Cottagecore Fashion Is Booming In 2021, Here Is Why

Cottagecore, a social media phenomenon that draws inspiration from rural life and local craftsmen and artisans, is a new cultural movement. This is the ultimate guide to the Cottagecore movement. Its construct, its aesthetics, and its fashion. We will also share with you the top brands and shops that sell Cottagecore fashion.

Cottagecore, also known as Farmcore or Countrycore, is a social media movement that draws inspiration from rural life and local artisans’ crafts and skills. The suffix “core,” which comes from hardcore punk in the 1980s, is now used to describe a particular genre or style.

Cottagecore was first mentioned in 2017 by Instagram and Tumbler. The pastoral landscape (rural, country, or countryside life) that has been popular on these social media platforms in the past five years has gotten a new name.

Cottagecore has gained global recognition thanks to TikTok influencers who promote the lifestyle. Cottagecore is all over social media today, from Instagram to Pinterest.

Imagine rare country scenery, vintage peasant clothes, rustic handcrafted crafts, and artisanal designs in fashion and homeware. Cottagecore may be something you’ve done without realizing, such as wearing dresses with floral prints and ruffles or finding refuge in rural settings.

This article

What is Cottagecore?

Why is Cottagecore so popular now?

What is Cottagecore aesthetics?

– Cottagecore subgenres

Cottagecore aesthetics are similar.

What is Cottagecore style?

– Best Cottagecore fashion brands

This is the definitive guide to Cottagecore, its aesthetics, and fashion. First, I’ll explain what Cottagecore really is and why its popularity has exploded in the year 2021. Next, I’ll introduce you to the most popular Cottagecore styles and show you how to achieve these.

Last but not least, I will show you the latest Cottagecore fashion trends and the best fashion shops and brands.

What is Cottagecore?

According to Urban Dictionary, Cottagecore is a fashion and aesthetic style that draws inspiration from romanticized interpretations of rural lifestyles.

Cottagecore, however, is not just a style or dress. It also taps into rural and rustic concepts, such as the existence of witches and fairies.

Cottagecore’s concept is based on the idea of living a simple, natural life.

Cottagecore is a concept that represents a sustainable and simpler lifestyle in harmony with the natural world. It’s an aesthetic nod to traditional English country style, romantic and nostalgic,” Davina says.

Cottagecore’s aesthetics and activities are diverse and complex. They include everything from gardening to fashion, cooking to frolicking.

Cottagecore is, in part, a reaction against the capitalist-consumerist society and an increasing time spent in front of a computer screen, but also related to raising interest in sustainability and wellness. Cottagecore tries to alleviate burnout by allowing people to enjoy the mundane tasks of everyday life.

No urgent emails are sent, or nights are spent answering the demands of an oppressive boss. The simple tasks of village life are done with satisfaction.

Cottagecore is a concept that reflects a desire to live an uncomplicated and quiet life away from technology and big city streets. It also reflects avoiding modern stress-producing activities.

Most people primarily experience Cottagecore through their smartphones and computers. This fact shows another aspect of the Cottagecore movement’s central purpose: “The idea is less about achieving an easy, rural lifestyle than it is about longing for one.”

The yearning is to feel like things might be different if we look back at our roots or a bit more like our parents.

Cottagecore is less appealing when you think about the reality of living alone in the forest. Quinn, director of the Chichester Fairy Tale Centre, explains that “that idyllic image” of the English countryside makes people want to buy second homes in the country.

Most Cottagecore fans ignore the fact that rural areas face many problems, such as flooding and a lack of Internet, roads, or electricity.

He adds, “Seeing Taylor Swift in a chunky Irish sweater on the album cover made many people wish they lived on the remote areas of the island.”

When you arrive in a rural area and you realize that there is no electricity, water, or Internet, you will want to leave.

Cottagecore is a concept that has a lot of layers. It’s a place which, for some people, is real and inescapable while being desired by others. That’s the beauty of digital subcultures.

Molly Hatch is right when she says that Cottagecore is all about comfort at home. You can live the Cottagecore lifestyle in your apartment, whether it’s in London or New York.

You can make tea with honey and stare at pictures of castles, meadows, and windmills. Cottagecore can be dressed up; you can take care of your plants and mail a letter. You can do all of this from the comfort of your couch.

Why is Cottagecore so popular right now?

Cottagecore, when viewed through this lens, is one of the dozens of variations of movements that have fetishized the countryside and coziness in the last few hundred years. It is, however, a movement that exists almost entirely online via smartphones in cluttered apartments and suburban bedrooms.

