Cottagecore

Cottagecore, also known as Farmcore and Countrycore, is an aesthetic inspired by a romanticized interpretation of western agricultural life. It is centered on ideas of simple living and harmony with nature. Other themes associated with cottagecore include self-sufficiency, the romanticization of domestic labor, and caring for people. While the aesthetic is prevalent on several social media sites, such as on Instagram and more recently TikTok, the community originated on Tumblr. However, this is an internet and visual-centered look on prior decorative, literary, and historical trends. It is particularly popular within woman-loving-woman (WLW) and nonbinary loving women (NBLW) communities (although sexuality does not define the aesthetic). 
The aesthetic is a continuation of many other nature-based aesthetics, but draws the most influence from the romanticization of the English countryside from the Romantic and Victorian periods. Its visuals are based on the domestic lifestyle associated with living in this type of environment, with all images providing a sense of comfort and mild adventure. 
Despite a number of its followers taking a progressive and subversive outlook, Cottagecore has been also criticized for its romanticism of eurocentric farming life. It has also been criticized in the context of North American and Australian settings, an inadvertent celebration of the aesthetics of colonialism, as well as the ways it often simplifies and underestimates the labor of farmers. It is due to these connotations that the use of Cottagecore aesthetics has been adopted by the TradWife community and members of the far-right as forms of propaganda. This has led to media criticism despite their opposition to LGBTQ+ and anti-capitalist adherents of Cottagecore.
Cottagecore is often compared to aesthetics such as Grandparentcore, which seek to evoke a similar sense of nostalgia. It is also related to Naturecore and Warmcore.
==History==
===Precursors===
Cottagecore is a continuation of ideas that have existed for millenia and uses visuals that are based in the aesthetic of the European countrysides. The evolution of these ideas into contemporary Cottagecore, an aesthetic borne out of the internet and among teenagers to young adults, is the primary history of this section, but also describes the history of Cottagecore's precursors as well. 
One of the largest influences is the artistic movement of Romanticism, which emphasized a connection to nature, the past, and the senses, rather than logic.https://www.britannica.com/art/Romanticism It also encouraged a sense of national pride, which led to British landscape artists in particular to paint scenes of rural small towns, often with the same thatched cottages admired today. Similarly, this artistic movement was a reaction to the Industrial Revolution, much like how Cottagecore now is against the increasingly capitalistic and industrialized economy. 
The next artistic movement that revived this love for British cottages is the Arts and Crafts movement, which focused on decorative arts such as furniture, ceramics, illustration, etc. Floral patterning was extremely popular, as well as a lighter and softer interpretation of what art is supposed to be. 
Also around this time, Beatrix Potter released her Peter Rabbit children's books, which is one of the first introductions people had to the Victorian garden aesthetic, with the soft watercolors and sense of innocence. Other influential children's literature published in the 19th century include Heidi, The Secret Garden, and Anne of Green Gables. These books had a common appreciation for femininity and nature, and with lush descriptions of food and activities being prominenetly featured throughout. Despite their age, these works are incredibly popular with the children oftoday, and this nostalgia continues to inspire people who read these novels in their childhood. 
An additional genre that "created" Cottagecore was also fantasy, especially with J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series and various fairytales, especially that of the fae in Britain and Ireland. These books lend a sense of adventure and folkloric superstition to the aesthetic, and it is not uncommon for appreciators to do a few rituals typically associated with fairies for the sake of them. 
Throughout the development of film, animation, TV, etc., many works had their settings in small European villages and forests. 
Visually, much of Cottagecore takes inspiration from the 1970s, which had a fashion and home decor aesthetic known as Romantic Revival and Shabby Chic, led mostly by the companies Gunne Sax and Laura Ashley. Cottagecore fashion is largely a continuation of the designs that they used: prairie dresses in floral calico print, with heirloom sewing details, antique furniture, and soft pastels. The interior design details of Shabby Chic have similar grandmotherly connotations. 
