What is the Fairycore aesthetic?
Fairycore is inspired by the imagery and mythology of fairies. The aesthetic features a blend of natural elements (like flowers, butterflies, and forest imagery) and fantasy elements (like wings, glitter, and fairytale magic). Think of an enchanted garden in the middle of springtime, and you’ve got the vibes of Fairycore. Although Fairycore is most often discussed as a fashion aesthetic, it can also serve as an inspiration for makeup, hairstyles, home decor, and even hobbies. In other words, if you end up falling in love with Fairycore, you can embrace it as a whole lifestyle!
Fairycore Fashion
Color palette & patterns The Fairycore color palette is made up of soft, dreamy pastels, such as light pink, baby blue, and lavender, as well as neutral earthy tones like ivory, light tan, and sage green. Patterns that incorporate nature imagery (florals, butterflies, greenery, birds, etc) are also common.
Textures & fabrics Due to its fairytale-inspired vibe, Fairycore fashion often includes puffy or flowy dresses and skirts, usually made from materials like tulle, chiffon, silk, and lace. To make these looks more wearable on an everyday basis, they’re often paired with more casual pieces like chunky knit sweaters or eyelet cotton blouses.
Silhouettes Fairycore ensembles usually feature flowy feminine silhouettes. Billowing or tiered skirts and dresses are key Fairycore pieces, and they’re sometimes layered with corsets to mimic the look of a fairytale gown.
Clothing Inspo If you want to try out the Fairycore aesthetic in your life, here’s a list of pieces you can mix and match to create your own unique look: Flowy maxi dresses in light pinks, blues, lavenders, greens, or floral prints Puffy tulle dresses for more formal events Tiered skirts to pair with corsets or slouchy sweaters Blouses with puffy sleeves or sleeves that taper outwards at the ends Eyelet or lace tops Structured corsets Chunky knit or crochet cardigans
Shoes and accessories No Fairycore look is complete without accessories! These can range from wearable, everyday options like lace socks or delicate jewelry, to more costume-y options like fairy wings and elf ears, if you’re looking to go all-out. Here’s a list of ideas: Lace or floral socks Pastel-colored legwarmers Fingerless gloves Hair ribbons and bows Fairy wings, elf ears, or fairy crowns Ballet flats, heeled Mary Janes, or leather lace-up boots Jewelry with gemstones that are said to have mystical powers, such as opal, rose quartz, or moonstone
Fairycore Makeup & Hairstyles
Makeup Fairycore makeup is all about ethereal vibes. Here’s some inspo for your eyes, cheeks, lips, and more: Base: Think dewy, glowy, and radiant. You can use your regular face moisturizer to achieve the look, or you can use a tinted moisturizer for more coverage. Top it off with shimmery highlighter on your cheekbones, brow bone, and the bridge of your nose for that whimsical, fairy-like touch. Eyes: Opt for shimmery or glittery eyeshadow in pearly pinks, opalescent silvers, lavenders, or baby blues, paired with subtly winged eyeliner. For a more dramatic look, you can even try out floral or butterfly-inspired eyeliner art. Cheeks: Use some pink blush to make your cheeks appear flushed and rosy. Cute faux freckles or subtle face glitter can also be nice compliments to the look. Lips: Glossy lips are key. You can either go for a regular pink lip gloss for a more subtle look, or a shimmery lip gloss to play up the fairy theme.
Hair Fairycore hair usually features loose, windswept looks, with whimsical accessories like flower crowns, ribbons, bows, and butterfly-inspired hair clips. Long, loose waves are popular, as are intricate braids and messy up-dos. Some people even go all-out with pastel hair colors like lavender or light pink.