Cottagecore is a lifestyle and an aesthetic that has become popular in recent years.

Cottagecore is everywhere on Instagram, TikTok, and Tumblr, as well as in the New York Times, which published an article about it at the start of this year. They called it “a budding movement”.

What makes Cottagecore so popular in 2021?

The Lockdowns

People began to look for fulfillment and meaning outside of the economic and monetary drive. The people began to imagine a world without technology, big cities, pollution, and fast fashion giants.

Cottagecore, Dark Academia, and Light Academia are all movements that have gained popularity as vehicles for a simple rural lifestyle. With so much time at home, people started baking, gardening, and dressing simply again.

Imagine focaccia with herbs and colorful vegetables. Plan summer gardens for the backyard. Knitting and embroidery inspired by grandma. Cottagecore was the dominant aesthetic for 2020-2021 in no time.

After the pandemic, homemaking became more than a way to escape reality. Cottagecore was a way for people to turn the horror and struggle of the lockdown into something cute, which directly related to the state of the world outside.

Amanda Brennan is a Tumblr trend expert. She says that “every time there has been an increase in Cottagecore, it’s right along with the case.” Cottagecore hashtags jumped 153% from early March to early April, and cottagecore posts saw a 541 percent increase in likes.

The content of the seasons has also changed.

In April, simple activities at home or on the farm, like cooking and embroidery, are popular. In June and August, the focus was on sunny wildflower fields and twee picnics.

Brennan comments on Cottagecore Tumblr postings that the Cottagecore sentiments “are wistful and aching.” “Like ‘Oh, if I could only have this ‘…”

2. Sustainability is a movement that encourages people to move.

Cottagecore also has an environmental aspect. Cottagecore advocates praise thrifting, second-hand shopping, and home cooking.

Also, they’re proponents of sustainable fashion, ethical manufacturing, and cute, handmade items. Cottagecore is a subculture that promotes a more mindful and slower life.

Brands began using coziness aesthetics in their advertising even before the quarantine. They were supposed to make people feel warm and safe. Capitalism always finds a commercial way to exploit the moment.

In this sense, “having fun” no longer means going out to a bar with your friends, but instead, a $90 Cottagecore blanket, a leather vegan handbag, or a boho gown.

It’s no surprise that in a time of anxiety, so many cultural movements are centered around self-soothing. These include weighted quilts, ASMR (Auditory Sensory Meridian Resonance), slime, organic skin care, Animal Crossings, fancy mattresses, and food-making videos. After Taylor Swift’s Folklore album, whose official merchandise included a rustic cardigan as part of its official merchandise, the hashtag #cottagecore spiked in social media on that same day.

The biggest interior design trend right now is to bring the outdoors inside. “In these times of lockdown people want to feel more connected to nature,” said Kai Chow. He is the creative director at Doneger Group, a design consultancy agency in New York City.

3. LGBTQ and Justice Movements

The Cottagecore Movement is distinct from other nostalgia subcultures because it openly associates with queer people and progressive political views. These connections are being displayed in mini-signatures all over the Internet. Online, the term “cottagecore” lesbian is very popular.

Goblincore is another nonbinary favorite. It takes place in a world of lesbians and frogs. Cottagecore is also known for its clothing, which is important to people who don’t conform to gender stereotypes.

Evienne Yanney is a 16-year-old Californian who discovered cottagecore via Instagram when she was unsure if she liked how she dressed. She thought that running away to a cabin was “soothing” for a lesbian, feeling like the world doesn’t accept her as she is.

Cottagecore social media accounts often have slogans like ‘Black Lives Matter,’ or other social justice messages on their profiles. Cottagecore is a counter-reactionary movement to other right-wing mommy blogger subcultures such as the ‘TradWives,’ which advocates a return to regressive gender roles.

Cottagecore supporters are often unhappy with the expectations and roles placed on them by a heteronormative culture. The majority of cottagecore rejects heteronormative roles for men and women and seeks stereotypes and stigmas associated with past aesthetics and cultures.

Cottagecore is a niche movement that has gained popularity among the LGBTQ community. This is especially true for lesbians and bisexuals. Cottagecore, according to their view, is a movement that allows people to be queer in rural areas, in contrast with the homophobia and transphobia they face in small towns.

4. Political debates

Cottagecore has a lot of political content, even though it is not a political movement. Cottagecore is a movement that promotes a restructured society.

Cottagecore supporters are united in their opposition to the modern world, irrespective of their political affiliation. Cottagecore is criticized for many of its values despite many proponents being laid-back.