The Japanese alternative fashion Mori Kei also had an extremely large influence on the aesthetic, especially since the fashion was popular on tumblr in the early to mid-2010s. This was the de-facto feminine, nature-based, and cozy aesthetic. However, like many other trends, Mori Kei dwindled out. But as Cottagecore gained in popularity, there was a spike in Google trend searches for the fashion, showing a clear lineage in the fashion.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRM9ZcnCbrw
The Farm, by Jean-Baptiste Oudry, 1750, oil on canvas.jpeg|The Farm, by Jean-Baptiste Oudry, 1750, oil on canvas, 130 x 212 cm, Louvre. This Rococo painting shows how Cottagecore visuals are a continuation of depictions of the traditional French and English countryside
File:The Queen's House, part of the Queen's Hamlet.jpeg|The Queen's House, part of the Queen's Hamlet, in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles, Versailles, France, unknown architect, 2nd half of the 18th century
File:Neo-Romanian desk with chair, unknown maker, early 20th century, walnut wood, carved and painted.jpeg|Neo-Romanian desk with chair, unknown maker, early 20th century, walnut wood, carved and painted. All the geometric ornaments are inspired by objects of Romanian peasants
Screenshot of Belle, from the Beauty and the Beast film, by multiple artists, early 1990s.jpeg|Screenshot of Belle, from the Beauty and the Beast film, by multiple artists, early 1990s
===Internet Popularization===
In 2019 tumblrhttp://web.archive.org/web/20210526205323/https://gayarsonist.tumblr.com/post/189724873083/im-sure-ive-missed-a-few-things-but-i-cant, the animated show Moomin Valley became a meme and frequent topic of conversation on the website. It popularized Cottagecore, as the characters lived in this sort of environment, with scenes of foraging, frolicking, and adventuring. Tumblr users wished for this sort of lifestyle, and the television show became a common gateway to the aesthetic. Studio Ghibli animated films have also been quite prevalent on the site, and users would have noted the commonalities between these two franchises and explored similar photographs and activities. 
During this same time, there was the trend of "yearning" on tumblr. Users would post about wishing for romantic partners and situations to happen, focusing on "tenderness" such as holding hands and sharing fruit. This was especially popular among the queer community, which is constantly in the process of redefining and creating images of love outside of the heteronormative imagery and traditions of the past. 
The 2020 coronavirus pandemic also led to the rise of Cottagecore as activities such as baking breadhttps://www.vox.com/the-highlight/2020/5/19/21221008/how-to-bake-bread-pandemic-yeast-flour-baking-ken-forkish-claire-saffitz, playing Animal Crossinghttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-14/nintendo-s-animal-crossing-is-the-biggest-hit-of-the-lockdown, gardening, sewing, and other handicraftshttps://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/2021/05/06/new-hobbies-emerge-during-covid-19-including-knitting-polka-djing/7203653002/ rose in popularity. Coupled with a rise of the app TikTok, people were more exposed to crafting and these activities became trends. The virality of Little Women (2019) was another contributing factor to the popularity amongst teenaged girls. 
Another quarantine trend in 2020 was Lirika Matoshi's "Strawberry Dress," a pink tulle gown with sequined strawberries and a milkmaid style. As Vogue describes it, the appeal of the dress is "...that sweet strawberry print is deeply nostalgic, hearkening back to a time long before COVID-19, to a childhood innocence that feels especially soothing right now." Like Moomin Valley, the dress was incredibly meme-ified, with it appearing in non-Cottagecore contexts, such as in fan-art.https://www.vogue.com/article/strawberry-dress-lirika-matoshi-popular Its popularity led to people, especially on TikTok, to discover the aesthetic. 
Throughout 2020, Cottagecore was made aware to various audiences as publications such as Vox and The New York Times reported on the trend. It later filtered down to various magazines and other interest sites, making the aesthetic's name fairly well-known among fashion, interior design, and crafting enthusiasts. 
