7 Cottagecore Wardrobe Essentials & Outfit Ideas to Try RN

With the promise of warm weather ahead, it’s the perfect time to embrace some country-inspired fits worthy of frolicking in a meadow.
Enter cottagecore.
This feminine and whimsical aesthetic (that romanticizes living in the country) allows you to embrace your girly side thanks to it being dominated by florals, lace, puff sleeves, and supersized collars.
(Think of the costumes used in Little Women or Little House on the Prairie for inspo.)
Below you’ll find my top seven cottagecore essentials and outfit ideas to help you channel your inner country girl.
1 / 7 | Vintage floral dress

No cottagecore wardrobe is complete without a bo peep-style floral dress.
Prairie dresses of all lengths work and the more girly additions (lacy detailing, frills, bows, etc.) the better.

Print clash your florals with camo for a cottagecore meets utilitarian vibe or keep your fit wedding-guest-ready by pairing a floral maxi dress with straw accessories and whimsical jewelry.

– OUTFIT DETAILS – Floral maxi dress
STRAW CLUTCH | thrifted Ted Baker (find one on eBay)
CLOG SANDALS | Da Quy (find a pair in my best vegan clogs guide)
All other outfit items bought preloved.
– OUTFIT DETAILS – Floral midi dress
COWBOY BOOTS | Melissa Shoes (similar by Good Guys Don’t Wear Leather use code HARMFREEFASHION for 15% off)
SUNGLASSES | thrifted Etnia Barcelona (current styles by Etnia Barcelona)
All other outfit items bought second-hand.
2 / 7 | Lace dress

Layer a lace dress over an oversized collar blouse to combine two cottagecore essentials.
Style with hiking boots or black sneakers for an unexpected twist.
– OUTFIT DETAILS –
HIKING BOOTS | gifted Will’s Vegan Store
CHUNKY SOCKS | Thunders Love
CARDIGAN | gifted Jan ’n June (use discount code HARMFREEFASHION5 for 5% off)
SUNGLASSES | thrifted Carrera
VINTAGE WATCH | pre-loved Rolex (watch out for leather accessories)
All other outfit items thrifted.
3 / 7 | Balloon sleeve blouse

More is more here, so go for supersized sleeves. (They don’t call them balloon sleeves for nothing).

Pair with neon accessories and wide-leg jeans for a modernized Y2K take.
– OUTFIT DETAILS –
BLOUSE | thrifted Ganni (find one on eBay)
NEON SANDALS | Melissa Shoes (current styles by Melissa Shoes)
JEANS | Diesel (find a pair on eBay but watch out for leather patches)
PILLOW CLUTCH | THEMOIRè
VINTAGE WATCH | pre-loved Rolex (watch out for leather accessories)
All other outfit items bought preloved.
4 / 7 | Basket bag

From street stylers to the runways, wicker, straw, and raffia bags are all hot this season and a must-have for this aesthetic.

– OUTFIT DETAILS – Lace dress
CARDIGAN | gifted Jan ’n June (use discount code HARMFREEFASHION5 for 5% off)
SUNGLASSES | thrifted Carrera
VINTAGE WATCH | pre-loved Rolex (watch out for leather accessories)
All other outfit items thrifted.
– OUTFIT DETAILS – Floral dress
COWBOY BOOTS | Melissa Shoes (similar by Good Guys Don’t Wear Leather use code HARMFREEFASHION for 15% off)
SUNGLASSES | Etnia Barcelona (current styles by Etnia Barcelona)
All other outfit items bought second-hand.
5 / 7 | Puff sleeve top with oversized collar

Go for a puff sleeve top in a neutral color so it can easily be worn under dresses or used to make jeans appear fancier.
– OUTFIT DETAILS –
HIKING BOOTS | gifted Will’s Vegan Store
CHUNKY SOCKS | Thunders Love
SUNGLASSES | thrifted Carrera
VINTAGE WATCH | pre-loved Rolex (watch out for leather accessories)
All other outfit items bought preloved.
6 / 7 | Romantic collars (Peter Pan, lace bib, oversized collar, etc.)

Pair these versatile blouses with shorts or jeans and keep the other items subdued to let the top (and its collar) be the centerpiece of the outfit.

– OUTFIT DETAILS – Shorts
PURSE | Sans Beast (current styles by Sans Beast)
SUNGLASSES | thrifted Georgio Armani (similar by Georgio Armani)
All other outfit items bought preloved.
– OUTFIT DETAILS – Grey Jeans
GREY JEANS | J Brand (find a pair on eBay)
BELT | Peta + Jain (current styles by Peta + Jain)
PURSE | Angela Roi (current styles by Angela Roi)
SUNGLASSES | thrifted Emporio Armani (current styles by Emporio Armani)
All other outfit items bought second-hand.
7 / 7 | Puff sleeve chunky cardigan

A chunky grannie cardi is cozy, practical, and stylish.
It also happens to go easily with all the other essentials in this guide.
Try it over your floral or lace dresses and feminine blouses to keep the chill off.
– OUTFIT DETAILS –
HIKING BOOTS | gifted Will’s Vegan Store
CHUNKY SOCKS | Thunders Love
CARDIGAN | gifted Jan ’n June (use discount code HARMFREEFASHION5 for 5% off)
SUNGLASSES | thrifted Carrera
VINTAGE WATCH | pre-loved Rolex (watch out for leather accessories)
All other outfit items bought second-hand.
Final Thoughts
While it’s not quite as girly as Barbiecore, cottagecore is still a feminine aesthetic meant to make you feel pretty.
Mix and match any of the must-haves above for the ultimate cottagecore capsule collection.
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As always, happy styling!
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Michelle Rothenburger
Michelle Rothenburger is a vegan fashion blogger whose work has been featured in such publications as Marie Claire, InStyle, Woman & Home, and Vilda. Find out more by reading Michelle’s full story (from bullied to fashion influencer) and feel free to send her a personal message.
FAQs
What are the cottagecore clothing essentials?
The clothing essentials for the cottagecore fashion trend are anything and everything floral (dresses, shorts, skirts, tops), lace dresses and blouses, balloon sleeves, puff sleeve tops with oversized collars, blouses and dresses with romantic collars (Peter Pan, lace bib, oversized collar, etc.), and puff sleeve chunky cardigans.
Which fashion accessories are essential for the cottagecore aesthetic?
The must-have accessories for the cottagecore aesthetic are basket bags (wicker, straw, raffia), clog sandals, hiking boots, whimsical jewelry, bows and ribbons, cowboy boots, and victorian-style boots.
What are the best movies and tv shows to watch for fashion inspiration for the cottagecore aesthetic?
The movies and tv shows to watch for their cottagecore fashion inspo are Little House on the Prairie, Little Women, Tuck Everlasting, Anne of Green Gables, Dr Quinn Medicine Woman, and Anne with an E.
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Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to leave a kind comment! 💛