Cottagecore Style Guide
If you’re like me, you’re sick and tired of hearing buzzwords like quiet luxury and Barbiecore. While I hate to be the one adding to your list of styles, there’s a new niche aesthetic that’s unlike the others: cottagecore. Usually, fashion subcultures lean into a minimalist or maximalist approach to dressing, but cottagecore does neither. Instead, it bridges the gap between clothing and space. The result? Outfits that look and feel idyllic.
It’s easy to mistake cottagecore as merely comprising simple, timeless pieces. Although attention to quality and fit is certainly in order for the movement, this alone doesn’t capture its essence. The way I see it, this aesthetic is all about romance-and not the kind that’s mutually exclusive with sex appeal.
A testament to cottagecore’s expansiveness, Jacquemus’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection took prairie dresses and puff sleeves to the next level with looks that made just about everyone want to book a weekend in the countryside. Remaining loyal to delicate fabrics such as lace and silk, the French fashion house managed to crank out silhouettes that were equally provocative as they were whimsical.
Since cottagecore is more about a feeling than it is a category of dressing I took it upon myself to help demystify the trend with a style guide. Everyone is inspired differently depending on their own personal style, but here are some core items you’ll need to get started. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find one lying around in your grandmother’s closet.
Wicker Bags
Blame it on the warm weather if you want, but wicker bags are the accessory of the moment. Originally worn for their functionality and comfort, wicker bags have undergone a major glow up in the past year or so, and designers aren’t mad about them. Now, there are so many renditions out there that anyone can find one that fits their taste.
Florals
Florals certainly aren’t “groundbreaking,” as Miranda Priestly quips in “The Devil Wears Prada,” but that doesn’t make them any less effective. If you want to really embrace your surroundings in nature on your next picnic, a midi or maxi length floral dress is a must. For an extra edge, tie a handkerchief around your neck or pair with some combat boots. To get a softer look, couple with light gold jewelry and Mary Janes. After all, it’s not always about what you wear—it’s how you wear it.
Knits
Knits are my favorite aspect of cottagecore because they’re so versatile. Whether it's a sheer blouse or crochet dress, knits are the perfect way to achieve a laid-back look that’s still elevated and chic.
Corsets
If I’m being perfectly honest, I’m not a corset girlie. But an important feature of this trend is its inextricable ties to Victorian fashion and peasant-girl styles originally made to mimic the rich (think Peter Pan collars and puff sleeves). If corsets are your thing, here are a few corset styles that won’t leave you suffocated (maybe).
Lace
Lace is such an interesting material to work with because it conveys innocence yet it can easily be transformed into a sexy silhouette. No matter which way you lean, these are a few lace pieces that bring cottagecore to life in a way that’s both fresh and modern.
Article by Meyme Nakash, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Photos by Mia Fyson, Graphic Design Intern, PhotoBook Magazine
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