How To Nail The Trendy Garden Girl Aesthetic & Bring Airy Vibes To Summer 2024

Now that we're officially in the middle of summer 2024, it's time to bring on the garden vibes. But not just any sort of garden vibes; we want garden girl aesthetic energy. Also known as gardencore, the garden girl aesthetic is similar to the cottagecore trend, but with more garden inspiration behind it. Although both pay homage to a simpler time with natural fabrics, materials, and muted and pastel colors, gardencore leans into flowers and the necessary elements of growing and maintaining a garden. Like cottagecore, it's not just about how you look but is an entire lifestyle.

"The Garden Girl aesthetic is the perfect opportunity to explore vintage shopping in a local, tangible way," co-founder of Shop Extraordinary Enterprises, Amy Abrams, told InStyle. "Keep your eyes peeled for classic florals reminiscent of an old cottage garden or bold blooms that echo the '60s and '70s flower power. If you're drawn to patterns, consider stripes like seersucker or even a Madras plaid print ... the key is finding pieces that speak to you — then you'll know they're the right addition to your vintage, Garden Girl wardrobe."

While what you bring to the garden girl aesthetic should reveal your own style too, there are still a handful of components that are "musts" to pulling off this specific trend. And, surprisingly, none of them happen to be a garden. So if you're ready to turn the rest of summer 2024 into your gardencore era, we're here to guide you along the way.

Unlike cottagecore, gardencore is about being garden-ready, even if you're not headed into the dirt to plant a bunch of flowers. Because of this, denim, specifically work-related denim like overalls, is a necessary part of your wardrobe. Overalls don't just say you're prepared to get dirty in the name of fashion, but they're the comfiest gift you can give yourself. Pair them with a basket bag or a basket-inspired woven bag, and you're ready to hit the garden center in style.

While florals for spring may not be groundbreaking, they are essential for a garden girl aesthetic. After all, what's a garden without flowers? Still a garden of course, but flowers with all their colors and scents bring a little something extra. With this in mind, think of yourself as a garden in motion, one that's bursting at the seams with flowers of all kinds. Then take that image and bring it to life with airy, light fabrics that not only breathe in the hot sun, but blow like petals in the wind.

Whether you opt for silk or cotton, scarves are an accessory that everyone should have. Not only do they transcend the gardencore vs. cottagecore debate, but they're a piece of timeless sophistication. You can wear a scarf on your head to protect your hair and scalp from the sun when out in your real or imaginary garden or, in the same vein as iconic socialite Babe Paley, tie your scarf to your handbag just in case you need it later on in the day. Scarves are also a great way to add color to your outfits should you choose to stick to white linen dresses.

If you're not one to work in the garden barefoot, then you need shoes that are meant for garden work. Wellies, of course, are a great way to prepare for less-than-perfect ground (think sopping wet after a rainstorm), as are clogs, like Birkenstock's Boston shoe, traditional work clogs from brands like Dansko, or the trendy shoe winner, Crocs. All are easy to step into and out of, making them perfect for gardening, but also cool enough to complete your gardencore look.

Even if you have a closet full of scarves, hats are essential for gardeners, therefore making them paramount to this garden girl aesthetic. Yes, we see them in cottagecore as well, but it's one of the few items that overlap. Straw hats represent the simplicity of days gone by, which gives a nod to cottagecore, while also serving a necessary purpose: protecting your skin from the hot sun. Still don't have a garden to tend to? Then pick up some branches and flowers at your local florist and cradle them in your arm wherever you go. Now look in the mirror. You're officially in your garden girl aesthetic era.