What is Cottagecore? A Guide to Living the Simple Life

Cottagecore is a lifestyle trend that has been gaining popularity in recent years. It is an aesthetic and cultural movement celebrating a simple and idyllic rural lifestyle. It really became popular in the midst of the 2020 pandemic. Why? Because people were forced to slow down, enjoy the little pleasures at home, and also reexamine their ways of living. In this exciting article, we explore and answer the question what is cottagecore? And we provide you with ways to incorporate it into your lifestyle including the fashion, music, and more.

The Serene, Calm Characteristics of Cottagecore

Cottagecore is characterized by its focus on nature, simplicity, and traditional values. It is a nostalgic and romanticized vision of the countryside, and it has become a source of inspiration for many people who seek to escape the stress of everyday existence. The movement has its roots in the 19th-century Romantic movement, which celebrated nature, simplicity, and rural life.

It has been reimagined for the modern era, with social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok helping to popularize Cottagecore aesthetics and lifestyle practices. The movement has inspired many to embrace a slower and more mindful way of living, and it has become a source of comfort and solace for many during difficult times.

Cottagecore Decorations

Cottagecore decorations are an essential part of the aesthetic and lifestyle movement. They are designed to create a cozy, nostalgic atmosphere that celebrates nature, simplicity, and traditional values. Cottagecore decor uses natural materials, vintage items, and rustic elements. To decorate your home in this style is to invite a feeling of warmth in eras past. To feel truly at home and one with your home and its energies.

Key characteristics in the decorations:

Natural materials

Cottagecore decor emphasizes using natural materials like wood, stone, and linen. These materials are often left naturally, giving them a rustic and organic feel. Wooden bookshelves, wool blankets, and other natural decorations are emphasized.

Vintage items

This decor incorporates vintage items like old books, quilts, lamps, art and pottery. These items create a sense of nostalgia and add to the overall cozy and welcoming atmosphere.

Floral patterns

Cottagecore decor often features floral patterns on textiles and wallpapers. These patterns add to the natural and organic feel of the space. Often the floral fabrics and designs used bring a sense of old world nostalgia…often the style of the Depression era through the 1940s. Some folks even prefer a more Victorian or Edwardian vintage feel.

Soft lighting

Cottagecore decor favors soft and warm lighting, like the glow of candles or string lights. This creates a cozy and intimate atmosphere perfect for relaxing and unwinding. This is often in alignment with Hygge vibes.

Rustic elements

It incorporates rustic elements like exposed beams, old wood stoves, pie safes, stone fireplaces, and wooden furniture. These elements add to the charm and character of the space.

If you want to create a Cottagecore-inspired home, here are some tips to get you started:

• Use natural materials like wood, stone, and linen for furniture and textiles.
• Incorporate vintage items like old books, quilts, and pottery.
• Use floral patterns on your textiles and wallpapers.
• Invest in soft lighting like candles and string lights.
• Incorporate rustic elements like exposed beams and stone fireplaces.

Following these tips, you can create a cozy, welcoming home that celebrates nature, simplicity, and traditional values.

Cottagecore Clothing

Cottagecore clothing is an essential element of the aesthetic and lifestyle movement. This fashion trend celebrates a simple, romantic, and whimsical style. Cottagecore clothing is characterized by its use of natural fabrics, vintage-inspired designs, and soft colors. It is often described as a fusion of vintage, bohemian, and prairie styles.

Here are some of the key characteristics of Cottagecore clothing:

Natural fabrics

Cottagecore clothing favors natural fabrics like cotton, linen, and wool. These fabrics are breathable and comfortable, making them perfect for everyday wear.

Vintage-inspired designs

Cottagecore clothing incorporates vintage-inspired designs like puffed sleeves, peter pan collars, aprons, ruffles, and lace. These designs add a romantic and whimsical touch to the clothing.

Soft colors

Cottagecore clothing favors soft and muted colors like pastel pinks, greens, and yellows. These colors add to the overall romantic and dreamy feel of the clothing. White and cream are also popular colors.

Flowy silhouettes

Cottagecore clothing often features flowy and loose silhouettes like billowy dresses, skirts, and blouses. These silhouettes are comfortable and feminine, perfect for a simple and relaxed lifestyle. Plus, they look pretty when they’re blowing in the breeze.

Floral patterns

Cottagecore clothing often features floral patterns, adding to the natural and organic feel of the style.

