What is Witchcore? Your ULTIMATE Guide to the Fashion & More

We believe witchcore is a trend that’s here to stay, particularly for those who follow a more “witchy” way of life. We will explore what Witchcore is, its style and aesthetic, provide examples of famous Witchcore artists, fashion and style trends. Additionally, we will explore some of the controversies surrounding Witchcore and how it fits into contemporary culture.

What is Witchcore?

Witchcore is a style and aesthetic that has been gaining popularity recently. It is a fusion of various elements of witchcraft, folklore, and vintage fashion, creating a unique aesthetic that is both dark and whimsical. Witchcore has its roots in alternative and indie music scenes, with influences from genres such as shoegaze, dream pop, and post-punk. However, it has since expanded to encompass fashion, art, and lifestyle choices. The term “witchcore” is relatively new and was coined on social media platforms such as Tumblr and TikTok. Witchcore’s rise in popularity can be attributed to a growing interest in witchcraft and spirituality and a desire to escape from the stresses of modern life (not unlike the cottagecore and fairycore trends).

The Witchy Style and Aesthetic

Witchcore has a distinct visual and cultural style that is instantly recognizable. Its enchanting and mysterious aesthetic is centered around witchcraft and the supernatural, reflected in its gothic color palette, fashion, and music.

Witchcore Color Palette and Symbolism

The color palette of Witchcore is an essential aspect of its aesthetic and is often used to symbolize different concepts and emotions.

Black is a dominant color in Witchcore, symbolizing mystery, death, and the unknown. It is associated with the night, darkness, and the subconscious. In witchcraft, black is also associated with protection and banishing negative energy.

Gray is another color commonly used in Witchcore, representing neutrality and balance. It is a color of compromise, as it combines white’s lightness and black’s darkness.

Brown is a natural color associated with the earth, stability, and grounding. It symbolizes the physical world and is often used in clothing and accessories made from natural materials like leather and wood.

Green is a color associated with mother nature, growth, and renewal. It is the color of plants, forests, and the natural world. In witchcraft, green is often used to symbolize fertility, abundance, and prosperity. As well as faerie magick.

Other colors used in Witchcore include deep red which is associated with passion, power, and energy. As well as motivation and anger.

And deep purple, which symbolizes spirituality, magick, royalty, intuition, and mystery.

Overall, the color palette of Witchcore reflects the subculture’s connection to the natural world and the supernatural, as well as its fascination with the unknown and mysterious aspects of life. We’ve seen witches throughout time wearing and using these particular colors to enhance their lifestyle and power.

Fashion and Clothing Style

The fashion style of Witchcore is inspired by gothic, medieval, and witchcraft aesthetics. It often features dark, flowing clothing, layered fabrics, lace, and accessories with symbolic and occult significance.

Some common clothing items and accessories in Witchcore fashion include:

• Long, flowing dresses or skirts in dark colors such as black, gray, or deep red
• Layered clothing, such as long tunics or capes
• Corsets or other cinched waist garments for a more fitted silhouette
• Leather or lace-up boots, often with a pointed toe (the “witch’s boot”)
• Pointed hats or headwear with symbolic significance, such as a crescent moon or pentagram
• Jewelry with occult symbols such as pentacles, moon phases, or runes
• Black lace gloves or fingerless gloves
• Long, flowing scarves or shawls
• Velvet, leather, or lace-up chokers or necklaces
• Witchcore fashion often incorporates traditional witchcraft symbols and imagery, such as pentacles, crescent moons, and stars. Clothing and accessories may also feature imagery from nature, such as plants, animals, and the moon’s phases. Fabrics such as velvet, lace, and leather add texture and depth to Witchcore outfits.

Overall, Witchcore fashion is characterized by a romantic and mystical aesthetic that draws inspiration from historical and supernatural elements. Think Stevie Nicks meets the American Horror Story Coven in Season 3.

Witchcore Music and Sound

Music and sound play a significant role in the Witchcore aesthetic, creating a haunting and otherworldly atmosphere. The music of Witchcore typically features dark, moody melodies, often accompanied by ethereal vocals and lyrics that focus on themes of magic, nature, and the supernatural.

