Have you spent the last few months during isolation cursing your inner-city shoebox apartment, dreaming instead of dancing in white lace dresses in an open green field, with clean linen swaying on clothes lines above fluffy baby lambs and corn swaying far away on the horizon? Open fires, big verandahs, cooking sourdough and banana bread conjuring up your domestic goddess! Air! Space!
I’ve been feeling the same.
We’re not alone and what’s more a term has been coined for this phenomenon – Cottagecore. After digging through the internet a little, I see it has also been referred to as ‘farmcore’ and ‘countrycore’ (however it distances its association with its older relative ‘grandmacore’ which, while it wouldn’t like to admit it, holds a similar sense of comforting nostalgia). Cottagecore is an aesthetic inspired by a romanticised interpretation of agricultural life. When life is troubled, many turn from our contemporary glitz and high pace and instead revert to a more simple way of life in harmony with nature. In the ‘survival mode’ that comes in troubling times, themes of wholesome food, the natural environment and care for our community are foremost in our minds. Beautiful and simple locally made products are exactly what we are reaching for at times like these.
The Cottagecore aesthetic derives from all things nature and natural, taking things slow and going back to basics. When it comes to fashion, think long and loose-fitting silhouettes, puffy sleeves, delicate buttons and natural fibres in neutral or faded colours including brown, olive green, ivory, beige, ochre, as well as paisley and gingham. Embroidery and lace, images of plants or insects. Accessories of straw, soft leather, string and woven baskets. Flower pressings, crowns, brown paper packages tied up with string, vintage, cross-stitch, crocheting, are also motifs found across the aesthetic.
Image: Bilboa
Bilboa, based in Byron Bay, is Australian made from start to finish. Using beautiful and high-quality fabrics this soft floaty dress, layered up with a chunky knit, is everything we want to be wearing at the moment with a woven basket in hand to go to our (imaginary) garden to pick (non-existent) herbs to accompany our homemade sourdough focaccia (homemade by Bourke Street Bakery. Thanks guys!)
Image: Dotty Dandelion
Dotty Dandelion is handmade in Camden, NSW. It’s a go-to for vintage inspired hair bows and sweet dresses for girls. This gingham dress with ruffled sleeves in ochre-brown gingham is adorable, paired with the sweet Cottagecore milkmaid braids.
Image: Rose Lace Clothing
Houseplants, homemade sweet treats and muted floral print PJs make for a very Cottagecore flatlay! Rosie Lace is an ethically handmade, gorgeous organic and natural women’s clothing made in Sydney. These comfy PJ shorts, pictured, have been a staple on these days spent at home wanting to look cute while exclusively wearing elasticised waist pants.
Image: Loria Stern
These baked goods by Loria Stern almost look too good to eat! Do yourself a favor and go follow her on Instagram for some hard core Cottagecore Instaporn.
Image: The Spoon Society
Okay. Hand carved wooden spoons by a handsome bearded man from Bondi. Need I say more? I didn’t realise I needed a spoon in every shape and size until I saw his functional masterpieces. A spoon for my face cream? Another one to stir my sourdough starter? Yes please!
Image: Melo Handmades
Melody from MELO Handmades makes small batch textile goods as well as these gorgeous cards which are naturally dyed from plants. Each piece is different due to the natural variability of the leaf or flower. Each piece is its own unique artwork.
Author: Lissy of Derum Design Studios
To see more of our creative makers and designers, follow our Facebook page: Sydney Made