Cottagecore is indirectly associated with two political groups that are directly opposing. The two groups are radically different despite their shared frustration with modernity.

The LGBTQ community finally sees cottagecore in the context of a movement that allows queerness to be expressed in rural areas, in contrast to the homophobia and transphobia faced by many people who live in small towns.

The progressive Cottagecore community is at the other end of the spectrum. They are opposed to modernity because they have lost their conservative values and prefer a precapitalist economy. TradWife members, for example, often use cottagecore images, fashion, memes, and other aesthetics to promote the views of their subculture.

The group is in favor of reviving traditional heteronormative roles for women. This is a common aspect of the far-right’s ideology. Eco-fascists and Eco-Nationalists also use Cottagecore imagery to support Western colonialism and Eurocentric views.

Cottagecore is often criticized for romanticizing the idea of farm life, particularly in relation to North American and Australian social constructs.

What is Cottagecore aesthetics?

What exactly is the Cottagecore aesthetic? Cottagecore is said to be influenced by fairytales, fantasy, speculative novels, and a fascination with small animals.

If we examine early 19th-century stories like Beauty and the Beast or Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella, we will find scenes of grotesquery and body horror as well as rape and cannibalism. These stories often took place in frightening forests or cottages.

The rise of Romanticism in the late 19th century was the first time these stories were adapted to appeal to kids. It is Romanticism and not fairytales that has influenced the cottagecore aesthetic.

Cottagecore is an idealization and nostalgia of medieval times, nature, and someone else’s history. You can also add some vintage dishes and a little historical inspiration (think Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books).

Cottagecore refers to the white colonial aesthetics of European villages. It conjures up images of thin white women with wicker baskets full of apples, farm eggs, and linen towels wrapped tightly around freshly baked bread.

Cottagecore style is characterized by decorative cottage elements such as… Cottage elements, such as decorative cottage items like…, are essential to the cottagecore aesthetic.

Fresh and dried flowers

Handmade crafts, houseplants

Freshly picked fruits

homemade bread

Traditional outfits

All in neutral and warm colors.

Cottagecore also includes elements from Light Academia, Mori Fashion, and Light Academia. Imagine doilies and DIY fairy spoons made from seashells. Also, think of eyelet blouses with soft cardigans.

It is much more difficult to identify someone as “Cottagecore” as opposed to emo and punk-style followers.

1) Bloomcore

Bloomcore is a style similar to Cottagecore, but it focuses on flowers and gardening.

2) Honeycore

Honeycore is a style based on the rural production of honey, waffles, and bread. The aesthetic is similar to Cottagecore in that it emphasizes agricultural imagery and values. However, the visuals have been streamlined, and a palette of pale yellows and browns has been created.

Honey, bees, and summer flowers are often seen in the Honeycore aesthetic to emphasize organic farming and bee conservation.

3) Vaporcottage

Vaporcottage was created as a joke on Aesthetics Wiki Discord by mixing the realistic and grounded escapism found in Cottagecore with the surrealist, sarcastic, and dystopian nightmare images of Vaporwave.

In an exercise that was later described as “mixing styles is what you see after ingestion of soup laced psychedelics,” the aim was to show that any aesthetic can be combined.

4) Southwest Cottagecore

Southwest Cottagecore is a departure from the green, village, and foresty color palettes of Cottagecore. You will find that the main features are similar, but you might see a house with yuccas instead of stone cottages.

Southwest Cottagecore is best suited to warm weather. It’s a combination of warm colors and a beachy, whimsical style. Run-down shacks on the beach and beachgrass characterize this style.

Lizards, snakes, and hawks characterize this aesthetic.

5) Dark Cottagecore

Dark Cottagecore is an edgier take on Cottagecore, with elements of dark academia. The dark cottage-core style is a darker take on Cottagecore, infused with dark academic elements.

Cottagecore-like aesthetics

Cottagecore aesthetics are often compared with Grandparentcore or Grandmacore. Both of these aesthetics aim to evoke a similar feeling of nostalgia. The aesthetics are also identical to Light Academia and Warmcore.

Cottagecore shares a lot of similarities with Faeriecore. Farmcore. Goblincore. And other aesthetic communities that are nostalgic. All of these cores share the desire to live outside of the current world.

The cottagecore is just one of the many hyper-specific aesthetics that are available online.

You can…

Meadowcore is cottagecore, but only the meadows are included.

Frogcore is the same as cottagecore, but with frogs.

Goblincore is a mix of cottagecore and gender-neutral clothing with mud, foraged mushrooms, and a gender-neutral look.