Some popular genres within Witchcore music include:

Darkwave: a music genre combining elements of gothic rock, post-punk, and electronic music. It often features haunting, atmospheric soundscapes with a strong emphasis on mood and emotion. Bands include Siouxsie and the Banshees, Depeche Mode, Switchblade Symphony, Bauhaus and The Birthday Massacre.

Neofolk: a genre of music that draws inspiration from traditional folk music, often with a darker and more melancholic tone. Neofolk lyrics often incorporate themes of mythology, paganism, and the occult. Heilung, Sol Invictus, and Of the Wand and Moon are a few neofolk bands.

Pagan metal: a subgenre of heavy metal that combines traditional folk music with elements of black metal and death metal. Pagan metal often features lyrics celebrating nature, mythology, and ancient pagan beliefs. Bands include Butterfly Temple, Arkona, and Wolfchant.

Community and Beliefs of Witchcore

Witchcore is a subculture that values individuality, nature, and spirituality. The community of Witchcore is diverse and inclusive, with members from different backgrounds, ages, and identities.

Witchcore beliefs are centered around the idea of personal empowerment and the connection to the natural world. One of the core beliefs of Witchcore is the importance of self-expression and creativity. Community members often use fashion, art, and music to express their individuality and share their beliefs.

Witchcore spirituality is also an essential aspect of the community. Many members follow pagan or Wiccan traditions and incorporate elements of witchcraft into their daily lives. This can include practices such as meditation, tarot readings, and spellwork. Witchcore followers also often have a deep reverence for nature and the environment and believe in the importance of protecting and preserving the natural world.

In addition to their spiritual beliefs, many Witchcore followers are passionate about social justice and activism. The community values inclusivity and promotes acceptance and understanding of different identities and experiences. This can include advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and environmental causes. Overall, Witchcore is a community that values creativity, individuality, and spirituality. Its members share a connection to the natural world and a desire to impact the world around them positively.

Examples of Witchcore Artists

Several famous Witchcore artists incorporate the style and aesthetic of Witchcore into their music. Some of these artists include:

1. Chelsea Wolfe

Chelsea Wolfe is an American singer-songwriter from Sacramento, California, known for her dark and atmospheric music that blends folk, metal, and experimental rock elements. Her music is often haunting, intense, and emotionally charged, with lyrics exploring themes of death, nature, and spirituality.

Wolfe’s style and aesthetic are heavily influenced by the Witchcore subculture, emphasizing vintage fashion, Gothic aesthetics, and mystical imagery. Her fashion choices often include long, flowing dresses, oversized jackets, and chunky jewelry, often with an all-black color scheme. She is also known for her dramatic and moody makeup, with an emphasis on dark eyeshadows and bold lipstick.

In terms of music, Wolfe has released several critically acclaimed albums, including “The Grime and the Glow” (2010), “Pain Is Beauty” (2013), and “Hiss Spun” (2017). Her music often incorporates elements of folk and metal music, with a focus on atmospheric and ambient sounds. She has been praised for her unique and haunting vocal style, which has been compared to artists such as PJ Harvey and Siouxsie Sioux.

2. Anna von Hausswolff

Anna von Hausswolff is a Swedish singer-songwriter and musician known for her experimental and atmospheric music that blends elements of classical, experimental rock, and ambient music. Her music is often characterized by soaring vocals, haunting melodies, and powerful organs.

Hausswolff’s style and aesthetic are heavily influenced by the Witchcore subculture, with a focus on vintage fashion and dark, moody aesthetics. She is known for her long, flowing dresses, often made of lace or velvet, and her dramatic makeup, with emphasis on dark eyeshadows and bold lipstick. Her fashion choices often incorporate elements of the Victorian era and the Gothic subculture, with an all-black color scheme and vintage-inspired accessories.

In terms of music, Hausswolff has released several critically acclaimed albums, including “Ceremony” (2013) and “Dead Magic” (2018). Her music often incorporates powerful organs and haunting vocals, creating an atmospheric and mystical sound. She has been praised for her unique and captivating vocal style, which has been compared to artists such as Kate Bush and Björk.