The aesthetic became even more well-known with the release of Taylor Swift's July 2020 album Folklore, as the singer's visual and musical styles would influence many of her fans' tastes.https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/07/9931460/taylor-swift-folklore-fashion-clothing-trend
==Visuals==
Cottagecore has a naturalistic color palette with light green foliage, browns of natural stones and wood, straw, and flowers. Pastels are common in painting. Lighting is always natural, with sunlight being the de facto light source. Morning to late afternoon "golden hour" is the range of lighting. 
Different motifs appear throughout Cottagecore in various ways; rather than limiting a photo subject to just pictures of its natural form, some items appear in various mediums, such as in illustration, printed fabric, novelty dishware, and other manners of home decor. The most common motifs are: strawberries, mushrooms, and flowers. 
Nature is one the main visuals of the aesthetic. One of the most common photographic subjects is wild fields of grass with small wildflowers dotted throughout. 
Deciduous forest is also common, always in green during spring and summer, with autumnal colors and wintertime being rare. However, unlike more wild aesthetics such as Naturecore, there are almost always signs of human involvement in the rural space. Fences, bridges, clothes lines, picnicking, and controlled amounts of forestation are more often than not, elements of these images. In Cottagecore, humans have to have presence in the natural environment, shaping the landscape into home. 
Gardens are of course a manifestation of this interaction between nature and human intervention. These gardens are always done in the English style, meaning that the land is cultivated to look more wild and with great variety, rather than geometric and controlled.https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/a-war-of-roses-the-french-vs-english-garden-168600 Ponds are often included, as well as wheelbarrows, wooden benches, gazebos, and other garden paraphernalia. Often, large and ornate glass greenhouses are featured, which are more in line with a wealthy, English nobility aesthetic as opposed to modest and attainable rural life. More mundane and achievable gardens can be featured, and they largely focus on the crops grown there, such as frills of lettuce sprouting from the ground or strawberries in a white-washed planter box. 
The other main visual, and the one that gives Cottagecore its namesake is the cottage, which is a fairly loose term that includes multiple types of homes. The most common Cottagecore house is the archetypical English thatch-roofed cottage with painted white or rusticated stone walls, chimneys, and shrubbery in the front. The second-most common is a miniature house or shed constructed from wood, with a gabled roof. Novel and twee decorations and painting is common in these miniature houses, and they are typically painted in pastel, feature decorative carvings, and windowboxes filed with plants. English manors are also heavily featured in Cottagecore, and fit many aesthetics, such as Tudor, Cottage Orne, and even Neoclassical, among others. These mansions are typically more extravagent than what Cottagecore is claimed to be, which will be expanded upon in the Controversy section. Architecture that is incredibly fanciful and fairy-tale-esque is also common. They often look to be falling apart, sloping, or impossibly precarious. This fits into the fairy and witch influences. 
Images of the interiors of these cottages are also common and the way how Cottagecore enthusiasts can express their love for the aesthetic without living in the countryside setting. These interiors show the farmhouse-style furniture, linens, and various knicknacks that would exist in the space. The objects are frequently cluttered and mismatched to create a cozy and carefree atmosphere and are frequently connotative of grandparents, such as quilts, tea sets, and vintage crockery. However, unlike other kitschy aesthetics, these items tend to be practical and have a united aesthetic with similar motifs and a limited color palette. Continuing with the nature motifs, plants are frequently featured in interiors, with flowers, potted plants, and floral and strawberry motifs on various mediums. 
Labor and handicrafts associated with the cottage lifestyle, and the results from it, are incredibly popular. See activities for a list of full details.
Animals found within the setting are another photographic subject. The ones showcased are either domesticated animals such as cows, cats, dogs, ducks, rabbits, and sheep, or wild animals that would exist in the same field and forest setting such as frogs, mice, butterflies, and squirrels. These animals would be considered "cute" and are often in poses that carry across docility and relaxation. For example, cats sleeping on windowsills or frogs crossing their arms. 