Even the most internet-savvy young people probably haven’t heard of dozens more.

Cottagecore Fashion

Cross-stitching, embroidery, and even prints depicting fairies, flowers, and crowns are common. Other visuals include vintage pottery, handwritten lettering, poems, cottages and farmhouses.

Cottagecore clothing and outfits may be beautiful and inspiring, but they are not practical for farming and gardening. Cottagecore clothes are often loose-fitting, floaty, and flowy dresses and skirts that resemble (but not always) housework clothing from the 1950s and 1900s.

As mentioned above, oversized clothing with puffy sleeves and big pockets is also very popular.

Think of sundresses, overalls, and more.

Natural colors like brown, baby pinks, olive greens, maroons, beige, ochres, and ivory are all examples.

Mixed with dusty rose-pink faded, light yellow, and baby blue.

Imagine patterns like stripes, paisleys, faded florals, gingham, and animals and plants in village embroidery. There are also lots of accessories made by hand, as well as simple jewelry and knitted hats.

Where to Buy Cottagecore Fashion

These are the top stores where you can buy cottagecore clothing right now. Shein, which has some of the most affordable clothing for cottagecore, to Etsy – a store that sells unique and low-key cottagecore clothes.

The clothing brands that I have selected below are handmade, authentic, and suitable for all budgets and tastes. These are the top shops in 2021 for the cottagecore aesthetic.

Adored Vintage

Adored Vintage, a Portland-based women’s clothing shop and boutique, caters to modern romantics who love feminine and timeless threads.

Amantine

Amantine Boutique, a woman-owned company, is dedicated to curating beautiful and affordable clothing and accessories that appeal to the discerning eye. We draw inspiration from the effortless and timeless style of French fashion with an emphasis on the romantic and the feminine.

ETSY

Etsy is a global marketplace that sells unique, creative products. You’ll find a wide range of individual, special items here, including vintage treasures and handcrafted items. You can find unique pieces of cottagecore fashion, including clothing, jewelry, and accessories.

Reformation

In 2009, Reformation started by selling vintage clothes out of a tiny Los Angeles storefront. The label creates effortless silhouettes that celebrate the female figure. It pioneers sustainable practices and focuses on people at every step.

Bedra Vintage

Bedra Vintage draws inspiration from the designs and cuts of the past to create clothing that brings back the memories of fashion heritage and brings the past to life. They are changing in context, but the form remains unchanged.

Breath of Youth

Breath Of Youth has given romantics and free spirits all over the globe a feeling of freedom and confidence. The label curates clothing, accessories, and home decor to inspire hopeless romantics to fall in love day after day.

Christy Dawn

Christy Dawn’s practices are based on respect for Mother Earth and her people. The label strives to live and work harmoniously with nature so that everyone can benefit. Its products and practices inspire others to celebrate and remember their innate connection with one another and the natural world.

Done

Doen was founded in 2015, inspired by vintage Californian designs and nostalgia and the desire to create wearable and elevated pieces for everyday use.

Free People

Free People is a book for a girl 26 years old who is smart, creative, and confident. She’s free, adventurous, and can be anything from sweet to tough, tomboyish to romantic.

Faithful the Brand

The pieces of Faithful the Brand are made with the modern traveler in mind. The pieces are easy to use and versatile, allowing the wearer to look stylish and confident in an effortless way.

Forest Girl Clothes

Forest Girl Clothing is home to Forest Fashion, which includes natural fabrics, muted colors, layers, soft textures, and comfort fittings. You’ll see a lot of colors and patterns that are reminiscent of nature in the collection.

Linennaive

The Flat White Coffee, a steamed milk color with fine bubbles in a glossy or velvety consistency, inspires the Linennaive collection’s first palette.

Roam Vintage

Roam Vintage is the result of a lifelong passion for finding beautiful objects with a history. Each item has been hand-picked to give you the opportunity to breathe new life into items with their own unique story.

Conclusion

Cottagecore, like any other style or movement, is constantly changing and evolving. Where do you think Cottagecore will be heading?

One thing is certain: the pandemic will keep many of us home.

Cottagecore is a style that many believe will remain “warm and fuzzy” and embrace the romantic and historical, especially with the approaching holidays and the tendency for people to remember their childhoods and family.

Some argue that the style could be adapted to a contemporary look by combining it with “clean lines” and neutral colors of minimalist decor.

It will take time to see if cottage-core fashion catches on in the fashion world and reaches the level of being as well-known and respected as dark academic styles or streetwear fashion.