If Dressing Pretty And Romantic Is Your Cup Of Tea This Huge Spring Trend Might Thrill You
Especially if you’re over 35
by The Candidly Team
We’re not big fans of trends. Most of them just feel like they’re for the person sitting behind us. And she’s probably 22.
Trends are also just so fleeting that we barely have time to dip a toe before the universe has moved on and we’re left looking lonesome in our hideous barrel jeans.
Point is, we won’t blab at you about a trend unless we believe in our heart of hearts that it’s a reeeeally good one for us ladies over 35. And there’s this recent one that sort of just gels with our worldview where clothes are concerned.
It’s not that new. Most of you have probably heard it around if not already embraced some of its pretty styles that have entered your storefronts (aka internet ads).
It’s easy. It’s comfortable. It’s flattering. It’s feminine.
Emotionally, it appeals to our love of things like Downtown Abbey and Anne of Green Gables and barefoot picnics and the gardens of The Great British Bake Off.
Have you guessed what it is yet?
Yup, it’s Cottagecore.
Cottagecore, though rooted in things being pretty, floaty, lighter colors and materials, is also very, very practical.
And here is our very quick case for why it’s perfect for the laziest dressers among us who don’t have a lot of time, but do have a desire to look put together and unwaveringly comfy at the same time.
The fabrics are unrestrictive, spacious, and feel very good on our bodies.
The pieces are pretty in and of themselves, so just by throwing one of them on, we already look completely “styled.”
They feel casual but because they’re attractive, they can easily look dressed up: from weekend errand to a wedding just like that.
Ok, let’s get to the good stuff. Here are the 5 divine cottagecore things that have quickly shaped the spring/ summer wardrobe of our dreams.
1. The Easy, Romantic Dresses
WHAT: Quince 100% European Linen Button Front Dress
WHY: If one thing should be salvaged from the 1950s, it’s the sleeved house dress. The way this one hangs on your body is just so easily hourglassy, so casually chic. It comes in other prints and solids, but the gingham is our favorite, and it goes quickly. So move fast if you too have been in the market for a $50 house dress everyone and their mother will complement, because ok, fine you really only wear stuff like this to go out.
Price: $50
WHAT: Anthropologie The Somerset Puff-Sleeve Maxi Dress
WHY: Just behold just how easy and flattering this dress is. Puff sleeves for arm coverage, smocked waist for supreme comfort (not to mention hourglass creation), and a full skirt that isn’t so full it adds any bulk. Great for daytime things but we’re also wearing it to weddings. Sizes in petite and plus. Bring us copious amounts of joy.
Price: $168
WHAT: Abercrombie Emerson Linen-Blend Puff Sleeve Midi Dress
WHY: People who aren’t thrilled about going sleeveless all summer will appreciate the beauty of the puff sleeve. This dress has smocking in the back, so it’s very comfortable and stretchy but the fitted bodice and puff sleeve just gives every shape person such great proportions. That being said, if a puff sleeve just isn’t your thing, they also have an equally lovely, sleeveless version. Both size up to XXL.
Price: $120
WHAT: Mille Victoria Dress
WHY: Joyful prints are indeed a cornerstone of the cottagecore aesthetic. And this might be our new favorite “joyful print brand.” All the styles are so flattering and beautifully cut, but they’re also original enough to truly wear like you’re wearing something special - something you’ll love forever and will make you feel completely comfortable while also standing out in a crowd. All of this is to justify why we’re willing to spend a little bit more when it’s a Mille dress.
Price: $309
2. The Flattering, Floaty Skirts
WHAT: Hill House The Delphine Nap Skirt
WHY: We need to start seeing a-line, elastic waist skirts for what they truly are - pajama pants that present themselves as something “nicer” and more put-together than any pants you own. Find yourself a big old smocked waistband and your favorite pretty pattern, both of which this Hill House skirt has mastered, balance it with a fitted tee or tank, and maybe a jean jacket if there’s a nip, and poof, you are the epitome of spring.
Price: $128
WHAT: Free People Lowen Midi Skirt
WHY: Another unquestionably perfect fit, but this time in the finest solid colors, so you can make this one a daily staple.
Price: $60
WHAT: Z Supply Kahleese Luxe Sheen Midi Skirt
WHY: If you still want space (and unearlthly lightness) but not quite as much volume, this skirt is something you’ll want to reach for daily. Pair it with flat sandals, a tied button-down, and perhaps your finest sun hat, and you simply can’t go wrong.
