cottagecore

[kot-ij-kawr]

noun

1. an aesthetic or imagery inspired by an old-fashioned, rural lifestyle, characterized by rustic décor and fashion, a revival of traditional handicrafts, etc..

   For many, cottagecore can seem like a respite in our overstimulated world.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cottagecore¹

First recorded in 2015–20; cottage ( def. ) + -core ( def. ), from its supposed invocation of the charm of the English countryside and its cottages

Example Sentences

Young people thrifting clothes as they embrace their Y2K or cottagecore aesthetics have helped secondhand shopping shed its stigma, turning it into a trend, not a necessity.

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For a lover of historical fiction and classic literature, Catie Brown creates a cottagecore aesthetic that brings warmth and character to her 1963 apartment.

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Like many people during the pandemic, she became obsessed with cottagecore design — a romantic trend that celebrates an idealized version of country living and evokes a simpler time.

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Cottagecore appeals to her, she says, because it reminds her of her childhood dreams.

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Brown has found that adhering to her vintage and cottagecore aesthetic allows her flexibility “as long as the treasures and art I choose to display stay within that,” she says.

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