Cottagecore

Cottagecore is a modern trend that draws from a desire for slower living and a, usually eurocentric, farm life. The aesthetic is usually lifestyle based, although there is a fashion aspect attached by some, but not all, or it's community members.

## The Name

Cottagecore's name echoes the community's core aesthetics, the look of someone who lives in a cottage or on a farm. The trend became popular like many "core" communities on tumblr, and saw popularity on other social media such as tik-tok as well.

## History

Although created before 2020, Cottagecore gained massive traction on social media in early 2020 due to the pandemic.  The community is sometimes considered a microtrend. The community and aesthetic are popular amongst the LGBTQ+ community.

For some who enjoy the aesthetic, it is seen as an escapist fantasy from modern life, while others see it as a focus on slow living, or a alternative cozy lifestyle with without the traditional domestic views and ideologies. Folklore by Taylor Swift is said to be inspired by the trends popularity.

## The Fashion

Cottagecore fashion is varied. It has no core style rules, other than its aesthetic focus on "cottage" or cozy living. It leans toward things such as handmade items (although brand items are also often used), fairytale styles, and historical styles that range from anything from historical prairie fashion, to Victorian and Edwardian styles, to 1950s and 1970s inspired fashion.

Some common things you may see in cottagecore fashion include fluffy, full, and layered and lengthy dresses.  Aprons are also popular, as well as large sleeves, button blouses, cardigans, and overalls. Vintage pieces are also common. Prints and motifs may include floral prints, natural stripes, embroidery, lace, gingham, and nature motifs such as strawberries, mushrooms, and flowers. The color palette may be natural or neutral, but can also include bright colors, forest tones, or pastels, depending on each person's personal style.

Hairstyles and makeup may include natural makeup and hair, such as long loose hair or milkmaid braids. Extra blush to create an innocent or youthful look is also often used. Hair scarves and ribbons are also often used.

## The Lifestyle

Cottagecore's largest draw for many is its natural and laid back aesthetic lifestyle. A large theme of self-sufficiency, sustainability, slow living, and self care are prevelent in Cottagecore, as well as a push against modern "hustle culture" and capitalism. Social justice is also often popular within the community,

Hobbies may include:

* Gardening
* Cooking and baking
* Collecting vintage furniture and dishware
* Farming
* Handicrafts
* Sewing
* Playing Animal Crossing or other similar cozy games
* Foraging
* Reading
* Going on picnics
* Knitting and crochet
* Quilting
* Collecting flowers
* Letter writing

The imagery of cottagecore also has many common themes. For example, images of pastoral scenes and nature, as well as usually Eurocentric farm life are the most common lifestyle aesthetic amongst the community. Themes like flower fields, deciduous forests, rural spaces with signs of humans (fences, farms, etc.), gardens, and of course cottages.. The aesthetic is romantic, wistful, and longing.  The aesthetics of Anne of Green Gables, The Secret Garden, and Miyazaki movies are often incorporated as well.  The aesthetic is very fluid as well and changes with the trends and each person's interests to some extent.

## Criticism

Cottagecore has faced a number of criticisms for various aspects. This wiki, as it does not feature members of the community, will not mention them. For more information on these criticisms, please see the following sources:

* Cottagecore by Aesthetics Wiki
* Cottagecore by Wikipedia

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 "Cottagecore." Wikipedia. December 13, 2021. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cottagecore
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Emma Bowman. "The Escapist Land of Cottagecore." NPR. August 9, 2020. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2020/08/09/900498227/the-escapist-land-of-cottagecore-from-marie-antoinette-to-taylor-swift
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Ambar Pardilla. "What is Cottagecore? Meet The Biggest Trend During Quarantine." HuffPost. September 11, 2020. Retrieved from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cottagecore-trend-quarantine-diy\_l\_5ecd875ec5b6e3f6739dbdfc?guccounter=1&guce\_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce\_referrer\_sig=AQAAAJFY\_2g3Vf2r6QjLYQuJ4I9IcRJwoHv55pcDEJO4RAm47eqbty-9uNlcstUEMCxC-Ba\_GxSvluw9V2Ou4XwReSacofIK2RgfZb4Ob3BlteWGQtNelF5zKqhI\_awe7p5-mQxzycHLrsDH8LaXz3ftrUPznwFblSfOT6w79VBNN21S
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 "Cottagecore." Aesthetic Wiki. N.d. Retrieved from https://aesthetics.fandom.com/wiki/Cottagecore#:~:text=Cottagecore%20(also%20known%20under%20the,food%2C%20and%20caring%20for%20people
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Isabel Slone. "Escape Into Cottagecore, Calming Ethos for Our Febrile Moment." The New York Times. March 10, 2020. Retrieved from https://archive.is/20200310131042/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/10/style/cottagecore.html
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Rebecca Jennings. "Once upon a time, there was cottagecore." Vox. August 3, 2020. Retrieved from https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2020/8/3/21349640/cottagecore-taylor-swift-folklore-lesbian-clothes-animal-crossing
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Gabrielle Arruda. "What the heck is cottagecore fashion? #cottagecoreaesthetic." Gabrielle Arruda Blog. February 18, 2021. Retrieved from https://gabriellearruda.com/cottagecore-fashion/
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Kate Reggev. "What Exactly is Cottagecore and How Did It Get So Popular?" Clever. October 12, 2020. Retrieved from https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/what-exactly-is-cottagecore
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Anita Rao Kashi. "'Cottagecore' and the rise of the modern rural fantasy." BBC. December 9, 2020. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20201208-cottagecore-and-the-rise-of-the-modern-rural-fantasy
10. ↑ Palmer Haasch. "People online are flocking to 'cottagecore,' an online aesthetic that idealizes agricultural life, to calm their hyper-stimulated nerves." Insider. April 10, 2020. Retrieved from https://www.insider.com/cottagecore-isolation-aesthetic-tumblr-explained-social-distancing-2020-4
For views on the differences and similarities between Mori and Cottagecore, please see the following links:

* Cottagecore vs. Mori Kei: What's the difference? by idontknowmuchbutimlearning
* Mori Girls vs Cottagecore by Gloomth & The Cult Of Melancholy