What is cottagecore? And how can it work for Autumn/Winter? We’ve got the answers! We’ve picked out our top 5 cottagecore style dresses that will see you through the A/W season in style.

What is Cottagecore?

The Cottagecore movement creates a romanticised, idealistic aesthetic based around traditional British countryside life. This simplistic look has you covered for an abundance of whichever wholesome activities your heart desires! The concept behind Cottagecore is all about bringing us back to basics, becoming more harmonious with nature, and just generally embracing a less complicated way of life. This is all reflected in the nostalgic prints and sustainable fabrics loved by the movement. As if us Joanie gals needed another excuse to have more floral dresses, this is a big part of the Cottagecore philosophy!

So essentially, if you have ever had the urge to frolic around a woodland area in a smock dress, wicker basket in hand, now’s your chance - in fact, this is encouraged!

MODELS WEARING CINNA FLORAL DRESS & SIERRA DRESS Cinna Square Neck Autumn Flower Print Midaxi Dress, Sierra Square Neck Tiered Cotton Midaxi Dress

Cottagecore For Autumn

Cottagecore gets a lot of love during the summer months – with picnic gingham prints and flowy cotton dresses being the order of the day.

However, cottagecore lends itself just as well to autumn; this wholesome look works perfectly well across woodland walk-worthy styles and pieces we love to curl up in when enjoying the great indoors.

Below, we’ve picked out a few of our new autumn pieces which will help ease you into the cottagecore club, whatever the weather!

Ines Peter Pan Collar Floral Mini Dress

A Peter Pan style collar is Cottagecore 101 - this dress was made for adventures in neverland! The wildflower ditsy print and detachable velvet bow neck tie makes our Ines dress even more whimsical! When it comes to styling, shoes and frilly socks would be ideal for achieving ultimate cottagecore vibes! Or you can pair Ines with chunky doc martens and tights for a moodier twist on this classic style.

Flynn Floral Frill Smock Dress

When shopping for cottagecore dresses, there are three things that may spring to mind: florals, frills and a smock shape - well look no further as Flynn is here with all three! Our Flynn dress comes in a classic all-over floral print against a black background, the perfect nod towards autumn. The dress is even crafted from Organic Cotton so you can rest assured you are making a more sustainable choice with Flynn in your basket. This is a great dress to transition into autumn as you can wear it with, or without tights. Depending on your plans, you can match Flynn with chunky boots or your favourite trainers for a more relaxed daytime vibe.

MODEL WEARING FLYNN FLORAL DRESS AND INES DRESS Flynn Floral Frill Smock Dress, Ines Peter Pan Collar Floral Mini Dress

Sierra Square Neck Tiered Cotton Midaxi Dress

This dress is an obvious go-to for us when it comes to classic cottagecore, and the chic smock style of the dress makes it easy to wear all year round. For those still riding out an emo phase in your 30s or for the serial offenders of only wearing black, the Sierra dress is here for you to dip your toe in the world of cottagecore without steering too far from your monochrome heart! In terms of styling, Sierra does most of the work for you as the perfect transitional dress with elbow length sleeves and a midaxi length, you would only need some minimal jewellery and shoes of your choice to achieve a simplistic cottagecore look.

Barbara Woodland Print Button-Through Dress

A huge part of the cottagecore trend is appreciating British nature and wildlife – and our Barbara Woodland Print Dress is a true homage to the beloved hedgehog! With an all-over woodland print featuring foxes, deers, hedgehogs, trees and teeny tiny mushrooms, Barbara is the perfect dress for reconnecting with nature. This dress would be ideal for a teacher heading back to school this September or simply the perfect dress to help ease the transition of going back to the office! Pair Barbara with some cosy tights and Mary Jane shoes for a sweet daytime cottagecore ensemble.

MODEL WEARING LINDA TEAL CARDIGAN, PEPPER DRESS AND LINDA NAVY CARDIGAN Linda Cable Knit Cardigan, Pepper Book Print Shirt Dress, Linda Cable Knit Cardigan

Cinna Square Neck Autumn Flower Print Midaxi Dress

The natural, muted tones running through our new Cinna dress make this style complete cottagecore vibes! This colour palette is ideal to help you transition from summer into autumn, while Cinna keeps you feeling feminine and comfortable. Cinna’s tiered midaxi style is one of the key elements of cottagecore fashion – and it’s the perfect ‘throw on and go’ outfit! In the autumn, pair Cinna with ankle boots and a chunky knit cardigan, together these clothes have a cosiness that feels like a big warm hug.