Food is another important visual of the aesthetic. The results of foraging: baskets full of mushrooms, berries, and other fresh fruits celebrate the Earth's bounty and the joy found in the activity. Baked goods, bread, and other sweet foods also contribute a cozy atmosphere to the aesthetic, as it carries across the warmth and romantic labor associated with making it. This is almost always traditional Western. Fruit pies, loaves of bread, jars of jam and honey, pancakes, Victoria sponges, and other rustic cakes are the most common. 
Books, an outlet for fantasy and independent learning, are frequent. These are always vintage with a romantic storybook or classical feel with either antique leather and canvas or more approchable secondhand paperbacks. In connection with this, journals and letters are also considered part of the aesthetic as they convey the tenderness and intimacy associated with doing things with one's hands. Writing and reading will be expanded further in the activities section. 
Another common medium of imagery of the aesthetic are illustrations. Botanical encyclopedias prior to the widespread use of colored photography are the most common. These watercolors provide detailed views of plants, typically flowers, in a way that evokes both the natural subject and the romanticization of naturalists' dedication to the subject matter during the era. Victorian to 1930s illustration, specifically of children's literature, is another important source of both inspiration and actual involvement in the aesthetic. Fairies and anthropromorphic animals (such as those of Beatrix potter's works) are the most common. These are done in a more detailed and naturalistic style in watercolor and ink. However, as cottagecore became popular, artists who specialize in digital and more simplistic art introduced a flatter and more cute style. 
==Fashion==
There is a wide range of outfit styles that could fit into the Cottagecore aesthetic. Cottagecore fashion tends to fall into either a hyper-feminine, modernized interpretation of historical fashion or a more practical and cozy outfit that includes elements of whimsy. In most interpretations, the silhouette is more modest than mainstream fashion, with a longer, loose-fitting, flowy dresses and skirts often (but not always) reminiscent of housework wear from the 1900s-50s. 
The colors in Cottagecore tend to be naturally occurring, pastel, or faded colours, including brown, baby pink, olive green, ivory, maroon, beige, ochre, dusty rose pink, light yellow, and baby blue. Patterns such as stripes, paisley, delicate floral, and gingham are popular within the aesthetic. The fabrics are most often natural, such as in cotton, linens, knitted yarn, etc. Lace and embroidery are some common trimmings. 
Many of these clothes are vintage and purchased secondhand, such as from thrift stores or vintage shops. This is in line with the appreciation for the environment and sustainability, as well as the fact that many Cottagecore pieces are highly sought-after because of their rarity in modern times and un-replicable unique design, such as in Gunne Sax dresses, Edwardian blouses, and antique aprons. A core tenent of the fashion aspect is also DIY, with OP-made crochet, handsewing, knitting, and jewelry making being incorporated into outfits. However, as the aesthetic has become incredibly popular, it reached fast fashion, and many clothes found in mall brands have elements of Cottagecore motifs, especially with milkmaid tops. 
=== Tops ===
=== Bottoms ===
=== Dresses ===
=== Outerwear ===
=== Shoes ===
=== Accessories ===
Cottagecore fashion commonly involves:
* Large layered clothing (as stated above) big pockets, puffy sleeves, and button blouses
*Shortalls/overalls
*Longer, loose-fitting clothing
*Laced corsets and bodices
===Hair and Make-Up===
The hair and make-up of Cottagecore is either naturalistic, or in more fantastical interpretations, with fairy-like motifs. 
Hair that is kept long is associated with tradition and femininity. Long hair that is loose tends to be in waves or braids. 
Accessories, such as bags, hats, jewelry and tech accessories that fit the cottagecore aesthetic tend to have visuals of flowers, trees, fairies, cute forest animals such as (deers, squirrels, butterflies), cabins & cottages, mushrooms, and fruits such as strawberries. 
