Want to channel romantic vibes and a charmingly simple lifestyle? Thousands of people love cottagecore fashion, and it might be for you, too. Cottagecore style celebrates traditional silhouettes and vintage charm, combining flowing dresses and knits to create irresistible, cozy looks straight from a Jane Austin book.
Discover our favorite cottagecore outfits and build your own whimsical, wonderful wardrobe.
The cottagecore aesthetic is based on vintage fashion and focuses on romanticized rural looks. It’s rapidly gaining popularity as more people resist hardcore hustle culture and instead dream of simplistic lifestyles.
This style usually includes billowing silhouettes and understated colors. You’ll usually find feminine elements like ruffles, bows, and floral patterns on old-fashioned pieces like corsets.
Cottagecore clothes have distinct countryside vibes, but you can style them in so many versatile ways. Their typically comfortable fit and muted colors make them ideal for a quick trip to the farmers’ market or a walk through the park. We’ve also seen some stunning cottagecore festival wear.
Pro tip: While cottagecore and boho are distinct aesthetics, they share similar elements like floral prints and draped silhouettes. You can shop bohemian brands like Free People to find unique cottagecore gems.
Ready to embrace a gentle aesthetic? Check out our favorite cottagecore outfit ideas and escape into a fairytale.
Let’s start with a classic cottagecore look. Find a flowing white midi dress and pair it with neutral sandals and a basket bag. This is perfect on its own, but it’s also ideal to build on—add ribbons in your hair or a playful sunhat to make it yours.
We recommend a dress made of natural fabrics because of the weighted yet elegant way they drape. This is easy when you thrift your dresses on ThredUp—simply use our Natural Materials filter to browse white dresses made from cotton, linen, silk, and wool.
This outfit is perfect if you want to feel like you’re walking through a colorful garden or quaint farmhouse—even if you’re heading to the coffee shop. Start with a green or rose-colored dress, layer over a beige cardigan, and finish with elegant ribbon sandals.
Personalize this look by playing with different colors—we love a powder blue dress with a pale cream cardigan. You can also experiment with different types of dresses, from ruffled midis to gingham maxis.
This versatile outfit is casual enough for a beach day but put-together enough for a garden party. Pair a bell sleeve maxi dress in rich tones like cranberry or navy with a wide-brimmed hat or hair bow. Then, add a pair of shoes that go with everything, like flat sandals, espadrilles, or ankle boots (it’s best to stick with sandals for that beach day, though).
If you want to ramp up the Jane Austin vices, grab an empire-waist puff-sleeve dress instead—the romantic vibes are positively captivating.
Go full cottagecore and embody that old-fashioned feeling. Pair a simple, solid-color dress with a patterned pinafore and add some whimsical accessories, like a straw hat or scarf. We recommend wearing sandals or ballet flats, but any shoes that work with a maxi dress look great.
Elevate this idea with anything that enhances that pioneer vibe—gloves, hair ribbons, and embroidered totes are all excellent additions.
While cottagecore loves delicate dresses, those aren’t the only option. Aim for daring with a touch of fantasy with an off-the-shoulder peasant blouse, wide-leg pants, and suede ankle boots. Whether you’re going for drinks or window shopping downtown, this look is a stunning cottagecore solution to a girls’ night.
Accessorize with a straw bucket bag and a scarf, and add a pair of floral earrings for extra feminine flair.
A floral collared dress with knee-high boots is an effortless combination for strolling the boardwalk or a fun date night. If it’s chilly, make it a long-sleeve maxi dress and rock the same garden aesthetic, even in cooler weather.
Achieve a similar look by building it out of separate capsule pieces. A loose blouse and high-waisted skirt have the same vibes and silhouette but are more versatile—next week, you might pair that blouse with vintage trousers.
If you love corsets, embrace this throwback trend and style with other cottagecore pieces to make it yours. Throw a lacy corset top over a simple dress for a Victorian-inspired but totally current look. A sleek headband is an easy last-minute addition.
Also try this idea with a frilly blouse and your bottom of choice—we recommend a maxi skirt or billowing trousers.
Not all cottagecore outfits are for summery days. Layer a chunky turtleneck over a maxi dress for chic cold-weather coverage. Aim for warm colors to stand out against the snow—rusty reds and dark oranges are perfect.
This is the ideal time to break out the frilly socks. For a timeless combo, slip into some classic Oxfords or Mary Janes.
ThredUp is the ideal site to find cottagecore essentials, from linen smocks to fitted corset tops. Search our vast collection and discover your dream look, comparing numerous sizes, colors, and styles.
Don’t know where to start? Brainstorm your outfit ideas with our Style Chat. Describe your romantic look and refine it with prompts like “More color” and “Less formal” until you love it. Then you can browse suggested pieces from our collection and assemble the look.
Our platform also helps you embrace a fundamental cottagecore value: sustainability. Thrifting is a powerful way to encourage a simpler, more ecofriendly approach to fashion—whether you’re shopping for dreamy floral dresses or casual denims.
No need to go full Bridgerton right away—start small and incorporate a few simple white dresses, ruffled blouses, and sandals into your wardrobe. Aim for a vintage aesthetic and collect pieces made of natural fabric, prioritizing muted colors and lace details.
Understated, earthy colors align with the natural aesthetic of this style. Focus on shades like sage green, brown, and rusty red. Don’t be afraid to add a few pastels like dusty blue and pink.
You can use ThredUp’s color filters to quickly find the right style. For example, if you search for “flowy blouse,” you can narrow the results by choosing “ivory” in the left column to zero in on the ideal cottagecore palette.
“Cottagecore” is a somewhat broad term, and exploring different interpretations is a fun way to discover your personal style. Try fairycore to incorporate magical vibes and bright colors, or use minimalist cottagecore for a more relaxed take with modern silhouettes.
We also love light and dark cottagecore, which are exactly like they sound—the first focuses on extra pale colors, and the second takes a rich, gothic approach.
