Cottagecore for Every Season
I’ve often found myself yearning for a slower, more simpler life. When I was younger, I was obsessed with the Little House series, Anne of Green Gables, and really anything that transported me to a place where I could envision myself wearing a pinafore and puffed sleeves. Prairie, homestead, fairy or ethereal, and period styles have woven themselves throughout fashion’s recent history, but none had quite the chokehold as did cottagecore during the pandemic. While I may be a little late to the trend (during covid I was living my best city girl life), I’m fully ready to move to the countryside and allow chickens to wander freely about my house. If you’ve ever wondered what cottagecore is, or are just looking for a roadmap on how to get there with your personal style, I’ll be sharing what it is, tips on what to buy, a colour palette to follow, and key wardrobe pieces to consider for every season.
My friends at Little Women Atelier gave me a 10% discount code to share with you; if you use any of the links to their website on this post, the discount should be automatically applied at checkout, or you can enter cate10.
what is ‘cottagecore’?
Cottagecore is a trend that started the late 2010s, but really took off during the pandemic, as people were stuck inside their apartments, dreaming of escape. It romanticizes an idyllic, rural lifestyle, close to nature and living in harmony with it. It emphasizes the beauty of a slower, simpler, and primarily rural, life; drawing from vintage and antique aesthetics. It often incorporates floral patterns, flouncy elements, and soft, natural hues. While aesthetics were at the core of this movement, lifestyle is also very much a part of it; including aspects of homesteading, cooking, and gardening. It’s all about romanticizing the ordinary (at least if “ordinary” were in a fantasy world, where we live a hundred years in the past with modern conveniences like indoor plumbing, in a lush country house, and are white, middle class, and without a care. In essence, it fantasizes this lifestyle without any acknowledgment of the hardships or realities of impoverished people or marginalized individuals. While I won’t touch on the issues surrounding cottagecore in this post, you can read more about all the nuances here)
a cottagecore wardrobe
The colour palette for cottagecore is primarily made up of muted, soft tones that reflect nature. Think of colours like sage green, rusty orange, mustard yellow, and dusty pink or blue. These colours create a sense of peace and comfort, transporting you to your very own English Garden, where you can snuggle bunnies all day to your heart’s content. When shopping for cottagecore clothing, look for pieces that are made from natural materials like cotton, linen, and wool (if a pioneer didn’t have it, neither should you). Remember, that even though it’s all about the aesthetics, comfort is important too. Keep clothing soft, flowing, and comfortable: you you have chickens to chase, a garden to groom, and a pie that needs prepping. Cottagecore is also very thrift-friendly; as I had mentioned, many elements of this aesthetic have popped up before, within the last 50 years of fashion. Incorporating vintage pieces into your wardrobe and using what you have just seems at the essence of cottagecore anyways. What separates cottagecore from other similar aesthetics, is its tendency toward floral patterns, and its use of frills, puffs, and romantic or feminine details. The aesthetic is lighter and airier than academia, less practical than farmcore, and yet is more grounded than ethereal or fairycore; it’s more romantic than prairiecore, and less gloomy than witchcore. And in essence, it was kind of the original ‘-core’ as we know it today.
here are my top ten pieces for every season to recreate this timeless aesthetic in your wardrobe:
summer
cottagecore dress - would this list be complete without THE cottagecore dress? I think not. You know the one.
basket bag - perfect for carrying your essentials on a summer day. These must be made of wicker or straw, bonus if they’re lined with embroidery or lace, or a gingham. In my opinion, you can never have too many (I have quite the collection myself). Perhaps an open one for your fresh-cut flowers, a more traditional picnic basket that can hide an elegant bottle of rosé, and of course an everyday handbag option is a must.
hair scarf - a square, folded in half, to stop any fly aways from getting in your face as you gather eggs from your chicken coop. It also doubles as a cute handkerchief to wipe the sweat from your brow.
straw hat - the perfect accessory for any picnicking.
woven flats - I could not, for the life of me, find an authentic cottagecore look with a pair of decent sandals. I mean, fair enough, barefoot is the way to go. But if you must wear shoes while frolicking on a hot summers day, why not opt for a beautiful handwoven pair of flats, that allow the breeze to squeeze through.
loose frilly shorts - although cottagecore is all about the dresses, I wanted to have a few other options. A pair of frilly shorts (that kind of give off bloomer vibes of old) are just the thing.
puff sleeve tee - to match your frilly shorts.
bunchy fabric tie shoulder midi dress - for a more breezy summer dress option.
apron - perfect for running around the garden, or puttering around your kitchen (but just as cute as an accessory).
blanket - for all the picnics you’ll be having.