Fairycore Home Decor
Fairycore home decor has a whimsical, eclectic vibe. Art and decorative accents inspired by fairytale and nature imagery are key, as are vintage knick knacks, an abundance of house plants, and warm, soft lighting. It’s all about creating a sense of magic, wonder, and coziness in your space! Wall art: Tapestries with floral designs, art prints featuring fairies, plants, butterflies, or animals Hanging decor: Faux flower garlands or vines, hanging plants, a canopy around your bed Decorative objects: Vintage figurines of fairies, animals, mushrooms, or butterflies, crystal collections, scented candles, dried or fresh flowers, plant terrariums Lighting: Delicate string lights, table and floor lamps with yellow-toned light bulbs (instead of bright, cool-toned ones), Himalayan salt lamps
Fairycore Hobbies & Pastimes
Fairycore isn’t just a fashion trend, it can also be a way of life. Enthusiasts often try to incorporate hobbies and activities with Fairycore vibes into their daily lives. These types of activities include: Going on walks in nature Picking flowers or berries Gardening Having picnics Embroidering or sewing Knitting or crocheting Drawing, sketching, or painting Reading (especially fantasy novels including fairies) DIY crafting projects (pressing flowers, painting wood figurines, etc) Attending Renaissance fairs
Fairycore Media
There are tons of movies, TV shows, and books that feature fairies. Whether you’re looking to learn more about the mythology of fairies or find some inspo for the Fairycore aesthetic, there’s bound to be a piece of fairy media out there for you. Here are some options: Movies: Thumbelina (1994), FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992), Barbie in Fairytopia (2005), The Tinker Bell movies (2008-2015), Maleficent (2014), The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003), Stardust (2007), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1999), Labyrinth (1986) TV shows: Willow, Winx Club, Once Upon a Time, Carnival Row, Fate: The Winx Saga Books & Literature: Grimm’s Fairy Tales, A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare, Peter and Wendy by J.M. Barrie, Stardust by Neil Gaiman, Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett, The Cruel Prince by Holly Black, A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Cottagecore vs. Fairycore
What’s the difference between Cottagecore and Fairycore? The two aesthetics both incorporate nature, flowing fabrics, and vintage styles, but there’s one big difference between them: magic. The Cottagecore aesthetic is all about rustic, rural life (gardening, baking, sewing your own clothes, etc). The Fairycore aesthetic does include a few of these things, but it also adds an ethereal, mystical vibe into the mix. For example, a Cottagecore outfit may include a flowy, tiered dress with a flower pattern on it, paired with woven tote bag and simple canvas sneakers. A Fairycore outfit could include the same flowy dress, but with a corset worn over it, ballet flats or heeled Mary Janes, and shimmery, glowing makeup.
Other Similar Aesthetics
Elfcore Elfcore is an aesthetic based on the imagery and mythology of elves. It’s closely related to Fairycore and is sometimes considered to be its more “masculine” equivalent, although people of all genders can embrace either aesthetic.
Mermaidcore Mermaidcore is an aesthetic inspired by mermaids. It features shimmery fabrics in aquatic colors like blue, teal, green, and purple. Accessories featuring seashells and pearls are common, and looks are often paired with glittery makeup to amp up the mystical vibes.
Goblincore Goblincore is an aesthetic and internet subculture centered around the folklore of goblins. Like Fairycore, it’s inspired by fairy tales, but specifically the darker side of these stories. It features a deeper color palette of earthy browns, forest greens, and dark purples and imagery of mushrooms, moss, frogs, and toads (rather than flowers and butterflies).
Dark or Grunge Fairycore Dark or grunge Fairycore is a subgenre of the Fairycore aesthetic. Like Goblincore, it focuses on the darker side of fairytales. Instead of pastels and bright colors, it uses a color palette of sage greens, browns, and jewel-tones, often paired with 90’s grunge-inspired accessories like combat boots and arm or leg warmers. Think of the aesthetic of 90’s shows like Charmed or Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
History of Fairycore
Society has been fascinated with fairies for hundreds of years. The aesthetic of Fairycore emerged on social media in the 2020s, but our cultural obsession with fairies started a lot earlier than that. The term “fairy” came into use during the middle ages, and since then, fairies have played an important role in art, literature, and folklore. During the Victorian era, specifically, there was a huge fairy craze, especially in paintings and children’s literature.
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