and use. Femme Fatales have to be smart, quick witted, and independant. If a Femme Fatale seduces and then kills several men, she becomes a Black Widow.

Visuals[]

The colour red (e.g. blood, lipstick/make-up, etc.)
Black and white (referncing/due to the film noir era when the character archetype gained distinction)
Dark color schemes
Ambiguity/mystery (e.g. not showing the characters face, fake names, etc.)
Easily concealed weapons (e.g. knives, small handguns, spy-like firearms, etc.)
Wealthy backgrounds and possessions
Alcohol and cigarettes (which were typically shown as alluring/desirable in the 1940s-1950s)
Succubus imagery(sometimes)

Fashion[]

Outfits[]

A femme fatale will be known to wear dark, sexy, well-cut and form-fitting clothes. Black, dark reds, dark emerald, and dark blue are commonly seen colors in the femme fatale wardrobe, outfits being largely monochromatic, patternless, and smooth.

Bold coloured silk cocktail dresses/ballgowns
Fitted blouses
Leather pants
The Little Black Dress
Fur coats
Women's suits, possibly without a shirt layered beneath
Very expensive clothes (couture)

Accessories[]

A powerful sense of self and a sharp mind are just as important accessories as any dress. Pair your look with high heels, walk in like you're the hottest person in every room, and you're well on your way to embodying the spirit of the femme fatale.

Bold red lipstick
Heavy gold jewellery
Concealed thigh holsters (often holding a gun or a knife)
Tacticlip
Musky signature scent
Pocket mirror
Cigarettes and cigarette extenders

Stores[]

Media[]

Music[]

Music for this aesthetic is based on the personality traits of the femme fatale. Genres for this aesthetic are diverse and can be from the perspective of the femme fatale or someone who encountered a femme fatale.