Not Your Daughter’s Cottagecore
Cottagecore has been around for a minute, but I am not ready to give her up yet.
There is something about romantic dresses, lace, florals, billowy sleeves and beautiful fabrics that just feels good to wear. And as someone who loves a slightly witchy moment, I think cottagecore gets even better when it is a little less sweet and a little more unexpected.
Think Jane Austen meets your cool aunt who collects vintage jewelry and knows things. That is the cottagecore I want.
WHAT TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR
You do not need to dress head to toe in florals to get the look. In fact, please don't. Instead, look for pieces that give a little nod to the trend:
· Romantic blouses with lace, ruffles or dramatic sleeves.
· Long floral skirts that can be worn with everything from a chunky sweater to a band tee.
· Vintage inspired dresses with empire waists, corset details or beautiful sleeves.
· Lace and sheer layers to wear underneath sweaters, dresses and oversized jackets.
· Cardigans that look like something your grandmother might have owned, but somehow look fabulous with jeans.
· Mary Janes, riding boots and clogs to keep the look grounded.
And one of my favorites: vintage nightgowns and slips. Do not sleep on the lingerie section at a thrift store. Some of my favorite layering pieces were absolutely not intended to leave the bedroom.
THE TRICK IS CONTRAST
This is where cottagecore starts to feel current.
· If you are wearing a very feminine floral dress, add a leather or suede jacket.
· Wear a lace blouse with wide leg jeans.
· Put chunky boots with a floaty skirt.
· Layer a vintage slip dress under an oversized cardigan.
· Add a giant belt where a tiny delicate one is expected.
· The goal is not to look like you are headed to churn butter.
· Take one romantic piece and mess with it a little.
That is usually when an outfit gets interesting.
AND YES, PLUS SIZE WOMEN CAN WEAR ALL OF IT
I am officially retiring the idea that plus size women need to avoid volume, ruffles, oversized sleeves or anything else that might make us appear gasp larger. So I saying this louder for those in the back:
Wear the sleeve. Wear the print. Wear the floaty dress. If you love your waist, define it. If you don't feel like defining anything that day, don't.
Clothes are allowed to take up space. So are you.
MOTHER SAYS
Cottagecore does not have to mean dressing like everyone else doing cottagecore.
Take the romance. Keep the lace. Add the boots. Throw on some weird jewelry. Make it darker. Make it sexier. Make it yours. Because the best trends are never the ones you copy exactly. They are the ones you completely screw around with until they look like you.
