How To Create a Sustainable Cottagecore Wardrobe
Picture yourself strolling through a sun-dappled meadow, the breeze catching the hem of your vintage dress, each thread whispering stories of the past. Imagine opening your wardrobe to find a collection of timeless, romantic pieces—each one chosen with care, each one a testament to sustainability and beauty. The cottagecore aesthetic isn’t just about dreamy dresses and floral prints—it’s about embracing a slower, more intentional way of living, including how we dress. But how can you create a cottagecore wardrobe that is both enchanting and environmentally friendly? Let’s dive in.
Why a Sustainable Cottagecore Wardrobe Matters
Fast fashion harms the planet, but a thoughtfully curated wardrobe can help reduce waste, support ethical brands, and ensure that your clothing is as kind to the earth as it is beautiful. A sustainable cottagecore wardrobe focuses on secondhand treasures, natural fabrics, and timeless pieces that last for years.
Create Your Dream Cottagecore Wardrobe – Sustainably & Affordably!
Start your Cottagecore journey today with this free checklist and build the thrifted wardrobe of your dreams!
Shop Secondhand and Vintage
One of the best ways to build a sustainable wardrobe is by shopping secondhand and vintage. This reduces the demand for new clothing production while giving pre-loved pieces a second life. Here’s how you can curate your ideal cottagecore wardrobe:
Thrift Stores – Explore local thrift and consignment shops for unique vintage finds.
Online Marketplaces – Platforms like eBay, Poshmark, and Depop offer great secondhand options. I personally love The RealReal for amazing deals and the option to return items.
Vintage Shops – Specialty vintage stores curate high-quality, timeless pieces from past decades.
My Shop – I now offer handpicked cottagecore and French country pieces on my blog. Expect romantic florals, delicate lace, and vintage-inspired silhouettes for a timeless, sustainable wardrobe. I also ship internationally, so you can shop no matter where you are.
Choose Natural Fabrics
Natural fabrics like cotton, linen, and wool are more sustainable than synthetic ones like polyester and nylon. They are biodegradable, often require less energy to produce, and are generally better for your skin. When shopping for new items, look for:
Organic Cotton: Grown without harmful pesticides and chemicals.
Linen: Made from flax plants, it’s durable and gets softer with each wash.
Wool: Natural and biodegradable, perfect for colder months.
Silk: A luxurious, renewable fiber—opt for peace silk or vintage to ensure sustainability.
Resource: Read my in-depth post on How to Care for Your Sustainable Cottagecore Outfits to keep these fabrics in top shape.
Support Sustainable Brands
Many brands are now focusing on sustainability, offering clothing made from eco-friendly materials and ethical production practices. Look for brands that:
Use Sustainable Materials: Fabrics like organic cotton, Tencel, and recycled materials.
Practice Fair Labor: Ensure fair wages and safe working conditions for their workers.
Minimize Waste: Incorporate zero-waste patterns and upcycling practices.
Here are five eco-friendly fashion brands that align well with the cottagecore aesthetic:
This brand perfect blend of dreamy bohemian and cottagecore aesthetics. Expect to find flowy maxi dresses adorned with intricate floral prints, lace details, and vintage-inspired patterns.
With a focus on high-quality materials and timeless designs, Sezane produces charming, sustainable pieces that effortlessly blend French elegance with cottagecore charm.
There statement: Our artisan partners are always at the heart of everything we do. As a small, family-run business, nurturing strong bonds with our artisans is a fundamental principle of our business. Many of these relationships span over a decade and have now turned into family. Since Cleobella’s inception, our founders have split their time between California and Southeast Asia, ensuring they can work alongside and supporting our overseas teams. It is through these meaningful connections we have been able to grow as a brand and create products that are handmade with integrity. Furthermore, we have collaborated with various organizations to empower women, exemplified by our partnership with Bloom India. Through this alliance, we contribute to funding pre-college STEM courses for young women in India, thereby providing them with invaluable opportunities for advancement.
Their dresses feature timeless designs with delicate floral prints, flowing silhouettes, and intricate detailing, blending effortlessly with the cottagecore aesthetic. From romantic maxi dresses to elegant midi styles, DOEN offers beautiful, sustainable fashion that not only enhances your wardrobe but also supports a greener planet.
