Cottagecore
Your style guide to romantic cottagecore fashion with a touch of nostalgia
The cottagecore style combines nostalgic elements and romantic details with a natural colour palette. The romantic countryside flair embodies simplicity, nature and quality craftsmanship. In cottagecore fashion, this is expressed by using natural materials, soft colours and feminine silhouettes rich in detail. To incorporate this trendy style, you don't have to overhaul your wardrobe. With just a few essentials, you can make the cottagecore style work for your everyday wardrobe.
What is cottagecore?
Cottagecore originally developed as an aesthetic countermovement to the fast-paced trends and urbanisation that characterise the digital age. Behind the cottagecore lifestyle lies a longing for an idealised form of rural life, characterised by a closeness to nature, a slower pace and simplicity. In fashion, this is expressed in nostalgic looks that are both practical for everyday wear and playful in design. The cottagecore style aims to express the lightness of a slower lifestyle without looking kitsch.
What are the characteristics of cottagecore style?
Cottagecore fashion focuses on clothes that drape softly, have a nostalgic feel and are still suitable for everyday wear. Natural materials, soft colours and playful cuts form the basis of this style.
Cottagecore cuts and details: feminine softness and whimsical countryside romance
Cottagecore is characterised by flowing fabrics and comfortable cuts that emphasise your feminine silhouette whilst allowing you freedom of movement:
Empire, A-line or fit & flare dresses in midi or maxi lengths
Wide-cut high-waisted trousers
Blouses and tops with puff sleeves, ruffles and flounces
Broderie Anglaise, lace and embroidery
Classic cottagecore cuts emphasise the waist and fall loosely from the hips down. This not only creates a flattering silhouette, but also gives the outfits an airy, light and laid-back look. Decorative elements such as flounces or embroidery give the outfits a characteristic vintage charm.
Cottagecore colour palette: soft colours and natural tones
Cottagecore thrives on natural and balanced tones. The colour palette is understated and soft. White, cream and beige serve as base colours and can be paired with delicate pastel shades such as rosé, sage green, lavender or pale yellow, or with warm earth tones such as rust red, olive green or ochre. You won’t see striking contrasts or neon colours in the cottagecore style.
If you want to add a splash of colour to your outfits, you can opt for fabric with a delicate pattern. Dainty floral patterns reminiscent of vintage fabrics are particularly popular.
The most important thing is that the colours you choose for your cottagecore outfits harmonise with one another and are not overbearing. This emphasises the calm, natural aura of your look.
Typical materials for cottagecore outfits: natural, airy and structured
If you want to create an authentic cottagecore look, you should opt for natural materials. These fabrics not only look beautiful but also offer optimal comfort. The following fabrics are particularly popular:
How to style cottagecore for everyday wear
The appeal of the cottagecore style lies in combining romantic and nostalgic elements with modern basics. This means, you don't need a complete vintage wardrobe to incorporate cottagecore elements into your everyday style. We'll show you how you can incorporate cottagecore elements into your wardrobe with just a few essentials:
1. Start with individual, carefully chosen items: key pieces such as a floral dress, an embroidered blouse or even a loose-fitting linen skirt can be easily integrated into your existing wardrobe. Paired with simple basics such as sneakers or jeans, the cottagecore style is suitable as modern everyday wear.
2. Use accessories to add cottagecore accents: if you're not yet ready to try ruffles and flounces or are looking for a more subtle way to style cottagecore outfits, you can rely on accessories. The following are particularly suitable for this:
Straw hats or slouch hats
Hair bands, bows or cotton scarves
Woven bags or small basket bags
Linen bags or jute bags with floral prints
Delicate gold or silver jewellery with nature motifs (e.g. flowers, leaves)
Espadrilles, strappy sandals, Mary Janes, lace-up shoes or ankle boots
3. Use layering to make cottagecore styles weatherproof: cottagecore isn't just a summer trend. With clever layering, you can wear this style all year round and put together outfits that are perfect for rainy or cold days. Chunky knit cardigans, wool tights, high-quality wool coats and leather boots are the perfect additions to autumnal and winter cottagecore outfits.
Casual Cottagecore looks
For leisurely walks, strolls through town or an afternoon in a café, your cottagecore outfit should be relaxed and airy and offer sufficient freedom of movement. Your options include:
Chunky knit cardigan or denim jacket
Espadrilles, flat sandals or ankle boots
Straw hat
Large handbag (e.g. straw shopper)
Braided hair band
Cottagecore outfits for the office
A cottagecore look suitable for everyday office wear focuses on clean lines with nostalgic details. When it comes to business outfits, the emphasis is on a neat and professional appearance. Unlike with casual looks, you should avoid too many flounces and ruffles details. Here is one possible outfit idea:
White or cream-coloured blouse with fine embroidery
Midi-length skirt, trousers made from linen or cotton
Fitted cardigan
Plain loafers or lace-up shoes
Leather bag
Cottagecore party outfit ideas
Cottagecore styles are also perfect for special occasions. It's best to choose items made from high-quality materials and combine them with subtle accessories to keep your look simple. An elegant updo or romantic braided hairstyle will complete your cottagecore party outfit. Perfect choices are:
Midi or maxi dresses with lace details or flounces
Delicate strappy sandals with a slight heel
Small shoulder bag
Fine gold or silver jewellery in a vintage look
What are cottagecore essentials?
Cottagecore thrives on lovingly chosen individual pieces that are feminine, dreamy and yet suitable for everyday wear. The following must-haves are typical building blocks of the cottagecore style and can be combined in many different ways:
Dresses and skirts in a cottagecore style
Midi or maxi length floral dresses
Dresses with a high waist and flowing skirt (e.g. A-line, fit & flare)
Dresses with puff sleeves, flounces, tie belts or button plackets
A-line skirts or pleated skirts
Cottagecore style tops
Blouses with ruffles, embroidery, lace or flounces
Oversized blouses with tie belts
Lightweight knitted tops
Fine knit turtleneck jumpers
Jackets for cottagecore outfits
Cardigans
Denim jackets
Trench coats
Wool coats
Cottagecore style trousers
Wide-leg fabric trousers with a high waistband
Paperbag trousers
Culottes
Conclusion: cottagecore combines nature, nostalgia and simplicity
The cottagecore style will bring a breath of fresh air to your wardrobe. It focuses on natural materials, softly flowing silhouettes and lovely details to create looks that are nostalgic yet timeless. It's important that your look is authentic. This means, you should feel comfortable in your outfit and not like you are playing dress-up. Whether you like to wear dresses or feel more comfortable in loose-fitting trousers and cardigans, the cottagecore style gives you plenty of room to express your individuality.