GET THE LOOK: COTTAGECORE

Cottagecore has been a popular trend for some time now and we can’t believe we haven’t covered it yet. I love to adopt the slower things in life and romanticise the idea of living in a thatched-roof cottage, spending my days tending to the garden while wearing delightful things. Cottagecore is a viral aesthetic that idealises rural life and a slower pace of life. It’s a great look to adopt over summer with its nod to the English countryside and all the nostalgia that goes with it.

Cottagecore can be hyper-girly and fun flourishes or paired-back and wholesome. I have managed to pick patterns that should please both camps (I hope!). When shopping for fabrics, look for ginghams/checks, delicate floral prints, washed and worn-in linens and anything that feels like it would look at home in a table setting! The colour palette is pretty muted and natural which lends itself to blending in with nature – or a country cottage garden!

I have trawled the shop and have come up with a pleasing selection of cottagecore style indie sewing patterns so you can add a little flourish to your handmade wardrobe if you fancy…

You can’t talk about cottagecore without mentioning quilting. It’s the ultimate slow-sewing craft and is all about taking time to create something you love. Create a mix-and-match medley of ditsy florals or go for a full-on patchwork effect. If you want a sweet little layer to bring a smattering of English country garden to your outfit, opt for a gilet.

1. Camimade Coquillage Quilted Jacket
2. Fibre Mood Gabriela Bodywarmer
3. Megan Nielsen Hovea Jacket + Coat
4. Maison Fauve Dandelion Jacket
5. Birgitta Helmersson Quilted Jacket

I mentioned that fun flourishes are key to the cottagecore look and one of those involves collars. Oversized, ruffle-trimmed and pointed collars can peek out from under an apron-style or cosy cardigan.

1. Tilly and the Buttons Sonny Jacket
2. Nina Lee Bakerloo Blouse and Dress
3. Friday Pattern Company Patina Blouse
4. French Navy Belinda Button-Up Shirt
5. Juliana Martejevs Clara Collar

You can’t tend to your cottage garden without an apron, can you? If you aren’t actually pottering around the garden but love the look, I have selected some apron and pinny styles that would slot right into any outfit.

1. Madswick Jordan Overalls
2. Untitled Thought Fleur Pinafore
3. Merchant & Mills Margo Dress
4. Folkwear Basic Pinafore Dress
5. Ready to Sew Pablo Overall

A skirt is pretty key to the cottagecore look. They must be full and floaty and ideally have pockets for all the treasures you might find in the garden.

1. Madswick Zamora Skirt
2. Sew Liberated Esturay Skirt
3. Vanessa Hansen Carrie Skirt
4. Liberty Megan Maxi Skirt
5. Merchant & Mills Shepherd Skirt

All that frolicking in the fields requires a fitting frock. This is a selection of some of my favourites that have just enough flourishes without being too girly.

1. Madswick Raida Dress
2. Named Taimi Dress and Top
3. Vivian Shao Chen Orchards Dress with the expansion
4. Silversaga Eleonora Dress
5. Notches Dila Blouse and Dress

Blouses are an effortless way to inject a little cottagecore into your outfits without committing to the full-on look. We all love a beautiful blouse, don’t we?

1. Madswick Raida Blouse
2. Merchant & Mills Clover Blouse and Top
3. Sew House Regalia Seven Blouse
4. Named Syli Dress and Blouse
5. Vivian Shao Chen Nepheline Blouse

You can’t get a sweeter detail than ribbons and ties – and they play a key role in the cottagecore aesthetic. I picked some of my favourite patterns that feature this flourish.

1. Makyla Creates Camille Top
2. Chalk and Notch Aria Top
3. Ready to Sew Paloma Dress
4. New Craft House Everyday Waistcoat

And last, but by no means least, we’ve got to add some ruffles to this roundup. They are sweet, frilly and just for fun!

1. Matchy Matchy Ruffle Brunch Set
2. Folkwear 303 English Cottage Set
3. Tilly and the Buttons Marnie Dress and Blouse
4. Fibre Mood Edith Top
5. Friday Pattern Company Davenport Dress