How to Add the Craftcore Aesthetic to Your Wardrobe
This DIY-inspired aethetic is taking over. Here's how to sprinkle the trend into your outfits.
With everything shut down the past year, at-home hobbies were on the rise. Knitting, sewing, and other activities kept idle hands busy and our minds on better things. As we emerge from bunkered-down living, the DIY aesthetics we picked up are leaving the house with us.
Craftcore seems to be everywhere these days. From the runway to the Instagram explore page, outfits are given quaint finishings; think appliques, quirky accessories, crochet everything, and embroidery. The small-time crochet projects of your crafty friend or mother caught the eye of brands like Etro and Jil Sander, who both featured the style in their Spring/Summer 2022 collections. Or, look to the quick ascent of Bode, a brand most well-known for its patchwork and upcycled fabrics.
The craftcore aesthetic comes hand in hand with a rise in sustainability-minded consumers. Shoppers are increasingly interested in upcycled items, slow versus fast fashion, and small over big business. Craftcore pieces, even if it's not always genuinely the case, evoke a look of ethical consumerism.
Here's how to infuse your personal wardrobe with this quickly growing aesthetic.
Crochet Clothing
One of the hallmarks of the currect craftcore craze is crochet. Designers are whipping up everything from hats and bags to skirts and sweaters. Don a top to bottom knit outfit, or simply throw on a crocheted accessory to jump on this trend. In fact, it may be the easiest element of craftcore to infuse into your wardrobe, as apps like Depop and Etsy are filled with independent creators offering their knit duds.
Patchwork Pieces
Elevated patchwork seems to be having a moment. As stated above, Emily Bode's namesake brand is a large contributer to the trend, but delicate cloth jackets aren't the only thing showing up on the market. Patchwork furs, leather, sequins and more have been stitched together to create exciting new pieces, channeling the upcycled look. If you can't afford Bode, bust out your own pair of scissors and get to making a pair of loved-in DIY patchwork jeans.
Beaded Belongings
Mismatched bead necklaces and colourful, kitschy earrings have been popping up on celebrities and social media alike. Beaded accessories are a trend all their own, but fall into the territory of craftcore. What once just consisted of sitting at home with some craft store beads and an at-home jewelry making kit, has become a full on enterprise. Just look to the quirky creations of Susan Alexandra or the celebrity-favorite phone charms by String Ting.
Painted Products
Hand-painted clothing offers a look of individuality and creativity to an outfit. The once time-intensive artform has now trickled its way to the masses, courtesy of Reformation's $200 doodle pants and similar mass-produced items. The look, towards the start of its reign, was most famously seen on Bella Hadid, wearing her Juliet Johnstone jeans, a gorgeous creation. However, painted clothing isn't just limited to your lower half, see what other items you can find, or make your own.
