Grandmacore: A trend that combines nostalgia, coziness & sustainability
In a time of hecticness, uncertainty and digital overstimulation, many of us (including me) long for a calmer, slower lifestyle. This is where the Grandmacore trend comes into play – an aesthetic movement that focuses on the little things in life and celebrates and – admittedly – romanticizes the lives of past generations. But what exactly is Grandmacore, where does this trend come from and why is it so popular today?
What is Grandmacore?
Grandmacore is an aesthetic and cultural trend inspired by a longing for a traditional, often perceived “grandmotherly” way of life. It encompasses everything we associate with the warmth and coziness of a contemplative life: knitted sweaters, selfmade apple pies, handmade tablecloths, gardening, and celebrating simple pleasures like drinking a cup of tea by the window (while watching the neighborhood ;-)).
Visually, Grandmacore is inspired by rural, traditional fashion – such as classic aprons, floral patterns and cozy clothing. The decor also plays a role: wooden furniture, antiques, embroidered pillowcases and dried flowers are typical elements. But Grandmacore is more than just an aesthetic; it is about embodying a lifestyle based on mindfulness, self-sufficiency, sustainability and handicrafts.
Where does the trend come from?
Grandmacore is an evolution of other “-core” movements like Cottagecore, which also emphasize romanticized notions of simplicity and nature. Grandmacore and Cottagecore overlap in many aspects. The term itself has its roots — unsurprisingly— on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. It’s somewhat ironic, as these highly modern platforms are used to share inspirations from bygone eras, traditional activities, and nostalgic aesthetics. Yet, there’s something comforting about finding soothing content on these fast-paced digital platforms.
Factors such as the pandemic have further fueled the trend. During the lockdowns, many people began to rethink their lifestyle and look for alternatives that offer a sense of slowing down and control. Grandmacore fits perfectly into this development.
Why is the Grandmacore trend so popular?
Grandmacore hits the nerve of the times because it addresses several needs that are often neglected in our modern society:
- A return to simple things: In a world dominated by technology and consumerism, many are looking for a contrast. Grandmacore offers a feeling of stability, simplicity and originality.
- Sustainability: Making things yourself and reusing them corresponds to the desire of many people to live more sustainably and consciously.
- Mindfulness: The conscious execution of traditional activities such as baking or knitting can have almost meditative qualities. It is important to do things slowly and carefully.
- Nostalgia: Grandmacore brings back memories of childhood, visits to grandparents or an idealized idea of country life. Things that give us a feeling of security.
How do I integrate Grandmacore into my everyday life?
Grandmacore is not a trend that you should blindly follow, but rather an invitation to make your everyday life more conscious and fulfilling. Here are a few approaches that can be easily integrated into your daily life:
1. Be present and celebrate the little things in life
Consciously take time for the little things in life. Enjoy a cup of tea, observe nature, call loved ones – the old-fashioned way – or write a letter – without rushing or being distracted. And when we’re tired, we just take a nap. Grandmacore primarily means leading a slower and calmer life.
2. Do things yourself
Grandmacore encourages people to make things themselves again. Try knitting, embroidery or sewing to personalize or repair clothing and home accessories. Cooking and baking according to old recipes also fits in perfectly. How about homemade sourdough bread, for example? Or you can make your own tomato sauce.
If your grandparents are still alive and you keep in touch with them, just ask them for their recipes or cook together. :-)
3. Rediscover old-fashioned hobbies
Many things that our grandmothers did are experiencing a real renaissance in the Grandmacore trend. These include gardening, baking bread, making jam or handicrafts. The great thing about these hobbies is that you get real added value from them. Homemade things taste delicious and also make great gifts! So put your smartphone down in the evening and devote yourself to handicrafts instead of scrolling through social media for hours. It really relaxes us and allows us to switch off.
By the way: Doing crossword puzzles is also a lot of fun and keeps your brain fit. ;-)
4. Living sustainability
Grandmacore and sustainability go hand in hand. Upcycling old furniture, visiting flea markets and avoiding unnecessary consumption are essential components of the trend. Repairing clothes and other things is also part of it and should be something we consider much more often.
5. Value family, friends and community
A key aspect of the Grandmacore lifestyle is nurturing relationships – especially in real life. Whether through handwritten letters, cooking together or simply a cozy coffee chat with friends – it’s about promoting closeness and solidarity.
The Grandmacore look: Dressed like your grandmother?
The Grandmacore clothing style is a tribute to traditional, practical and comfortable clothing, often inspired by our grandmothers’ outfits. Loose cuts, soft fabrics and muted colors are typical, with a focus on comfort and functionality. Floral patterns, knitted sweaters, handmade scarves and embroidered aprons are also key elements.
Natural materials such as cotton, linen or wool are often used. The outfits are combined with accessories such as hand-knitted gloves or subtle pieces of jewelry that add a personal touch.
The grandmacore look and vintage style therefore go together perfectly. Even if the grandma look definitely puts less focus on glamour. Nevertheless, we can of course absolutely take inspiration from the clothes of the past. Pretty midi-length dresses, beautiful cardigans and great aprons not only look good, but are also perfect for everyday wear. I think that a beautiful dirndl also goes really well with the grandmacore look, even if the item of clothing is also heavily romanticized. 😉
Tip: Make sure to go to vintage shops to look for suitable pieces.
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Grandmacore at home: comfort and coziness in focus
Just like with clothing, we probably have a somewhat romanticized idea of our grandparents’ interior design. Heavy curtains, dark closet walls and often mismatched furniture – hardly anyone in the normal middle class could afford really great designer furniture back then. Nevertheless, we can learn a thing or two from our grandparents. The Grandmacore trend is all about creating a cozy and comfortable atmosphere in which we feel at home and safe.
Perhaps also a counter-design to the clean and futuristic interior design style that is actually popular today. Tablecloths, old, colorful dishes, curtains in front of messy shelves (super practical!), (antique) wooden furniture and cozy colors provide the feel-good factor. And the best thing: we don’t even have to spend a lot of money on it. We can either find what we’re looking for in our grandparents’ attic or we can browse flea markets for suitable objects that will make our home more cozy.
A few beautiful things that make our house cosy and are wonderfully old-fashioned:
- A beautiful wing chair with an old-fashioned pattern
- Pretty old coffee dishes
- Patterned tablecloths
- Mason jars and storage containers
- Curtains in front of shelves
By the way: Often, small touches are enough to make the house more cozy. Examples of this are old-fashioned handles for drawers and cupboards (e.g. via Amazon*), small lace tablecloths, floral pillowcases and old vases.
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Grandmacore Lifestyle: Conclusion
Grandmacore is more than just a nostalgic trend – it’s more of a philosophy that invites us to live our everyday lives more consciously, pursue creative hobbies and focus on what’s really important. By integrating this style into our lives, we can not only revive a piece of the past, but perhaps even live a more sustainable and fulfilling life. Whether we bake our own apple pie, plant a small vegetable garden or simply enjoy a cup of tea in peace – Grandmacore brings comfort and mindfulness to everyday life. But we should be careful not to ruin our new, slower lifestyle by almost compulsively sharing on social media.
Of course, not everything was better in our grandmothers’ time, we must not forget that either. ;-)
PS: My excursion tip for the ultimate grandmacore and cottagecore feeling is the Glentleiten open-air museum with numerous old farmhouses to visit. 😉
A Time-Travel through Upper Bavaria: The Open Air Museum Glentleiten
