A new trend in flowering is emerging.
The “garden girl” aesthetic is gaining ground online as Gen Z fashionistas adopt the summer style trend, perfect for tending to blooming gardens and photoshoots.
Similar to the once popular “tomato girl,” “grocery girl,” and “cottagecore” aesthetics, the “garden girl” style, also known as #gardencore, incorporates light, airy fabrics with gingham and floral prints, and accessories such as woven straw bats, bags, gloves, and silk scarves.
“Linen is a go-to for living your best garden-girl life,” Etsy trend expert Dana Isom Johnson tells InStyle . “Linen is breathable, effortlessly elegant, and feels feather-light to wear. Whether you’re buying clothes, aprons, bedding, or table linens, linen’s versatility comes in handy.”
According to InStyle magazine, the trend calls into question a growing desire for the “soft life,” an aspirational lifestyle exemplified by influencers like model Nara Smith, who regularly wears outlandish outfits and makes most of her food and other products from scratch in her beautiful kitchen.
Pamela Anderson is also known for rocking a white linen dress, while Kylie Jenner’s latest white poplin outfit from her label KHY exudes a refined, feminine vibe fit for a #gardengirl.
Who What Wear reported that searches for “garden aesthetic” on Pinterest jumped 34% month-over-month, searches for “gardenok” on TikTok increased 30%, and there were more than 181,000 posts on Instagram using “#gardengirl.”
A more literal interpretation of the nature-centric trend might involve the kind of clothes a gardener might actually wear, like denim overalls and shoes like the Plasticana Gardana clogs that graced Brooklyn residents this spring, but many are opting to embody an overall vibe of being at one with nature rather than outfitting themselves with practical clothes for repotting plants, picking berries, and planting bulbs.
Amy Abrams, co-founder of Shop Extraordinary Enterprises, which also founded Artist & Flea and the Manhattan Vintage Show, said the “Garden Girl” aesthetic is the perfect excuse to shop vintage.
Not only is ethical shopping better for the environment and avoids fast fashion, it also makes it easier to find items that copy trends.
“Visit your local vintage boutique and peruse the tan fabrics and pastel colors in natural light. Look for cotton and linen dresses with florals and gingham that exude an English garden softness,” Abrams tells InStyle, advising shoppers to peruse the racks, as the “real gems” are often hiding “in plain sight.”
When searching for the perfect “gardencore” dress option, she recommends looking for “classic florals that evoke old cottage gardens or bold florals that evoke the flower power of the ’60s and ’70s.” Stripes, plaid, and gingham are also viable options, and fabrics like linen, silk, and cotton are perfect for a “garden event.”
“Local antique shops and flea markets are often treasure troves for unique accessories like basket bags,” Abrams says, adding that woven straw bags or sizzle bags are great choices, “and of course, a big vintage straw hat with flowers on it would be the perfect accent.”
