There’s a common misconception that the cottagecore style is limited to pastel colours, gingham prints, and flowers. In reality, there are endless subgenres beneath this umbrella aesthetic. In this post, we’ll explore what dark cottagecore clothing is and how to dress in this style.
What is Dark Cottagecore?
The dark cottagecore aesthetic is all about taking inspiration from the mysterious side of nature. Think mushrooms, pine forests, candlesticks, foxes, ravens, and moon phases. If you love the cottagecore style, but you tend to gravitate towards darker colours and mystical themes, this post is for you!
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All of these dark cottagecore clothing items are from small businesses, so you’ll be directly supporting independent designers or craftspeople if you shop these pieces. You’ll also find some organic, ethical and eco-friendly options within this list.
Dark Cottagecore T-shirts
These t-shirts might just be the comfiest possible way to build a dark cottagecore outfit! I’ve handpicked these designs from Etsy for their earthy colors and woodland/ garden motifs. They’re perfect for pairing with flowy skirts, dresses, plain and patterned trousers, or even overalls. You could also layer them over long-sleeved t-shirts or under knitwear so they’re wearable throughout the colder months.
I adore this organic, ethically-produced Crow tee by Hearth and Harrow. The design of this t-shirt is quite special; its not often that you see crows featured on clothing. I think they’re the perfect fit for a dark cottagecore theme.
Dark Cottagecore Accessories
Accessories are one of my favourite things to shop for, as they can push creative boundaries without being uncomfortable to wear. Adding accessories like this Grimm’s Fairytales book handbag by Bookarelli can help you add a subtle dark cottagecore touch to an otherwise simple outfit for day-to-day wear.
You could also introduce some multi-functional pieces like this belt by FrenchMeadows to your wardrobe. It could be used as a simple classic piece, or elevated using attachments of your choice – from skirt hikes like the one below, to belt bags!
Dark Cottagecore Dresses
An easy way to get the signature cottagecore style is by wearing dresses inspired by vintage silhouettes. Choosing deep, earthy colours or prints with mystical forest motifs can help you add a dark edge to your outfit. This Black Chemise Dress by Costureroreal strikes the perfect balance between a gothic and cottagecore style.
Dark Cottagecore Jewellery
Jewellery has the power to transform simple clothes into cohesive, expressive outfits. Etsy is a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind handmade jewellery. UndertheIvyshop, for example, sells these incredible earrings, necklaces, and hair accessories inspired by faerie wings. Each of these intricate faerie wing pieces is unique and carefully crafted by hand.
Dark Cottagecore Skirts
When searching for dark cottagecore skirts, try to look for relaxed, flowy styles like draped, A-line, godet, circle, tiered, wrapped or ruffle skirts. Natural materials like linen or cotton can help create a folksy feel characteristic of Cottagecore. Pieces that feature button fronts (such as this Organic Women’s Linen Skirt by IsoleLinenStudio) or embroidered accents can also help add an rustic touch to your outfit.
Overall, there are many ways to dress according to a dark cottagecore style – from comfortable botanical t-shirts to decorative bags inspired by classic books. The key to getting this aesthetic is to embrace a darker colour palette and draw upon mysterious nature themes. Keep experimenting with different pieces until you find what works for you!
Looking for more inspiration? There’s lots of overlap between dark cottagecore and the forestcore aesthetic. Check out my What is Forestcore? post, for more style inspiration and a colour palette you can use to help pick moody, nature-inspired clothing pieces.
This post was all about Dark Cottagecore Clothing.
