From Cottagecore to Barbiecore, the core has been part of the vocabulary of modern fashion, but what does it mean exactly? Obviously, it has to do with a certain clothing aesthetic and lifestyle. Kidcore involves the nostalgic activity of making mismatched beaded necklaces and Regalcore stems from the world’s obsessions with series like Bridgerton and The Crown. But where did the word “core” come from?
Chic has been a word used in fashion since forever. Classic wardrobe pieces like the Little Black Dress and the caramel-colored trench coat are must-haves of the ultimate chic style. And sub in chic with any aesthetic flooding TikTok, Pinterest and Instagram recently instead of core and it would basically mean the same thing. Take the summer’s Barbiecore, the fall’s Witchcore or the edgy Bikercore. However, “core” is a word put at the end of a certain look for hyper-specificity. With these various social media platforms being bombarded with fashion-intrigued youths who are discovering their personal style while living in an extremely fast-paced trend cycle, it’s no surprise why these specific aesthetics and the word (core) that provides a throughline between all of them have become a force to be reckoned with in the fashion world.
Chic was used in a similar way, to describe various fashion subcultures that had a massive influence in a given time period. Take the Heroin Chic era of the 90s, a subculture of the Grunge style that took over the time period that was shown in movies like Trainspotting and through brands like Calvin Klein. It involved dark eye makeup, baggy clothes on skinny bodies, dark colors, stringy hair and androgynous clothing, often looking like you were a drugged-out nihilist with a heroin addiction. Icons of the time that wore heroine Chic wardrobes were Kurt Cobain, Cindy Crawford, Kate Moss, Courtney Love, Billy Crogan, Claudia Schiffer and Giselle Bundchen. The aesthetic’s criticism was rooted in its glorification of heroin and unhealthy beauty standards.
Another popular chic aesthetic was Boho-chic in the Early 2000s through the rise of music festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza. Reminiscent of the hippie of the late 60s and 70s, Kate Moss, Florence Welch, Sienna Miller, Vanessa Hudgens and Mary-Kate Olsen were all icons of Boho-chic. Shabby-chic is another. Rooted in quaint, girly, European and vintage influences, Shabby-chic is popular in both wardrobe and interior design. The season 4 premiere episode of Gossip Girl epitomizes the Parisian chic vibe with its Left bank check and Right bank polished approach with Serena and Blair. Bon Chic Bon Genre (good style, good class, abbreviated as BCBG), mixed the most sophisticated aspects of American, British and French style through ballet flats, Ralph Lauren, Cartier jewelry, Birkin bags, and cashmere sweaters. Charlotte Gainsbourg and Sloane Rangers like Kate Middleton use BCBG in their wardrobe.
All of these “Chic” movements were very broad. They had many aspects that lasted over very long periods of time. While the “Core” movements of today are extremely specific. I mean, what’s the difference between Nostalgiacore and Thriftcore? Princesscore and Queencore? Queencore and Royalcore? Dazecore and Dreamcore? This hyper specificity combined with how unbelievably fast the trend cycle is moving now thanks to social media doesn’t just make “Core” more relevant than “Chic” as the preferred suffix in the fashion industry, but it also helps differentiate one aesthetic from another and helps keep track of which ones are, which ones are out and which ones are about to be the next big thing.
So, a piece of advice for all you fashionistas out there; have fun with the latest “Core” trends out there. But just know, when your SHEIN package arrives, that trend might already be on its way out. So, make sure it matches who you are and what you like, rather than what the internet likes on whatever particular day.