If you want to incorporate Cottagecore clothing into your wardrobe, here are some tips to get you started:

• Look for natural fabrics like cotton, linen, and wool.
• Incorporate vintage-inspired designs like puffed sleeves, ruffles, and lace.
• Choose soft and muted colors like pastel pinks, greens, and yellows.
• Look for flowy and loose silhouettes like billowy dresses, skirts, and blouses.
• Add floral patterns to your wardrobe, like floral print dresses or blouses.

By following these ideas, you can create a simple, romantic, and whimsical style that celebrates the beauty of nature and traditional values.

Cottagecore Music

Cottagecore music is an essential part of the aesthetic and lifestyle movement. It is a genre of music that celebrates nature, simplicity, and traditional values. This music is characterized by its use of acoustic instruments, folk-inspired melodies, and lyrics that celebrate nature and simple living.

Here are some of the key characteristics of Cottagecore music:

Acoustic instruments

Cottagecore music favors acoustic instruments like guitars, banjos, and mandolins. These instruments create a warm and organic sound that is perfect for the aesthetic.

Folk-inspired melodies

Cottagecore music often features folk-inspired melodies that are simple and easy to sing along to. These melodies create a nostalgic and romantic feel that is perfect for the Cottagecore aesthetic.

Lyrics about nature and simple living

Cottagecore music often features lyrics that celebrate nature, simple living, and traditional values. These lyrics create a sense of nostalgia and longing for a simpler time.

The soft and soothing sound

Cottagecore music is often soft and soothing, creating a calming and relaxing atmosphere that is perfect for unwinding and enjoying the beauty of nature.

Indie and alternative influences

While Cottagecore music draws inspiration from folk music, it also incorporates indie and alternative influences, giving it a contemporary feel.

If you want to discover Cottagecore music, here are some tips to get you started:

• Look for acoustic instruments like guitars, banjos, and mandolins.
• Listen to folk-inspired melodies that are simple and easy to sing along to.
• Look for lyrics that celebrate nature, simple living, and traditional values.
• Find music that has a soft and soothing sound, perfect for unwinding and relaxing.
• Explore indie and alternative influences that give Cottagecore music a contemporary feel.

By following these tips, you can discover a whole world of music that celebrates nature, simplicity, and traditional values, perfect for the Cottagecore aesthetic. In fact, you can literally search for Cottagecore music playlists on apps like Spotify.

Cottagecore Music to Check Out:

• Joy Williams
• The Civil Wars
• The Oh Hellos
• girl in red
• The Neighbourhood
• Delta Rae
• Florence and the Machine
• Alice Phoebe Lou
• Stevie Nicks
• Fleetwood Mac
• Soap&Skin
• Peter Gundry
• Bear McCreary

Why is this trend so popular?

Cottagecore has become popular in recent years for several reasons. Here are some of the key factors that have contributed to the popularity of the Cottagecore aesthetic and lifestyle:

Nostalgia for a simpler time

One of the key factors that have contributed to the popularity of Cottagecore is nostalgia for a simpler time. Many people are drawn to the Cottagecore aesthetic because it celebrates traditional values, simple living, and a connection to nature. In a world that is fast-paced and constantly connected to technology, there is a longing for a time when life was slower and more connected to the natural world.

Cottagecore provides an escape from the stresses of modern life, offering a romanticized vision of rural living where the focus is on the beauty of nature and the pleasures of everyday life. By celebrating the simple things in life, such as gardening, cooking, and spending time outdoors, Cottagecore offers a way to slow down and appreciate the world around us.

In many ways, the nostalgia for a simpler time is a reaction to the fast-paced, high-stress lifestyle that many people experience today. By embracing the Cottagecore aesthetic and lifestyle, people are able to reconnect with the natural world and find a sense of peace and tranquility in their daily lives.

Sustainability and eco-friendliness

This lovely lifestyle emphasizes sustainability and eco-friendliness, which has become increasingly important to many people in recent years. By promoting a connection to nature and a focus on simplicity, it encourages people to live more sustainably and to appreciate the beauty of the natural world.

Social media

The emergence of social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok has helped to popularize the aesthetic. Many people have shared photos and videos of their Cottagecore-inspired homes, gardens, and outfits, creating a sense of community and inspiring others to embrace the lifestyle.

Creativity and self-expression

Cottagecore allows for creativity and self-expression in many different forms, whether it’s through decorating your home, gardening, cooking, or crafting. This freedom of expression is appealing to many people who are looking for a way to express themselves and connect with others.