I have been interested in cottagecore aesthetic since I was a little kid in the 1970’s. Obviously the term ‘cottagecore’ hadn’t been coined at that point, but watching shows that are now associated with the cottagecore aesthetic like Little House on the Prairie and The Railway Children, I remember being so drawn to the style. I even had what I used to call my Laura Ingells dress, and, even at that young age, I loved going to our local jumble sales and rummaging through the heaps of clothes to find what I might call a piece of treasure.
This has followed throughout my life and now in my early 50’s, I have embraced the cottagecore lifestyle, as so many others have.
What is Cottagecore?
Cottagecore is an aesthetic which embraces simple, slow living, an escapism from the modern world and celebrates country living. Forget your mobile phone, Instagram and all social media, and take up hobbies such as baking, sewing, knitting and embroidery. Cottagecore lifestyle encourages sustainability. Make, do and mend instead of buying new where possible. Instead of buying new gifts for friends and family, why not try and make them something?
Cottagecore grew in popularity during the Covid pandemic, becoming especially popular on TikTok and Instagram. It’s a trend that especially took hold in America and spread worldwide.
It’s an aesthetic that has been adopted by women of all colours. For some, it was seen as a problematic trend due to its nostalgic nature, harking back to eras where people of colour were disparaged and oppressed. For this, some have deemed the cottagecore aesthetic ‘slavecore’. However, women of colour have also adopted this aesthetic, and for this it’s now more inclusive. Accounts such as Hill House Vintage and Cottagecore Black Folks are an example of this. I personally think this type of lifestyle should be embraced by anyone who feels it’s right for them, regardless of colour.
how to live the cottagecore lifestyle?
Personally, I find it difficult to do as a city dweller, but I’m managing it – just. As stated above, swap putting your nose into your mobile phone or tablet, scrolling through social media. Instead, start reading books, take nice walks in the countryside, or if you live in a big city like me, have a walk in a park and just savour the nature around you.
© 2024 Karis Tavernier-Nicholas
My home is filled with furniture, crockery, utensils and a sewing machine from yesteryear. So the best thing to do to create the cottagecore aesthetic is to rummage around vintage markets and shops, or better still, if you have a family member wanting to throw out old things, these might come in useful to you.
How to Get the Aesthetic
Think lovely flowy, floral or gingham print dresses. Layering clothes like blouses with a dress on top, peasant dresses, milkmaid dresses. Pair these with flat open-toe sandals, Mary Jane’s or brogues. Most of all, think comfort.
Just a note: I found these wonderful pyjamas from TU at Sainsbury’s which have a lovely cottagecore feel. I ‘ummed’ and ‘ahhed’ about it for a while before finally deciding to buy it. I absolutely love them! They are floral and striped, cream with pastel pink and a hint of green, which gives them that vintage look. They are so pretty, comfortable and roomy, and feel like a nice pyjama set for the spring/summer time as I can feel they are going to be quite cool.