Price: $89
WHAT: Free People In Full Swing Printed Midi Skirt
WHY: We’ll just let the soft, floral print sing its own praises on this one. Which it will also do when you wear it with a boring white tee and plain old sneakers. Perhaps, with THIS basket bag. Farmer’s market trip optional.
Price: $128
WHAT: Able Kiah Maxi Skirt
WHY: We all deserve one easy, warm-weather maxi skirt that feels like loungewear and that we don’t have to shave our legs to wear. Behold, the skirt. And she’s just so pretty on. And she sizes up to 3X.
Price: $110
3. The Pretty Tops That Do All The Work For You
WHAT: Madewell Puff-Sleeve A-Line Top
WHY: Jeans and tees are classic and comfy, but they get a little boring day after day after day. Which is why we love a good everyday top that has all the spaciousness and ease of a tee but also brings some zhuzh. This one covers your tum and has the most flattering length sleeve. And when you wear it with any boring bottoms or a pair of jeans, you look like you put in some real effort.
Price: $72
WHAT: Free People Chloe Printed Top
WHY: Same principles got for this top from Free People, but we have never seen a more romantic back to a top, or a print for that matter.
Price: $128
WHAT: The Keira Collared Button-Front Blouse by Pilcro
WHY: This top + any jeans = you looking great. Why do we ever make it more complicated than that?
Price: $88 - $98
WHAT: By Anthropologie Puff-Sleeve Scoop-Neck Top
WHY: Just a subtle little spin on a light as a feather and buttery soft tee. But that one little variation makes it 10x more flattering and 10x more styled. With zero effort.
Price: $48 - $58
4. The Lovely But Uncompromisingly Comfy Sandals
WHAT: Everlane The Day Crossover Sandal
WHY: All we want is a shoe we can slip our foot into and forget we’re wearing until the moment we glance down and notice how pretty! This is the sandal you’ll turn to 87% of the time in warmer months. And it comes in every subtle neutral hue you could lust after.
Price: $98
WHAT: Nisolo Stella Go-To Block Heel Sandal
WHY: There is only one circumstance in which a heeled shoe would make it onto our carefree, cottagecore dream list. And that is when it is as insanely comfortable as this block-heeled sandal. We’re not joking. We even wrote a whole tribute to it HERE. Life-changing.
Oh, and we got you a code! Use CANDIDLY20 to get 20% off.
Price: $170
WHAT: Rothy’s The Espadrille
WHY: Every romantic lady appropriately longs for an espadrille but so many of them are so awful and uncomfortable that we skip. These are the most cushioned, light, breathable (FLAT!) espadrilles we’ve encountered. They come in all the pretty combinations. And the strap can be removed, so you can just wear it as a graceful slip-on.
Price: $139
5. The Soft And Airy Staples
WHAT: Splendid Frankie Stripe Pant
WHY: It isn’t all about skirts and dresses with this aesthetic. But it is about comfort. Cottagecore can be just as much about wearing linens and gauzes and pants that lengthen our legs and nip our waists, without restricting us at all. Like these pants. Which come in the happiest pink that will light up a room … but in a low-key, chic way.
And Splendid was kind enough to give us a code: Use CANDIDLY20 to get 20% off.
Price: $188
WHAT: J. Crew Classic-Fit Gauze Shirt
WHY: There are few pieces more versatile than a gauzy button-down, which you can wear as a loose outer layer or a more tailored, tucked shirt. Or maybe just tie it at the waist and wear it with every skirt above. It comes in all the staple colors. And the fact that you won’t sweat through it come June is pretty priceless.
Price: $44.50
WHAT: Quince Baby Alpaca-Wool Cropped Cardigan
WHY: We all need that one sweater we grab pretty much every day between April and October. This one is so feathery and soft, but because it isn’t too long, it never looks like a sad, old sack. Perfect over every single skirt and dress we wear in the spring and summer, but because of its attractive shape, it also works as a top all on its own. Comes in all the colors. And the price is pretty mind-boggling for alpaca wool.
Price: $60
WHAT: Micah Linen Pant
WHY: We end on a high note. If you’re looking for the linen trousers that feel as appropriate to wear to work as a walk through a sunflower field, these are the pants for you.
Price: $119
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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