If you’ve spent any amount of time on TikTok recently (and let’s face it, you've probably spent wayyy too much time scrolling through the endless makeup tutorials and funny videos?) you’ve probably heard someone describe a piece of clothing as “cottagecore.” Maybe it was a soft midi dress with poofy sleeves, or a cozy sweater with floral embroidery spilling down the front. By now you may even be able to identify someone dressed the cottagecore aesthetic based on their outfit — you might even want to recreate it with your own wardrobe. But what exactly goes into a proper cottagecore outfit?
There are some basic, essential-to-cottagecore pieces like blouses with puffed sleeves, eyelet detailing, and floral prints. And as with any aesthetic, there are different subcategories. Some cottagecore lovers prefer colorful, spring-y knits and ruffled, tiered sundresses like the viral Selkie Puff Dress, while others take a more subtle approach with headscarves and peasant dresses in muted shades of tan and cream florals. But the common denominator is that all cottagecore outfits are dreamy, whimsical, and soft — the aesthetically-pleasing ensembles take inspiration from vintage looks and fictional towns while romanticizing cozy vibes and the slow life. Think boho, but lighter and airier. If you can picture the item in, well, a cottage, you’re on the right track.
For those who have always idealized what it might be like to live a slow, rural life of reading books, drinking tea, and frolicking through patches of wild lavender, you’ll know that cottagecore isn’t just a type of dressing — it’s also a lifestyle of escaping everyday busyness and stressful hustling while wearing comfortable yet delightfully impractical skirts, corsets, and picnic-ready dresses. You might not be able to skip out on final exams and run off to the English countryside, but you can definitely incorporate cottagecore outfits into your regular rotation with some of our favorite picks to shop below.
Vintage-inspired embroidery and lace-up detailing immediately evoke that cottagecore feeling. Wear this top on its own or layer it over a loose, airy blouse.
Keep your bangs out of your face and add bits of lace and florals to your hair with a 10 second 'do. Just tie the scarf behind your neck and then pull it up and over your face, and you're done!
The soft shades of tans and beiges that you might find in a thrift store will bring that vintage feel to your cottagecore ensembles. This dress has an adjustable tie neckline that also doubles as a decorative bow.
Whimsical fruit prints like these tiny little cherries are oh-so-cottagecore. Purchase some real cherries from a farmer's market and bake up a pie if you're looking for a cute weekend activity to do in the 'fit you put together.
Stock up in sweet ruffled socks and let them peek out from underneath your Mary Janes or lace-up boots. Embroidery and floral prints are simple ways to add a touch of cottagecore to an otherwise plain article of clothing.
Gingham is easily one of the most recognizable prints of the cottagecore aesthetic. The smocked bodice is stretchy and soft, making this frock the perfect lounge dress.
You'll want a good hat that adds to your look while also blocking out the rays while you're lounging in the sun while reading a book or throwing elaborate garden tea parties (what, as if you don't do that every weekend?).
Throw this over your flirty sundresses and pair with leg warmers for a cold-weather cottagecore look that's perfect for reading books by the fireplace or cozying up with a cup of tea.
If you don't feel like wearing flats, leather lace-up boots will add some toughness to your airy, soft cottagecore outfit. Think Jo March in Greta Gerwig's Little Women, or any Jane Austen heroine.
Corset tops are just about as cottagecore as it gets. Ditsy florals (a.k.a. very small prints that might almost look solid from afar) have a more delicate feel than a large floral.
Nobody does the stretchy, flowy, midi dresses better than the inventors of the "nap dress" themselves: Hill House. This sky blue frock is proof that you don't have to rid your wardrobe of color in order to embrace the cottagecore life.
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ASOS DESIGN Button Front Blouse With Crochet Trims
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ASOS DESIGN Button Front Blouse With Crochet Trims
A cotton blouse is a lovely layering piece to add to your cottagecore wardrobe — it's airy enough that you can wear it year-round (yes, even during the summer, despite the sleeves) thanks to the eyelet crochet.
This is probably the most perfect dress to wear while frolicking through a field of wildflowers, which is exactly what happens in all of our cottagecore aesthetic dreams. A mini bag will hold all your essentials without taking attention away from the floaty sundress.
No cottagecore round-up would be complete without a Selkie dress — the viral sensation designs dresses with puffed sleeves and floaty skirts in whimsical novelty prints.
Hannah is the assistant shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things from cute apartment decor to trendy fashion finds, TikTok products that are actually worth your $$$, and the perfect gift to buy for your boyfriend's mom. She previously wrote for Seventeen and CR Fashion Book. Follow her on Instagram for hot takes on red carpet fashion and unhinged updates on the books she’s reading on the train.