Mindful Microtrends: Cottagecore

In the world of fashion, trends typically represent what’s popular in society. For example, low-rise jeans and miniskirts dominated the early 2000s, while baggier clothes rose to prominence a decade later. These trends usually last a while, and often end up becoming emblematic of certain decades.

Microtrends, on the other hand, are not nearly as long lasting. It’s in the name: they’re incredibly brief, last from 2-3 months to a couple of years at most, and go hand-in-hand with fast fashion. Social media is often cited as a key factor in their rapid rise and fall, with new aesthetics quickly going viral before fading into obscurity, like a funny tweet you can’t quite remember.

Brands like SHEIN and Cider, notorious for stealing designs and encouraging overconsumption, are some of the biggest participants. The second a certain aesthetic gains traction on TikTok, ultra-fast fashion brands capture them and deliver these looks almost overnight. Now knowing what we do about microtrends, it’s hard not to see them as the antithesis to sustainability, regardless of how fun and cute they might seem on the surface. 

Can Microtrends Be Eco-Friendly?

As it stands: no. 

But wait, you’re probably thinking, why would you explore or encourage participation in microtrends, despite how bad they are? 

Well, I don’t think the answer is necessarily that simple and straight-forward. Yes, microtrends can definitely be harmful for the environment: jumping on the latest style and completely revamping your wardrobe with SHEIN clothes might not be the best idea. Of course, it’s understandable. It’s quick, it’s cheap, it’s fun. But in the long run, is it really worth it? These trends only last so long, and SHEIN isn’t exactly known for its quality. 

Still, maybe you find yourself really drawn to dark academia, or grunge, or barbiecore (and if you find yourself scratching your head at these terms, don’t worry! They’ll be covered later on in this series). The upside of these hyper-specific aesthetics is that they’ve got more of a chance to really speak to people. People often say that the antidote to microtrends and fast fashion is cultivating your own personal style. However, dabbling in microtrends can lend inspiration for building this style – if done mindfully. 

The Mindful Microtrends series will focus on mindful participation in microtrends. That means focusing on upcycling what’s already in your closet, thrifting what’s not, and creating one or two solid outfits that you’ll love repeating. The ultimate goal here is not to jump on the latest style train and hop off once it’s run its course; it’s self-exploration! With that said, let’s move to our first microtrend: cottagecore.

What’s CottageCore?

According to Dictionary.com, cottagecore is “an aesthetic or imagery inspired by an old-fashioned, rural lifestyle, characterized by rustic décor and fashion, a revival of traditional handicrafts, etc.”

Among the microtrends to emerge over the past few years, cottagecore holds a unique position. Its emphasis on an “old-fashioned” lifestyle gives any would-be participants the perfect opportunity to enjoy this aesthetic sustainably; it’s ideal for anyone who’s into crafting. Earthy colors work well, along with pastels. Lace and gingham are often associated with this aesthetic.

Get the Looks

Spoiler alert: The craft store is going to be your best friend. 

Tops

Gingham and floral patterns reign supreme. If you’ve got those handy, great. There’s no need to immediately head to the thrift store, though. Got a plain, light-colored t-shirt in the back of your closet? Perfect. Here’s a guide on how to add your own floral print (with real flowers!). Collared button-downs are also a good contender.

Another way to upcycle a simple tee is with ribbon, which you can get from your local craft store. Pastels are a good choice for cottagecore: pale pink, blue, yellow, and green all work, depending on the color of your shirt. White lace ribbon is also a solid option (especially because it goes with pretty much everything!). You’ll probably want to get a good amount, since this will come in handy later. 

You can poke holes in the back (or the front) of the shirt and, taking your ribbon, lace it like a corset. For a thorough, step-by-step guide, click here. Depending on the size of the shirt, this could work as a dress, or just be a cute top! If it’s the latter, consider pairing it with the long skirt. 

As for the warmer side of things, knit sweaters and cardigans are the way to go. The more layering, the better. If you don’t have a knit sweater, here’s a handy guide on how to make your own; or, alternatively, you can add lace trim to the sleeves of a regular sweater. 

Bottoms

If you’ve got any long, flowing dresses or skirts, now is the time to break them out. If not, don’t panic: you can add some fabric to an existing skirt! (Here’s a handy guide on how to do it – without sewing!). As previously stated, floral is a typical cottagecore pattern, but feel free to choose whichever fabric you like best. Remember, this is all about adding your own personal flair. 

Though skirts are a cottagecore staple, they’re by no means a necessity. Those who’d prefer pants can totally rock them. Corduroy pants – particularly those in earthy colors – look great. You can also sew patches onto existing pants; stripe and gingham patterns work especially well, and can spice up an old pair of jeans. Try cinching it with your ribbon to tie your outfit together.

Cottagecore is a very “back to basics” aesthetic that doesn’t go overboard on accessories. If your outfit needs a little something extra, though, here’s where your ribbon will come in handy. For those with long hair, you can use the ribbon to tie it into braids or a simple ponytail. 

Accessories

Speaking of hair accessories, try out a bandana, if you have one. If not, you can crochet one, fashion one from fabric or purchase one from an independent creator on Etsy. 

Don’t worry – we haven’t forgotten the shoes! Simple combat boots (brown or black) work well. Replace the laces with your ribbon, and you’re golden. You’re welcome to do this with any shoe. 

Well, there you have it! We hope that this has sparked some ideas and encouraged people to get in touch with their creative side. Got any more cottagecore ideas? Let us know in the comments! 

Written by Sara Traynor

Sara uses She/Her pronouns. Fashion and writing are her two favorite modes of creative expression, and loves to combine them in SFUSA. In her free time, she does crossword puzzles, reads, and watches SpongeBob.