The brand primarily uses deadstock fabric—materials left over from other fashion productions—to craft its designs, effectively reducing waste and giving new life to discarded resources. Christy Dawn also emphasizes regenerative farming practices, collaborating with farmers to grow organic cotton and other natural fibers in ways that restore soil health and biodiversity. Each piece is ethically made in Los Angeles, ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions for artisans. By blending sustainability with timeless design, Christy Dawn offers a thoughtful alternative to fast fashion, making it a favorite among eco-conscious consumers.
DIY and Upcycle
Creating your own clothing or upcycling existing pieces is a fantastic way to embrace sustainability. Here are some ideas:
Sew Your Own Clothes: Use patterns from the 1940s and 1950s for authentic vintage looks.
Upcycle: Turn old jeans into a chic skirt or transform a men’s shirt into a dress.
Embroidery: Add floral or nature-inspired embroidery to plain clothing items to give them a cottagecore twist.
Quality Over Quantity
When building a sustainable wardrobe, focus on quality over quantity. Invest in timeless, well-made pieces that will last for years instead of trendy items that will quickly go out of style. For more detailed tips on how to prioritize quality in your wardrobe, check out my blog post, Why I Love Collecting Preloved Collection Pieces – And How You Can Find Yours Too! It’s packed with insights to help you make thoughtful choices that align with a sustainable lifestyle.
Classic Dresses: Look for timeless silhouettes like A-line or wrap dresses.
Versatile Pieces: Items that can be styled in multiple ways, such as a simple white blouse or a cozy cardigan.
Proper Care:Proper care is essential to extend the life of your clothing. Always follow care instructions to keep your pieces looking their best. For a step-by-step guide on how to care for your wardrobe sustainably, check out my detailed blog post, How to Care for Your Sustainable Cottagecore Outfits It includes practical tips to help your favorite pieces last for years.
Capsule Wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe consists of a small number of versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched to create many different outfits. This minimalist approach is both sustainable and stylish. To create a cottagecore capsule wardrobe, include:
Floral Dresses: A few floral print dresses for different seasons.
Neutral Basics: Items in neutral colors like white, beige, and soft pastels.
Layering Pieces: Cardigans, shawls, and aprons that can be layered over other items.
7. Accessorize Sustainably
Accessories can make or break an outfit, and sustainable options are plentiful:
Handmade Jewelry: Look for artisans who use recycled materials.
Vintage Accessories: Hunt for vintage scarves, hats, and bags at thrift stores.
Natural Materials: Opt for accessories made from wood, leather, or other natural materials.
Final Thoughts: A Wardrobe That Tells a Story
Building a sustainable wardrobe is all about making thoughtful choices, embracing quality over quantity, and curating pieces that reflect your personal style. If you’re ready to take the next step in creating a wardrobe that’s both eco-friendly and beautifully timeless, I invite you to join me every Wednesday for Wardrobe Wednesdays. It’s a space where I share thrifting tips, outfit inspiration, and ways to make sustainable fashion work for you—without compromising on style or comfort. Head over to my latest post to learn how to make sustainable choices that will transform your closet into something you can truly be proud of. Let’s make fashion more meaningful, one piece at a time!
Brooke
Hello Gorgeous Threads
Related Posts
Posts You Might Like
Discover the Beauty of Preloved Cottagecore
Thoughtfully curated, sustainably sourced, and filled with timeless charm—every piece in my shop has a story to tell. Shopping preloved means embracing quality, sustainability, and unique finds that you won’t see anywhere else.
✨ Handpicked for quality and charm
✨ Sustainable and affordable alternatives to fast fashion
✨ Fast, thoughtful shipping with a personal touch
✨ Trusted by customers who love timeless treasures
Find out why so many kindred spirits love shopping here.
Welcome to my blog!
I’m Brooke, a homeschool mom and cottagecore enthusiast dedicated to creating a cozy, sustainable home.
My mission is to bring a celebration of slow, intentional living for moms who love the charm of Cottagecore and the refinement of French Country style. Through thrifted finds, homemade comforts, and sustainable practices, I inspire women to cultivate a life that feels both beautiful and attainable.
Every Wardrobe Wednesday, I uncover secondhand gems that blend vintage elegance with everyday cottagecore charm. This week, I found the sweetest pink gingham skirt, a patchwork denim jacket full of history, and a pair of classic espadrilles perfect for spring. Let’s dive into these finds and how to style them for an effortlessly romantic look.