What is ‘Cottage Core’? Why is this aesthetic so popular? Where did it come from?
You’ve probably already heard of the ‘Cottage Core’, as it’s currently one of the internet’s favourite aesthetics, with blogs, tiktok channels and instagram pages solely dedicated to this trend!
But what actually is it? Read on to find out more about this aesthetic!
What is ‘Cottage Core’ and why is it so popular?
‘Cottage Core’ is a lifestyle aesthetic, encompassing interior design, clothing, music, crafts and recipes with a rural, nostalgic and rustic feel.
Cottage Core, at its heart, idealises pastoral living, proposing this lifestyle as a way to escape the modern world and the personal and societal difficulties that comes from living in the 2020’s.
The term ‘Cottage Core’ was first coined on the social media platform Tumblr back in 2018, however iterations of this trend had existed on the platform throughout the 2010’s as it is related to other popular aesthetics, such as ‘Grandmacore’ and ‘Fairycore’.
Although this trend has existed online since the 2010’s it was the Covid-19 Pandemic that caused it to skyrocket in popularity, with searches for the trend on the platform Tumblr increasing by 150% from March to May 2020.
The trend spread to Pinterest, Instagram and Tiktok, capturing the minds of generations locked in doors, causing them to long for a seemingly simpler time.
With more time at home, a global ‘slow-down’ in living, less ability to be social and a need for comfort, is it any surprise that this somewhat wholesome aesthetic struck a chord?
During the pandemic, the population at large were encouraged to, and had the time to, pick up new hobbies such as baking bread, gardening, candle making, sewing and crafts.
These types of hobbies saw a huge surge in popularity and fit right into this aesthetic!
Want to jump on this trend? We have put together some handy tips to help you achieve the Cottage Core aesthetic!
Cottage Core Fashion, Interiors & Lifestyle
Fashion & Beauty
As the key visual characteristics of this trend are romantic, vintage, soft, rustic and natural, you should keep this in mind when applying this aesthetic to your wardrobe and beauty routine.
When choosing clothing opt for floral prints, pastel colours and highly feminine coded details such as lace, bows or embroidery. Think long floaty skirts, dresses with peter pan collars or balloon sleeves, loose fitting shirts or oversized cardigans.
Try to choose more natural materials like linen, cotton or wool and customise your clothing if you can, replacing buttons or sewing on details to make your clothing look more unique.
For your beauty routine, as this trend is all about the romanticism of getting back to nature, you should try to look as natural as possible. This doesn’t mean to stop wearing make up at all if you don’t want to, just try to opt for ‘No make up, make up’ look instead. Think fresh, even skin, a soft pink blush, light eye make up and a natural pink or nude lip.
Hair should be soft, natural and practical. Try experimenting with braids, updos and remove heated tools from your routine. As cottage core is all about rustic, vintage living and getting back to basics, you won’t need to use your Dyson Airwrap or GHD straighteners, instead go for heatless curls tools or the natural waves that come from wearing a braid.
Interiors & Home
The great thing about the Cottage Core trend is that it focuses on sustainability, so you don’t have to buy all new products for your home to achieve this aesthetic. In fact, within this community there is an emphasis on thrifting from second hand stores, yard sales or free pages, like facebook marketplace. It is also encouraged to showcase family heirlooms or inherited furniture, to help get that genuine vintage style.
If you are starting from fresh and want to overall your space, you should try to source products with a distinctly vintage, rustic or farmhouse feel and keep these styles in mind when designing your home.
You do have freedom with your colour palette with this aesthetic, with popular cottage core interiors sitting on a spectrum of light and neutral spaces, to colourful pastel rooms onto darker, richer toned homes.
Embrace natural materials like wood, stone and brick as well as textiles like wool, linen and fur. Patterns are welcome within cottage core, especially florals, checks and stripes, remember the more whimsical, cosy and beatrix potter-like your interior is, the more it fits this trend!
When designing a cottage core style room, first pick your main key pieces such as your focal furniture pieces and statement mirrors. Items like this Daventry Taupe Sideboard are great for storing your spare throws, cushions, craft items and games, while still maintaining a country inspired vibes. Mirrors like this Large Gold Ornate Overmantle Mirror encapsulate vintage style and would look amazing above a traditionally styled fireplace or dressing table.
Slowly introduce artwork and decor that represents your personal style and interests, to make your home unique while still fitting the aesthetic.
Hobbies & Lifestyle
This trend is all about slow living,finding joy in small things, turning away from consumerism and becoming more independent and self sustainable.
To achieve this, try to include hobbies that include some element of making things by hand such as sewing, crochet or embroidery.
To become more sustainable, experiment with hobbies such as baking, growing a vegetable garden, raising chickens or foraging.
These hobbies are both creative, wholesome and satisfying, as they encourage you to learn new and valuable skills that can be applied in real time and aid you on your slow living journey.
We all know a healthy mind and body are important, so alongside making and growing your own food, try to include some outdoor hobbies such as horse riding, hiking, yoga or wild swimming. Opt for body moving hobbies that make you feel good, reduce stress and build strength skills while still being able to spend time outside.
That’s it! Are you ready to start your Cottage Core journey? Comment and let us know what you think about this aesthetic!
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