7 Cottagecore Essentials
I won't answer the "What is Cottagecore?" question because it's 2021 and chances are, if you found this post you already know about the aesthetic movement that swept the world during Coronatide 2020. If you'd still like some definitional resources see below:
- How to Dress Plus Size Cottagecore by Jess (A Neutral Life)
- Why Plus-Size Women Are Reclaiming Cottagecore For Themselves by Marie Southard Ospina
- A Vintage Cottagecore Lookbook by The Eyre Effect
For Funsies
Let it suffice to say that Cottagecore is all about a pastoral countryside aesthetic accentuated by romance. Some of the fashion eras that cottagecore draws on are Victorian, Edwardian, and much from the 1940s - 1980s. Really the aesthetic draws on anything that looks like an idealized version of country chic. I just want to define a few design elements that make up the cottagecore look. Later, I'll make a post listing plus size sewing patterns that play up these elements to the fullest.
1. Buttons
I don't know why buttons are so sweet but they make my heart flutter, especially when the line the center front of a shirt, dress, or skirt.
2. Shirring (and Pleating and Gathering)
The goal here is both FIT and VOLUME. Various methods are used to gather lots of fabric into a smaller area around the upper part of the body and then let out to flow around the body for swishy swingy goodness.
3. Square Neckline
The way a square neckline frames the face and collarbones adds a sense of romance to any outfit that works especially well when combined with any of these other elements 💖.
4. A-line Silhouette
The shirring and pleating and gathering pull garments into a fitted shape close to the waist and let them flare out make an "A" shape around the body, and this is the most common silhouette I've seen in cottagecore, though it's not rare to see a smocked dresses with a longer empire-waist as well.
5. Big Sleeves
Remember what we said about VOLUME? Volume equals drama and if sleeves exist on a garment, they should definitely pull their weight in the drama department. Not every cottagecore outfit requires puffed sleeves of some kind, but I see them a lot and I love them.
6. Ruffles
Remember what we said about VOLUME? Ruffles add a lot of volume at the hem, at the ends of sleeves, over the chest and around the neckline.
7. Tiers
How about even more VOLUME? lol, you get the picture.
Many of these elements can be (and often are) combined in a single garment or pattern, and honestly the more the merrier.
next post in this series:
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