What to Wear in Late Summer: The Ultimate Cottagecore Wardrobe Guide

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There’s something sacred about late summer. The garden has given generously. The sun is still warm, but the light has turned golden and soft. Cicadas hum like a lullaby in the trees, and the shadows begin to stretch a little longer each evening. This is the time of year for slow porch mornings, sun tea steeping on the windowsill, and slipping into the kinds of clothes that feel like home—soft, breathable, and made with intention.

In this season, we don’t just get dressed—we romanticize the every day. Whether you’re picking tomatoes barefoot in your backyard, prepping plum preserves, or hosting a garden tea, your wardrobe should echo the softness of the season.

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The Heart of Late Summer Style

Late summer asks us to soften. To breathe. To ease up on the fast pace and let beauty rise to the surface. In your wardrobe, that means natural fibers, vintage silhouettes, romantic details, and breathable layering pieces that shift easily from hot afternoons to breezy evenings.

Let’s dive into the timeless pieces I reach for every year—ones that blend Cottagecore ease, French Country elegance, and vintage practicality.

Whites & Creams: The Eternal Cottagecore Foundation

Think cotton lawn dresses, delicate eyelet details, and linen slips that flutter in the breeze. These pieces aren’t just beautiful—they’re breathable and ideal for the warmth that still lingers.

Look for:

• Sleeveless or puff-sleeve white cotton dresses

• Midi and maxi cuts that allow airflow but still feel modest

• Embroidered lace trims or ruffled hems

French Country twist: Belt it with a braided rope or ribbon, add a straw sunhat, and carry a woven market basket filled with lavender or garden herbs.

Tip: Vintage slips make lovely day dresses when layered with the right accessories. Don’t overlook them in your thrifting adventures!

Muted Florals that Whisper, Not Shout

Late summer florals aren’t bold or tropical. They’re delicate, faded, and look like they’ve been sun-bleached on a cottage clothesline. Think of them as wearable pressed flowers.

Try these patterns & pieces:

• 1940s-style ditsy floral prints in dusty blue, blush, or butter yellow

• 90s-era April Cornell dresses with corset backs

• Vintage-inspired wrap dresses in faded rosebud patterns

Pair with:

• Woven flats or clogs

• Antique brooches or vintage ribbon necklaces

• Lightweight cardigans draped over your shoulders

Tip: Layer these floral dresses with cotton underskirts or bloomers to give structure and vintage shape.

The Humble Apron Skirt + Ruffled Blouse Combo

This outfit feels like home—perfect for harvesting tomatoes, baking a rustic galette, or setting the table for tea. A long, linen apron-style skirt (with or without buttons) paired with a puffed or ruffled blouse creates an old-world silhouette that never goes out of style.

Best materials:

• Linen (keeps you cool and wears beautifully over time)

• Cotton poplin blouses with lace or pintuck details

Add a little embroidered kerchief around your neck or in your hair for that nostalgic charm.

Antique-Inspired Nightgowns: Wear Them Out, Guilt-Free

This might be my favorite secret. Many vintage cotton and linen nightgowns are so beautifully made, they deserve to be worn in the daylight. With their high necklines, romantic sleeves, and lace trims, they look like something straight out of a Brontë novel.

How to style them:

• Add a sash or corset belt at the waist

• Wear with ballet flats or boots and a straw bag

• Toss on a knit shawl or duster for cooler evenings

Tip: These pieces are usually one-of-a-kind. Keep your eye out when thrifting or shop my curated collection for ready-to-wear treasures.

Sage, Sky, and Seafoam: Nature’s Color Palette

While pink is a Cottagecore darling, I find myself reaching for blues and greens in late summer—colors that blend with the earth and sky as the season shifts.

Build your palette with:

• Dusty sage smocks

• Cornflower blue linen dresses

• Olive green pinafores

• Soft chambray shirts to layer over dresses

Style with:

• Leather sandals or lace-up boots

• Hand-dyed scarves

• Vintage clip-on earrings

• These hues transition beautifully into early fall, so you’ll wear them again and again.

Layer with Grace: Slips, Bloomers & Lightweight Cardigans

Even when it’s hot during the day, evenings often cool down. Keep your layers breathable and pretty.

Pieces I always keep on hand:

• Embroidered cotton half slips

• Full-length vintage slips with lace hems

• Crochet cardigans or knit shawls

• Linen bloomers under shorter dresses

These underlayers give your outfits an extra dose of softness and femininity, and they keep you comfortable whether you’re chasing little ones or hosting a twilight dinner.

Accessories That Tell a Story

The finishing touches are what make your outfit feel like you. In late summer, they should feel natural, worn-in, and rich in texture.

Ideas to try:

• A woven basket or antique purse

• A straw bonnet with a ribbon

• A pressed flower locket

• Crocheted gloves or eyelet-trimmed socks

• A silk scarf tied onto your market tote or woven through your braid

• Tip: Vintage accessories often cost very little and carry so much personality. Mix them in with your wardrobe for charm that feels personal and collected.

Let the Season Shape You

Cottagecore is not just a fashion trend—it’s a lifestyle. And dressing the part in late summer is about more than looking pretty. It’s about feeling the rhythm of the season, letting the clothes you wear help you slow down and savor the last sweet stretch of summer.

Let your clothing reflect your values: beauty, intentionality, simplicity, grace.

Ready to Build Your Late Summer Cottagecore Closet?

I’ve gathered all my favorite pieces—thrifted, vintage, handmade, and perfectly romantic—just for you.
Because you deserve a wardrobe that tells your story.

Brooke

Hello Gorgeous Threads

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Welcome to my cozy corner of the internet! I’m Brooke, and I’m so thrilled you’re here. As a homeschool mom and a lover of all things Cottagecore, I’ve built a life that’s all about creating warmth, charm, and simplicity—and I can’t wait to share it with you!

Cottagecore, for me, is about slowing down and embracing the beauty of intentional living—finding joy in baking fresh bread, tending a garden, or savoring a quiet moment with a cup of tea by a sunny window. It’s about blending the rustic charm of Cottagecore with the refined elegance of French Country style to create a life that feels both beautiful and attainable.

One of my greatest passions is curating unique, timeless treasures that reflect this way of life. Whether it’s a vintage find, a sustainable piece, or a handmade item with a story to tell, I love sharing these special discoveries with you. And now, you can shop these carefully chosen pieces right here! Each item is selected with love, bringing charm, sustainability, and elegance into your home and wardrobe.

This little community of like-minded women makes everything even sweeter. I’m so excited to connect, inspire, and celebrate the magic of Cottagecore together. Thank you for stopping by—it means the world to me. Let’s embrace a simpler, more beautiful life, one lovely find at a time!