==Media==
===Movies===
By year released 
*Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs (1937)
*Alice in Wonderland (1951)
*Sleeping Beauty (1959)
*The Sound of Music (1965)
*The Tales of Beatrix Potter (1971)
*Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975)
*Anne of Green Gables (1985)
*A Room with a View (1985)
*My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
*Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
*My Girl (1991)
*Only Yesterday (1991)
*Howard's End (1992)
*Peppermint Rose (1992) 
*The Secret Garden (1993)
*Little Women (1994)
*Sense and Sensibility (1995)
*FairyTale: A True Story (1997)
*The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns (1999)
*Tuck Everlasting (2002)
*Barbie of Swan Lake (2003)
*Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
*The Holiday (2006)
*Atonement (2007)
*Barbie and the Diamond Castle (2008)
*The Secret of Moonacre (2008)
*Tinker Bell (2008)
*The Velveteen Rabbit (2009)
*Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure (2009)
*Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
*The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)
*Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue (2010)
*Tangled (2010)
*Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
*Secret of the Wings (2012)
*The Pirate Fairy (2014)
*Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast (2014)
*Call Me By Your Name (2017)
*God's Own Country (2017)
*The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales (2017)
*Paddington 2 (2017)
*Ophelia (2018)
*The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society (2018)
*Liz and the Blue Bird (2018)
*Midsommar (2019)
*"Burrow" by Pixar (2020)
*Where the Crawdads Sing (2022)
=== Television ===
*Winnie the Pooh (1924-present day)
*O krtkovi (1957-2002)
*Little House on The Prairie (1974-1983)
*Víla Amálka (1975)
* Postman Pat (1981-1997 only)
*The Golden Girls (1986-1992)
*The Riddlers (1989-1998)
*The Moomins (1990)
*The Animals of Farthing Wood (1993-1995)
*Little Bear (1995-2003)
*Franklin (1997-2004)
*Angelina Ballerina (2002-2006)
*Strawberry Shortcake (2003)
*Holly Hobbie and Friends (2005)
*Shaun the Sheep (2007-present day)
*When Calls the Heart (2014-present day)
*Road to Avonlea (1990-1996)
*Anne with an E (2017-2019)
*Good Omens (2019)
===Literature ===
*The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings by J.R.R Tolkien 
*The books of Beatrix Potter
*Heidi by Johanna Spyri
*Pettson and Findus by Sven Nordqvist
*Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
*The poetry of Ralph Waldo Emerson
*The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
*1.1 by Tibellus
*Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
*The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton
*The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden
*Anne of Green Gables books by Lucy Maud Montgomery
* Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder
*Meet the Woodland Folk by Antonio Lupatelli
*The Country Girls Trilogy by Edna O'Brien
*Brambly Hedge by Jill Barklem
*Foxwood Tales by Cynthia and Brian Paterson
*The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
*Fairy Godmother Academy
===Magazines===
*The Cottage Journal
* Mother Earth News
*Tea Time
*Victoria
===Video Games ===
*Harvest Moon / Story of Seasons
* Animal Crossing
*Rune Factory
*Stardew Valley
* My Time at Portia
*Garden Paws
*Staxel
*Mail Time
*Ikonei Island: An Earthlock Adventure
*Strawberry Shortcake: Berry Best Friends
*Strawberry Shortcake: Summertime Adventure
*Strawberry Shortcake: The Four Seasons Cake
*Holly Hobbie & Friends
==Politics==
While the cottagecore aesthetic is not necessarily an organized political movement with stated goals or leaders, much of the conversation around cottagecore is political, especially given the aesthetic has become infamous for its association with two directly opposed political groups with radically different outlooks on life despite the shared frustration with modernity. 
