By Karen Espig

Cottagecore is an aesthetic that hit the internet way back in 2018 with the hashtag “#cottagecore” and was also known as countrycore and farmcore. The GenZ crowd is the biggest fan of the trend, and it comes, perhaps, as a reaction to and a reprieve from the stress of hustle culture and economic uncertainty. 

As a philosophy, it embraces simple and slow living and the reuptake of self-sufficiency and sustainable living. It is part nostalgia, part mindfulness, and part escapism.

But it isn’t just about rural living and old-school know-how; it is also a decor and fashion aesthetic that inspires calmness and encourages sustainable living.

How can you find and grow your cottagecore? Let’s take a long, deep breath, imagine fields of fragrant lavender, and find out!

Lifestyle

Incorporating it into your daily life runs the gamut from upping sticks and moving out to a rural community to creating a little haven in your apartment, backyard, or balcony.

The emphasis is on slow, thoughtful activities like journalling, writing letters (on paper), reading, and listening to music. Drawing, painting, crafting, and playing a musical instrument are popular pursuits in the lifestyle.

Fashion 

To bring the same vibe into your wardrobe, think of natural fibres like cotton, linen, and wool in earthy tones and muted patterns. The cottagecore fashion tends to have a dreamy, nostalgic or romantic vibe that speaks of a time gone by. 

The style for women tends to be feminine in a traditional way but also comfortable. Dresses are often soft and flowy in floral prints; blouses may have ruffles or embroidered elements. Men’s fashion uses similar natural fibres with a rustic or academic vibe—think wool plaid sweaters and caps.

But true cottagecore fashion doesn’t stop at style; it embraces sustainable practices such as buying used items, mending and altering clothes and even starting from scratch to make your own. 

Food

A big part of the aesthetic way of living is doing things as generations past did–you might even be lucky enough to have an ancestor’s cookbook lying around. By all means, investigate and give some recipes a try! 

If you love cooking already, you can take things a step further and learn to make pasta, bread or yoghurt from scratch. Try preparing your own beans instead of buying canned ones for that next big batch of chilli or refried beans. It’s all about getting back to basics and rejecting the pre-made, processed goods most of us grew up on.

Garden

Cottagecore gardens can be pure whimsy, practical, or a mix of both. There is a satisfaction that comes from growing your own vegetables and herbs and likewise from making your own preserves or pickles.

If space is at a premium, try a windowsill herb garden or tomatoes in pots on your balcony. Garden areas can be decorated with upcycled pots and natural elements like driftwood, shells, or beautiful stones.

Decor

The trend’s interior design is gorgeous, and the good news is that it doesn’t have to be expensive! Generally, the concepts and colours are similar to the clothing, emphasising natural elements like wood, wicker, rattan, and dried flowers. 

Vintage pottery and fine china can be used as originally intended or repurposed into a unique decor item. Try creating an eclectic collection of plants in items like teapots or vintage tins, or use an old sugar dish near the bathtub for salts or lotions.

If you can find old rolls of vintage wallpaper, this can transform a space or simply paint rooms in warm, earthy tones. Try your hand at reviving vintage or damaged furniture by using a distressed finish and completing it with mismatched knobs or pulls you find at the second-hand shop. Be sure to leave the dents and rusty parts as is to keep the old-fashioned character.

The idea isn’t exactly new. Marie Antoinette had a little village created as an escape from royal life. The hippie movement of the 60s was very much based on living in a free and natural way, and clothing and decor featured flower prints and natural fibres. Entrepreneur extraordinaire Martha Stewart has taught us how to create soothing interiors and cook from scratch since the 80s. 

However, the newest revival really took off during the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic, as people sought ways to improve their home environments and sustain their mental health.

The terrific thing about cottagecore living is its versatility. You can adopt as many aspects as you like, and it doesn’t have to break the bank; in fact, at the root of this lifestyle is living simply and sustainably, so upcycling and mindful consumerism is key.

So disconnect from the tech, grab those knitting needles, sit out in your garden or in a cosy nook by the window, and indulge in some good old-fashioned cottagecore.