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If you’ve been on the internet for the past few years, you’ve probably noticed the term “[insert word here]-core.” You might have encountered the “mermaidcore” or “goblincore” and wondered what that could possibly mean. In recent years, “cores” have become popular staples of Gen Z fashion, but what are they? Why are there so many of them, and why does Gen Z love to use them?
If you’re confused, don’t be. Cores are easy to understand and can be quite fun to dissect. I’ll break down what cores are, give you some popular examples, and explain why Gen Z seems to be obsessed with them. Whatever your niche is, there’s a core for it.
What are “cores”?
Cores refer to specific fashion trends circulating online. They are used to quickly define different aesthetics that people can identify with. Search up the word “cottagecore” on Tumblr or TikTok, and you’ll find countless videos on what dress to wear while you bake bread or harvest in your garden. Like many with fashion trends, the internet plays a huge role in determining the popularity of the various “cores.” TikTok, Instagram, and Tumblr are particularly responsible for the rise of cores.
While most people search for fashion inspiration, cores can also influence makeup and home decor. Countless aesthetics dictate what makeup to wear as a Downtown Girl or how to do your hair like an Office Siren. Academia-inspired aesthetics typically center around books and writing desks, striving to replicate the vibe of Ivy League or English universities. Conveyed through slideshows and themed mood boards, these aesthetics reach a large audience.
There are many different cores, but these are some of the most popular ones you’ll find online.
1) Cottagecore
Cottagecore largely appealed to women, as it encouraged a gentler, simpler lifestyle. Inspired by an idealized farm life, cottagecore focused on nature, gardening, baking, and domesticity. The fashion trends included dresses, aprons, flowing fabrics, and hand-knit items.
This aesthetic was popular in the late 2010s and early 2020s. It may not be as popular as it once was, but it is still widely recognized. I’m not going to say that cottagecore brought back long skirts and the farm girl aesthetic, but it definitely contributed to the resurgence.
2) Academiacore
This aesthetic foregrounds school environments and reading. Think of Ivy League universities and coffee shops. The fashion includes sweaters, brown and tan colors, and pleated skirts. It’s perfect for autumn and continues to be somewhat popular today.
Academiacore is commonly split between two subgenres: “light” and “dark” academia. While both involve writing and libraries, the color palettes and themes are different. Light academia utilizes brighter colors like cream, white, and beige in the fashion. Items such as cardigans, sweater vests, and skirts present an introspective look. Dark academia, on the other hand, is more mysterious and intense. Black, dark browns, and burgundy can be seen in the clothing, giving the aesthetic an “old money” feel. While they share similar visual elements, the two subgenres present thematic differences add to the complexity of the academiacore as a whole.
3) Nostalgiacore
Unlike many of the cores I’ve discussed, nostalgiacore doesn’t have a fashion sense attributed to it. This aesthetic instead exists online as a visual motif. TikTok includes many videos labeled “nostalgiacore” with clips or pictures from the 1990s and early 2000s. The point of this aesthetic is for the audience to collectively remember their childhoods and reflect on their formative years. Childhood toys, clothes, or elementary grade classrooms depict the dreamlike quality of reminiscing on the past. Nostalgiacore allows participants to idealize a time when the world was bigger and things were simpler.
4) Witchcore
You might think that witchcore would only be popular in the fall, but that is not the case. It’s a particularly popular core on TikTok and tumblr, largely amongst women. This aesthetic weaves darker, natural colors into maxi skirts, shawls, and vintage dresses. Most of the clothes are thrifted, giving them a unique look.
Witchcore doesn’t just include clothes; it extends to interior design as well. Plants, crystals, and candles are huge staples. If you search online, you’ll likely find pictures of plants in mason jars and incense burning besides a handful of crystals. Thrifted trinkets and tarot cards are also popular, adding to the witchy, mysterious vibe. The visual elements of witchcore are very discernible and have remained consistent through the years.
5) Coastal Grandmother-core
This microtrend gained huge traction online in 2022 and is still a prominent aesthetic. Mainly popular in the summer, this look focuses on a different kind of beach aesthetic. Coastal Grandmother-core refers to a timeless, sophisticated lifestyle that an affluent older woman would have. Think of simple gold jewelry, button-down shirts, and an elegant house by the beach.
This trend might not be as popular nowadays, but it certainly cemented itself as one of the most popular cores. There’s a certain charm about the simple luxury and domesticity of this aesthetic.