While the opposition to modern life is shared among Cottagecore adherents across the political spectrum, what is specifically being opposed tends to vary. For more progressive-leaning followers of the aesthetic, it is particularly capitalism as well as heteronormativity. While many people involved in cottagecore identify with an ideology that more concretely advocates for the restructuring of society, they may also express a dislike of capitalism in a more casual tone through or alongside cottagecore.https://cottagecore-aesthetic.com/blogs/cottagecore-blog/poc-cottagecore
Many progressive-leaning members of the cottagecore community reject heteronormative gender roles and seek to remove the stigma and stereotypes of traditional life from the aesthetics and culture of times past. Cottagecore enjoys niche popularity within the LGBTQ+ community, particularly among lesbian and bisexual women, for this reason. Many express dissatisfaction with the roles and expectations placed on them in a heteronormative society. Some have suggested that cottagecore presents an ideal world in which young people are able to express their personality freely in a rural space, contrasting the homophobia or transphobia faced by young people in rural areas.https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/g5xjgj/cottagecore-aesthetic-lgbt-teens-tumblr-tik-tok
 
On the other side of the political spectrum, another more controversial large community subscribing to the aesthetic is the Tradwife movementhttps://www.bbc.com/news/av/stories-51113371, found largely on Instagram and Facebook's "Politigram" community.https://news.artnet.com/opinion/rhizome-meme-makers-1787829 Contrasting the progressive Cottagecore community, the rightist adherents to the aesthetic proclaim their opposition to modernity is based on a loss of conservative values in the 21st Century and fondness for a pre- rather than a post-capitalist economic system. Tradwives specifically are described as women who "embrace 'submissive' heteronormative lifestyles involving homemaking and child-rearing and reject feminism" according to Wikipedia. Members of the tradwife movement often utilize cottagecore imagery, fashion, memes, and aesthetics to promote their views. They may also romanticize the revitalization of traditional heteronormative gender roles for women, a popular aspect of far-right ideology. Even further niche is the utilization of Cottagecore imagery and inspired memes by Eco-fascisthttps://www.newstatesman.com/science-tech/social-media/2018/09/eco-fascism-ideology-marrying-environmentalism-and-white-supremacy and Eco-nationalist circles who openly and intentionally uphold western colonialist and eurocentric views as an ideal as opposed to accidentally as was the criticism for Progressive Cottagecore followers. However, those within the Tradwife movement often do not associate openly with the cottagecore community and the two sides oppose each other.https://www.fluentlyforward.com/home4/tradlife-versus-cottagecore-similar-aesthetics-with-very-different-values"Patriarchy! The proven way to raise High-Quality Children! "- ‘Tradewife’ Facebook page.https://www.facebook.com/Tradwifeoriginal/posts/188405592705793
==Music==
The music associated with Cottagecore evokes comfort and gentleness through low and soft vocals and acoustic mid-tempo instrumentation. In lyrics, there would be references to either gentle love and/or nature. 
Most of this style/aesthetic seems to have originated in the Hippie, Folk, and baroque pop scenes of the late 60s, which was heavily influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite movement. Many artists, men and women, embraced a soft, pastoral, prairie style and wore poet shirts, lacy maxi dresses, and flowers (examples include The Carpenters and Donovan). 
This continued into the 70s soft rock scene (Fleetwood Mac being of key importance) and through the 80s revival of baroque pop in Post-Punk (like Shelleyan Orphan and Virginia Astley). Some dream pop and indie rock of the late 80s and early 90s continued somewhat in this vein, although their external aesthetic had become more contemporary over time. 
In the modern era, much sudo-indie rock and pop is used. In this regard Dark Folk and other genres tend to slip in and, although related, are definitely not as closely connected to the imagery that lead to Cottagecore’s development and are more visually related to Cottagegore. 
===Artists===
*Andrew Bird
*Aly & AJ
*Bon Iver
*Cavetown
*Chloe Moriondo
*Chris Garneau
*Conan Gray
*The Carpenters
*Cosmo Sheldrake
*Dodie
*Donovan
*Fleur
*The Beatles
*Fleet Foxes
*Felt
*Fleetwood Mac
*Fox Academy
*Enya
*Foxpaw
*Gregory Alan Isakov
*Gregory and the Hawk
*Hozier
*In Love With A Ghost
*Iron & Wine
*Joan Baez
*John Denver
*Liana Flores
*Lord Huron
*Mt. Joy
*Daisy Shoe Laces
*The Oh Hellos
*Vashti Bunyan
*Tally Hall
* Taylor Swift (Folklore and Evermore)
*The Crane Wives
*Sufjan Stevens
*Virginia Astley
*Shelleyan Orphan
*Simon & Garfunkel
*The Wake
Playlist
Official Aesthetics Wiki playlist
==Activities==
The activities associated with Cottagecore are defined by the typical activities one can do within the cottage space.
