Cottagecore is a nature-inspired internet aesthetic that romanticizes rural life. It’s a whimsical and nostalgic style that emphasises traditional skills, simple living, and a connection to the earth. In fashion, décor, art, and photography, cottagecore is characterised by natural materials, flowy dresses, puff sleeves, baskets, books, tech-free pastimes, and home baked goods.
One way to embrace the cottagecore aesthetic is to participate in traditional crafts and survival skills such as sewing, knitting, crocheting, foraging, baking, gardening, and homesteading. For many people, these activities are a harmless way to distance oneself from the pressures of modern life and get closer to an idealised version of the lives our ancestors led.
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When did Cottagecore get so popular?
According to search trends, Cottagecore first began to gain popularity in December 2019 to January 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning. It spread predominantly through visual social media platforms such as TikTok, which was experiencing exponential growth at the time, as well as Pinterest and Instagram. Cottagecore provided much-needed escapism and comfort for many people who were stuck at home during lockdowns. With workplaces closed and travel limited, it was the perfect time to start learning handcrafting skills.
For a many people, traditional handcrafting skills were not passed down to them by previous generations, and there are fewer opportunities to master them in professional settings. As a result, many craft skills are now classified as ‘endangered‘. Luckily, in today’s tech-rich era, some crafts can be learnt at home through online tutorials. Cottagecore is helping to revive these skills and prevent them from being lost to time.
Cottagecore History
Although the term “Cottagecore” is new, the idea of romanticizing rural life has been around for centuries, if not a millennia. This is evident in the work of the ancient Greek poet Theocritus (300- 260 BC), who is credited with creating Ancient Greek pastoral poetry, which idealizes the Shepherd’s life.
During the Elizabethan era in England, there was a renewed interest in the idea of rural living among the wealthy classes. This can be seen in the celebrated works of Edmund Spenser’s Faerie Queene and William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, which feature natural and pastoral themes. Centuries later, Marie Antoinette famously had a faux village built in Versailles where she could experience rural life in a sanitised way.
Closer to modern times, Beatrix Potter’s popular Victorian children’s books also romanticize the English countryside. Her illustrations present clothing styles and themes that can be found in today’s cottagecore aesthetic.
How to Dress Cottagecore
Cottagecore fashion is a blend of romantic and rural styles. It is characterized by long flowy dresses or skirts, corset tops, button-up shirts, puff sleeves, traditional tartan patterns, layering, gingham prints, lace details, and nature-inspired motifs.
Natural tones like green, brown, white, navy, black, tan, and cream are popular choices for cottagecore outfits, but the style doesn’t have to be limited to earth tones. Cottagecore can also incorporate a rainbow of colours, from rich mahogany reds and vibrant yellows to mysterious purples and blues.
To create a rustic feel, natural materials like linen, cotton, and hemp are often used in cottagecore fashion. Lighter, flowing fabrics like voile and chiffon are popular choices for tops and dresses, while heavier fabrics like velvet and tapestries are used for corsets and jackets.
What fashion era is cottagecore inspired by?
The cottagecore style is a blend of many different fashion eras. For instance, prairie dresses were popular during the 1970s, and puff sleeves have been in fashion many times throughout history – from their creation in the 14th to 17th centuries, to the late 19th century when the Anne of Green Gables books were set. Cottagecore dresses and blouses also often feature lace detailing similar to the intricate designs from the Edwardian and Victorian eras.
What are the different Cottagecore subgenres?
Cottagecore has branched out into many different subgenres since it first appeared. Although each of these styles differ slightly, they are all underpinned by an overarching nature-inspired and whimsical quality.
Examples of popular cottagecore subgenres include:
- Dark Cottagecore
- Goblincore
- Fairycore
- Naturecore
- Bloomcore
- Light/ Dark Academia
- Forestcore
- Farmcore
- Whimsigoth
- Royalcore
Cottagecore and Sustainability
Cottagecore is all about the beauty of nature and traditional craftsmanship. As a result, sustainability goes hand-in-hand with this aesthetic. If you’re creatively inclined, it can be a fantastic opportunity to use your sewing machine to bring historically-inspired dresses to life or breathe new life into old t-shirts with fabric paint.
Thrifting is also a popular way to collect cottagecore pieces. Since this aesthetic has a vintage, old-fashioned feel, floaty vintage dresses, blouses, and skirts would work perfectly. You could look in thrift stores, vintage shops, or even ask older family members whether they have any old clothing items that would fit the style.
Alternatively, if you’d like a new piece or you’re struggling to find your size in second-hand stores, you could shop from an independent seller. There are many incredible cottagecore small businesses that make ethical and sustainable production a priority. The photos below are from just a few of the incredible independent cottagecore businesses that can be found on Etsy.
Finding Cottagecore communities
One of the main reasons why cottagecore is so popular is because of the creative content people are sharing about it on visual apps like Instagram, Tiktok, and YouTube. Finding spaces where cottagecore content is shared and discussed is a great way to find likeminded people and make new friends.
When I first created my Instagram account @seasonofearth, I spent a lot of time connecting with people and sharing ideas. Some of my favourite hashtags to find similar accounts and build connections were #cottagecore, #nature, #naturephotography, #forestcore, #naturecore, #slowliving, and #bookstagram. It was so fun to see people’s creative photoshoots, unique thrift finds, and craft projects! If Instagram isn’t your thing, you could try doing similar searches on Tiktok and Facebook, or visit the cottagecore subreddit on Reddit.
Overall, the cottagecore aesthetic is all about nature, idealized rural living, and traditional skills like baking, sewing, and foraging. Although the term “cottagecore” is new, the concept has been around for thousands of years, from Ancient Greece to the Victorian era. When approached as a lifestyle choice, it can help people to escape from the stresses of modern life and to learn skills that can help them live more mindfully.
