5 Celeb Castlecore Looks To Influence Your Medieval-Inspired 'Fits

Castlecore is reigning supreme in 2025 — or so Pinterest tells us. The trend, featured in this year's "Pinterest Predicts" report, draws inspiration from medieval romance and gothic drama. Blending elements of courtly life, fantasy, religious symbolism, and rustic charm, this aesthetic conjures visions of grand castle halls and the shadowy allure of natural, mist-laden landscapes. For those who dream of royal courts and the flickering glow of a candlelit castle, castlecore invites us to indulge in the romantic and the dramatic.

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Perhaps castlecore's cultural culmination should come as no surprise; its whispers have echoed through the halls of the zeitgeist for quite some time. In 2024, the brooding decadence of "Saltburn" — with its gothic tropes and cloistered corridors — set the tone for audiences. Meanwhile, fantasy sagas like "A Court of Thorns and Roses" have kept the enchantment of medieval mystique alive. On the red carpet, stars have embraced castlecore's otherworldly flourishes, reinterpreting its historical roots for modern wear. Now, in the year of the castle, they offer plenty of inspiration for how we, too, can step into our very own fashion folklore.

Chappell Roan exuded medieval drama at the VMAs

Chappell Roan vaulted castlecore from a niche trend to a cultural phenomenon with her bold 2024 VMA look, helping to establish her as one of the best-dressed celebrities of 2024. Arriving in a sheer black gown that flowed like an enchanted mist, she layered the look with a sage-green overcoat featuring voluminous sleeves and a regal train. The medieval-inspired fantasy was elevated by bold details, including a crucifix necklace and intricate armor-inspired cuffs. In her hand, she wielded a full-length sword. Her red waves and soft braids added to the whimsy that made the ensemble feel like a modern fairytale.

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Little did the paparazzi know at the time, this red carpet moment was just the prelude. Roan's now era-defining performance saw her locked behind towering castle gates, clad in a Julie d'Aubigny-inspired suit of armor and wielding a flaming crossbow. One fiery arrow later, the stage — and castle — was ablaze. With that, she became the aesthetic's modern muse.

To bring the Midwest Princess's castlecore to your wardrobe, opt for a floaty maxi dress under a large earth-toned coat. While we would never advise pairing any outfit with a real sword for safety reasons, you could swap this for a cute dagger necklace. Top it off with studded belts or buckled boots for a subtle nod to knightly armor.

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Beyoncé brought back Renaissance artistry

The Renaissance was an epoch of courtly splendor, harking back to its medieval past. It embraced innovation and indulged in artistry. So, when Beyoncé stepped into her own Renaissance era, it was only right for her to encompass these values herself, and embody that same regal opulence throughout her wardrobe. At the London premiere of her "Renaissance" tour film, she dazzled in a jaw-dropping custom Balmain creation that seemed conjured from the transcendental pages of an ancient manuscript.

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Her intricately crafted silver bodice was dripping in cascading metallic beading, and crowned by a jewel-encrusted medallion. It exuded the kind of magic you'd expect to see etched into an antique tarot card or glowing in the center of a stained-glass window. Though Beyoncé's full ensemble might be challenging to replicate at home, she reminds us of the staples we can borrow to weave castlecore into our own aesthetics. Metallic statement pieces will always be a winner: a silver corset or a structured top, for example. Add celestial accents with bold layered jewelry, and finish the look with opera gloves for that regal, theatrical edge.

Zendaya's Joan of Arc look was strong and stylish

Zendaya walked as Joan of Arc when she triumphed at the Met Gala for 2018's "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" theme. In a custom Atelier Versace gown, her metallic creation shimmered in chainmail. The look was completed with an armored shoulder piece and spiked belt, as well as a cascading train trailing behind her — much like the banner of a victorious knight. Her copper hair was styled in the blunt bob that has long been associated with the look.

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Zendaya later reflected on the ensemble, telling InStyle it was one of her all-time favorite looks. "Nothing could hurt me — I was like a warrior," she declared confidently. To channel your own sense of sartorial strength, start with bold metallics, perhaps in the form of silver or pewter dresses or shimmering tops, and chainmail accoutrements. But the real style secret as Zendaya proved, is self-assurance. Wear it like armor and you're ready to conquer.

Lily-Rose Depp channelled gothic elegance at the Nosferatu premiere

At the Los Angeles premiere of "Nosferatu," Lily-Rose Depp sank her teeth into castlecore's Gothic influences. Her floor-length silver gown was adorned with beautiful, intricate beadwork, delicately draped around her figure. The translucent fabric gave just enough mystery, while the diaphanous train swept behind her like a noblewoman haunting the corridors of her ancestral keep. For a touch of this ethereal drama at home, look for beaded fabrics in flowing silhouettes.

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Depp's styling brought the medieval inspiration to life. Her sleek blonde hair parted cleanly down the middle featured subtle braided accents — a tribute to courtly traditions that are easy to recreate. Try weaving small braids into relaxed, flowing hair. You can accessorize with crystal-encrusted hair pins for a touch of medieval elegance. Her jewelry was equally entrancing: gorgeous drop earrings that sparkled like treasured passed down through royal bloodlines. A similar look can be achieved with ornate statement pieces like chandelier earrings or vintage-inspired accessories.

Charli XCX brought Brat to the Middle Ages

At Variety's Hitmakers Brunch, Charli XCX graced the scene in a sheer brown halterneck gown that was just as modern as it was medieval: Maid Marion, but make it fashion. With its earthy tone and long, flowing silhouette, this was a look fit for the heroine of a castle-bound love story. The gown's gossamer fabric, worn without a lining, was certainly a daring take on the castlecore aesthetic, but the simplicity and the long style evoked the raw beauty of medieval fashion. Its unstructured design mirrored the organic charm of castle gardens and moonlit forest escapes,

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Loose waves cascading down her shoulders sealed the look's romantic vibe. To recreate her aesthetic, lean into natural, flowing fabrics in tones inspired by the earth: browns, greens, or deep burgundies. Look for dresses with draped, unrestrained shapes, and consider diaphanous or lightweight materials — perfect for medieval escapades.

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