*Picking flowers
*Sewing, knitting, crocheting, embroidery
*Gardening
*Writing a handwritten letter to family (or your lover)
* Writing poems
*Picking fruit from your garden
*Weaving flower crowns
*Picnics
*Baking
*Painting and drawing
*Building a birdhouse
*Reading
*Swimming
*Walking in the woods
*Making fruit preserves
*Catching bugs
==Subgenres==
===Bloomcore ===
Bloomcore is an aesthetic that is similar to Cottagecore in many ways, but has more of a centralized focus on flowers and gardening in a small, quaint village.
===Cottagegore===
Cottagegore is a darker take on the Cottagecore aesthetic with more of a focus on the more negative aspects of cottage and natural life that Cottagecore often tries to veer away from.
===Honeycore ===
Honeycore is an aesthetic based around the rural production and consumption of goods such as honey, bread, and waffles. It is similar to Cottagecore in that agricultural imagery and values are emphasized, but the visuals are streamlined to create a color palette of mostly pale yellows and browns. In many of the pictures that can be classified into the Honeycore aesthetic, bees, honey, or flowers can be seen and there is a big emphasis on agriculture and conservation of bees.
===Southwest Cottagecore===
Southwest Cottagecore moves away from the forest-inspired, green color palette of cottagecore. The willows and vines are switched out with succulents. The main aspects are quite identical, just adapted to more southern/western life. Instead of a stone cottage, you may prefer an adobe house framed by yuccas. The fashion becomes more suited for warm weather and is generally paired with warm colors and the occasional nautical, whimsical look, characterized by run-down shacks on the coast and beach grass. Lizards, rabbits, snakes, and hawks are characteristic of the aesthetic. 
==Criticism==
===Romanticizing an idealized rural life===
Many critics of Cottagecore point out that the trendification of rural practices and ways of life would be harmful to the environment. High populations of settlers would overpopulate the areas, ironically driving out the practices that Cottagecore enthusiasts strive for. For example, foraging could not be supported if hundreds do it, as the humans who do so would quickly exhaust the availability of the resources. Then, as the berry bushes reduce in amount, disrupting the ecosystem and causing possible ecological collapse.
===Incompatibility with modern-life===
The fact that Cottagecore content creators create Cottagecore content is also, ironically, contradictory to the aesthetic. The things associated with social media, such as having to build a brand, tracking trends, and even advertising the aesthetic, are contrary to Cottagecore emphasis on nature and disconnecting from these alienating websites. In seeing Cottagecore as a way to make content and have social media approval, the messaging becomes lost.
===Escapism===
Not necessarily problematic, but another criticism is the unrealistic "fairy tale" image of rural life. Some rural dwellers are exasperated with the ignorance of these internet users as the aesthetic does not display the difficult labor associated with farming, animal husbandry, and handicrafts.http://web.archive.org/web/20210809192824/https://mountainwhales.tumblr.com/post/627935003101282304/listen-i-grew-up-gardening-and-canning-and-drying This is especially contrasted with the visuals that are incongrous to the claims of self-sufficiency by Cottagecore enthusiasts. English manors necessitate servants and groundskeepers, gowns do not fit the agricultural lifestyle, real farm equipment does not appear, the materials cost money that could not be supported with small-scale farming and crafts, etc. People concerned with farming rights also claim that over-romanticization encourages an ignorant perspective on the actual lives of farmworkers, which are incredibly difficult, with back-breaking labor and economic issues. A false narrative of the farming lifestyle may encourage ignorance that patronizes the real lives of farmhands as the fans claim that they wish they were that occupational class.