6) Clowncore
Like with academiacore, this aesthetic boasts a variety of looks. Some of the most popular ones include bright-colored, clown-inspired fashion. Tights, skirts, tutus, striped patterns, and primary colors are used to create a whimsical, positive aesthetic. The key to these outfits is detail, either with accessories, eccentric makeup, or knickknacks.
There is also a dark side to this aesthetic. Dark clowncore leans into the creepier, gothic interpretations of clowns. Darker colors produce less flamboyant outfits, but the clown makeup remains a constant. Some aesthetics include visuals that veer toward the horror genre. Clowncore can be bright and happy or strange and unsettling, whatever you prefer!
Check out our video on Clowncore for a more detailed explanation!
7) Gothcore
Let’s establish that the internet did not create goth. It is a style and subculture that has existed since the 1970s. But there has been a rise in goth aesthetics online that has spawned new subgenres in the process. The internet’s version of goth is not the same as Trad Goth, but it does share visual similarities.
The clothing constants include long skirts, lace, long sleeves, and layered jewelry. While dark clothes, experimental makeup, and eccentric style are hallmarks of this aesthetic, the different subgenres bring even more. If you want to follow vampire goth, add dark reds, lace, and flowing sleeves to your design. Want a more hyperfeminine look with apocalyptic vibes? Search bubble goth. There are so many offshoots of “goth” that the internet has taken inspiration from.
8) Balletcore
Balletcore is an example of a core that is exclusively concerned with fashion, not interior design. This look draws inspiration from real ballet outfits, including leg warmers, tights, leotards, and, of course, ballet shoes. The aesthetics of the look are hyper-feminine and overlap with cores like princesscore and coquette.
While ballet flats predated the trend, the popularity of the aesthetic gave them new traction. This core might not be trending anymore, but it can still be seen in more hyper feminine fashion.
9) Downtown Girl core
This aesthetic correlates with an idealized fantasy of living in a big city, usually New York. The fashion is laidback and casual, including graphic teas, converse, oversized clothing, flared or baggy jeans, and leather jackets. Colors like dark red, navy blue, gray, black, and cream are prevalent. The visual aesthetics center on cities and subways during cloudy autumn days.
This is one of the cores that has endured through the years. I’ll admit that I’ve looked up fashion inspiration under this label. Sometimes you want to look like a cool New York City girl who spends her days shopping for books and records!
10) Weirdcore
Just like nostalgiacore, this aesthetic does not have a set fashion style. It is largely based in visual motifs that give off an odd vibe. Low-quality digital images and unusual graphics are key elements. Images from the late 1990s to mid 2000s have heavily influenced this style.
The whole point of weirdcore is to be, well, weird. It’s not supposed to make sense. The images can make viewers feel confused or disoriented, even nostalgic; but rarely do they serve a deeper purpose. This core can be a fun experiment in creating strange, surreal photos without needing much editing or graphic design experience.
More on cores…
While there are certainly the more popular mainstream cores, there are countless subgenres of aesthetics that branch off from the larger ones. For example, whimsigoth is a branch of witchcore, but with more emphasis on the whimsical, eclectic fashion.
“Core” aesthetics have directly shaped Gen Z fashion, particularly in the 2020s. Academiacore is revived each fall with sweaters, skirt-legging combos, and vests. Cottagecore can be seen in boho styles and sundress designs. Whimsigoth draws inspiration from 1990s fashion with the inclusion of natural hues and layered fabrics. While not everyone adheres to a specific core or style, there are traces of inspiration in all forms of fashion.
Why use them?
It’s no secret that finding a style can be quite tricky as countless microtrends and fashion influences surface online. I know I’ve struggled to differentiate what’s trending from what I actually want to wear, and that’s where cores can help. It can be fun to scroll through slideshows of different aesthetics and see how creative people can be.
You don’t have to fall into a core category, nor should you feel pressured to find one. Cores can be useful tools for finding your style and connecting with people in a specific community. You might not want to dress like a mermaid, but you can appreciate the shimmery makeup looks used in that style. Studying might be a bore, but you can be drawn to the idea of reading in a prestigious university library on a foggy day. The whole point is to have fun and to enjoy the aesthetic styles that cores bring. I’m sure that if you sift through a few searches online, you’ll find a theme that intrigues you. Who knows, it might even inspire you to change up your style!
