I am a fashion writer and I have adopted the Cottagecore trend for these 5 reasons!
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A beautiful living room that smells of essential pine oil, a thick blanket casually draped over a cozy sofa, flowers and candles adorning aged wooden furniture… we are not in a scene from Little House on the Prairie, but rather in an apartment in a major European capital. The term cottagecore comes from the English word “cottage,” which can be translated as “country house” and the adjective “core,” which comes from hardcore.
The cottagecore trend is much more than just a passing trend. It is a genuine way of life that is here to stay.
Why are the most urban among us (including Kendall Jenner and Emily Ratajkowski) suddenly copying Laura Ingalls? Let’s decode the most hyped hashtag of the moment and why it’s so good for your mental health to adopt the cottagecore trend!
The Soft Universe of Cottagecore
If you’ve scrolled through your social media at all, you’ve noticed that they are overflowing with photos featuring the nostalgic aesthetic of the countryside.
The cottagecore trend emerged among celebrities and younger people on TikTok towards the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a time when a return to rural life was seen as a solid refuge, as city dwellers felt depressed in their small apartments.
Think about it; have you considered redecorating your home to make it a little cozier? You might be cottagecoring (no, that’s not a real verb) without even realizing it. Just a few days ago, I realized that I had completely redecorated my apartment in the cottagecore trend. The result? I feel much better in it. So here are five reasons to get started too!
1. To Find Comfort When the World is Troubling
Who doesn’t want a little softness at home to protect themselves from an outside world that isn’t doing very well?
News is quite anxiety-inducing these days, and while we may be grateful to live in a peaceful environment, it doesn’t stop us from having a natural instinct to build a serene cocoon at home. The cottagecore trend perfectly represents the dream home where we are supposed to flourish and protect ourselves from the outside.
My tip: Decorate your entrance with a lovely rug and a bouquet of flowers to instantly feel good as soon as you step into your home.
2. Because We Learned to Love Our Interiors
Thank you, COVID; we had to learn to see our home as an extension of ourselves during the lockdown. From this not-so-joyful experience arose a real underlying trend. Our environment is important and influences our mood.
Beyond having a clean and tidy home, we want it to be warm and comforting.
My tip: Play a YouTube video of music with snow and a fireplace on your living room TV (search for something like “jazz cozy bedroom winter fireplace” and you’ll find it)
3. Because Natural Materials Are Our Best Allies
Wood, bricks, linen, and wool. The aesthetic materials highlighted in the cottagecore trend are sturdy and represent a stable and warm environment.
Far from plastic, which is cold and harmful to our health, natural materials are prominently featured in cottagecore. If, like me, you want to work on the decor of your home, focus on local craftsmanship to smartly embrace the trend.
My tip: prioritize wood and natural colors of wood or textiles for a cottagecore look, adding touches of color sparingly.
4. Because We Can Build Things Ourselves
Knitting making a comeback, baking bread at home, trying pottery? To be trendy, take up old-school hobbies! I’m joking, but we’re not far from that cliché. We are rediscovering that spending time making things with our hands is far more rewarding than endlessly scrolling. Recently, I took up knitting and started working with wool, a warm and highly durable natural material. I, who thought I had two left hands, realize that DIY is incredibly rewarding.
My tip: Start knitting or make your own wool blanket. There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube, and the satisfaction of mastering a new skill is incredible.
5. Because We Can Live Well With What We Already Have
The cottagecore trend is a return to simplicity that aligns with the slow life trend. Let’s be honest, life in the countryside is a bit romanticized on social media; we are very far from a rural life that is endured.
Just like traveling by train to discover beautiful spots near us, cottagecore allows us to appreciate the beauty of nature, enjoying simple pleasures such as walking in a field or having breakfast on the terrace.
My tip: Get into second-hand shopping and upcycling to repair your furniture and clothes.
Outside, is it already snowing or perhaps it’s starting to get a bit cold where you are? Go back to playing Animal Crossing under the covers or continue preparing your homemade soup for dinner, you are at the forefront of fashion!
Image credit ©unsplash