Counterarguments claim that Cottagecore is an outlet for fantasy; the enthusiasts do not plan to actually move into these areas and survive on subsistance farming and experience hard labor. Instead, they try to incorporate it through small activities that they could realistically achieve in their daily non-rural lives. The aesthetic does not cause socio-economic issues, and the critics' claims are virtue-signaling and cynical exaggeration that puts down the interests of women, discourages diversity of interests, and takes away from the virtues of the aesthetic.
===Lack of diversity===
One criticism of Cottagecore is its lack of diversity and representation. The aesthetic often portrays a predominantly white, heteronormative, and able-bodied image, which can exclude and marginalize individuals from different backgrounds and identities. This lack of representation can perpetuate narrow beauty standards and limit inclusivity within the aesthetic.
===Romanticizing traditional gender roles===
Some critics argue that Cottagecore promotes traditional gender roles and expectations, depicting women in domestic and nurturing roles. This can reinforce gender stereotypes and limit the exploration of diverse gender identities and expressions.
===Commercialization===
The popularization of an aesthetic leads to commercialization that is not in line with the ethos of Cottagecore sustainability. As the fashion industry took note of the rising trend, they kept up with demand through fast fashion practices that abuse the workers, pollute the environment, and take away from the labor of handmade and ethical fashion.
== Resources ==
External links to help get a better understanding of this aesthetic.
=== YouTube Channels ===
*TheCottageFairy
*Damaris Phillips
*Darling Desi
*The Green Witch
*Hand & Harvest
*李子柒 Liziqi
*monalogue
*Mother The Mountain Farm
*nekoniwa
*GeminiTay
==Gallery==
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D97ae5d8c354d2c448343afe184b83bf.jpg|cottage house
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Apple picking background.jpg
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Cat background.jpg
Cottagecore quilt background.jpg
Cottagecore google background.jpg
Tumblr 5.jpg|A vintage tea set.
Tumblr 667551cfd40e1a3ad671d89037919f4f 2f278a0e 640.jpg
Tumblr 85855f8a2114a272c95706b0b298f281 f409501e 500.jpg
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Tumblr 9d1dd076b26017f84e2a6cfb834c0811 5affb20a 400.jpg
Wowza1.jpg|flowery-
2927s347s0y41.jpg
Moomincore .jpg|The tag often includes images like this one. Outfits inspired by the show Moomins.
Screenshot 2020-09-12 at 11.03.08 AM.png|An outfit inspired by Moomins.
Screenshot 2020-09-12 at 11.03.19 AM.png|A Snorkmaiden inspired look.
D0DItfkXQAAPXG-.jpg
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White Cottagecore Flowers.jpg|Small white flowers.
Cottagecore.jpeg
Cottagecore Flowers.jpeg
Cottagecore Daffodil Flowers.jpeg|Source: Melanin Cottage on Tumblr
Cottagecore House.jpg
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Nympj.JPG|An example of Renaissance esc cottagecore fashion/photography
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Cottagecore1971crop.jpg
Book flowers.webp
Elegant and more.jpg
311 hagebuttenhaus.jpg
714E657A-60FE-49EF-839F-515B0612C251.jpeg|fr0g🍥
Farmprairie.png
Guitar.jpg
Book.jpg
Mouse.jpg
Acorn.jpg
Kitchen.jpg
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284 knob.jpg|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/BmOq20mhoyZ/
14c937550499d3b25f8dc1f5f5c2b170.jpg
Cottagecore sink.jpg
Lady in the fields.jpg
File:Clothes-hung-on-a-clothesline-cottagecore-aesthetic.jpg
Screenshot 2022-06-05 9.46.21 PM.png
File:Notebooks from Botanismo, a brazilian brand.png|Botanismo, a Brazilian cottagecore-inspired stationery brand
File:Stella-Cases-Floral-Rain-Clear-case-for-iphone-iphone-12-mini-case-on-phone-649830fdd76b7.png|alt=A Floral Clear Phone Case With Multi-Colored Flowers.|This phone case features colorful flowers and matches the cottagecore aesthetic.]]
==References==
https://cottagecoreclothes.com/
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