3. Myrkur

Myrkur is the stage name of Amalie Bruun, a Danish musician, and singer-songwriter who is known for her unique blend of black metal and folk music. Her music is often characterized by her ethereal vocals and haunting melodies, combined with heavy and aggressive black metal instrumentation.

Myrkur’s style and aesthetic are heavily influenced by the Witchcore subculture, with a focus on Nordic and folk-inspired fashion. She often incorporates traditional Nordic clothing, such as fur-trimmed coats and embroidered dresses, along with chunky boots and vintage-inspired jewelry. Her makeup style is often dark and dramatic, with an emphasis on dark eyeshadows and bold lipstick.

In terms of music, Myrkur has released several critically acclaimed albums, including “M” (2015), “Mareridt” (2017), and “Folkesange” (2020). Her music often incorporates elements of traditional folk music, such as acoustic guitars and traditional Nordic instruments, combined with heavy black metal instrumentation. Her unique blend of genres and powerful vocals have made her a highly respected and influential figure in the Witchcore subculture.

4. Faun

Faun is a German folk music group that is known for its unique blend of medieval and Nordic-inspired music. The group’s music incorporates traditional instruments, such as the hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes, and harp, combined with modern electronic and rock elements.

Faun’s style and aesthetic are heavily influenced by the Witchcore subculture, with a focus on vintage-inspired clothing and natural, earthy aesthetics. The band members often wear long, flowing robes adorned with intricate embroidery and metalwork. Their fashion choices incorporate elements of the medieval era, the Viking Age, and the Gothic subculture, with a focus on natural materials such as leather, wool, and fur.

In terms of music, Faun has released several critically acclaimed albums, including “Renaissance” (2005), “Von den Elben” (2013), and “Märchen & Mythen” (2020). Their music often incorporates elements of traditional folk music combined with modern electronic and rock elements. Their unique blend of genres and their use of traditional instruments have made them highly respected and influential figures in the Witchcore subculture.

5. Dead Can Dance

Dead Can Dance is an Australian-British musical project that was formed in 1981 by Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry. Their music is known for its unique blend of world music, gothic rock, and neoclassical elements, creating a dark, atmospheric, and mystical sound.

Dead Can Dance’s style and aesthetic are heavily influenced by the Witchcore subculture, with a focus on vintage-inspired fashion and earthy aesthetics. The band members often wear long, flowing robes and dresses made of natural materials such as silk and linen. Their fashion choices incorporate elements of the medieval era, the Renaissance period, and the Gothic subculture, with a focus on earthy colors such as brown, green, and black.

In terms of music, Dead Can Dance has released several critically acclaimed albums, including “Within the Realm of a Dying Sun” (1987), “The Serpent’s Egg” (1988), and “Anastasis” (2012). Their music often incorporates elements of traditional world music combined with neoclassical and gothic rock elements. Their unique blend of genres, mystical lyrics, and ethereal vocals have made them highly respected and influential figures in the Witchcore subculture.

The Appeal of Witchcore

The appeal of Witchcore can be attributed to several factors. First, Witchcore’s emphasis on nature, mysticism, and spirituality resonates with many people who are drawn to alternative spiritual practices, such as paganism, Wicca, and other forms of witchcraft. The subculture also emphasizes a connection to the natural world and reverence for ancient traditions, which can be attractive to those who feel disconnected from modern society.

Secondly, the fashion and aesthetic associated with Witchcore are often highly stylized and visually striking, incorporating elements of historical clothing, vintage fashion, and gothic subculture. The emphasis on natural materials and earthy colors also appeals to those who value sustainable and eco-friendly fashion.

Finally, Witchcore’s unique blend of genres and sounds, which often combines traditional folk music with heavy metal and electronic elements, creates a dark and ethereal atmosphere that appeals to those who appreciate unconventional and experimental music.

Overall, the appeal of Witchcore lies in its unique blend of spirituality, fashion, and music, which creates a powerful and evocative subculture that resonates with many people seeking alternative forms of expression and connection.