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basket bag - I’ve loved mine from this etsy shop
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headscarf - this one comes in an array of colours
autumn
Mary-Janes - these shoes are a classic and versatile style that can be dressed up or down (for a complete look - pair with the frilly socks that are also on this list). Look for styles with a low heel and a round toe in neutral colors like brown, black, or burgundy.
pinafores - sleeveless dresses with a square neckline and a bib front. These were traditionally worn to keep ones' clothes clean. They are perfect for layering over blouses or turtlenecks for a cozy, cottagecore look, and hey, they may help you cut down on laundry (since you’ll be doing it by hand of course).
a-line skirt - whether your preference is mini, midi, or maxi, this silhouette is perfect for cottagecore vibes. Pair with a blouse or sweater.
collared blouses - complete with delicate details like lace or ruffles, these are great for layering under dresses, your pinafore, or pairing with skirts.
turtleneck - something a little cozier on those chilly autumn days. Also looks great with a skirt.
lace-up oxfords - a more masculine alternative to the Mary-Jane, these also bode well with academia aesthetic.
hunter jacket - if it looks like something your country grandfather would have worn, it fits the vibe. A more oversized silhouette will pair best with any dresses or skirts. Trust me, it looks great with a pair of rubber boots too (see spring).
beret - I was surprised when researching this aesthetic how frequently berets came up. It makes sense though: a beret is feminine, typically made of natural fibres, and pairs well with the rest of the items on this list.
vintage trousers - high-waisted ones that look straight out of the 1940s fit the vibe just right.
messenger bag - a cold-weather alternative to a basket bag. Can hold (almost) as many things.
winter
knitwear - chunky knit sweaters, whether a crew or cardigan, are the perfect piece for layering and adding a cozy touch to your cottagecore looks. Cableknit and fair isle patterns are particularly cottagecore, bonus points if they have embroidery.
corset - if you particularly love corsets, a lighter one for spring, and a darker one for winter is a must. Best worn overtop a frilly blouse or dress.
wool socks - I hope you made them yourself.
wool skirt - this item is actually one I have on my list of winter essentials, generally. I believe everyone would do well to own a wool skirt, especially if you suffer from extreme cold as I do here in Alberta.
long wool coat - also a winter essential for everyone. Nothing too straight or stiff, think a-line shaped, a cape coat, or cocoon.
knit hat and mittens -I hope your grandmother made these.
lace up boots - these boots also work great in the fall, and are generally just really practical.
leather belt - if you need a piece as a transition between your blouse and skirts, this works well.
long sleeve dress - the perfect thing to wear for the holiday season. Who needs an impractical slip dress that you’ll be sure to freeze in?
wool scarf - the icing on the winter cake. Both a cozy knit or felted style could work.
spring
cropped cardigans - perfect for layering over dresses or blouses. Look for styles with adorable details like buttons or embroidery.
overalls - a versatile and practical piece; essential for all your gardening endeavours. Wear with feminine tops to balance out the look and to not lean to much in the way of farmcore.
prairie dresses - one of the most iconic cottagecore pieces. These flowy, ankle-length dresses typically have floral prints and ruffles, and are often made from lightweight cotton or linen, making them perfect for any season.
puff sleeve top - a lighter version of the collared blouse to carry you through spring and summer.
frilly socks - the delicate lace that lines the top is what sets this style apart and makes it cottagecore.
slippers/flats - something less heavy-footed than the Mary-Jane. The style depends totally on your preference, as a ballet flat would work, but so would the right pointed slipper. As long as they look organic in colour and fabric, you’re on the right track.
rubber boots - picture this: you holding a fluffy spring chick, wearing your rubber boots, a dress, and a cozy little cardigan.
victorian night gown - I just don’t think you’re cottagecore wardrobe would be compete without one.
bonnet - this too.
spring skirt or linen pants - the last bottom option on the list, I thought you could choose. If you are in serious need of more pants on this list, a lightweight linen option of your winter trousers would be an excellent choice. But if you’re fully embracing of the flow skirt life, why not add a more floral, spring-y one to your closet?
essentially with all of these pieces, you should be able to fully embrace the slow, romantic cottagecore life year round (even if that’s just from your very modern apartment). I think this is another -core aesthetic, like the Coastal Grandmother style I had previously dissected, that creates a really cohesive capsule. I was worried initially that I would struggle to encapsulate the winter vibe of this aesthetic, but it ended up coming together well!
let me know what you think of this list, and what aesthetic I should break down next. I have a full YouTube video up going through cottagecore style: you can watch that here.
Best,
Cate
Thank you so much to Son de Flor and Little Women Atelier for sending me a couple of their cottagecore pieces to try out and style for this post. Collaborating with brands helps make my content possible, but please note that all opinions are always my own, and I only ever work with brands I believe in. These two brands share ethically and sustainably made clothing of the highest quality, and I highly recommend reading their ethos’ on their ‘about’ pages. Both stories are truly inspiring.
