Time to Rewind

Picture yourself in a long, white cotton dress, making homemade bread in your quaint cottage. You go outside and walk up to your garden in the hills, where you grow fruits, vegetables, and flowers. It’s all so peaceful, an opportunity to tune in with yourself and everything around you.

Cottagecore is like a peaceful fairytale escape; it is a movement where you set yourself back in time to an agricultural, rural, and slow-paced lifestyle. But how did this refreshing and harmonious trend surface during one of the most chaotic times in American history?

Even before COVID-19 erupted, the world was becoming increasingly anxious and fearful. When lockdown began, nearly half of Americans struggled with mental health issues like anxiety, depression, trauma- and stressor-related disorder, and substance abuse, according to the Center for Disease Control. Naturally, people started to find ways to cope. Lockdown activities were often meditative and let people escape any anxieties in their minds: gardening, cooking, baking from scratch, painting, journaling, knitting, and connecting with nature like never before. These activities equal what the life of Cottagecore is all about: finding joy and peace from the simple things in life.

The topic of COVID-19 and Cottagecore came up in my socially-distanced fashion forecasting class. The class consisted of six students, a professor, and masks; it definitely set the scene. The discussion led to the suggestion that Cottagecore is all psychological. The fear of COVID-19 caused people to seek relief in a slow-paced lifestyle that brings comfort and escape. As stated by The Huffington Post, “Cottagecore offers a chance to take your mind off everything going on. You can distract yourself by getting knee-deep in dirt to plant a garden or checking on the sourdough starter in your closet.”

Still curious about the psychology behind the trend, I decided to reach out to my therapist, Dr. Victoria Beech Lublin. She explained that since the start of the lockdown, people have become more comfortable with looking natural and dressing cozily. Dr. Lublin said that the increased popularity of Cottagecore during lockdown made sense considering what the trend stood for: becoming more mindful with simple activities, taking the time to be with ourselves, and enjoying what we never made time for.

When it comes to fashion, the Cottagecore aesthetic also connects to the idea of feeling comfortable and safe. Cottagecore fashion requires little effort, which is why so many people at home gravitate towards this style. Cottagecore is heavily connected to farm life and sustainable living, so common traits you will find in this style are cotton, gingham, and vintage clothing.