Cottagecore; Rep it With Thrift. Here is a Complete Guide

What is Cottagecore?

Imagine a picturesque vintage cottage situated between the quaint country hills as smoke lazily curls through the chimney; a sun-dappled meadow covered with a blanket of wildflowers while the enchanting smell of blooming blossoms fills the air; a cozy cottage garden with a basket atop a wooden counter holding an assortment of homemade treats for a picnic in the colorful orchard; wrapped in a warm blanket, you lay on the grass and marvel at the beauty of the stars twinkling overhead in the night sky; a rustic farmstead where the day kicks off with the promise of hard work and the rewards of a simple yet rich agrarian lifestyle.

Feeling Cottagecore yet? The aesthetic’s free-spirited lifestyle embraces nature, simplicity, and the elements of traditional rural life that humans originated with, free from the many complexities of the modern world. It surfaced as an internet trend on Tumblr in 2018 and has seen its popularity continue to soar through the past year.

How to wear Cottagecore outfits?

Contrary to other cores like Old Money, the Cottagecore aesthetic isn’t focused on wearing the best-fitted, most expensive, subtle-colored clothes. Instead, it focuses on a more utilitarian style of clothing and a sustainable lifestyle that embraces color and simplicity using natural fabrics. While you are going to find some good Cottagecore brands through a simple Google search (also listed further in the article), the full spirit of the aesthetic lies in sustainable living. Below is a guide to help you curate an authentic Cottagecore-rich wardrobe on your next trip to the thrift store.

Styles to look for when thrifting Cottagecore

Dresses with busy floral prints, puffy sleeves, and loose fits with a waistband are archetypal to the aesthetic. Other articles include high-waisted skirts with pleats in pastel colors; modest-fit flowery blouses with foam padding on the shoulders (a typical indication of vintage women’s wear) and wide unique buttons; apron-style dresses with pleats; long flowery dresses in Nylon-like fabric with a fabric belt in place of a waistband.

While these are the styles people mostly picture when they think of Cottagecore, that’s not the entirety of it. Different seasons bring different versions of the vintage aesthetic, all of which evoke the same feeling of cozy elegance. Hand-knitted oversized sweaters with flower prints or hand embroidery along with similar-style shawls and cardigans also fit the bill. In addition, you are often going to come across some embroidery work, lace accents, and crochet detailing in articles focused on capturing the vintage Cottagecore aesthetic.

What to look for when authenticating thrifted Cottagecore?

If you decide on thrifting authentic Cottagecore articles, several indicators can help you verify the age of the article. Check the make of the care labels. They are not going to be modern/made from polyester or slippery compact tags, but instead, they are going to be fairly wide labels with threaded tags and large fonts. Many might also not have tags since they would be handmade. After going through a sizeable number of authentic Cottagecore articles, you will most probably get familiarized with a feel for the texture of the fabrics which will gradually make the process easier. Though, in case you prefer shopping new, brands like Farm Rio, Sezane, and Christy Dawn are good brands in terms of replicating the cottage aesthetic.

Any Cottagecore outfit, however, is incomplete without the vivid accessories that go along with it. Be sure to pick up some sun hats, flowery headscarves, bonnets, and wrist corsages to enhance the look of every outfit.

Incorporating Cottagecore home Decor

Start your Mini-Garden

You don’t necessarily need a backyard to start your garden. Anything from an acre of gardening space to a flowerpot you can keep on your windowsill, works. For starters, just use a couple of compact containers to get a hang of maintaining a garden. Get a container and handpaint it creatively with a design you like. Using wooden crates for pots can also help give the garden a rustic touch. Consider planting flowers like roses, lavenders, dasies, and sunflowers for a true cottage-like rustic aesthetic. Utilize the space effectively and add warm-colored fairy lights to your mini-garden to further augment the aesthetic. Embrace the cozy atmosphere.

Dip your abode in cozy elegance

Consider decorating your room or living space in a manner inspired by the Cottagecore aesthetic. Make use of flowery-themed colors and place a cozy couch in a spot you like to spend your time in the most. Raid a thrift store to get a hold of some more unique artifacts with a rustic aesthetic to fully encapsulate the rustic charm. Vintage teacups and saucers; floral cutlery; embroidered linens for tablecloths and aprons; wooden showpieces; antique picture frames; old books and leather-bound scrapbooks; brass candle holders and a lot more. The list goes on and on. In a nutshell, pick up anything that you know you would find in a quaint countryside cottage and bask in its cozy elegance.

Remember to take a Breather

What many aren’t aware of is that such a movement has existed before as well. Way back in the late 18^th century in the form of Romanticism, a movement that originated in Europe. Similar to this movement, the Cottagecore aesthetic is a means of expression for a soul yearning to take a breather from the fast-moving world today. Perhaps, in this way, the human race has come full circle again.

The essence of Cottagecore is to appreciate the simple pleasures of life that many have forgotten. In doing so, it is important to declutter your mind and also your living space to invoke a sense of safety and coziness amidst which you can let your mind run free to try out new things creatively. Bake a tray of pastries, make a cup of tea, put your phone aside, settle in on a warm couch, and read a book or share a conversation with a loved one. Celebrate the happiness embedded in little things that are often taken for granted in today’s fast-paced life.